God has placed pastor-elders as leaders over His church to oversee the spiritual care of the congregation. When the Bible speaks of pastors, elders, and overseers in the church, the same office is being described. The primary task of these men is shepherding (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2), which includes teaching, guiding, counseling, and protecting the church. Therefore, pastor-elders are to be the qualified (1 Tim 3:1-13, Titus 1:6-9), exemplary (1 Peter 5:3), Spirit-appointed (Acts 20:28) leaders at Grace Bible Church. Together they provide a plurality of pastoral (shepherding) oversight through unanimous decision-making, equal authority, and local church autonomy. The pastor/elders share this responsibility, yet in different and distinct ways, according to each individual’s gifting, skill, training, desire, and availability.

Grace Bible Church recognizes some of these men as worthy of “double honor” (1 Timothy 5:17), set apart by material compensation for their labor in the Word and teaching and/or exceptional leadership/management.

Scott Demarest

Pastor/Elder

Scott provides shepherding oversight at Grace Bible Church through a Smallgroup in his home, BUILD (men’s foundational discipleship ministry), Missionary Care and Support, and Discover GBC.

Scott joined the Pastor-Elders at Grace Bible Church in 2007.

Scott was born on the mission field in Nigeria, spent his childhood years in Africa and England, and returned to the US in 1975. He came to Christ in repentance and faith in 1981. He moved to the Phoenix area in 1991 to work in the software industry and has attended Grace Bible Church since 2003.  Scott and his wife Sarah have been married since 1990 and are blessed with three grown children.

Jacob Hantla

Pastor/Elder

Jacob provides shepherding oversight at Grace Bible Church through Student Ministries (6th – 12th grades), BookTable & CoffeeTable Ministries, and Spanish Ministries.

Jacob joined the board of pastor-elders at Grace Bible Church in 2008.

Jacob grew up in Tucson and was saved in 1999 while a student at Arizona State University, where he graduated with degrees in biomedical engineering and nursing. He went on to study at Midwestern University, earning a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice. He now works as a cardiac nurse anesthesiologist. In 2001, Jacob married Kiki, who grew up in Mexico, where her parents served as missionaries.  Jacob and Kiki were founding members of Grace Bible Church. They have three children: Elianna, David, and Andrew. Jeff and Lorie, Jacob’s parents, also attend GBC.

Ben James

Pastor/Elder

Ben provides shepherding oversight at Grace Bible Church through a Smallgroup in his home, 414 (college & singles), and Church Membership.

Ben joined the Pastor-Elders at Grace Bible Church in 2024.

Ben was raised in Santa Clarita, California and attended Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA until moving to Arizona in 2007. He has a degree in Christian Ministries Administration from the Master’s College and an MBA from Arizona State University and works in Risk Management in the insurance industry. Ben and his wife Melissa have been married since 2003 and have two daughters: Charis and Emma.

Matt Kellso

Pastor/ Elder

Matt provides shepherding oversight at Grace Bible Church through a Smallgroup in his home and Next Generation Ministry (infants – 5^th grades).

Matt joined the Pastor-Elders at Grace Bible Church in 2018.

Matt was born in Michigan, moved to South Carolina at an early age, and has lived in Arizona since 1987. God saved Matt at a young age while he was in South Carolina. He graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. He and his wife Jenna were married during their college years and were both founding members of Grace Bible Church. In 2020, Matt started an online coffee roasting business and opened a coffee shop in Chandler called Sagebrush Coffee. Matt and Jenna have three children: Jonathan, Noah, and Eden.

Eric Martin

Pastor/Elder

Eric provides shepherding oversight at Grace Bible Church through a Smallgroup in his home, 414 (college & singles), and he also serves as Chairman of the Elder Board.

Eric joined the Pastor-Elders at Grace Bible Church in 2013.

Eric was raised in Ohio, graduated from the Ohio State University in 1996 and then moved to Arizona where he began work as an engineer in the software industry for a defense contractor. In 2000, his heart was radically transformed by God, and he turned from his sins to follow Jesus Christ. He was a founding member of Grace Bible Church. He and his wife Sarah have been married since 2003 and have three children: Isaiah, Nathan, and Gabrielle.

Smedly Yates

Pastor/Elder

Smedly provides shepherding oversight at Grace Bible Church through Preaching, Pastoral Training, Leadership Development, Missions, Counseling, and Women’s Ministry. He also leads a Smallgroup in his home.

Smedly joined the Pastor-Elders at Grace Bible Church in 2008.

Smedly was born in Texas and came to Grace Bible Church in 2008 after serving a church in Tennessee. He earned a degree in missionary aviation from The Moody Bible Institute in 1998 and an M.Div. from The Master’s Seminary in 2002. Smedly and his wife Janet were married in 2000 and have five children, one of whom is married.