Our Pastors

Ward Smith

Senior Pastor

Ward Smith is a 1984 graduate of Tennessee Temple University with a double major in Bible and Psychology.  He met his wife, Cheryl Elkins, at Tennessee Temple and they were married September 7, 1985.

After six years of being a youth pastor in Oregon and doing youth revival work, he went to Bob Jones University to complete a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies and finished in December, 1991.  

Immediately after graduation the Smith family joined Evangelist Steve Pettit and traveled three years (1-92 through 11-94).  His ministry with Steve Pettit was working with children and youth as well as assisting Steve.

At the end of November, 1994, Ward started working with Pastor Les Heinze at South Sheridan Baptist Church as youth pastor.  About a year later, Pastor Heinze asked Ward to become an assistant pastor, overseeing evangelism, discipleship, and Northland Baptist Bible College West.  In April, 2001, God called Ward’s family to plant a church in Parker, Colorado, which had its first service on September 16, 2001.  Grace Baptist Church of Parker was started with a core of ten families from South Sheridan Baptist Church, dedicated to get this new church off the ground.  It became independent within a year.

In May of 2006, he graduated from Northland Baptist Bible College with a “Doctorate of Sacred Ministries” degree. 

The Smith children: Bethany, Stephany – died of Leukemia on January 10, 1991, Tiffany, Nathan, Stacy, and Katy.

Dave Hine

Associate Pastor

Dave, a native of Indiana, was raised on a farm by Godly Christian parents. He attended Purdue University and ultimately graduated from Bob Jones University with an undergraduate degree in Physical Education and a Masters in Pastoral Studies. He also has a seminary degree from Virginia Beach Theological Seminary. The Lord has blessed Dave with a wonderful wife, Jackie, and two precious children: Josiah and Victoria.

Dave has served in multiple youth ministries, including Christian camps, a local church youth pastor, and as part of a Bible college student life department. Following a seven year pastorate in Clemson, SC, God led the Hines to Colorado to a church plant, Grace Baptist of Parker. His great passion is fulfilling the Great Commission mandate for discipleship.

Joel McAllister

Assistant & Music Pastor

Joel, a native of Iowa, graduated from Bob Jones University in 2006 with a degree in Accounting and a minor in music. The Lord called him into youth ministry during his seven summers counseling at the Wilds Christian Camp where he developed a passion for reaching and discipling teens for Christ. 

Following the Lord's call to pastoral ministry, Joel entered Bob Jones Seminary where he earned his Masters Degree in Church Music in 2009 and then his Master of Divinity Degree in 2014. 

Joel met Crystal on a blind date at college, and they were married in 2010. The Lord has blessed them with four wonderful children: Timothy, Alyssa, Caleb, and Ethan. 

Jake Hilton 

Youth & Administrative Pastor

Jake, an east-coaster from Maine, enlisted in the Army National Guard (Engineer Corps) at the young age of 17, following his passion to serve Christ and share the gospel with his peers and fellow soldiers. (Matthew 28:19-20) Jake developed an even stronger passion for ministry during his senior year in highschool and throughout his three and a half years in college.

During his junior year of Bible college, Jake married his highschool sweetheart, Oliyshia, who is now a 3rd and 4th grade teacher at a local Christian school. (Eph. 5:22-33) Upon graduating from Bob Jones University in 2023 with a degree in Ministry and Leadership, Jake felt a strong desire to serve in pastoral ministry in the local church. (Hebrews 10:25) 

Seeking to do the will of God (Psalm 40:8), Jake joined the staff at Grace Baptist Church in May of 2023 as a full time assistant pastor with a focus in Youth/Family Ministry as well as administration.