Outstanding Alumni Awards Homecoming 2024

Enjoy the Bio's of the Representatives of the Classes of 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019

Update Alumni Info Here

Stephanie Barber Christensen

Class of '89

Stephanie is a pastor's wife to Erik , currently serving at Sandia Baptist Church in Albuquerque, NM. They have been privileged to serve churches in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, New Jersey, and New Mexico. Stephanie and Erik have two children, Hollen and Jonathan (both married and living in TN and AL), and a one-year-old grandson, Theo.

While in Arizona, Stephanie was blessed to serve with Baseball Chapel as the wives chaplain for the Arizona Diamondbacks. She now serves as an ambassador for Revive Our Hearts ministry and enjoys writing a devotional blog for women in her spare time. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen" Romans 11:36.

Anne Ward Sokol

Class of '94

While Anne attended Grace Baptist Academy, she became burdened for missionary work in the former Soviet Union. After graduating from Grace in 1994, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and master’s degree in Literature from Bob Jones University while working as a script writer for their video homeschooling program. In 2002, she moved to Ukraine to teach English in a Bible school where she met her husband, Vitaliy, with whom she now has four children.

During her 22-year missionary career, Anne worked as a doula and childbirth educator, attending home and hospital births in Ukraine.

Currently, she’s studying to be a midwife. She is an active writer, having published the book: Humble Mom: Putting on the Mind of Christ in Motherhood, which is available in both English and Russian. She has spent many years working in the local churches, speaking at women’s conferences, leading Bible studies, engaging in evangelistic outreaches and encouraging the Christian homeschooling movement in Ukraine. Anne has also done birth work in Albania and the Philippines, and plans to return to the mission field with her family after this year of furlough.

Jennie Rae Oates

Class of '99

Jenni Rae is a Nashville-based speaker and business & performance coach with two decades of experience building multiple 6- and 7-figure businesses.

A former top 2% leader in the direct sales industry, Jenni Rae has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and business owners unlock their highest potential by mastering their inner game.

Her coaching methodology, rooted in psychology, emotional intelligence, and neuroscience, empowers individuals and teams to break through limitations and elevate to their next level and achieve sustainable success.

As a dedicated mom of four (raising three this side of heaven), Jenni Rae’s mission is to drive exponential company growth through transformational individual growth.

Justin Gorsline

Class of '04

After attending Grace from kindergarten through graduation, Justin earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Clearwater Christian College. He then spent nine months in Israel as a student missionary with Baptist for Israel Institute.

Upon returning from Israel, Justin enrolled at Galen College of Nursing and earned an Associate of Science in Nursing degree. He then worked as a registered nurse in both the ER and ICU capacity for several years. In 2016 Justin enrolled in Nurse Practitioner School at Southern Adventist University, receiving his Masters in Family Practice Nursing degree.

2023 was a big year for Justin and wife Diana. After meeting in January, they got married in October. This past July they welcomed daughter Jessica Grace into the world.

Justin currently works as a hospitalist NP for Memorial Hospital. He and wife Diana attend Gospel Community Church in Chattanooga. Justin and Diana love being parents and are excited to see what God has in store for them in the future.

Ariel & Brian Dicks

Class of '09

Brian and Ariel Dicks - along with their boys Andrew, Joshua, and Silas – serve as missionaries in Budapest, Hungary, where their focus is international student ministry. Brian serves as the Youth Pastor at Danube International Church, where he and Ariel have the privilege to build relationships and share the truth of God’s Word with middle and high school students from all over the globe. Their prayer is that God would use this ministry to continue the Great Commission as each year these students graduate and spread the good news of God’s Kingdom to the ends of the earth.

Brian graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2023 with a Master of Divinity in Christian Ministry.

Chandler Cooke

Class of '14

Chandler Cooke is a proud graduate of the class of 2014. He served his community

as a Chattanooga police officer for 8 years in a variety of roles. The role he most enjoyed during this time was mentoring new hires as a Field Training Officer.

During his time with the CPD, Chandler received three Life Saving Awards which are his most prized commendations. He currently works for the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security as a special agent, serving to protect our community.

Chandler married Alex Cooke, another Grace graduate of the class of 2014. They have two children, Maverick and Isla Beth. The family is active at Dallas Bay Church and enjoys serving together in the Chattanooga area.

Wesley Blandon

Class of '19

Wesley teaches Physical Education at Grace Academy, where he also has the privilege of coaching on the high school football staff. His passion for sports and education has been a major part of his life since his time at Carson-Newman University, where he graduated and developed a strong foundation in both athletics and academics. Wesley is thankful for the opportunity he has had to guide students in the classroom, on the field, and in their spiritual journey!

Outstanding Alumni Awards Homecoming 2023

Enjoy the Bio's of the Representatives of the Classes of 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2018

Update Alumni Info Here

Daniel Barrett

Class of '93

Daniel has a degree in Biblical Studies and Youth Counseling from Columbia International University. He served as a Youth Pastor for twelve years in South Carolina before moving to Costa Rica as a missionary in 2009. He has aided in multiple church plants and is the founder and pastor of Horizon Church in Jaco, Costa Rica. In partnership with Horizon Church he has helped start a prenatal center, counseling center, christian school and multiple other missions both in Costa Rica and Senegal Africa. Horizon Church hosts multiple mission teams each year including the Grace Academy senior trip.

His greatest achievement is his marriage of twenty years to Sarah, and his three amazing sons who are all involved in the work in Costa Rica.

Tara Summers Lyles

Class of '98

After graduation, Tara attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education and her master’s degree as a Reading Specialist.

Tara and her husband, James, have two children, Chloe, who attends Bryan College and Ethan, a sophomore in high school. Tara proctors standardized testing, directs yearly mock trials, tutors, and teaches the 8th grade class in Classical Conversations of Chattanooga including Latin, Logic, and other core subjects. She has also trained other directors for Classical Conversations.

When Tara isn’t teaching, she is helping her husband, James, run a 580-acre farm in Ringgold, Georgia. They raise poultry, sell beef cattle, maintain hay pastures, and take care of honey bees. In 2015, James and Tara were chosen to represent the state of Georgia as the Farmer of the Year. They work closely with the National Resource Conservation to preserve natural resources around the area.

Tara enjoyed playing volleyball for Grace and continues to play her favorite sport weekly in Chattanooga as well as in occasional tournaments. Tara appreciates the many years at Grace

Baptist Academy, the wonderful teachers, the lifelong friendships, and the memories.

Drew Box

Class of '03

After graduating from Grace, Drew went on to double major in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

In the spring of 2009 while attending a Grace baseball game of his little brother, Drew met his future wife, academy teacher Jessica Poppert. They were married less than a year later. They have 2 children - Emma (class of ‘22) and Maggie currently in 6th grade at Grace.

rew currently runs a successful electrical supply company in Cleveland, TN. When not at work, he is committed to continuing to make Grace a great place for all - by building sets for the spring musical where he mentors teenagers in construction techniques. He also spends time announcing for basketball and football games as the Golden Voice of the Golden Eagles and assists his wife with duties related to class sponsorship.

Diana Patrick Pimentel

Class of '08

Diana attended Grace from Kindergarten through her senior year, and then went on to Cedarville University where she earned a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, with minors in Bible and Spanish. Her love for the Spanish language and her desire to go to the mission field began during Spanish class at Grace. She served on various mission trips and internships before the Lord led her to full-time medical missions in the Dominican Republic. It was there that she met her husband, Yensi. He was a teacher and pastor and they served together for many years there and began to raise their family. Diana pioneered a school nursing program at a bilingual school, worked with women at risk, spearheaded a teaching/support group for pregnant and nursing moms, and conducted medical outreaches in the villages.

In 2020, God used a series of circumstances to bring their family back to the States. She now serves alongside her husband as he is the Hispanic Pastor at Grace Baptist Church, and she also recently took a job as the Communications Specialist at the church. This way she can not only design all the print and online materials, but translate them as well so that both English and Spanish speaking members can understand them in their heart language. Both she and Yensi are passionate about building bridges across different cultures and are so grateful for this unique opportunity to reach people from so many different countries for Christ, while being surrounded by a community that has known them for years. Two of their three boys are attending Grace Academy now and it feels like being back home with family.

Lindsay Estes

Class of '13

Lindsey attended Grace Academy for all 12 years. After receiving her bachelor's degree from UTC, she quickly began her teaching career for Hamilton County Schools. Lindsey has been teaching at Ooltewah Elementary for the past 7 years. During her time at Ooltewah Elementary, she was nominated for teacher of the year and is currently going through the LEAD program for aspiring instructional coaches.

Lindsey says that, "my elementary teachers at Grace certainly fostered my love of learning and they are one reason why I am where I am today."

Savannah Barrow
Class of '18

Savannah attended Grace Baptist Academy from 2011-2018. During her time there, she was involved in the Spring Musical, Choir, Golden Voices, Varsity Cheerleading, Chick-fil-a Leader Academy, and Student Government.

Savannah attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education in 2022. Savannah is currently a teacher and team leader of sixth grade Language Arts at Lakeview Middle School in Catoosa County. She has also stayed involved with GBA by serving as an assistant director for the annual spring musical. Even after her final bow with GBA Fine Arts, Savannah has since been performing with groups like The Colonnade Players and Magic Lamp Entertainment.

Savannah will be continuing her education by beginning her Masters of Education program in 2024. Savannah has been extremely blessed by her experience at Grace, and is thankful for the teachers that helped her to become the educator and Christian that she is today.