About Our Church Staff
Get to know our church leaders and staff.
Pastor Tim Hight
Senior Pastor
Dr. Timothy Hight began his ministry at GraceLife, formerly Main Street Baptist Church, in the spring of 1996. His passion is to faithfully proclaim the truth of the Scripture in a way that is relevant and applicable to everyday life and to see God’s people reach new places of spiritual growth in their walk with Christ.
Pastor Tim and his wife Dawn have served the Lord together for more than 35 years and have been blessed with five children: Whitney, Lindsey, Timothy, Valory and Courtney. Prior to GraceLife, he served as pastor of two churches in Arkansas: First Baptist Church, Newport, and First Baptist Church, Lepanto. His first ministry role was as a Youth Pastor at the Labelle Place Baptist Church of Memphis, TN. He received a B.A. in History from the University of Memphis and the M.Div. and Ph.D. From the Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, TN.
In his role as Senior Pastor, Dr. Hight has extensive experience in counselling, preaching, teaching and missions. He has led international mission teams to Russia, Guatemala, Thailand, New Zealand, Macau, Taiwan, and Zimbabwe. He has held positions of leadership on state and national levels within the Southern Baptist Convention. He currently serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention and has served two terms as President of the SBC of Virginia. He has served as a guest revivalist and family seminar leader with Life Action Ministries and as an Adjunct Professor and course developer in the department of Homiletics at Liberty University School of Divinity.
Click here to connect with Pastor Tim.
Pastor Justin Smith
Pastor of Worship and Communications
Pastor Justin has been a worship leader since 2009. While he was in middle school, he knew he was called by God to be in full time ministry. Justin loves seeing all generations worshipping Jesus and encountering Him during corporate worship.
Justin is married to Aimee, and together they have three fun and rowdy boys, Graham, Kyle, and Hudson.
Click here to connect with Pastor Justin.
Pastor Dave Widgeon
Pastor of Congregational Care and Connections
Pastor Dave came to us from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where he graduated Spring, 2001. After growing up in Lynchburg, Virginia, Dave attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) where he received a degree in computer engineering. While a student at VT, God called him into the ministry to be used in reaching/teaching children. As our Children’s Pastor, Dave coordinates and supervises the children’s ministries of Life Groups, AWANA, Upward Basketball, and numerous activities throughout the year.
Dave was married in the summer of 2008 to his wife, Angela, and they have two children, Benjamin and Evelyn.
Click here to connect with Pastor Dave.
Dr. Ward Harris
Interim Pastor of Discipleship
Dr. Ward Harris has been involved in local church ministry in the New River Valley for over thirty-five years. He is passionate about teaching theology, helping Christians know God’s Word better, and helping others grow in their faith!
His ministry life began listening to Bible verses in the Awana ministry. After serving as the J.V. director for one year, he was called as a youth pastor, a role he held for fifteen years. He then transitioned to being an associate pastor focusing on Bible teaching and church administration.
Dr. Harris earned a B.A. (2001) and M.A. (2010) in Biblical Studies from Piedmont Baptist College and Graduate School in Winston-Salem, N.C. He completed all his Ph.D. classwork as part of the Bowman School of Bible and Theology at the Piedmont Divinity School of Carolina University. He completed his dissertation at Baptist Bible Seminary at Clarks Summit University, graduating with a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology in 2024. Dr. Harris has served as an adjunct professor for Carolina University teaching at a Bible institute in Bangladesh. He is now serving as an adjunct instructor in Applied Apologetics for the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University.
Pastor Ward and his wife, Mimi, have been married for thirty years. They are blessed with three children, their spouses, and six grandchildren! Prior to coming to GraceLife, Pastor Ward served for twenty-three years at Riverview Baptist Church in Ripplemead, VA and eighteen months at Calvary Baptist Church in Radford, VA. Dr. Harris brings to GraceLife many years of experience in Bible teaching, pastoral ministry, counseling, missions, church building projects, and church administration.
Click here to connect with Pastor Ward.
Pastor Jonathan Couch
Minister to Students
As Minister to Students, Jonathan Couch oversees the Youth and College ministries including Sunday Morning Life Groups, AXIS youth worship on Sunday nights, our Youth Worship Band, and many other activities throughout the year. Jonathan is a native of Christiansburg, graduating from Christiansburg High School in 1996. He received a degree in business management from Radford University in 1999.
Jonathan and his wife Erin have been married since 1999 and have three children, Cara, Chloe, and Trey.
Click here to connect with Pastor Jonathan.
Shona Moore
Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Shona serves as the Children’s Ministry Coordinator, where she supports GraceLife Kids Ministry volunteers in nurturing students in grades 1st through 5th. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Southern New Hampshire University in 2010 and has 16 years of teaching experience across public schools, a private Christian school, and homeschooling her two children, Nolan and Ella. She loves working with children and their families, especially helping them grow in their relationship with Christ.
Shona was born and raised in New Hampshire. She married her high school sweetheart, Chad, in 2010. They moved to Virginia in 2023 when God called them to be closer to family, and they instantly fell in love with what He was doing at GraceLife.
Rhonda Hudson
Preschool Ministry Coordinator
Rhonda serves as the Preschool Ministry Coordinator, where her passion for both children’s ministry and spiritual growth come together in a powerful way. A hard-working and kind individual, Rhonda plays a key role in ensuring that both discipleship programs and kids’ ministries run smoothly, allowing children and families to grow in their relationship with Jesus. She loves working behind the scenes to support these vital areas of ministry, helping to create an environment where faith is nurtured and discipleship is encouraged. Rhonda is married to Harry, known as Butch to many in the church, and they enjoy a quiet life on their farm in Pulaski. She is also a proud mother and grandmother, deeply cherishing her family, whom she loves dearly
Support Staff
Heather Shaffer
Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor
Heather serves with joy and enthusiasm as the Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor at GraceLife, where she also oversees the church office. She loves engaging with the GraceLife family and finds great fulfillment in supporting the ministry and serving the Lord devotedly. Heather’s relationship with Jesus began at an early age in her hometown of Pulaski, and she continues to live out her faith with passion and dedication. She now resides in Pilot with her husband, Andy, and their son, Brennan, and is excited to be a part of God’s work at GraceLife, helping to build His kingdom and encourage others in their walk with Christ.
Heather Hollandsworth
Administrative Assistant to Life Groups and Connections
Heather serves as the Administrative Assistant to Life Groups and Connections at GraceLife, where she loves helping others feel welcomed, connected, and cared for as part of the church family. Her relationship with Jesus began when a kind and handsome man shared the gospel with her and invited her to GraceLife, where she was saved and baptized by Pastor Tim in 2011. That man, Cameron, later became her husband, and together they enjoy life with their two boys, Zane and Cory, and a small menagerie of pets, including a beloved “angel dog” named Charlie. Heather is a bookworm often seen in high heels with a coffee cup in hand, and she also serves as an academic advisor at Virginia Tech, where she mentors students and extends the same kind of life-changing invitation that once transformed her own story. She is grateful for the privilege of serving at GraceLife and helping others find their place in God’s family.
Jacklyn Phillips
Graphic Design and Media Specialist
Jacklyn leads and helps facilitate graphics needed for the ministries of GraceLife along with branding specific packages for the pastors to utilize. Jacklyn went to Shepherd University where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Graphic Design. She married her husband, Austin, in 2009 and moved back to the area shortly after to start a family in the New River Valley. Austin was a former member of Main Street Baptist with his family throughout childhood and Jacklyn became an official member of GraceLife in 2013. They are raising three beautiful children; Miles, Molly, and Mia. And have the most darling puppy, Ruby.
Amy Yelton
Finance Coordinator
Amy is our Finance Coordinator, overseeing all church billing and monetary donations with care and accuracy. She plays a crucial role in keeping everything running smoothly and ensuring financial stewardship is handled with integrity. Amy and her husband, Lance, have two wonderful children, Mattie, who is married to Daxton, and Caleb. As a family, they are deeply committed to their faith and are grateful for the opportunity to love the local church.
Lindsey Thompson
Front Desk Receptionist
Lindsey has been part of GraceLife her entire life. She grew up in the church and has loved witnessing all that God has done over the years. It was also there that she met her sweetheart, Matt, and knew he was the one she would marry. Together, they now have three beautiful children—Kace, Kai, and Prinna—along with their beloved dog, Mogli.
Aimee Smith
Front Desk Receptionist
I am passionate about growing in my faith and serving others with humility and grace. I’m married to the love of my life, Justin, and we have three incredible boys which makes me a full-time chauffeur (unpaid) and snack distributor. Our family strives to keep Christ at the center of our home while embracing the chaos and joy of everyday life.
My heart is to always follow the Lord in the big and small moments of life.
GraceLife Interns
Nathaniel Gibson
Kids Ministry Intern
At just 17 years old, Nathaniel already demonstrates a strong calling to serve in ministry. His passion for the Lord and dedication to His work are evident in everything he does.
Following this internship season, Nathaniel plans to travel with Life Action Ministries, continuing to seek and follow God’s direction—wherever He may lead.
Nathaniel’s heart for Christ is beautifully reflected in one of his favorite verses:
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
We’re grateful to have Nathaniel as part of the GraceLife team and excited to see how God continues to work in and through his life!
Building Maintenance
Austin Phillips
Head Custodian
Austin grew up locally in Blacksburg and resides in Fairlawn with his family. He is married to Jacklyn and they are raising three children; Miles, Molly, and Mia. He has a passion to help others and serve the church body. Austin serves in Awana weekly, leads the Care Portal Ministry, and helps keep the building maintained.
Nathan Sanders
Custodian
Nathan is one of our students here at GraceLife. He has taken great pride in helping keep the building clean and ready for the next event.
Micah Wilkin
Custodian
Micah currently attends our Arrows Homeschool Co-op. He has taken on a part-time role helping clean our facility.
Bob Taylor
Building Gatekeeper
Bob is a faithful church member of GraceLife and volunteers to keep up with our building maintenance. He is married to his wife, Kathy, and has several children and grandchildren that keep him busy when we don’t. He is a fix-it all kind of guy and we are extremely grateful for his time and talents to help keep the building maintained behind the scenes.