After many years as a church planter and strategist, Jim Akins returned to a Senior Pastor role, accepting a call to become GracePointe Marietta's first full-time Pastor. Prior to coming to GracePointe, Jim served for six years as the Associate Pastor for Church Planting at West Ridge Church in Dallas. During his tenure at West Ridge, their School of Church Planting trained 55 teams resulting in 49 new church starts. Those new churches now average over 15,000 in combined weekly attendance. Jim was also instrumental in West Ridge's Pastoral Care ministry, and programs for people dealing with divorce, the loss of a loved one or substance abuse. Jim also spearheaded West Ridge's innovative Internet-based prayer ministry. Prior to his service at West Ridge, Jim was for six years a Church Planting Consultant for the Georgia Baptist Convention, and before that he spent seven years as church planter and Senior Pastor of Hickory Heights Baptist Church in Dallas.  Jim and Tanya have two children, Brooke and Anna.  Check out Jim's Blog, NewChurchPlanting.com.

For almost three decades, Alan Riley guided churches in North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia through the transition from traditional to contemporary and blended worship. In 2005, he left local church ministry to help the North American Mission Board launch 316 Networks, working with churches around the world to develop and enhance their media ministries. Despite a hectic travel schedule, Alan has served as GracePointe's Worship Pastor since our first service together in October, 2008.  Alan is currently Vice President for Global Faith Initiatives with 316 Network's parent company Kit Digital.  Alan and Fonda have two adult children, Faith and Chris, who both live in Metro Atlanta.  Follow Alan on Twitter
 
Robin Redick is GracePointe's Minister to Students and coordinates our outreach to Junior and Senior High and College students.  Robin has an extensive ministerial background in both student and children's ministries.  In addition to his work with GracePointe's students, Robin and his wife Claire (who serves as our Financial Secretary) have also created two ministry organizations, Encouraging Creations and Agape Power Martial Arts, a Christian Martial Arts ministry.  Robin directs Sunday and Wednesday events in The Pointe as well as student fellowship and mission opportunities.  Robin is a gifted teacher who frequently shares in our morning worship times. In 2010, Robin became the first person to be ordained to the ministry by GracePointe Marietta.  On top of a busy ministerial schedule, Robin is a Project Manager for Hewlitt-Packard.