OUR STAFF
Pastor Michael
Michael is a native of Alabama and has served in ministry for 30 years. Before serving as Senior Pastor, Michael was the Worship Pastor at GBC for over 17 years. Michael and his wife Lisa met in high school, married in 1996, and have a daughter, Megan, and a son, Josh. Lisa is a registered nurse and works as a case manager. As Senior Pastor, Michael oversees the ministry at GBC.
Michael is passionate about worshipping the Lord and spreading the Gospel of Christ in the community. He consistently looks for new opportunities to do both wherever he is.
Michael enjoys playing the piano, saxophone, singing, reading, conducting, scuba diving, hiking, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.
Pastor Lou
Lou is a native of Altoona and has served in ministry at GBC for over 33 years. Lou and his wife Teri married in 1984 and have three daughters and two grandchildren. Teri is a teacher’s aide working for Altoona School District. As Associate Pastor, Lou oversees our children’s ministries and many of our support ministries.
Lou is passionate about preaching and teaching the Word of God, teaching children about the Lord, and caring for hurting people.
Lou enjoys being with his daughters and their spouses, being around his grandchildren, kayaking, fishing, shooting, and taking rides in his Miata with Teri and his friends.
Pastor Kirth
Kirth is a native of Hollidaysburg and a graduate of Great Commission Schools who grew up at GBC. He attended Liberty University for his undergraduate and graduate work and came on staff in 2023. As Assistant Pastor, Kirth leads our Young Adult Ministry (Compass) and Adult Small Group Ministry. He also is responsible for various areas of administration.
Kirth is passionate about teaching believers things of the Bible that they have never heard or understood before and doing it in an engaging, energizing way.
Kirth enjoys playing basketball and video games and hanging out with friends. He is a fan of Penn State football and basketball, Duke basketball, and Steelers football. Though he only has one under his belt so far, Kirth also participates in Spartan Races.
Pastor James
James grew up in the Chicago area and moved to Pennsylvania with his wife, Christina, 15 years ago. He served as Youth Pastor for 10 years at Community Baptist Church in Altoona, PA, before joining the staff at Grace Bible Church in September 2024, following a year as interim youth director. As Senior High Youth Pastor, James oversees the 10th–12th grade youth program and collaborates with Matt Winquist on the overall youth ministry.
James is passionate about prayer and helping youth develop a personal walk with God and a confident faith that prepares them for the challenges of adult life in today’s culture. He enjoys teaching apologetics and addressing difficult questions to help young people establish their faith in God and their identity in Christ.
James is bi-vocational, dividing his time between his business, based in Duncansville, PA, and his work at Grace Bible Church. His wife, Christina, is a history teacher at Blair County Christian School, where she has served for seven years. James and Christina enjoy spending time with their four children and extended family in the area.
Pastor Matt
Matt grew up in Upstate New York near the Niagara Falls and Buffalo area, and moved to Pennsylvania with his wife, Elizabeth, 13 years ago. Matt met his wife Elizabeth while studying at Liberty University to become an educator. Matt has been a teacher for 14 years, and has experience teaching in all different types of schools and programs, and at all varying levels, elementary, middle school and high school. Matt is the Junior High Youth Pastor, where he oversees the 7th-9th grade youth program and works closely with James Shepherd on the overall youth ministry.
Matt is passionate about helping young people learn about God, and the immense love that God has for them. He enjoys the challenge of working with Gen Z and Gen Alpha students, and Matt wants to help ready and equip them for the difficult culture they are growing up in. Matt also really enjoys building lasting friendships with his students and having fun with them.
Matt is bi-vocational, where he splits his time between his dessert food truck business, located in Altoona, PA, and also his work at Grace Bible Church. Matt is a Buffalo Bills and Penn State Football fan, and he believes every year that they might win it all! Matt enjoys being active, playing just about any sport you can think of. He also enjoys spending time with his wife Elizabeth, and their 3 children.
Deacons
