The worshipers at Grace UMC are its ministers.
The clergy and staff who support them are:
REV. J. BRYAN SISSON, SENIOR PASTOR
Antiques Lover | Pop Culture Aficionado | Travel Enthusiast
Bryan was ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1997 and has served in several United Methodist Churches all across the North Alabama Conference. Whether it’s preaching on Sunday mornings, leading Bible studies, or taking care of the day-to-day ministry requirements at Grace, he loves his role of caring for and nurturing the lives of others. His goal is to spiritually challenge church members to claim their voice and place in ministry.
He’s married to Tracy, his best friend and #1 cheerleader. They have two daughters, Josie and Riley.
Favorite Authors: Henri Nouwen, Frederick Buechner, and Richard Rohr. In his down time he loves reading James Patterson suspense thrillers!
Contact Pastor Bryan at bryansisson@graceumchsv.org
REV. MEGAN BARBER, ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Amateur Farmer | Fantasy Enthusiast |
Crafting Supply Collector
Megan is married to Steven, and together they have a daughter named Gwenivere and a farm called The Farm on LaGrange. On the farm, they raise an array of animals (pigs, goats, chickens, dogs, and cats) and grow flowers, pumpkins, and produce. In her very limited free time, Megan enjoys reading fantasy novels, playing video games, and crafting (or at least she collects items for crafting). As a recovering overachiever, Megan holds both a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a concentration in Radio, Television, and Film from the University of North Alabama. Megan is passionate about teaching others how to grow in their faith and live it out in their communities and the world.
Contact Pastor Megan at meganbarber@graceumchsv.org
Follow her on IG: @thefarm_on_lagrange and FB: The Farm on LaGrange
REV. MELISSA KOWERDUCK-ROBINSON, DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES
Creative | Dog-lover | Swiftie
Melissa, her husband Steve, and their two dogs Scarlett and Percy, live in Huntsville, AL. Her aesthetic as a youth director is talking a lot about Jesus, inspirational t-shirts, bad jokes, and getting far too excited about little things. She loves the color pink, sparkles, plants (but not mint), Taylor Swift, and puppies. She is always willing to get slimed, sprayed with a hose for slip and slide kickball, and doused in colored powder. She works hard to be sure all students feel the deep love of God, think outside of their comfort zones, and leave every meeting feeling proud of who they are. Melissa has a B.S. in Psychology from Belmont University, a M.A. in Youth Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and is studying for her Master’s in Divinity at Candler. She became a Licensed Local Pastor in summer 2024.
Contact Melissa at melissakr@graceumchsv.org
ANNA MARIE RAINWATER, DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
Dog Mom | Book Worm | Avid Crafter
Originally from Helena, Alabama, Anna Marie and her husband Reid live with their three furbabies in Arab. If Anna Marie doesn't have her nose in a book, she is often found working on some crafty project or singing along to her favorite Broadway cast recording. Anna Marie is passionate about teaching the youngest of God’s children about Jesus and walking alongside them on their faith journey.
Contact Anna Marie at amrainwater@graceumchsv.org
JOY SMITH, COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Avid Reader | Enneagram 2 |
California Transplant
Joy comes to Grace by way of California. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, Kris and together they have 4 grown kids, a couple “bonus” kids, 1 granddaughter and a dog. She loves Alabama, except for the size and crunchiness of the bugs. Her love of people runs deep, and she feels fortunate to get to serve the Kingdom by supporting several pastors throughout her church career. She speaks fluent sarcasm, enjoys sitting on her back patio, could live on her grandmother’s homemade macaroni and cheese, and her favorite color is pink.
Contact Joy at joysmith@graceumchsv.org
Follow Joy on IG: @imthatmom
GIANNA GIMENEZ, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Cat Lover | Opera Singer |
British Mystery Fan
Gianna (she/her) is a Huntsville native with two grown children and two adorable orange tabbies, Ares & Ajax. She is notorious for asking anyone she meets to join the music ministry! A proud alumna of Birmingham-Southern College, she has been a voice teacher for over 30 years, and loves nothing better than when a choir sings perfectly in tune.
Contact Gianna at giannagimenez@graceumchsv.org
Follow Gianna on IG: @giannabg
CURTIS LINDSAY, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & ACCOMPANIST
Since 2011, Curtis has served as our gifted Staff Pianist by helping to direct various choir rehearsals and playing piano for our worship services and events.
As a native of Athens, Alabama, Curtis attended pre-college studies at Mannes and Julliard. He has participated in college studies at the University of North Alabama and the University of Alabama-Huntsville (B.A., Music and Philosophy)
Curtis’ favorite authors include C. S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr, and Eudora Welty. His hobbies include amateur astronomy, cooking, hiking, cats, and travel.
JOEY TAYLOR, PRAISE & WORSHIP LEADER
Joey Taylor serves as our Praise & Worship Leader, organizing the music for our contemporary service. In addition to his role at Grace, Joey is a professor at the University of Alabama Huntsville. He teaches courses in medieval literature, medievalism, history of the English language, and literary theory.
Contact Joey at joeytaylor@graceumchsv.org