Pastor Loughran graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne Indiana in 1993. He served parishes in Wolcottville, IN and Sheboygan, WI prior to coming to serve as the Senior Pastor of Grace in August of 2006. He is married to Kersti and has four children: Justine, Matthew, John, and Penelope. Besides teaching and preaching God's Word, Pastor Loughran enjoys music, golf, reading, and watching sports. He is originally from Connecticut.

Mrs. Nicole Clifton, Principal, comes to us with over 20 years of experience in education. She has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Additionally, she is an alumnus of Grace Lutheran School and regularly attends services at Grace Lutheran Church.

Pastor John Kyle completed the 4 years of a Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He felt the urge to pursue the public ministry after a career as a Materials Research and Process Chemist with a BS in Chemistry from Oakland University in Rochester, MI. He has three daughters: Kimberly, Christen, and Jacqueline. He enjoys reading and sharing the Word of God. He was a long time member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Royal Oak, MI, where he also attended school from 1st-8th grade.

Deaconess Marissa graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN in August of 2022. She has a bachelor's degree in Youth and Child Development with an emphasis in programming, and an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. She knew from a young age that she wanted to work with children and as a child of two LCMS rostered church workers she grew up watching their service to the church, so serving in children's ministry became a natural next step. Marissa and Andrew were married in February of 2020 and have two children, Theodore and Clarice.

Jennifer is a native of St. Petersburg and 1991 graduate of Northeast High School. She attended the University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss") and graduated Cum Laude with a degree of Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education in 1995. At that time, Jennifer was also inducted in to Pi Kappa Lambda, a music honors society that recognizes music majors for the highest level of musical achievement and academic scholarship. After teaching choral music in both Pasco and Pinellas County, Jennifer moved to Grace Lutheran School in 2000. Joining the teaching staff at Grace was a great move, especially since Jennifer was already an active member in the Music Ministry at Grace Lutheran and singing in the choirs under the direction of then Minister of Music, Dr. Bill Brusick. Grace has always been close to her heart as she married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Tippett, who is a Grace Lutheran School alum, in 1997. Jennifer holds her Florida Teaching Certificate in Music K-12 and has taught all levels of music at Grace. She became the Director of Music for the church and school in 2010. In the school, she currently teaches elementary general music and is the director of the Choristers (elementary choir), Spirit Singers (middle school choir), and musical theatre. She is also a co-director for the school's Praise Team with her colleague, Ellen Prohl. As a church musician, Jennifer oversees all of the activities, ensembles, and budget of the Music Ministry. She directs the Chancel Choir and Joy Choir and sings occasionally with the New Song Band. She is also a soloist with the Pinellas Lutheran Choir. Jennifer and her husband, Jerry, live in St. Petersburg with their 2 teenagers. J.P. and Elise are 2nd generation Grace Lutheran School alumni. They live close to family and enjoy camping and other fun outdoor activities. The Tippetts are truly blessed to call Grace Lutheran Church and School their spiritual home.

Ellen Prohl-Keller has been serving as a Lutheran church musician for over 30 years, after growing up surrounded by a wonderful variety of church music as a PK (Pastor’s Kid!). Ellen attended Concordia University, Nebraska, and graduated from Concordia University, Chicago with a Director of Parish Music Degree. During college she was honored to study organ with Dr. Charles Ore and Dr. Steve Wente, who both inspired her love for leading congregational hymn singing. Ellen particularly enjoys the organ music of Bach as well as hymn-based organ literature of all eras and styles. Ellen is the proud mother of two adult sons, Nick and Zach, and honored step-mom to Allie, who all live and work in Illinois and who enjoy visiting in the warmer weather in Florida! Ellen and her husband, Kevin, enjoy exploring new places, caring for nature, listening to live music and spending time with family and friends. Here at Grace, Ellen is passionate about inspiring and encouraging our scholars in their involvement in, and joy for music. Ellen loves to hear the beautiful sound of the family at Grace, people of all generations, playing instruments and singing God’s praises together. She looks forward to opportunities to bring God’s people of all ages together through the gift of music! My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. Psalm 71:23

Mrs. Bedits graduated from St. Petersburg College in 2015 and is a Grace Lutheran alumni. She started working at Grace Lutheran as a teacher in 2016 and as the art teacher in 2017. Besides teaching and creating art, Mrs. Bedits enjoys scuba diving, Disney, sharks, nature, and traveling.

Deborah Riber has been a member of Grace for 30 years, is a parent of two now-grown men who attended Grace, and also worked as the School Administrative Assistant for almost 17 years. She has been truly blessed to work at Grace and watch all of the scholars grow up over the years. She considers Grace Lutheran Church & School her second family.

Cory Hall was born in Palo Alto, California and from age six grew up in the city of Davis where he began his piano studies. He earned piano performance degrees from various institutions in California, New York, and Kansas, and as a young adult taught piano in Germany for three years where he learned fluent German and became immersed in German culture. He later served as Adjunct Professor of Music and Humanities at St. Petersburg College and Eckerd College, and as the organist at Anona United Methodist Church in Largo. Since founding his own business in 2012, Cory has been teaching worldwide piano lessons via Skype and publishing his own music editions (www.BachScholar.com).