Our People
In His Service
Pastor Keith Lingsch
Pastor Keith Lingsch
Grace Lutheran Church Pastor
Installed March 15, 2009
Pastor Keith Lingsch
Pastor Keith Lingsch was born September 20, 1966, in McKeesport, PA, to Andrew and Beatrice Lingsch. He was baptized by Pastor Phillip Kohlmeyer and confirmed by Pastor Donald Winkler at Concordia Lutheran, McKeesport. Upon graduation from McKeesport High School in 1984, Pastor Lingsch joined the United States Air Force and served as an Airman working in Supply.
While serving on Active Duty at Nellis AB, NV, Pastor Lingsch felt led by the Lord to study for the Holy Ministry. He was accepted into a program which separated him from Active Duty and placed him in the Air National Guard. While serving in the Air Guard, Pastor Lingsch attended Concordia College Bronxville NY and earned a BA in religious studies, graduating in 1991. Pastor Lingsch continued his education, attending Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, where he earned his Masters of Divinity and graduated in May of 1996.
During his time at Concordia Seminary, Pastor Lingsch married Lori Lynn (Corbett) on November 20, 1993. They have three children: Andrew, Jeremiah, and Rachel. Pastor Lingsch’s Vicarage was at Trinity Lutheran, Zanesville, OH. He was Ordained on June 5, 1996 and received his first Call to Immanuel Lutheran, New Plymouth and Concordia Lutheran, Weiser Idaho. He received and accepted the Call to serve at Trinity Lutheran, Zanesville, his Vicarage congregation in August of 1998 where he served as the Assistant Pastor and then as Senior Pastor.
In September of 2006 he received a Call from the Ministry to the Armed Forces at the National Guard Bureau, Washington DC, serving as Chaplain in Readiness – deploying chaplains and chaplain’s assistants into the fight in the War on Terror. Chaplain Lingsch also served as the Executive Officer for Major General John B. Ellington, Director of the National Guard Chaplaincy. Pastor / Chaplain Lingsch retired from military service in January of 2012 with 22 years of service.
On March 15, 2009, Pastor Lingsch was Installed as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church.
Arthur A. Just Jr. has been on the faculty of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, since 1984 as a Professor of Exegetical Theology. He teaches New Testament, liturgics, homiletics, catechetics, and pastoral theology.
From 2017-2023 he served as a half-time career missionary in a number of capacities — as an associate director and professor of Seminario Concordia “El Reformador” in Santiago, Dominican Republic — as Associate Executive Director of International Mission, overseeing our mission work in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain and then later overseer of global theological education for the LCMS.
In July of 2023 he took on the status of modified status at CTSFW, teaching only in the spring quarter of 2023-2024. He has delighted in being the seasonal pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Naples, Florida, assisting Pr. Keith Lingsch by celebrating eucharist, preaching, teaching, and visiting the sick and homebound.
He and his wife Linda have three children and nine grand-children.
Seasonal Pastor Arthur A. Just Jr.
Vicar James Gramzow
James Gramzow is a native Michigander, hailing from the Metro-Detroit area, specifically Royal Oak. He is the proud product of a lifelong Lutheran education, beginning in a 3-year-old preschool and currently in his third year at the Fort Wayne Seminary. He attended Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, with an emphasis on Church Music. While at Seward, he was active in the Pre-Seminary Program and sang in the University’s A Cappella Choir. When not studying theology, he enjoys learning about American history, church art and architecture, and he enjoys classical music.
Vicar James is married to Jill and they have an infant son, Peter.
Seasonal Deaconess Linda Nobili
Deaconess Linda Nobili graduated from Concordia, Ann Arbor, and Concordia, Chicago with degrees and certification in theology and Deaconess training. She served at St. John Lutheran Church in Rochester, MI for thirteen years as the Director of Care Giving before retiring to Florida in 2017.
She has served at Grace for the past seven years as the Director of Human Care. She leads our GriefShare support group which meets weekly during the winger, January through April. She visits our homebound, serves through the Women of Grace, and occasionally teaches Bible studies.
Her strength and deepest love is ministry to women.
She is married to her wonderful husband Mauro, who serves as Grace’s Property Director. They have two daughters, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Jonathan Birner
Director of Parish Music
Music is an expression of worship. Jonathan Birner diligently and skillfully directs our parish music programming, including the Choir, Handbell choir, and youth music programs. Our sanctuary features a stunning custom built pipe organ, and materials designed to enhance acoustics. Jonathan sets the pace of our spiritual expression with beautiful and powerful hymns, psalms, and songs. Furthermore he plans special programs featuring musical groups from far and wide.
Jackie Smith
Administrative Assistant
Jackie Smith recently moved to Naples from Ohio. She was born and raised in Ohio. She was a Nazarene Pastor’s wife and worked closely with him in his ministry office. She was widowed and is now married to Ed Wittung, a former missionary. They have a blended family of 5 children, four who live in Ohio and 1 who lives in Texas. In the past she has worked as a camp cook, a police dispatcher, an optometric technician, and as a secretary. She has excellent computer skills and she understands the working of a church office. Her hobbies include cooking, reading, and eating.
Preschool Staff
Julie Crews
Director & Teacher
Elisabeth Patton
Teacher
Cailey Crews
Teacher
Boards and Officers
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President
Niles Jehn
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Vice President
Brian Heidel
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Secretary
Mallory Heidel
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Treasurer
Bill Allen
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Human Care
Deaconess Linda Nobili
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Elders
Patrick Perri
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Evangelism
Rob White
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Public Relations
Katelyn Mirly
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Fellowship
Lori Lingsch
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Properties
Mauro Nobili
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Youth
Austin Gomez
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Education
Katie McKimm
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Endowment
Karl Ehmann
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Stewardship
Matt Stevenson-Smith
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Financial Secretary
Judy Sadowski