Staff
Benjie Slaton - Lead Pastor
Benjie and Natalie Slaton first discovered Chattanooga as undergraduates working at camps on Lookout Mountain and have been returning ever since. They married after college and have served Jesus’ church in various places. Benjie has served as the RUF Campus Minister at the University of Texas, and as a pastor in two churches in Austin and San Antonio. Both churches were recent church plants and sent out church plants. Seeing new churches born is something the Slatons love and have a passion to see happen here in Chattanooga.
The Slatons deeply love Chattanooga. It’s been like a second home for them for many years. They have three children, a feisty wiener dog, love the mountains and the water, and possess an unhealthy love for good tacos.
Jeremy DeBord - Pastoral Resident
Jeremy grew up in Chattanooga and is excited to call the Tennessee Valley home after pastoring in St. Louis, Missouri, and Corpus Christi, Texas, with his wife Lindsay, their two daughters, and their beloved dog Samwise the Brave. The DeBords love slow weekends, sharing meals with their church family and neighbors, and spending time outdoors whenever possible. Jeremy, in particular, loves history, sports, and the occasional Dungeons and Dragons session. As a family, they are excited to join the Grace and Peace community and look forward to seeing how the Kingdom of God intersects with life in our unincorporated part of the world.
Ansley Godwin - Executive Administrator
Ansley Godwin grew up in Birmingham, AL and graduated from Auburn University in 2019. During her last semester she studied abroad in Italy and discovered that she loves a good tiramisu! While in college, Ansley first discovered a passion for working with students and walking alongside them in life. Ansley moved to Chattanooga in 2020 to participate in the Chattanooga Fellows Program, and she has loved her time in the city since the day she moved! The community within the church is one of the things Ansley loves most. She brings passion and energy to helping the community life of Grace+Peace really flourish!
Sarah Woody - Nursery Director + Bookkeeper
Sarah grew up in Roanoke Virginia and graduated from Liberty University in 2019. She married Russell the weekend after graduation and shortly after they moved to Chattanooga. They have fallen in love with Chattanooga and are proud to call it home. Russell and Sarah have two beautiful children, Vincent and Zion. Sarah loves spending time with her family, having a good cup of coffee while reading a book or a game night with friends. Sarah is so thankful and excited to serve on staff at Grace + Peace.
Kathryn Placer - Children’s Ministry + Volunteer Coordinator
Kathryn Placer, her husband Neil, and three children Gabe (20), Maggie (17), and Stella (13) have lived in Chattanooga for the past 15 years. Kathryn has been actively involved as a Bible study leader in various capacities including the women’s ministry of her church and Bible Study Fellowship. She enjoys studying and growing in her knowledge of the Word of God and desires to see people of all ages come to know Jesus through the Scriptures and authentic discipleship.She and her family have been attending Grace + Peace since the summer of 2023, and have felt very welcomed into the local church body. In her free time, she enjoys all types of exercise,including outdoor activities with friends.
Jean Louise Barnes - Worship Directior
Jean Louise grew up surrounded by music in Nashville, TN, in a lively home filled with her five younger siblings and parents. She is very grateful to have always been singing and playing music with her family. She moved to Chattanooga to attend Covenant College, where she double-majored in English Literature and Music Composition, graduating in 2025. Jean Louise has a deep passion for discovering music with rich, thoughtful lyrics that tell the story of God’s redemptive work in the world. She loves reading the writings of the Inklings, camping with her family, and exploring any sort of thrift store or vintage shop. Jean Louise is especially grateful for the diverse worship traditions that Grace+Peace draws from in its music. She is excited to help cultivate a culture of worship at G+P that is both reverent and joyful, both rooted in Scriptural truths and responsive to the Spirit.