Staff

While serving in the United States Army Bill began his education at the University of Alaska. Later at Kent State University and then Azusa Pacific University, where he learned to place great value on the Bible’s original languages for accurate interpretation of God’s Word. That commitment to accurately discern the word of God is a hallmark of his teaching. Pastor Bill’s life verse is Ephesian 3:20 “ Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.” Bill says that this has been his life story since becoming a follower of Christ In 1972.

Pastor Bill has been leading this growing congregation since 1975. He is married to Cherie his wife along with 3 children and several grandchildren.

Tom Ravasio is a Mon Valley native who comes from a large family of 8 brothers and sisters. At the age of 22, Tom met the Lord Jesus Christ in Clearwater Beach Florida and a radical change was evident in his life. He immediately began to serve the Lord through his local church and then served two years with the missionary organization “Operation Mobilization” on their ship “LOGOS”. That wonderful experience took him to over 24 countries through Central and South America, the Caribbean Islands, and the eastern coast of the United States and Canada where he preached, evangelized, and discipled throughout the two-year term.

Following this, he entered Trinity College of Florida, earning a Bachelor’s of Theology in Pastoral Studies, and continued his studies at Dallas Theological Extension Campus. Tom enjoys missions work and encouraging others to accompany him with new missions challenges each year. He also enjoys the "deeper levels" of Spiritual Growth and helping people reach the purpose for which God created them.

Tom is also the Founder and President of Shekinah Western Ranch Camp (yourcamp.org) located near Charleroi PA. SWRC is a non profit, non –denominational Christian camp that encourages youth to encounter God through the use of horses and outdoor recreation.

He is the author of the "LORD OF THE HORSES" book series (thelordofthehorses.com). Five evangelistic and apocalyptic books describe the fictional life of the white horse that is mentioned in Revelation 19:11 which Jesus returns on.
Tom is also a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor through the National Christian Counselors Association and has earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Christian Counseling from Cornerstone Christian University.

Tom and his wife Karen have three grown daughters, April, Kalyn, and Mikayla, as well as four grandchildren. The Ravasio’s reside in Monongahela, Pennsylvania on a cozy 20-acre ranch.

Branden enrolled at Liberty University's Rawlings School of Divinity in 2013, the same year he and his wife, Lexi, joined Journey by Grace Church. While serving at the church and working as a Systems Engineer at the Bank of New York Mellon, Branden discovered his calling to be a pastor-theologian. Inspired by Pastor Bill's unwavering dedication to studying the original biblical languages, Branden developed a similar commitment to accurately communicating God's Word through his preaching.

Since 2015, Branden has served as the lead pastor of two churches in the Harvest Conference. During this time, he earned two seminary degrees: a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and a Master of Divinity.

Branden's life verse is Philippians 1:21: 'For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' This verse has guided his life since becoming a follower of Jesus in 2011.

Branden is blessed with his wonderful wife, Lexi, two children, and one grandchild (no joke)!"

Heather Goodwin has been a member of Journey by Grace for over 24 years and has served actively leading children’s ministry. As the children’s pastor, Heather oversees the programs for toddlers through 5th graders, including a fully-staffed nursery on Sunday during the
10:45 Contemporary service and Journey Kidz Children’s Church. On Wednesday evenings she directs and teaches Journey Kidz, a part of the “Campus Ministry” Journey by Grace offers to provide something specific for everyone from toddlers to adults.

Pastor Heather’s goals are first, to make the time all children spend with us the best hour of their week and second, that every child would experience the love of Christ in a way that meets them exactly where they are. She knows that God has great things for the smallest in His kingdom and great blessings for those who teach them.

Pastor Heather became a Christian as a child. Her passion for children’s ministry started when she was very young helping with Vacation Bible School. Now she directs the Journey by Grace “high energy” Vacation Bible School that welcomes all area children. Pastor Heather, her husband Bill have 5 children, William, Anna,
Miles, Nicholas, and Maxwell. They have recently added two daughter-in-law (Nicole & Bayley) and a son-in-law (Logan). They currently live in Charleroi, PA.

Acts 20:24 “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus-the work of telling others the Good News of God’s wonderful kindness and love.”

Matthew Ledford was born and raised in a little town about 30 minutes west of Charlotte, NC. He and his wife got married in 2016 and since then have been on quite a journey (by grace of course). They worked together as program and staff directors at Shekinah Ranch Camp in local Charleroi, PA. They then lived overseas in Indonesia on mission for 5 months and then returned to camp. They just recently completed an 11-month mission trip that was in 11 countries and spanned 3 separate continents! Upon return, Matt joined our staff here as the Youth Pastor and also joined back with Shekinah Ranch as Program Director. Matt and Kalyn now have a new edition to their family in Ember. His passion is sports, evangelism, and meeting new people!