
Our Staff

Tyler Christiansen
Pastor
Called to ministry at seventeen, Tyler seeks to follow God's call through his roles as a husband, dad and pastor. Tyler and his wife, Eleanor, married in 2002 and they have two children, Greta and Wes. Last year they grew the family again with the addition of their miniature poodle, Samson. Originally from Minneapolis, Tyler is a graduate of Luther College and he met Eleanor while they were both students at Garrett Seminary in Chicago. Eleanor, an Alabama native, attended Birmingham-Southern College before starting her graduate work. She serves as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at nearby Trinity UMC. Tyler and Eleanor's ministries have taken them from Chicago, to New Jersey, to Minneaoplis and finally, to Birmingham.
Tyler loves the relational aspect of church ministry, believing that lasting transformation is born out of faithful relationships anchored in Christ. Serving as a pastor of a church allows Tyler to exercise his creative side, engage in strategic planning, and focus his attention on leading vibrant worship experiences. During his ministry career he has served four churches before arriving at Grace.
In his free time, Tyler loves to be with Eleanor, Greta and Wes. As a family they love to travel, eat adventurously (or at least try new restaurants) and play games. Tyler also enjoys downhill skiing, golf, cheering on the Golden Gopher football and basketball teams, gardening, rocking out in his car where no one can hear him, and most anything outdoors.
Email: Tyler@GraceBHM.org
Tyler loves the relational aspect of church ministry, believing that lasting transformation is born out of faithful relationships anchored in Christ. Serving as a pastor of a church allows Tyler to exercise his creative side, engage in strategic planning, and focus his attention on leading vibrant worship experiences. During his ministry career he has served four churches before arriving at Grace.
In his free time, Tyler loves to be with Eleanor, Greta and Wes. As a family they love to travel, eat adventurously (or at least try new restaurants) and play games. Tyler also enjoys downhill skiing, golf, cheering on the Golden Gopher football and basketball teams, gardening, rocking out in his car where no one can hear him, and most anything outdoors.

Stephen Ingram
Pastor of Students, Missions and Adult Formation
Stephen is a dad, husband, writer and foodie. He has served in churches since 1998 and also has served as a lead consultant with Ministry Architects since 2009. He lives in Homewood with his wife Mary Liz and their three kids Mary Clare, Patrick, and Nora Grace. Stephen has his undergraduate from Samford University where he majored in Religion and his Masters of Divinity from McAfee School of Theology. Stephen speaks at conferences all around the country as well as leading training events, intentionally spiritual parenting workshops, and retreats for youth ministries. His books include Hollow Faith: How Andy Griffith, Facebook, and the American Dream Neutered the Gospel, ExtraOrdinary Time: 365 Ordinary Moments with an Anything But Ordinary God; and Organic Student Ministry. Stephen deeply loves working with students and their families growing, nurturing and challenging their faith as they strive to answer the questions: Who am I and Why am I here?
Email: stephen@gracebhm.org

Mia Toole
Mia grew up in the Birmingham area and loves everything Alabama football. After graduating from UA, she taught English as a Second Language in Kansas City through Teach for America, and met her husband, Jeremiah. They got married in 2014 shortly after Mia completed her Master's in Education, and relocated to Birmingham in 2015.
Mia loves football, poetry, strategic board games, musicals, old architecture, and watermelon jolly ranchers. When she's not hanging out with kiddos at Grace, she loves traveling with her family, grabbing sushi, and exploring calligraphy with friends.
Mia and Jeremiah have both served in ministry throughout their married life and Jeremiah currently serves as the Director of Modern Worship at nearby Asbury UMC. Mia and Jeremiah welcomed their first child, Liam, in 2021 and love getting to spend time as a family.
Email: mia@gracebhm.org
Mia loves football, poetry, strategic board games, musicals, old architecture, and watermelon jolly ranchers. When she's not hanging out with kiddos at Grace, she loves traveling with her family, grabbing sushi, and exploring calligraphy with friends.
Mia and Jeremiah have both served in ministry throughout their married life and Jeremiah currently serves as the Director of Modern Worship at nearby Asbury UMC. Mia and Jeremiah welcomed their first child, Liam, in 2021 and love getting to spend time as a family.
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Andrew Henderson
Worship Arts Director
Andrew and his wife, Michelle, both grew up in Alabama, but are kindred spirits in their love for the blue ridge mountains of North Carolina. They met while attending Appalachian State University and got married right after they graduated. Soon afterward, they moved to Alabama to settle down and "begin life" closer to their families. They now live in Cahaba Heights and have a blast raising their girls, Lucy, Etta, and Piper.
Andrew came to Grace in October 2009 to help run the sound system on Sunday mornings. Little did he and Michelle know that had found their church home! They joined the church in 2010, and both got involved on the worship music team from that point on.
Andrew now uses his passion for music and worship by serving as the Worship Arts Director at Grace.
Email: andrew@gracebhm.org
Andrew came to Grace in October 2009 to help run the sound system on Sunday mornings. Little did he and Michelle know that had found their church home! They joined the church in 2010, and both got involved on the worship music team from that point on.
Andrew now uses his passion for music and worship by serving as the Worship Arts Director at Grace.

Chelsea Ramsey
Administrative Assistant
Chelsea Ramsey is from Birmingham, AL and attended Birmingham-Southern College where she graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance. Before her position here, she worked as a Program Assistant at a statewide non-profit organization. She has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Grace family and has been with us since 2016.
Chelsea and Ethan have been married since July of 2017, and they are excited to be adjusting to parenthood with their new baby girl. In her spare time, Chelsea loves to read, sing, take hikes, and watch movies.
Email: chelsea@gracebhm.org
Chelsea and Ethan have been married since July of 2017, and they are excited to be adjusting to parenthood with their new baby girl. In her spare time, Chelsea loves to read, sing, take hikes, and watch movies.

Andrea Fite
Nursery Director
Andrea Fite is the Nursery Director. She graduated from the University of Montevallo in 2006 with a Bachelor of Social Work. Andrea worked as a social worker for Gateway Family and Child Services in Birmingham for 9 years. She has also worked in the nursery at Trussville Methodist Church, several in-home daycares in the Pelham area, and at Learning Express Toys at their Trussville, Leeds, and Gadsden locations. She has been working in the nursery here at Grace since 2008 and stepped up to the role of nursery director in 2014. Andrea has been married to Mike Frost since May of 2017, and they are excited to be starting their lives together as part of the Grace family. Andrea and Mike live in Pinson with their large brood of fur babies.
Email: andrea@gracebhm.org


Reggie Garrett
Custodian
Reggie was born in Birmingham, AL and grew up in the Southtown Projects. He attended Davis Elementary, Graduated from Hayes High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1978.
Reggie married Febie Tucker in 1991. They have a daughter Alberta, a son Reginald Jr. and a granddaughter, Ameria. Reggie retired from the military in 1998. He has worked at Grace since 2008.
Reggie’s loves to spend time with his family and in his spare time, his hobbies are bowling and fishing.
Reggie married Febie Tucker in 1991. They have a daughter Alberta, a son Reginald Jr. and a granddaughter, Ameria. Reggie retired from the military in 1998. He has worked at Grace since 2008.
Reggie’s loves to spend time with his family and in his spare time, his hobbies are bowling and fishing.


Jamie Burke
Jamie grew up in Tuscaloosa and attended the University of Alabama on a full athletic scholarship for gymnastics. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Special Education from the University of Alabama. Jamie continued her studies to earn a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and an Administrative Certificate from Samford University. Jamie taught for 10 years in the Jefferson County public school system, then for 18 years in the Vestavia Hills City Schools at Vestavia Hills Elementary East. Jamie has earned many awards for her teaching including Alabama Teacher of the Year for Special Education. Jamie retired from the public school system, and began working at GraceKids Child Development Center at its opening. Jamie is passionate about children’s development and using her skills to strengthen families.
Jamie has 2 sons, Douglas (25) and Johnathan (21), and 2 dogs, Shadow and Winnie. When not spending time with her family and her dogs, she loves to play competitive tennis, do woodworking, create multimedia art, and go fishing.
Email: jamie@gracekidscdc.org
Jamie has 2 sons, Douglas (25) and Johnathan (21), and 2 dogs, Shadow and Winnie. When not spending time with her family and her dogs, she loves to play competitive tennis, do woodworking, create multimedia art, and go fishing.