Staff and Leadership

Staff

Pastor Don McLean
Senior Pastor
Pastor Don is passionate about teaching the Word of God and helping people grow as followers of Jesus Christ through the ministry of the local church. Don has served as our Senior Pastor since September 2008. Before coming to Atlantic, Don served for ten years as the pastor of the Glastonbury Community Church (EFCA) in central Connecticut. Don earned his Bachelor of Arts in history at Amherst College in Massachusetts and his Masters of Divinity at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Don and his wife, Laura, met in college and have been married since 1993. They have three young adult children: Hannah, Joshua, and Nathaniel.
Favorite book - Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy
Favorite Scripture - Matthew 13:44-46
Favorite food - chocolate chip cookies
Hobbies - Reading, hiking, cheering for the Boston Red Sox, and playing games with friends and family.
Actively Seeking
Associate Pastor of Discipleship

Pam Russell
Children’s Discipleship Director
Hello! As Children's Discipleship Director, I have the privilege of working for children up through grade five. Along with the Christian Education Elder, I oversee ministries such as Nursery, Sunday School, and Children's Church. Events such as VBS, AWANA, and Christmas programs are part of Evangelism and Outreach as well. It's great to see kids enjoy learning from the Bible!
In addition to family time (with Ron and 22-year old daughter Lauren), I love women's Bible studies -- for growth, accountability, and fellowship.
Any day is a good day for 'going to coffee' with a friend! And the Best thing to have with coffee is pie -- coconut cream or gooseberry (not seen enough in Iowa).
My preferred leisure reading is usually a murder mystery! I'll read other things recommended by a friend or Lauren. (I sometimes drag my feet to read what Lauren recommends.)
Some of my favorites in Scripture: John 1:1,14; Micah 6:8; Acts 17:28 Since our dear son Turner went to his heavenly home, I love this from Job 19:25-26: "I know my Redeemer lives... I will see Him...My heart yearns"

Angie Rossell
Administrative Assistant
When you call the church, you are most likely to connect with Angie. Angie handles all the details and behind the scenes activities of GracePoint. Angie and her husband, Doug, along with their sons, Josh and Austin, are long-time residents of Atlantic.

Dick Nichols
Senior Ministries Director
Dick Nichols loves visiting with senior saints and hearing their stories. He has served as our Senior Ministries Director since January of 2022. He also conducts weekly Bible studies at the Cass County Jail and is a chaplain for Marketplace Chaplains. Before he had so much time for ministry, he was a dairy farmer and then an insurance adjuster. Now he runs a small beef and row crop farm southwest of Atlantic. He and Cindy, his wife of 44 years, have 4 grown children that live all over the country and 1 son that lives in heaven. They also have 9 grandchildren!
Favorite book - the Bible
Favorite Scripture - John 3:16-18
Favorite food - coconut cream pie
Hobbies - Beef genetics, chain saw carpentry, cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones, visiting grandchildren and their parents
Cindy Nichols
Worship Ministries Director
Cindy loves to worship God with music and to help others do the same! She is a retired music teacher and long time worship ministries volunteer. She is married to husband Dick (44 years) and they live on the same farm they moved into after they were married. They have 4 children and 9 grandchildren scattered across the country, and one son that lives in heaven.
Favorite book - The Bible
Favorite Scripture - Psalms!
Favorite food - chicken and noodles on mashed potatoes :)
Hobbies - Reading, gardening, visiting grandchildren, volunteer work
Leadership
GracePoint follows a congregational selected, elder-led model for church leadership. Each elder oversees a functional area of ministry.
Global Outreach: Larry Hinman (elder), Ian Barrs (deacon)
Building & Grounds: Curt Behrends (elder), Dillon Clemsen (deacon)
Finance: Jon Martens (elder), Bryan Clemsen (deacon)
Evangelism & Outreach: Joe Hoye (elder), Brent Myers (deacon)
Christian Education: Paul Iekel (elder), Brett Altman (deacon)
Worship: Chad Williams (elder), Alex Johnson (deacon)