David and Kathleen Whitehead

David Whitehead is the lead pastor of GRACE. He and his wife Kathleen have been in ministry for over 27 years and bring a diversity of experience to Grace. As a former atheist, he has helped many Christians understand mainstream culture. As a former business owner and corporate employee, David understands the pressures and demands of the work world. As a former professional musician, David has toured internationally doing concerts in churches and university campuses. As the national director of Campus Harvest, he has helped local churches across the East Coast establish college ministries. As a short-term missionary leader, David has led teams of people to Africa, Europe and Asia. As an associate pastor on staff with local churches, he understands the challenges that church leaders face. David also serves as a coach for the Redeemer Church Planting Center in Manhattan. Kathleen has effectively ministered to women from all walks of life. She has been a partner with David as a musician, on the mission field and in serving people with the gospel. David and Kathleen have two daughters and live on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Paul Stivitts

Paul Stivitts is the Music and Arts Director for Grace. Paul has been a drummer since the day he saw the Muppet Show! A consummate professional, he's been performing, recording, teaching, and composing music for almost 20 years. He was a member of the World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, then graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Jazz Studies. Paul's exciting musical career has taken him to around the world recording and sharing the stage with Jazz legend Maynard Ferguson, Lauryn Hill, Grammy Award winning Brave Combo, Burlap to Cashmere, Dispatch, Stan Getz, Dave Grusin, Diana Krall, the Henri Mancini Orchestra, Toby Lightman, Arturo Sandoval and many, many others. This has also produced Atlantic, Sony, Capitol, Interscope, and many indie label recording credits along the way.

Daniel & Jessica Gilland

Daniel & Jessica Gilland are Pastoral Apprentices here at Grace. After ministering to college students in Florida, Georgia, and New Jersey for 6 years they were married in 2007 and joined together in ministry in Atlanta, GA. where they served the campuses of Georgia Tech and Georgia State University. While serving these campuses in downtown Atlanta God began to burden their hearts to minister in urban settings. In their search to learn more about ministry to urban centers they were connected to Pastor David Whitehead and the community of Grace. This led to them moving to NYC in the fall of 2009 to work with this team and learn more about what it means to pastor in these urban environments.