Meet Our
Team
Chris Edwards
Senior Pastor
In 1998 Chris Edwards, son of Dr. Michael and Nancy Edwards, completed his bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Theology at Crown College of the Bible. He went on to earn his Master of Ministry degree in 1999. After graduation, he and his wife, Kristy, moved from Knoxville, Tennessee, to take a position at Heritage Baptist Church in Woodbridge, Virginia. He worked on staff for five years as Assistant to the Pastor.
In February of 2004, Chris and the family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, to start a new church. He preached his first service as Pastor of Grace Baptist Church of South Charlotte with approximately 20 people in attendance. After meeting at several different rented facilities for a period of ten years, Grace Baptist Church built its own building in 2014 and was renamed Graceway Baptist Church. Chris and Kristy, along with their daughter Bailey and son Chase, have devoted themselves to the church family and the surrounding community.
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Tim Souza
Assistant Pastor
Born in Connecticut to an evangelist father, Tim went on to graduate from Bible college with a degree in Pastoral Theology. The Lord led him, and his wife Trish, to full-time ministry at Heritage Baptist Church in Woodbridge, Virginia. Tim taught high school history and music, and later transitioned to an assistant pastor role. They served there for 22 years before the Lord led them to Charlotte in January of 2019.
In his spare time, Tim enjoys photography, reading, golf, and trying out new restaurants with Trish. Trish loves volunteering in the music program and kids ministries. Tim’s vision for Graceway includes finding ways to spread God’s love, as well as encouraging others to share in the work of Christ throughout the Charlotte metro area.
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Ethan Delaney
Student Ministries Director
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Sandra Loveland
Business Manager
Sandra is from Monroe, North Carolina, and is a graduate of Bob Jones University. She is married to Jim, and they have four children: Jessica, Steven, Alyson, and Justin. Her favorite things include anything with her family, sports, and reading a good book.
She and her family have served at Graceway since its early beginnings. Serving at Graceway has been a great blessing and opportunity for her. Sandra works as Pastor’s assistant and the business manager. She loves working with the kids choir, teaching the children's class, and helping wherever possible.
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Tommy Alvis
Music Director
Tommy grew up in a pastor's home. The early influence of the Bible and godly parents allowed him to come to the Lord at a young age. He attended Bob Jones University, where he double majored in accounting and software development. He and his wife Ashley have five boys.
Tommy has been instrumental in developing and leading the Graceway music program as a volunteer for the past 15 years. He leads the worship in services, directs the choir, and plans the music calendar. In his spare time, Tommy loves hanging out with his family and coaching his boys' sports teams.
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Brady Janiszewski
Connection Group Coordinator
Brady was born in West Virginia and raised in a military family and had the pleasure of living in various places in the United States. He received Christ when he was twelve and felt God calling him to the ministry in his twenties. Brady and his wife, Lesley, served in the youth ministry for ten years at their home church in WV. This led to a bachelor's degree in religion and a minor in Christian Counseling from Liberty University. Seeking God's direction, they moved to the Carolina's in 2014 and shortly after joined the Graceway family.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, hunting, fishing, surfing and all things outdoors. God has developed in him a true love for people, and a desire to share Christ and help people connect with one another.
Christa O'Lear
Volunteer Coordinator
Christa grew up in Minnesota (You Betcha!) but moved to the Charlotte area with her husband Justin in 2015. She grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ at the age of 12. After attending a Christian college in North Carolina, Christa and Justin worked at a church in Tennessee before moving to the Charlotte area and joining Graceway.
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Christa balances her time as a stay-at-home mom of two boys with teaching piano and managing social media content for a few local companies. In her spare time, Christa enjoys hiking with her family and experimenting on them with desserts.
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As Graceway’s Volunteer Coordinator, Christa schedules volunteers across the different ministries as well as helping new members find the ministry best suited to them. If you are looking to become involved at Graceway, she is the person you will want to contact!
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