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. Dave served as the Minister to Children for 24 years before transitioning to his new role as Pastor of Congregational Care and Connections in May of 2026. Dave will be helping members at GraceLife to feel cared for and connected to one another.
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.
Pastor Jonathan Couch
NextGen Pastor
As NextGen Pastor, Jonathan Couch works with our Preschool and Kids Ministry Coordinators to oversee our ministries to Preschool, Kids, Students, and College/Young Adults. He works directly with the Student and College/Young Adult ministries including Sunday Morning Life Groups, AXIS youth worship on Sunday nights, our Youth Worship Band, College Midweek on Wednesday nights, and many other activities throughout the year.
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, bringing more than 20 years of experience in preschool and children’s ministry throughout the New River Valley. God has given her a deep love for children, and she is grateful for the opportunity to help lay a strong foundation of faith during their earliest years. She is committed to creating a safe, loving, and welcoming environment where every child feels valued and can begin growing in their relationship with Jesus.
One verse that continually inspires her ministry is Mark 9:37: “Whoever welcomes one little child such as this in my name welcomes me.”
Rhonda grew up in a Christian home and returned to the New River Valley after her father retired from the Air Force. She and her husband, Harry—known to many at GraceLife as Butch—have been married for 28 years. They have two children and two grandchildren and live on a farm that has been in Butch’s family for more than 200 years.
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.
Jacklyn Phillips
Graphic Designer and Media Specialist
Jacklyn serves on GraceLife’s communications team, helping bring the church’s vision to life through graphic design, photography, visual storytelling, ministry branding, and creative resources that support pastors and ministry leaders. She has a passion for capturing meaningful moments, creating engaging visuals, and using her creativity to communicate the heart and mission of GraceLife.
A graduate of Shepherd University, Jacklyn earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Graphic Design. In addition to her ministry work, she is a Realtor® with Nest Realty and co-operates Azure Pine Design. Her diverse background in design, photography, marketing, and real estate allows her to combine her love of creativity with her passion for connecting with people and serving her community.
Jacklyn married her husband, Austin, in 2009, and they returned to the New River Valley shortly afterward to start their family. Austin grew up attending Main Street Baptist Church with his family, and Jacklyn officially became a member of GraceLife in 2013. Together, they are raising their three children, Miles, Molly, and Mia, along with their adorable puppy, Ruby. Jacklyn loves calling the New River Valley home and is grateful for the opportunity to use her creative gifts to serve her church, celebrate life’s meaningful moments, and share God’s love with others.
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
Office Assistant
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
Office Assistant
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.
Building Maintenance
Austin Phillips
Facilities Care Manager
Austin grew up locally in Blacksburg and resides in Fairlawn with his family. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with a concentration in Photography, from Shepherd University. It was there, while taking classes, he met his wife, Jacklyn. They are raising (and homeschooling) their three children: Miles, Molly, and Mia. He and Jacklyn operate Azure Pine Design, a company for their contracted creative work, such as his fine woodworking.
Austin has a passion to help others and serve the church body. He co-leads a Life Group, leads the Care Portal Ministry, and helps keep the building maintained.
Nathan Sanders
Facilities Care Team
Nathan is a high school senior and is active in the Arrows Homeschool Co-op. He is a member of GraceLife, where he’s always eager to serve when needed. Nathan takes great pride in helping keep the building clean and ready for the next event.
Racheal Spence
Facilities Care Team
Racheal grew up in Louisiana and Texas. She met her husband, Jeremiah, while they were both serving in the Marine Corps. Together, they have three children, Mia, Lacey, and Luke. Racheal and her family became members of GraceLife in 2025.
At GraceLife, she helps care for the church facilities and enjoys serving wherever she is needed. Outside of church, she spends much of her time homeschooling, being a part of her children’s sports and activities, and keeping up with a busy family. In her free time, she enjoys painting, playing video games, and reading.
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.