TRIANGLE GRACE CHURCH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Triangle Grace Preschool
Alana graduated from Bridgewater College with a BS degree in Middle School Education. She taught seventh-grade language Arts for nine years in Stafford County, VA, and also coached girls' field hockey and track. Alana and her husband, Bill, have two children, Colleen and David. After the birth of her daughter, Alana retired from teaching to be a stay-at-home mom. In 1999, Alana and her family moved to Durham. Both of Alana's children attended TGP and their positive experiences at the preschool helped Alana decide to join the TGP staff in 2003 as the Kindergarten teacher. Beginning in June 2015, Alana became the Director of TGP. Alana loves to read, bake, garden, and spend time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Director of Music Ministries
Lori joined our staff in August of 2023. She holds a BME from Kentucky State University, a MM from Bowling Green State University, and a DMA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr. Hicks brings to Triangle Grace years of musical training and a wealth of leadership experience. She is the Director of Opera at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Lori is native of Detroit, Michigan and loves spending time with her son Daniel.
Job Titles:
- Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families
Jeff Spainhour joined the Triangle Grace staff in June 2003. Jeff is a native of Raleigh, NC and attended East Carolina University. Jeff did his seminary training at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and graduated with the M.Div. degree. The focus of his ministry is with middle and senior high youth and their families and college-aged young people.
Job Titles:
- Middle School Youth Director
Jessica Strowd grew up in Pittsboro, North Carolina, and at Triangle Grace Church. She is a graduate of North Carolina State University in Agricultural Science. Along with being in youth ministry she enjoys working as a kindergarten teacher's assistant as well as coaching competitive cheerleading. Jessica's and her husband, Kennedy love spending time with their son, Knox.
Job Titles:
- Director for Young Adults and Welcome
Joe Bustamante served as an intern at TGC while he completed his Masters of Divinity at Duke University and came on full time in August 2023 as Director of Young Adults and Welcome. Joe is a Michigan native, and earned a BA in English Literature and Computer Science from Hope College. Joe is currently in the ordination process for ECO, and hopes to pursue a call as a pastor after seminary. Outside of studying, you can often find Joe cheering for the Michigan State Spartans, making video games, or exploring new restaurants with his wife, Lindsay.
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications
Karis grew up a Presyterian minister's daughter in North and South Carolina. Graduating from East Carolina with a degree in nutrition & dietetics, Karis loves to prepare nutritious meals for her friends and family. As members of TGC since 2012, Karis and husband, Michael, have three children, who actively participate in our youth programs. She designed and oversees our website, designs print materials, organizes and disseminates updates on the life of the church via social media and publishes the weekly E-News.
Kris Perkins served as Co-Pastor of Triangle Grace since September 2021. In March 2022, Kris transitioned into senior pastor as Pastor Ray Cobb retired after 34 at TGC. He attended Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, MA. Kris was later hired to serve as the first Family Minister at Park Street Church in Boston, MA. There, he provided oversight for family ministries and a leadership role, providing pastoral care for the ministers, implementing directional decisions for the life of the church, crafting Sunday worship services, hiring and reviewing staff, developing leadership retreats, and addressing other growth points within the church. Kris is excited to be leading Triangle Grace whose members have a heart to grow in their love for God, local outreach, student involvement, community life, and numerical size.
Matt joined TGC in the fall of 2006 and has been an active member in the music ministry since. He and his wife, Heather, were married at TGC in 2010. He serves as the Assistant Principal at St. Michael Catholic School in Cary. Matt and Heather live in Hillsborough with their daughters Nora, Ellie and their two german shepherds.
Job Titles:
- Associate Pastor for Spiritual Growth and Discipleship
- Triangle Grace As Associate Pastor
Molly Williamson joined Triangle Grace as Associate Pastor in June 2021. She grew up in New Jersey and got her undergraduate degree in English and Spanish with a minor in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. She earned her M.Div. and a M.A. in Religious Studies from Duke University. Molly is excited about helping disciples grow spiritually through small group ministries that build community and accountability, studies that promote reading scripture with care and expectation, and programs that encourage the faithful to engage with our communities and our world in Christ-like ways.
Job Titles:
- Director of Children 's Ministries at Triangle
Nancy Holton serves as Director of Children's Ministries at Triangle. She oversees planning and staffing for our Sunday morning nurseries and clubs. She also oversees a host of volunteers for our weekday and seasonal programs such as Wednesday Clubs, VBS, and many others. She coordinates a large number of dedicated volunteers that disciple and encourage our children and families in their walk with Christ. Nancy holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and regularly participates in International Network of Children's Ministries conferences and workshops on spiritual formation. Nancy has been involved in the teaching ministry of TGC for thirty years as preschool teacher, elder and Children's Director. She and her husband, Jesse, have two children.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Financial Secretary
- Director of Administration and Operations
Nikki is the Administrative Assistant and Financial Secretary. She is a graduate of Chowan University and grew up in Durham and at Triangle Grace Church. She has served on both the Diaconate and Session and has been involved with our children and youth as well as our outreach teams throughout her years here.