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GMI Board

Myles Sweeney

President, GMI

Myles founded the first GMI (Grace Ministries International) church in Wharton, Texas in 1991. His main focus is building the GMI churches through building its leadership. He also travels nationally and internationally, as the main mission thrust of GMI. Myles’ ability to grasp Biblical principles and transfer them in a practical, motivating, and challenging way is one of the reasons he is a sought-after teacher and mentor. He is a spiritual father and a pastor to pastors in a number of nations in the world, equipping them to be effective in their call and ministry.

Many of these pastors pushed him to develop training for parents, after seeing his children so devoted to God and God’s call on their lives. This became the “Kingdom Families” teaching which has been used by hundreds of churches in the U.S., and has been translated into various languages in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Myles has also developed a number of other training materials and training weekends that are being used nationally and internationally by churches and church networks.

Myles and his wife, Sallie, have been married 40 years, and she is the love of his life. He has five children, all actively serving the Lord, and seven grandchildren.

Vincent Townsend

Board Member | Lead Pastor, GCF Brazosport

Vincent Townsend serves as lead pastor of GCF Brazosport. He has a pastor’s heart and loves people. He is a dynamic preacher who delivers God’s word with charisma and passion. He absolutely loves to see and be a part of people’s lives being transformed for Christ. He serves the people at Grace with a deep love for them and for the church.

Vincent has worked for Union Pacific Railroad since 2004. He married the love of his life, Althea in 1999. Together they faithfully serve the church with their two beautiful daughters, Kaia and Halle. Vincent loves to run marathons and play golf for entertainment.

Matt Sweeney

Board Member | Lead Pastor, GCF Brenham

Matt moved to Brenham in February of 2019 to begin serving as Lead Pastor. Matt picked up the baton from Mike Rod, who served faithfully for over twenty years as GCF Brenham’s Founding Pastor.

Born and raised in Wharton, Texas, Matt previously served as a Pastor at GCF Wharton.  His heart is to see the lives of both young and old be completely transformed by the love and power of Jesus Christ.  Matt loves preaching and teaching, training and supporting leaders, and serving in any capacity that he can.  He also enjoys reading, traveling, classic cars, and is a musician of over twenty-five years.

Some of Matt’s community involvements include serving on the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) for Brenham ISD, and serving in Position #2 on the Citizen’s Advisory Board (CAB) for the Brenham Police Department. Matt also serves on the Regional Advisory Board for Christians Engaged, a national nonprofit organization that exists to awaken, educate, and empower believers in Jesus Christ. 

Matt has been privileged to travel extensively with his father, Myles, preaching and ministering at many different places and events around the world, including Ukraine, Georgia, Africa, and Poland.  Matt has been married to his sweetheart, Oksana, since 2009.  They are blessed with four children: Logan, Chase, Madison, and Grant.

Brandon Heckler

Board Member | Lead Pastor, GCF Fort Worth

Brandon serves as the Lead Pastor at GCF Fort Worth based in Hurst, Texas. Brandon is a Texas native who enjoys all things Texan – BBQ, friendliness, and the outdoors! Although he grew up in church, he encountered the Lord at summer camp in high school and has never been the same again. Shortly after graduation, Pastor Brandon began to feel God call him into full-time ministry. While preparing for this call in seminary, Brandon met his soon-to-be wife, Dana. They’ve been married since 2000 and have 4 wonderful children.  Dana serves at the worship leader at Grace Fort Worth, and she has a dynamic ability to help people recognize God’s presence as they enter corporate worship.

Through his time as a pastor, Brandon has been able to minister in several places across Texas as well as India and Ukraine, but his heart is set on seeing the North DFW area transformed for Jesus Christ. Brandon is a gifted speaker who is passionate about helping people find the truth of God’s Word and establish those truths deep in their hearts. His desire is to help take the deep truths of God and convey them in plain language and practical teaching.

Ryan Beverly

Board Member | Lead Pastor, GCF Hays

Ryan was born in Austin and raised in Buda. He grew up attending church but in high school, Jesus invaded his heart and his life was changed forever. Ryan has served in ministry for over 20 years and he has a passion for encouraging people from all walks of life to know Jesus and reach their full potential. The city of Buda holds a special place in his heart and one of his greatest desires is to see the families of this city flourish through the abundant life that Jesus came to give. 

Ryan has been married to his best friend, Kate since 2012 and they have a daughter who is the joy and delight of their lives. Outside of church, you can find Ryan watching football, smoking meat, encouraging everyone to try his homemade hot sauce, and going for a new PR at the gym.

Bo Magehee

Board Member | Lead Pastor, GCF Needville

Bo serves as Lead Pastor at GCF Needville. Bo has been serving as a pastor within the GMI network since 2005. He and his wife, Heidi, were married in 2002. They have three children, Jonathan, Samantha, and Titus.

Bo earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa. He also holds a Master’s of Education from Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas.

Bo has also served as a Life Group Leader, Life Group Pastor, Children’s Pastor, and as a Youth Pastor alongside his wife Heidi.

Bo has a real passion to see the American church rise up to take its rightful place as Christ intended. We are called to be a driving force in our communities, and to see live completely transformed for Christ! Bo is helping lead the way forward in this endeavor alongside the pastors on the GMI Board.

Chris Sparks

Board Member | Lead Pastor, GCF New Braunfels

Chis serves as Lead Pastor and Head Elder at Grace. In 1998 he married his bride, Kari. They have four children, two sons, and two daughters. Chris has faithfully served as a pastor within the GMI network of churches for over a decade.

His greatest joy in life is helping others come into an ever-increasing walk with Jesus Christ. Chris’s all-time favorite scripture is John 10:10.

Jim Beaver

Board Member | Lead Pastor, GCF West

Jim served as Lead Pastor at GCF Fort Worth for 14 years, before moving to the Houston area in 2023 to help lead the team at GCF West.  Jim’s passion is to see others discover and be released into God’s calling and purposes to advance the Kingdom of God and build His church.

Jim grew up in the church, but it wasn’t until 1971 while in college that he gave his life to the Lord, after he experienced the reality of God.  His commitment from that moment on has been to serve God in whatever capacity God desires. 

Jim was ordained into ministry in 1974, leading small groups and providing pastoral care on a church staff in Kentucky.  In 1981 Jim and Katie moved from Kentucky to Texas after being invited to assist another pastor with a church plant in Dallas.  During this time, Jim worked in sales while continuing to lead small groups and provide pastoral care in the church. 

Jim married the love of his life, Katie in 1972.  They both have a deep passion to help people find their calling and place within the church.  Their commitment to the Lord and their pastoral heart enables them to care for others, helping them find freedom as they pursue God’s purposes for their lives. 

One of Jim’s and Katie’s greatest joys are the 3 wonderful children, 2 daughters-in-law, and 7 grandchildren God has blessed them with. 

Michael Limas

Board Member | Lead Pastor, GCF Wharton

Michael Limas serves as the Lead Pastor of GCF Wharton. Michael and his wife, Becky, have been in ministry for over 12 years, having served as youth pastors and life group leaders.

Michael has a passion for people. A heart to come alongside, encourage, and give what is needed to see them become all that God has called them to be. One of his greatest desires is to see the church equipped and to develop leaders to impact the church worldwide. He has traveled internationally to Austria, Ukraine, Poland, and Mexico as well in the U.S. to Texas, Arkansas, and Colorado to help train, equip, and develop youth leaders so they can raise up the next generation.

Michael is in love with his beautiful wife, Becky. They have two beautiful young daughters named Aubrey Kathryn and Julia Nicole.