Meet Your Chapel Hill Team
Helen Sawyer
Helen Sawyer is originally from the UK, she has lived in the States for 25 years. She has run many small groups over that time, and has been a part of small groups at Grace for the last 6 years. She has led campaign small groups with her husband Simon, and small groups focused on prayer. Helen and Simon are currently leading and teaching "Second Half Strong", a small group for the 50+ age group which focuses on making the most of the second half of your life for the Glory of God.
Helen's main passion for small groups is to see people learning, growing and doing something new with the Lord.
Lo Crowder
Lo Crowder is originally from Winston-Salem, NC, and has been part of the Grace family since 2016, when he moved to the area. Over the years, he has served in many roles—leading small groups, coaching leaders, serving on the Dream Team, and stepping in wherever needed. Today, he primarily serves with Growth Track, guiding new members as they take their next steps to get connected at Grace. Lo has a true passion for leadership, coaching, and mentoring others.
Outside of Grace, Lorenzo works as a manager at a law office in Raleigh, where he oversees the firm’s finances and operations.
When he’s not serving or working, you can usually find him cheering on UNC football and basketball, the Durham Bulls, or a Canes hockey game. He also enjoys traveling, spending time at the beach, discovering new restaurants, and listening to live music—especially jazz.
Head Coaches
Small Group Leader Coaches
Matthew Everson
Simon Sawyer
Lisa Oechsli
Elizabeth Dawson
Roger Odle
Will Nutt
Laura Nutt
Matt Torcasso
Matthew Everson
Matthew is one of the rare Triangle natives who was born in Durham, grew up in Carrboro, and now reside in Chapel Hill. He started attending Grace Church with his parents as a kid and has served in a variety of roles including small group leader, college ministry leader, and sound team leader. Professionally serving as a fractional CFO and controller for multiple organizations, Matthew regularly comes along side business owners and leaders to assist them with challenges and difficulties they are facing. He has a passion to assist leaders in fulfilling their purpose and bringing about the vision God has put on their heart. In his free time, Matthew enjoys time with his wife and daughters or being out running and biking.
Simon Sawyer
Simon Sawyer is originally from the UK, and has lived in the US for over 25 years. He and his wife, Helen, first joined Grace Church in 2005 when they moved to Chapel Hill from New York. Simon has led and co-led numerous small groups over the last 6 years including creating and leading “Second Half Strong”, a small group for the over-50s, particularly those approaching retirement. Simon worked in software engineering within investment banks for many years. Now semi-retired, he has his own tax business and enjoys family, traveling, triathlons and long-distance running.
Lisa Oechsli
Lisa Oechsli has been a long-standing member of Grace Church since 1988! Over the years she has served in several leadership capacities such as small group leader, Step 3 group leader, women's mentoring, women's development group leader, and prayer team coordinator. Lisa has a heart for supporting women and encouraging them to grow in their relationship with Jesus and with others, but also for helping them find a place in their spiritual family to get connected and flourish using their God-given giftings and strengths. Lisa also enjoys reading, gardening, and using her administrative skills by helping her husband Bernie manage his company, plus doing part time work for a realtor and a contractor. She and Bernie have four young adult kids who are all active in serving Grace Church as well.
Elizabeth Dawson
Elizabeth Dawson came to Grace Church in 2006 with her husband, Pastor Adam Dawson, after getting married and being called to move to NC. She has been a steady part of the community ever since: she has served as a small group leader, Step 3 leader, Freedom Groups ministry team, Women’s Development Group leader, and a volunteer with both Grace Kids and Grace Students. With degrees in philosophy and math, Elizabeth loves bringing depth and clarity to all of her endeavors. She runs two small businesses—one as a postpartum doula supporting new moms, and another managing the cleaning of medical facilities. She is passionate about encouraging women as they grow spiritually and emotionally, helping them discover their purpose, and walking with people through seasons of grief or pain with compassion and hope. She also finds deep meaning in caring for her own family—supporting her husband's calling and raising her children with intention so they can grow into the fullness of who God created them to be. As a mom of six and a former homeschooler of ten years, Elizabeth has learned to find peace and joy in the midst of work and chaos. When she isn’t serving at Grace, working or running her household, you can find her enjoying coffee, foreign films, travel, and dry humor—or periodically dominating competitive jigsaw puzzles. Above all, she delights in fostering moments where people feel seen, encouraged, and invited to grow into the fullness of who God created them to be
Roger Odle
Roger Odle is a retired pastor. He has led many Bible Studies over the years both self-created and book directed. He has a great desire to help people learn to study the Bible for themselves without being told what it says. He desires to see a person get excited about new insights to God's Word and how to apply them to their life and others. Roger and his wife Rosemary have 2 children, 5 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild on the way. Family is very important next to God.
Will Nutt
Will Nutt is grateful to have joined the Grace Church family in 2014. Soon after getting plugged in, Will experienced a healthy community that fostered growth and development in his personal faith that produced many milestones at Grace, including getting water baptized. As someone who has benefited greatly from the care and mentorship he has received within the Grace Church community, he greatly values helping leading others in their spiritual formation. Will enjoys serving in the Freedom ministry and building up young men into healthy strong leaders through small group leading, mentoring and applied theological study. Will and his wife Laura at Grace and they enjoy connecting with other couples and serving together in various capacities at Grace Church.
Laura Nutt
Laura Nutt joined Grace Church in 2018. Before moving to North Carolina, she spent two years serving in overseas missions. At Grace, Laura has been involved in a variety of ministries, including Freedom Ministry, First Impressions, and leading small groups such as Step Three. Laura is passionate about helping others grow in their understanding of the Bible and loves equipping leaders to feel confident as they walk alongside others in their faith. Outside of church, Laura manages conferences, which gives her the opportunity to travel. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, exploring new restaurants in Durham, and adventuring with her husband, Will, and their beloved pup, Buster.
Matt Torcasso
Matt Torcasso has been a member of Grace Church since 2010. Over the years, he has served in a variety of roles and currently serves as one of our Shepherding Elders as well as leading Financial Peace University. Matt has a heart for helping others. Whether in his professional life as an IT Director or in ministry settings, he thrives on guiding others through challenges, encouraging them to take next steps, and building environments where people feel supported and equipped. He especially enjoys coaching leaders as they balance faith, family, and calling. When he’s not serving at Grace, Matt loves spending time outdoors camping, hiking, or fishing, or tackling home improvement projects—all while enjoying life with his wife, Rachel and their four boys.
Want to be Small Group Leader Coach?
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Small Group Coaches are high level leaders with small group leadership experience that help Small Group Leaders develop into the Small Group Leaders that God has called us to be. Coaches encourage leaders to grow in what it means to help their groups care for each other, connect with each other, and grow in their relationship with Christ. Coaches will reach out to small group leaders about once per week to connect with them, pray with them and discuss small group leadership topics. Coaches will help build a strong small group leader culture where developing leadership skills and a heart for prayer is typical.
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Member of Grace Church
Completed Step Three
Served as a Small Group Leader
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1-3 hours per week
Check in with Small Group Leaders Regularly (SMALL GROUP COACH CHECK-IN QUESTIONS)
Pray for Small Group Leaders
Interview Prospective New Leaders (Interview Overview)
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Apply
Interview - Once you complete the application, someone from your campus will set up an interview.