Pastoral Care

If you are experiencing a mential health emergency that needs immediate attention, please contact Lancaster County Crisis Intervention at 717-394-2631

Pastoral Care - Who We Are

Grace Community Church is committed to pastoral care. You matter to our Pastors and our staff. We will look for you on Sunday and be sure to learn your name. You will always be more than a number at GCC. If you are hospitalized or are unable to attend services for a period of time, our pastors and deacons will visit and encourage you and your family in the Lord. You just need to let us know by emailing Andrew Potts.

Pastoral Counseling

At Grace Community Church, we provide pastoral counseling services and Christ-centered, Biblical spiritual direction free of charge for members and regular attenders in need of these services. We are not therapists, psychologists, or social workers, but specifically pastoral counselors who counsel from the Word of God. If you would like to set up an appointment for counseling, coaching, or spiritual direction, please contact us.

Financial Counseling

GCC offers financial counseling for issues such as budgeting, debt recovery, dealing with spending habits, estate planning, and financial skills (use of debit cards, checks, balancing a checkbook, etc…). Please contact us. to set up an appointment to meet with one of our financial counselors.

Grief Care

GriefCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.

Cancer Support

If you or a loved one is battling cancer, you are not alone. Cancer Support Group is for those whose lives are being affected by cancer. The group meets bi-weekly to encourage, comfort, and care and is led by Fran and Allen Gruver.

Support Groups

We offer a variety of rotating support groups as we provide pastoral care to our people. You can find a whole listing here.

Our Pastoral Care Team

Jared yordy

care pastor

about jared

Jared Yordy serves as the Care Pastor at Grace Community Church. Prior to that, He was the Outreach pastor for 4 years and was also the Youth pastor at GCC for 5 years. In his current role, he oversees the Pastoral Care & visitation for GCC. Jared considers it a privilege to care and walk with our people when life isn’t easy.

Jared married his wife, Kim, in 2008 and they have four children. John, Jordan, Chelsea, and Megan. Jared graduated from both Grace College & Grace Seminary. In his spare time, Jared enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, and watching various sports.

Steve Brubaker

counseling pastor

about steve

Steve Brubaker is the Counseling Pastor at GCC. He was born in Lancaster but as the son of a Navy retiree moved around a lot as a child before returning to Lancaster upon his Dad’s retirement. Steve graduated from McCaskey High School, Lancaster Bible College, and Millersville University with an M.Ed. in Counselor Education. 

His experience includes urban church work and ministry with those in a condition of homelessness and addiction. He is married to Kerry, a native of Bloomington, MN, and a graduate of the U of Minnesota and Dallas Theological Seminary who works at Water Street Rescue Mission. Both Steve and Kerry were part of the founding of GCC. They are the parents of two daughters, Hannah, a nurse in the PICU at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Gabrielle, who works at Penn Health/LGH and is married to Alex, a Northern Lancaster County Regional Policeman.

Kyle Fisher

visitation pastor

about kyle

Kyle Fisher serves as Visitation Pastor at GCC. Kyle has been married to Wendy for over 52 years of marriage. He has three girls and one boy all living in southern New Jersey along with seven grandchildren of which live in New Jersey as well. Kyle has served over 50 years in ministry which includes five different positions from New Jersey, upstate New York, North Carolina, and Kansas. He was born in Arcade, New York, and accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of nine years old, being called into full-time ministry while a Junior in high school. Kyle furthered his education with a Bachelor of Science in education and a Master of Arts in pastoral studies. Loving ministry and people, Kyle is loving the call of visitation to the homebound here at GCC.

Deb Groff

counseling associate

about deb

Deb Groff is a board-certified Biblical Counselor (BCBC) through the American Association of Christian Counselors and is a graduate of Shippensburg University. Deb primarily focuses her counseling to women and also coordinates the scheduling and intakes for all the counselors at GCC. She has attended GCC since 2001 and has enjoyed being involved with many ministries and has been on staff since 2012. Deb is married to Jeff, and they enjoy spending time with four daughters and their families, which include 17 grandchildren.

Melanie Avila

Pastoral counseling coordinator

about melanie

Melanie serves part-time in the counseling department. She grew up in Lancaster County as a pastor’s kid, receiving solid Christian parenting and teaching in the home and church. During undergraduate studies abroad in Kenya and Europe, she felt and grew in God’s compassion for the poor. Since graduation from Messiah University, she has served cross-culturally among African orphans and vulnerable children and their families in Latin America. In between missionary service in Colombia and Los Angeles, she attended Fuller Seminary and received a Master’s degree in Intercultural Studies. Upon her return to Lancaster County in 2017, Melanie served as a bilingual (Spanish) school-based therapist in York City. She currently works in the Community Health Department at LGH, supporting children, and other family members, impacted by a loved one’s substance use. Her experience and witness of God meeting people, and herself, in the midst of unforeseen circumstances and hard realities enables her to be a steady, loving presence alongside others. Melanie has three daughters, Samaya (16), Genesis (14), and Kayla (9) and resides in Millersville. Melanie longs to help others discover they are beloved children of God, deepen their knowledge and understanding of God’s truth, and experience healing and wholeness in Jesus Christ in the ups and downs of life.

Cheryl Paxson

Pastoral Counselor for Children

about cheryl

Cheryl Paxson is the Christian Counselor whose main work is with children at GCC. She has always lived in Lancaster County. Cheryl graduated from Penn Manor High School and Millersville University with a BA in Psychology and an M.Ed in Counseling. She holds PA Counselor Certification from grades Kindergarten to Twelve. Cheryl worked for two years as a Social Worker in a retirement home, two years in Crisis Intervention, and twenty years as an Elementary School Counselor. The American Association of Christian Counselors accepted Cheryl’s credentials as a Retired Member. Cheryl has earned Certification as a Mental Health Coach through AACC and Light University. She has enjoyed singing in the Ocean Grove, New Jersey, Choir Festival for many years. Cheryl is married to Jim, who grew up in Cochranville, PA. Jim is a retired Business Manager, who continues to enjoy cabinet-making. Jim and Cheryl enjoy traveling in their camper and spending time with their two grown children and extended families.

Andrew Potts

Pastoral Assistant

about andrew

Andrew Potts serves as GCC’s Pastoral Assistant and graduated from Lancaster Bible College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship. With a love for people, he supports those in the GCC family by providing pastoral care and organizing the guest service teams who welcome our people into worship every weekend. He enjoys spending time with friends, getting outside for walks and hikes, and loves going to concerts!

Addison roberts

digital pastor

about addison

Addison Roberts serves as the Digital Online Pastor at Grace Community Church. He is passionate about creating an online environment and content that helps people know and follow Jesus. As a first-generation Christian, he is a firm believer in the power of Jesus to permanently change lives and family systems through the use of online resources.

Addison is married to Alyssa. They met while at college in 2011 and graduated together in 2012. They have three daughters. Addison has a Master of Arts in Theology from Regent University.