MEET OUR LEADERS
Lead Pastor/Elder
Paul Tsika
Paul serves as the Lead Pastor of Grace Community Fellowship West Houston in Richmond, Texas. He married Melanie in 1988. Their family consists of 4 grown children with their spouses (their 4 bonus children), and four amazing grandchildren! Paul has been in full time Christian ministry for 33 years.
While in seminary, Paul served as Lead Pastor at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship in Azle, Texas. After 10 years of schooling, Paul earned a Master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Paul and Melanie served six great years as Lead Pastor at Lighthouse until they answered the call to move to Restoration Ranch in 2003, where he served as Executive Director of the Restoration Ranch until September 2015 when he transitioned to full time Lead Pastor of GCF West Houston. Paul ministers in local and foreign mission outreaches and preaches conferences for churches across the nation.
Paul is a very gifted and engaging communicator. He presents Biblical truths in a clear and concise manner that is easy to grasp yet powerful in its application. His intense delivery and self-effacing humor make him a joy to hear. Paul’s top three passions are faith, family and friendships.
Executive Pastor/Elder
Joey Pineda
Joey Pineda serves as Executive Pastor with oversight of the Children and Audio/Video ministries. Joey enjoys sharing God’s word with others, and has had the privilege of teaching at Sunday services, men’s events, youth camps, and during mission trips to Mexico, Poland, and Ukraine.
He holds a B.A. from Houston Baptist University and a M.Ed. from Lamar University.
He and his wife Brittany are the proud parents of their two sons, Daniel and Gabriel. Both Joey and Brittany are educators and have been married since 2006.
Associate Pastor
Dennis Smith
Dennis and Stephanie have served in the Kingdom Kids ministry since 2019 and have a desire to partner with families to raise up the next generation of world-changers. They graduated from Oral Roberts University in 2012 with degrees in business and have served in a variety of ministry functions for nearly 15 years. Dennis and Stephanie share a passion to help people and organizations develop their purpose in the Kingdom of God.
Dennis currently works in the energy industry and is completing his MBA from the University of Michigan.
Stephanie serves as Ministry Coordinator for GCF West, a role where she is living out her passion to help fellow believers deploy the gifts and talents that God has given them.
Dennis and Stephanie have been married since 2010 and have three children, Everett, Everly, and Lydia. In addition to time with family, they enjoy traveling, the outdoors, and board games.
Elder
Richard Gasdia
Richard and Sonya Gasdia have been married since 1984 with two grown children and six grandchildren. Richard grew up in Maryland and graduated from Frostburg State University in Cumberland, Maryland. Richard is retired and enjoys jogging, bicycles, and has finished multiple marathons and MS 150’s from Houston to Austin. Sonya (retired CPA) is currently the church’s bookkeeper.
Elder
Nick Smith
Nick has been married since October of 2008 to his wife Lisa. They have five young children, Brooklyn, Josiah, Annalise, Emory, and Brynlee.
Nick is a graduate of Texas Tech University and works as an operations manager in the oil & gas industry. Nick has many hobbies; he loves traveling, shooting, hunting and any outdoor activity with his family.
Elder
Matt Tibbetts
Matt has been married since March of 2008 to his wife Lauren. They have three children; Brayden, Payton, and Emma.
Matt is originally from Round Rock, TX and works in the medical device industry. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University. He enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf.
Worship Leader
Carrie Groce
Carrie Groce serves as the worship leader for GCF West, and has since the church’s first service in 2010. In July of 2012, she married the love of her life, Brian Groce. She began leading the GCF Wharton Youth Worship Team at the age of 13 and has continued this passion ever since.
Growing up, Carrie was homeschooled by her loving parents, Tod and Terri Mund. She, along with her five brothers and one sister, enjoyed music/worship from a very young age. She excelled in piano, guitar, and vocal lessons. She always knew she wanted to use these God-given gifts to glorify the One who gave them to her.
Carrie attended the University of Houston and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Carrie has a passion for worship and leading others into the presence of the Lord. She loves equipping others to use their gifts for the Kingdom.
Event Coordinator
Donna Bonilla
Bio coming soon
Youth Leaders
Travis and Rachel Lane
Bio coming soon
Kingdom Kids Coordinator
Kayden Beam
Kayden Beam serves as Sunday morning lead for our Kingdom Kids. She served as an intern for GCF West while completing High School before coming on staff in 2021.
Being homeschooled by her parents, Justin and Mollie Beam, with her 4 siblings gave her the flexibility pursue her passions and gifts from an early age. Some of her many interests include creative arts, worship, and books, which have always ended up being paired with her love of children. She started volunteering with her church at the age of 12 and has served countless hours serving in children’s ministry.
Kayden’s heart is to see our Kingdom Kids grow in their relationship with God and for them to know that their age doesn’t limit what they are able to do in the Kingdom!
Communications Director
Kyle Money
Kyle has been a dedicated member of the GCF West team since 2016 and has served as the Kingdom Kids and Youth leader in that time. With all the growth the church has experienced, Kyle has pivoted to focus on communications at the beginning of 2023.
In 2014, Kyle married his wife Deborah and they have a son named Kash. With a passion for effective communication and a heart for the Church, Kyle strives to see transformed lives for Christ by helping everyone get connected to GCF West.