Leadership
Cooper Smith
Pastor-Teacher
Cooper grew up in church but didn’t come to a saving faith until his senior year of high school. After his conversion he had a desire to pursue ministry, and he enrolled at Columbia International University. There he graduated with a degree in Biblical Languages and Bible. During that time the Lord strengthened his desire for ministry, leading him to complete a Master’s of Divinity from The Master’s Seminary in Sun Valley, California. He and his wife then moved back to their supporting church in Woodstock, Georgia where he served on staff directing the college ministry. Through that time, Cooper’s desire for shepherding continued to grow, and in 2016, he and his family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. He is thankful for the opportunity that the Lord has brought for him to be the pastor of Gracelife Bible Church. Cooper and Brooke are blessed to be the parents of four children: Shepard, Mercy, Hudson, and Jude.
Dave Petrovich
Elder Candidate | Home Group Leader (Apex)
Dave came to saving faith later in life and after retiring from a career in business in 2017, God put a desire in his heart to disciple others. In 2021 he was certified with the Association of Biblical Counselors and has been able to disciple men, as well as married couples alongside his wife, Maureen. As God continues to grow and sanctify Dave, he continues to grow in his love for the church and God’s word. Dave and Maureen live in Apex and have two teenage daughters.
Dakota Holtzclaw
Student Ministry Intern
Dakota was born and raised in Cumming, Georgia where he met his wife Brandy. They were married in 2017 and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2019. Although formally acquainted with Scripture at a young age, it wasn’t until later in life that he was convicted of sin and came to know Jesus as Lord. In the beginning year of his faith, he attended Faith Community Church in Woodstock, Georgia. There, he underwent a season of intense growth and came to understand the priority of the church. After receiving orders to move to North Carolina upon completion of his military training, the Holtzclaws began attending Gracelife Bible Church in early 2021. Since then, he has faithfully served in the children’s, men’s, and youth ministry. Dakota and his wife Brandy have four children, Soren, Sayaka, Valour, and Jowen.