Ernest Custalow
Lead Pastor
Ernest grew up in Mechanicsville, VA but spent much of his boyhood in his grandparents’ home on the Mattaponi Indian Reservation. In 1981 he graduated from Bridgewater College with a BA in French and Secondary Education and he and Mary married just a week later. After several years teaching high school French and coaching sports, he began his own business in the health insurance field. In 1987 he helped plant Grace Church of Fredericksburg and has moved from Worship Pastor to Lead Pastor over the 30 years he has served here. Ernest loves interacting with people, playing with his grandkids, hiking with Mary, the Boston Red Sox, hunting, talking about hunting, and eating what he’s hunted.
Pat Bopp
Executive Pastor
Pat was born and raised in small town America - Menominee, Michigan to be exact. He received graduate degrees form WVU and King’s Seminary and his Doctorate of Ministry from Regent University. Pat has served as a Christian school principal, a music director, and for many years as a solo pastor. He married Penny in 1998, both of them having lost their spouses. Pat joined the staff of Grace Church in 2012 and now serves as our Executive Pastor. Pat and Penny have two children and three grandchildren. In his spare time, Pat enjoys golfing, going to movies, traveling, writing and fine dining – as long as it doesn’t involve fish.
Werner Fourie
Church Administration Director
Werner was born and raised in South Africa, and came to the US in 2008 to help with Grace Church’s Year-of-Your-Life discipleship program. Two days before boarding the plane, he received his BA in Bible and Theology from Global School of Theology. Werner met Angela (also working with YOYL) and they married in 2010. They have two children, Jack and Owen who share the energy of 10 children. Werner serves as Administrative Project Manager (code language for “other duties as assigned”.) His spare time is spent in intense productivity, having completed two novels and pursing his Master of Divinity. When not writing, studying, or spending time with family, Werner loves creating culinary masterpieces in his kitchen.
Deb Hertle
iServe Director
Deborah was a California girl – born in Modesto and raised in Paramount and San Jose. She married Dave in 1971 and together they raised three children. Deborah moved with her family from the far reaches of Alaska to Fredericksburg in 1993 and began immediately serving at Grace Church, joining staff a year later. Her pastoral education and seminary training as well as serving as Chaplain for MWH and Carriage Hill are some of the many ways Deborah has pursued her passion for helping others. In her spare time, she enjoys researching genealogy, swim aerobics, her pets and spending time with friends and family, especially her three grandchildren.
Mary Custalow
Women's Pastor
Mary was born in Tokyo, Japan where her parents served as missionaries. She was raised a country girl in Pleasant Valley, MD, spending every possible moment out of doors. Mary graduated from Bridgewater College with a BA in Sociology and shortly after began work for the Salvation Army. She married Ernest in 1981 sharing his passion to build the Kingdom of God through the local church. Mary served in many roles in the life of the church, but set aside seven years to focus on homeschooling their three children. She serves in many areas including overseeing prayer and newcomer ministry. She enjoys loving on her seven grandkids, reading, camping, hiking, and backpacking the Appalachian Trail (whenever she can drag Ernest along.)
Dale Hewitt
Associate Pastor
Dale was born in Washington, DC and grew up in small-town Illinois. He graduated from Christ for the Nations and went on to earn a business degree from Franklin University. Dale met Sue on a mission trip to Haiti and were married in 1975. He served as a director for a Christian rehab center, as a missionary in Mexico and Columbia and as pastor in Columbus, OH. He moved to Virginia in 1987 becoming general manager of an auto parts company before coming on staff for Grace Church in 2004. Dale and Sue are parents to five children, biological and adoptive, ranging from ages 8 to 40. After spending time with friends and family, Dale’s next passion is boogie boarding waves at the beach.
Jeremy Pendergraft
Family Life Pastor
Jeremy was born in Dallas, TX but was raised right here in Fredericksburg. After graduating from the College of William and Mary Jeremy earned his Masters of Divinity from Regent College in Vancouver, BC. He returned to Fredericksburg in 2004 to join our Grace Church staff as Campus Minister at UMW. Jeremy oversees a wide variety of areas including life groups, young adults, finances and administrative staff. He and his wife, Lisa, married in 1997 and have three children - Jonathan, Ian and baby Esme. Jeremy loves hanging out with Lisa and the kids, spending time with friends, the great outdoors, exercising and exotic foods – he’ll even eat Mopani worms.
Jessica Berry
Children's Pastor
Jessica Berry is a different sort of Children’s Pastor. Her focus is on not only teaching your children about Jesus healing the sick, but on following in the footsteps of Jesus so they will also lay hands on the sick and they be healed. She has a passion to teach the meat of the Word to your children and instill a desire for them to draw closer to God and begin to operate in all the gifts the Holy Spirit has to offer. The children’s ministry has witnessed thousands of kids filled with the Holy Spirit, healings by the laying on of hands by children. Children have experienced visions as well as children operating in the prophetic realm and children receiving words of knowledge. Jessica believes that children should be taught how to listen and obey the voice of God exactly like people in the bible. She understands the world that children operate in with iPads, iPhones and technology. She takes the everyday world they live in and incorporates a preaching method of "taking the children there". Children may walk in one month and a Soul Wars characters may welcome them, complete with space ships and a Jedi Master sword fight to drive home the idea that they should use their sword (the Word of God), or they may walk in and experience the Jurassic World complete with a dig site where Ezekiel's vision of dry bones comes to life. Ministry with Jessica is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get but it will be sweet!
Jessica was born and raised in Chapel Hill, NC. She has several degrees including one in Electronic Engineering and a Bachelor’s in Worship Arts. She is married to Dallas Berry and has four adventurous and wonderful children. Her passion includes missions, reading, archery, hunting and all things outdoors.
Favorite Movie – Star Wars
Favorite Bible Verse –Deut 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Favorite Quote – If you haven't found something you are willing to die for, you are not fit to live - Dr. Martin Luther King
Favorite Person in the Bible – Deborah
Dallas Berry
Next Generation Pastor
Dallas was born in Lenoir, NC but spent most of his adult life in Cary, NC. Dallas has a heart and passion in raising a generation that will openly display the raw power of God. He desires to see young people experience a shift in their lives through the power of Jesus Christ and then grow into well equipped leaders ready to minister in local churches themselves. His hearts desire is to see this generation set a fire that will go out into all the world operating in the gifts of the Spirit. He studied Pastoral Ministry at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. Dallas has ministered over twenty years in student ministry as an ordained minister not only as a Pastor but also in church and youth revivals, state youth retreats, camps and workshops, conferences, public schools as well as national youth leader workshops and many other venues.
His wife Jessica compliments his work by directing the drama and praise team. Dallas has four beautiful children and is passionate about hunting and the outdoors.
Favorite Movie – Star Wars
Favorite Bible Verse – Phil 4:13
Favorite Quote – Your focus needs more focus.
Favorite Person in the Bible – David
His wife Jessica compliments his work by directing the drama and praise team. Dallas has four beautiful children and is passionate about hunting and the outdoors.
Favorite Movie – Star Wars
Favorite Bible Verse – Phil 4:13
Favorite Quote – Your focus needs more focus.
Favorite Person in the Bible – David
Micah Signor
Worship Director
Micah was born and raised in the Hudson Valley in the great state of New York. He studied Worship Ministry at Elim Bible Institute in Lima, NY. Micah met Sarah at Elim and they married in 2007. He served as a part time worship leader and an adult services worker before becoming worship leader at Grace Church in 2015 along with Sarah. Micah and Sarah have two beautiful children, Sophie and Jonah. Micah’s first passion is to elevate worship in the lives of believers and to experience personal authentic worship. His second passion is hitting the road for scenic motorcycle rides with Sarah riding pillion.
Arisay Arana-Herl
Office Manager
Arisay was born and raised in Venezuela and immigrated permanently to the United States in 2013. While in Venezuela, she received her bachelors in Business Administration from Center Technological University (UNITEC) and later earned her MBA in Healthcare Services from Strayer University. She met and married Bobby in 2014 and together they ran a landscaping company full time until Arisay came to work for Grace Church. She also runs a small baking business on the side. She and Bobby help support her parents who have immigrated to the US and also provide a home for 4 furry cats and a beautiful playful puppy. In her spare time, Arisay enjoys baking, music, movies, puzzles, bowling, and a good day shopping.
Joe Capra
Assistant Pastor
Joe was born in San Jose, California, but spent much of his younger life moving around the world in an Air Force family. As his family settled in Fredericksburg, they attended Grace Church of Fredericksburg and became very involved there. At age fifteen, he powerfully met the Lord and felt the call to ministry. A couple years later Joe met his future wife, Dillon, and they both felt called to attend Bible School in NC and prepare for ministry. Shortly after their first year of Bible School, Dillon and Joe married on August 1st, 2009. They remained in Charlotte, NC for a few more years, working and finishing their schooling. In 2011, the Capra family moved back to Fredericksburg to partner with the Fredericksburg Prayer Furnace and served on staff there from 2011- 2019. Joe also worked with their local church, and served on staff as one of the main musicians, and eventually Worship Pastor. Joe has always felt a strong call to serve the local church and to see an explosion of the presence of the Lord through Worship, Prayer, Discipleship and Creativity! He recently accepted the position as the Assistant Pastor here at Grace, where he helps manage video, graphic design and social media with our Comms team, and is also helping in the livestream audio and video production. In his spare time, Joe loves to be with his family, produce music, and create art. Joe and Dillon have been blessed with four beautiful children (Josiah, Luke, Eilah and Henry) and have three generations of Capras attending Grace.
Erin Priebe
Accountant
Erin was born and raised in Westland, Michigan just outside Detroit. She earned her BS and MBA certificate in Accounting from Madonna University. She worked in several accounting firms before coming on staff at Grace Church in 2012. Erin married Mark in 2003 and together they began raising one son, Joey. Erin is the friendliest among our friendly staff and her office is always available to help, no matter what the situation. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, crocheting, golfing and just being a Mom.