Meet the team
James Panza
I have been pastoring here since 2010. I am ordained with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. As a part of the Metro District of the Alliance, I also serve our 120+ churches in NJ and the greater NYC area on the District Executive Committee. My wife and I have been married since 1991; we have 4 children, along with one son-in-law and two daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. Our family is by far our greatest blessing and joy this side of eternity! We are grateful that all of our kids are serving Jesus and living productive God-centered lives. Some hobbies I enjoy are golf, cars, the outdoors and sports. God has blessed me over the years to serve Him through a variety of means; from the corporate sector, owning my own business and serving in other church ministry capacities. All of these things provided years of learning and experience to lay a foundation for this calling, this time and this place. I am so appreciative for all who played a pivotal role in my life! In ministry, my passion is discipleship, maturity and growth. It is a tremendous privilege to have a voice of influence in to the lives of others. This calling from God is not taken lightly. I desire to see people walk in the strength and confidence of their faith. The Kingdom of God is powerful and requires bold followers to do and complete its mission. Life is a gift and God wants us to live it in joy, strength and fulfillment. I pray and trust that your encounter with Jesus through Grace Chapel will be meaningful, joyful, challenging and deeply impacting. May the Spirit of God fill you, the love of Jesus transform you, and the power of God fulfill you.
David Janssen
I was born in NYC and grew up at the shore in Rumson, New Jersey. My father was an attorney and my mother was an art graduate from the University of Michigan. I graduated from Westtown Friends, a Quaker High School outside of Philadelphia. I came to Christ while at a summer job on the Asbury Park boardwalk while attending Penn State. At Penn State I met Jeannine and together headed off to Asbury Seminary weeks after getting married. Jeannine loves serving the Lord and is also interested in antiques, gardening, and art in general. We have two daughters who graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. Jeannine and I have been involved in ministry as campus pastors, church planters, missionaries in Malaysia, among other pursuits. I led the State College Alliance church for 22 years before coming to the Metro district staff caring for over 40 churches in northern New Jersey. I received a Doctorate of Ministry from Alliance Seminary in 2020 in Leadership Development. Jeannine and I live in Tewksbury Township and I loves my ministry as Associate Pastor for Grace Chapel. In addition, I am on staff with the National Office of the Alliance as Regional Church Advance Director for the districts of the Northeast. Most importantly, I love Jesus and this is the most important part of life. Having heard the voice of the Lord internally guide me out of an apartment building fire at age 12, each day is clearly a bonus in the Lord.
Traci Rowland
Traci was born and raised in New Jersey; she grew up at Long Hill Chapel in Chatham and has been at Grace since May of 2013. When not at work, Traci enjoys spending time with her husband, David, three daughters, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. In her spare time, Traci has volunteered with Market Street Mission, Fostering Hope Northampton, and served on the Board of Independence for Veterans.
Nicole Rebholz
I grew up attending a church in my hometown but developed a closer relationship with the Lord during college. My faith is an integral part of who I am and serves as the backbone of my family. I graduated from Montclair State University in 2009 with a dual degree in English and Education. I married my high school sweetheart, Scott, directly after college and worked as a high school English teacher for a few years and sought to help students recognize their potential through the power of reading and writing. I loved teaching, but decided to stay home to raise our children after our first son was born. I began attending Grace in 2014 with my husband and our then 4-month-old son, Joshua. Since that time, we have been blessed with three more boys-Caleb, Jacob, and Caden. Today, as a busy mom of four very busy boys, some of my hobbies include staying active, running, cooking, and going to the beach, but my biggest passion is spending time with my children and husband. I began serving as the Grace Kids Children's Ministry Director in 2021. I love working with the children and I feel blessed to be able to teach them about Jesus. I strongly believe that we have an opportunity and responsibility to pour biblical truth into children, and help provide them with the tools to navigate this world with hope, love, and peace.
Jennifer Carey
I was born and raised in NJ and heard a call from the Lord to youth ministry while I was involved with Rutgers Young Life during my college years. I worked for Young Life for 7 years in Bridgewater and Somerville, NJ. During my time in outreach ministry, I have always had a heart for the local church and plugging young people into one. I am married to Christian Carey and have a baby boy on the way! I love discipleship, fitness, hispanic food and trendy coffee shops. In 2023, I prayerfully accepted the position to become the Student Ministry Director at Grace Chapel. My goal is to disciple youth in the ways of Jesus, implement outreach opportunities to serve the community and reach the disinterested and see students operate in the power of the Holy Spirit to impact their areas of influence for Jesus.
Tim Hudak
I grew up in a christian family going to church in west NJ. I served four years in the U.S. Army from 2016-2020, during that time the Lord really got a hold of my heart. In 2019 I felt the call to serve the Lord in ministry but I did not know what that looked like. When I moved back to NJ in 2020 the Lord led me to Grace Chapel, in 2022 I started serving as director of our young adults group called Devoted. I am passionate about cars, fitness, the outdoors, and trying new food. I am excited to see God's impact on Devoted and Grace Chapel as a whole.
David Guarino
I grew up in North Jersey and was raised in the church. It was not until I participated in a mission trip in Lima Peru during my junior year of high school that I made faith my own. I am so grateful that the Lord brought me from death to life and has given me the opportunity to share Him and His great love with others. I spent 5 years as a Youth Director for a mega church in New Jersey before starting my career in Finance at Covenant Asset Management. I live in Chester, New Jersey with my wife Julia and son Caleb. Since leaving youth ministry, the Lord has placed a desire in my heart to bring men of all ages together to challenge one another in their walks with the Lord. It is a blessing to be part of a men's group that puts an emphasis on truth from scripture, authenticity, and growing relationships with other believers.
Debbie Ericksen
I gave my life to Christ fifty years ago and testify to God's limitless love, faithfulness, mercy, and grace. My husband, Bob, and I have been married for thirty-nine years and have three grown sons and three "daughters in love". We also have two granddaughters. My hobbies include travel, knitting, card making, and running. One of my favorite Bible references is Hebrews 12:1-2. During COVID, God placed it on my heart to retire from teaching. It was bittersweet because I loved my classroom and the children in it so very much. In addition to my heart for service to children, I also have a heart to serve women. As Director of Women's Ministry, I now have the incredible opportunity to walk alongside women, to build and nurture relationships, and to grow together in Christ. I can't wait to see all that God will do through the Women of Grace.
Grace Lusk
I have lived in New Jersey all my life and have been attending Grace Chapel since 2020! My husband, Matt, and I got married in August 2023 and live in Far Hills. We love playing music together, exercising, traveling, and spending time with family & friends. I have been singing and worshipping Jesus from the age of 5! As time went on, I developed a passion and love for leading worship and seeing people give their hearts to the Lord. I began to write songs about the goodness and faithfulness of God and have released three singles to date. I am grateful to be part of this amazing family here at Grace!