The church isn't a building - it's a group of people learning, growing, and serving together.  
Here are a few of the people who make it possible:

Ted Carnahan, mission developer pastor

Hi there!  I'd like to invite you and your family to check out Spirit of Grace. We've found it to be an extraordinarily comfortable and caring community of people from all walks of life.  

My family and I came to Holdrege in July 2011 to work with the church as what we call a “mission developer,” a pastor specializing in starting new congregations. I’ve been married to the love of my life, Jennifer, for eleven years. Jennifer is a busy stay-at-home mom of our four children: Anneliese, Peter, Rebecca, and Laura.  We both agree: Holdrege is a great place to raise kids!

Prior to coming to this church, I attended Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa where I earned my Master of Divinity degree. While at Wartburg, I focused on the role of the Holy Spirit in creativity, as well as creative new uses of technology in local churches. I also served a year as musician for the seminary’s chapel. I like to compose music, and I love singing and playing the piano.

My wife and I met at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. She was a Biology major, and I studied Computer Science. We both graduated in 2004, and we married and moved to Columbia, Missouri. In Columbia I ran a small software company focusing on educational and research software. With such a change in career paths, I like to say that I'm proof that God has a sense of humor.

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In my free time, I love to spend time with my family, work on our house, brew beer and wine, and tinker with computers. I’m also a devotee of the Oxford comma, bacon, and Ultimate Frisbee.

Jennifer and I truly believe that God has blessed us in a special way through our ministry in Holdrege at Spirit of Grace.  This church and this community are a great place to raise a family!

Get in touch with me:
➤ Call, text, iMessage or FaceTime: 308-999-9027
​➤ Schedule a meeting with me
➤ Contact the church office

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Ministry and support staff

Mary Hock
Classic service worship leader

Mary is a UNK graduate in music education and has been a music teacher, choir director, praise band director, and organist for many years. She has served as a worship leader at Spirit of Grace since January 2011, and she is a media assistant at Holdrege High School and works at Bridal Isle. She is married to Dave Dahlgren and has three children and four grandchildren.

Calena Ohlson
Connexion service worship leader

Calena graduated from UNK with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  She has been a teacher with the Holdrege Public School System since 2006.  She has served as a worship leader at Spirit of Grace since 2011.  She is married to Andy Ohlson who is also a volunteer musician at SOG.  Calena has three children: Alec, Aden, and Isabelle.

Brynn Jordahl
SpiritSprouts Minister

Brynn is currently a senior at Grand Canyon University studying for her Bachelors in Education.  She has four years experience working in the school systems in Nebraska and Iowa; as well as at least thirteen years in childcare.  She has served as a volunteer and avid member of Spirit of Grace for more than two years.  She currently works as a CNA at Christian Homes and resides in Axtell. 

Mary Norman
Administrative Assistant

Mary is a graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln in family and human development, was born and raised in Phelps County. She likes to say she's a "dyed-in-the-wool" Lutheran who has worked in several ministries, including NeLCM campus ministry, NLOM camp ministry, and church-affiliated care facilities.  Mary's passions are knitting and working with children and older adults. She has served at Spirit of Grace since 2011.