MEET THE TEAM
Our team exists to equip all to do the work of the church.
Eph 4:12
Gwendolyn Clubb Lau
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Gwendolyn Lau comes to pastoring by way of the theatre. Following an undergraduate degree in Musical Theatre performance, she moved to Plano to begin a public school teaching role. While teaching, she met and married Dustin Lau in 2003. She eventually left the classroom and completed an MA in Humanities, Studies in Literature, as well as an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies. Between papers and finals, she and Dustin had two daughters, Kiana Rose and Elliana Ray.
Having served at Preston Trail Community Church in a variety of roles (from a character named Catfish Sue to Young Adult Pastor; from Residency Director to Director of an adult educational program named Equip) over a 22-year span, Gwen sensed God’s calling to go into the world for Jesus in a new way and to reach a different group of people that might not ever step foot in a church.
Her passion is for those who may feel distant or even disqualified from Jesus to find a rich and satisfying life in Christ.
When not leading Grace House, Gwen is proud to be Dustin’s wife and Kiana and Ellie’s mom… and mom to their rescue pup, Sir Thomas. She can be found spending much of her time cheering on the high school band or watching the choir performances of her girls. She loves to read, laugh and collect anything Chewbacca… or Lord of the Rings.
KATY ENCALADE
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Katy Encalade is honored to be part of Grace House Community Church and has an unwavering passion for spreading the love of Jesus to all. She is committed to helping provide an environment where ALL can come to learn about, grow in, and explore their faith in God.
As the Executive Director of Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, she has the privilege of assisting individuals and couples in realizing their dreams of starting a family.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Katy is a loving wife to Blake and a proud mother to three incredible tween/teenagers- Tripp, Grace, Maggie. While juggling her children's busy schedules, she finds solace in indulging in reading historical fiction, practicing Yoga and Pilates, and avidly listening to a wide range of podcasts.
Christopher keane
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Christopher Keane is a Texas native from the Dallas–Fort Worth area with deep roots in community and connection. He brings to Grace House a wide-ranging background in human resources, finance, and the beautiful chaos of small business operations. After a formative season in Minneapolis, MN—where his faith was both challenged and reshaped—he returned to Texas to be closer to family, support other queer Christians through CenterPeace, and launch his own firm, Keane Consulting Services. Christopher’s work blends strategy and soul, offering practical support to mission-driven organizations while staying grounded in compassion and inclusion. Outside of work, he finds joy in travel, meaningful conversations, and everyday adventures with his boyfriend, Lucas, along with his family and close friends.
HEATHER THORN
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Heather recently moved with her family to McKinney after living in New England for over 45 years. She was raised in CT and attended college at Maine Maritime Academy, majoring in Ocean Studies. While at college, she met her spouse of 25 years, Jeffrey. They settled in MA, where they brought up their 3 kids, Cordelia, Colin and Rowan.
Over the years, Heather has worked in a variety of jobs including vet tech, teaching science, bus driving, and financial services. No matter what she does for work, her hope is to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
In her free time, she enjoys gardening, kayaking, pyrography and spending time with her family and friends.
She and Jeff believe ALL people should have a welcoming church home where they can learn about and know God's love. They found an authentic loving community at Grace House and hope that you will too.
Justin Ayers
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Justin is excited to join the Grace House staff as our manager of operations. He comes to Grace House via a childhood lived between Carrolton, Texas and Ft. Garland, Colorado. He’s a younger brother, a proud uncle and beloved dog dad to Roxy Roo. His love for riding dirt bikes was interrupted by a shoulder reconstruction surgery, but his love for working on them, and other small engines, continued through his pursuit and achievement of certifications in diesel technology and gasoline/small engine repairs.
Life took some twists and turns, but he has found a good path worth fighting for one day at a time. He is discovering how God is taking his story and slowly but surely transforming it into one of gratitude and service. Relatively new to the whole church thing, he has found a home with Grace House where they “take me where I am and yet believe with me for a good future.” He hopes that others will find the kind of intentional community there that he enjoys.
Dustin Lau
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Dustin Lau is married to Grace House’s senior pastor, Gwendolyn Lau. Together, they share two amazing girls and two ridiculously cute dogs. At Grace House, Dustin plays piano and serves as a worship leader. He is passionate about all people having access to participation in the full life of the church and wants everyone to know that God loves them. His day job is in technology sales, and he is a fan of all things Star Trek and Star Wars. Dustin is constantly on the lookout for what could be.
Elizabeth stafford
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Elizabeth is thrilled to be part of the Grace House team. Something she loves about our church is that we don’t just say we welcome ALL we mean it! She is also passionate about being in a space where wrestling with the tough questions about faith isn’t just tolerated but celebrated.
Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience in Operations and Management in the Business, Pharmaceuticals and Mental Health fields and looks forward to partnering with the team to help things run smoothly behind the scenes.
Elizabeth is kept busy by 4 four-legged family members, all named after players from her beloved Boston Red Sox. In her off-time, Elizabeth is an avid reader, loves to travel and cook and has been known to bust out her sourdough starter to bake bread for our communion celebrations.
Eric Samaniego
Jeffrey Thorn
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I have spent most of my life searching for a church that truly felt like home—a place where I didn’t have to hide parts of myself to be accepted. Time and time again, when I needed support, God placed the right people in my life. That is exactly what led me to Grace House, where, for the first time, I feel free to be my true self and still be fully loved.
My wife, Heather, and I moved to McKinney after spending over 45 years in New England. I am incredibly proud of our three incredible children—Cordelia, Colin, and Rowan.
MELANIE WINDERS
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Melanie Winders is a member of Grace House Community Church, where she has been involved since its development in 2023. She joined with the hope of deepening her relationship with Jesus and healing from past church and religious trauma, only to find a new family—one rooted in the inclusive, all-means-all love of Christ.
Melanie works as a Project Director for a large-loss restoration company, bringing leadership and problem-solving skills to her professional and church community alike. She and her wife, Katie Newman, share their home with their two cats and two dogs, and look forward to the day when they extend their family with the addition of their own children.
Beyond work and church, Melanie enjoys golfing and spending time with friends as she seeks connection and joy in both faith and life. She is honored to serve on the Advisory Board, helping to guide Grace House as it continues to be a place of love, healing, and belonging for all.
Renee Tyler
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I am married, and my wife and I have 3 fur babies. I am a part manager for a small business and am currently working towards my doctorate degree in business administration. An avid sports fan, my favorite teams are the New Orleans Saints, LSU Tigers, Atlanta Braves, and the Dallas Stars.
What brought me to Grace House was finding an all-inclusive church where all means all does truly exist. I love being here and being a part of the greeting team where I get to see and welcome everyone in on Sunday mornings with a warm hello. When Grace House says you are family, they mean it and all that comes with it.
