Our Story
Serving God For 20 Years
Grace Harbor began as a church plant in 2002. In 2004 the church almost decided to close its doors, because a lack of funding and other resources had led the original church planting pastor to pull back from the church. A small group of people, however, decided to continue meeting together in the Courtyard Marriott in Downcity Providence for the next few years.
In 2009, the church replanted itself with the structure and documents that we are governed by today. In December of 2012 Grace Harbor moved into a historic church building on the edge of downtown where we currently meet together each Lord’s Day and throughout the week for special gatherings.
By God’s grace, as members of Christ’s body, we continue to be conformed into the image of His Son to display His character and His gospel in the city of Providence and the surrounding areas. We trust that this is our future as well, as we commit ourselves to loving one another and obeying His commands out of our love for Him.
We are a church that seeks to display God’s glory among ourselves, our community, and the nations, by being Gospel-centered and Word-driven as we worship God according to His commands in community together. We are a group of baptized believers that affirm what is written in our church statement of faith and covenant. We are a congregational church that is led by a plurality of elders and served by deacons and deaconesses.
Pastors
Pastors/Elders are men in the church who, according to scripture, are to devote themselves to the ministry of the word and prayer (Acts 6:4). Their qualifications are laid out in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
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Kevin McKay
Lead Pastor
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Travis Rymer
Associate Pastor
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Jason Hsieh
Associate Pastor of Counseling and Discipleship
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Jonathan Crossman
Lay Elder
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Dan DaCunha
Lay Elder
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Tom Hines
Lay Elder
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Jai Paul
Lay Elder
Staff
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Kevin McKay
Lead Pastor
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Travis Rymer
Associate Pastor
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Jason Hsieh
Associate Pastor of Counseling and Discipleship
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Mary Jo Hines
Administrator
Deacons & Deaconesses
Deacons and deaconesses are men and women in the church who serve and uphold the ministry of the word and prayer by freeing the elders up to devote themselves to the ministry of the word and prayer. Deacons and deaconesses do this by giving oversight to particular ministries and in so doing protect the unity of the church. (Acts 6:1-4).
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Nicea Demers
Deaconess of Children’s Ministry
Nicea plans our children's curriculum, coordinates over 60 volunteer teachers and helpers for children’s classes, and aims to support our members to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
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Ian Quinn
Deacon of Security
Ian is responsible for managing our safety plans and coordinating a team of volunteers who provide security at our gatherings.
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Louis Burgin
Deacon of Financial Care
Louis provides financial counseling to church members in various circumstances by educating about basic financial principles and other matters with confidentiality, humility, encouragement and patience.
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Melanie Makin
Deaconess of Library Resources
Melanie oversees tasks related to the church's loaned resources so that those resources can most effectively contribute to the growth of our members (and their children) in spiritual health, biblical truth and the doctrines of the church.
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Tim Hartman
Deacon of Technology
Tim is responsible for the technological needs of the church in its gatherings and ministry to one another. This includes organizing volunteers to manage audio and video needs during our gatherings, and managing our website and other databases.
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Eric Porter
Deacon of Hospitality
Eric facilitates member events such as potlucks, conferences, receptions and luncheons; he is also responsible for coordinating special member care, such as meal calendars for new parents or members under other trying circumstances. Eric and the hospitality team work to encourage the church to care for its members in a loving, organized way.
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Matt Velardo
Deacon of Ordinances
Matt is responsible for overseeing the church's ordinances, including the preparation and administration of communion, organizing the collection of the offering, and operating the baptismal. He coordinates the necessary volunteers and materials to ensure these are carried out smoothly as the church gathers for worship.