JOSH MARTIN

LEAD PASTOR

Enneagram: 8w7 | APEST: Prophet, Apostle | Myers Briggs: ENTP | Strength Finder: Strategic, Activator, Arranger, Futurist, Learner | Spouse: Amy Martin | Kids: Harper, Lucy, Jane

Background: I grew up in a small town in Southeast Texas. My dad worked in the oil field so we moved around a lot. In 4th grade we landed in Hull, a city with no stop lights and four Baptist churches. A classmate invited me to church and I was all in. A few years later, in Junior High, Jesus saved me at a R.A. camp. R.A. stands for Royal Ambassador. It’s like Boy Scouts for Jesus.

Looking back I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t serving the church. If the doors were open I was there. In 6th grade I volunteered to lead the snow-cone station at Vacation Bible School, in high school I led worship for our youth group. My senior year our pastor let me preach a sermon on Sunday night. I owe all I am to Jesus and the local church.

I went to college at East Texas Baptist University where I studied the Bible and missions. I was transforming in leaps and bounds and came alive under great bible teaching and the vision of the church as God’s design to reach the world.

In October of 2006, I moved to Pullman Washington to help plant and pastor Resonate Church. We served as church planters for nearly 15 years in the Pacific Northwest. Amy and I were married in June of 2007, and and have 3 daughters. Girl dad life is the best.

Current Role: We joined the team at Grace in December of 2021. Everyday I’m humbled to lead alongside an incredible team of elders and staff and serve such a prayerful and resilient church. My official role as Lead Pastor at Grace allows me to work with the other pastors to cast vision, lead and supervise the church staff, teach God’s word on Sundays, and — along with the other elders — shepherd our House Churches and people who attend Grace.

Over the years, my passion for the local church has never waned. Being a pastor is brutal at times, but I’m as committed as ever to the truth that disciple-making in the context of the local church is God’s strategy to reach the world. My prayer is that God allows our background and experience to lead Grace Church towards the church God designed her to be.

Hobbies: Running, Golf, Disc Golf, DIY projects

Fun Fact: I make homemade salsa.