
LEADERSHIP AT GRACE

Curtis DeFord
Senior Pastor
Equipping, Preaching, Counseling, Discipleship, Vision
I’m Curtis DeFord and my wife’s name is Shelly. We’ve been married since May of 1985. There is no one that I would rather spend today and every day with than her! God has blessed us with three children, one son-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren, and we love them all to the max!
I’ve been the pastor here at Grace Church of Emmetsburg since December of 2001. It has been a wonderful “fit” for me and my wife. We love the people here immensely and, even with all the ups and downs of ministry, there is no place in the world we would rather serve than here.
There is nothing that charges me up more that seeing people surrender their hearts to Jesus Christ, to be involved in the spiritual growth of people through the Word, and to equip people to serve the Lord with all their hearts! Our lives belong to Jesus without reserve and we joyfully serve Him with without regret!
Some of the other passions of my life are college football, hiking nature’s trails with my wife, or dirt-biking with family and friends (in the Rocky Mountains whenever possible)!
Dan Cox
Associate Pastor
Equipping, Discipleship, Vision
I am Dan Cox and my wife’s name is Maggie. We have been married since August of 2007. I am thankful to God for Maggie! She is a great help in ministry. We have two boys given to us by God.
God has allowed me to serve as a pastor for 13 years. I have been at Grace Church of Emmetsburg since December of 2024. I serve as the pastor of equipping and discipleship. I am thankful to God for the opportunity entrust God’s Word to people! God has led us here and we are glad to serve God and His church here by helping them to love God above all else and follow Him first.
I enjoy other activities with my family and others. Some of those are: running, disc golf, fishing, soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee, hiking, meat smoking, and Iowa Hawkeyes basketball and football.

Jerry Fuerstenau
Elder Chairman | Deacons, Church Finances

Brian Palmer
Elder | Youth

Duane Myer
Elder Secretary | Fellowship, Worship

Alex Helmich
Deacon | Campus Maintenance

Dave Olson
Elder | Missions, Outreach

Mike Myer
Deacon | Hard Hat Ministry

Brenda Fuerstenau
Church Secretary