Rev. Diane Roth
Lead Pastor
Pastor Diane Roth is a native Minnesotan who has taken side trips to Japan, Colorado, South Dakota, and now, Texas (although she hopes that in this case, it is more than a side trip.) She grew up in suburban Minneapolis, graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a degree in English literature, and served as a missionary teacher in Japan in the early 1990s.
After working in insurance for a few years, and honing her skills as a lay leader, choir member, and Sunday School teacher, she entered seminary at Luther Northwestern Seminary in St. Paul.
She has served congregations in South Dakota, and the Twin Cities before arriving at Grace Lutheran in Conroe. She married John, a musician and teacher, in 1999, and inherited two quite talented and handsome stepsons, Justin and Spencer. She enjoys singing loudly, taking walks with her dog, writing and blogging, reading, and knitting, where seasonally appropriate.
Drew Balog
Director of Music and Worship
Drew was born and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, and moved to Texas in 1989.
He has been involved in church music for over 35 years, and has played in jazz big bands, and several genres of original and club music.
At Grace Lutheran Church, he is responsible for the choir, handbells, special music, and soloists. He also serves as organist and accompanist and is responsible for all music selection.
His wife Micki is also a church musician. They have been married for 30+ years and have three grown children.
In addition to music, he enjoys photography, woodworking, gardening, and bicycling.
Erin Lesher
Coordinator of Youth and Family Ministries
Erin feels she is not a native to anywhere. She was born in Florida and moved around the Carolinas and Virginias, and at the age of 5 she moved to Illinois. Minnesota became her home for 15 years, then she found Texas. She has been in childcare for 25 years and has her bachelor's in early education through Kaplan University, and Christian ministries and biblical studies through International School of Ministries. She was a youth pastor for four years and a children's pastor for four years at Pillar of Faith. Erin currently teaches 2nd & 3rd grade at Paideia, a hybrid school for homeschoolers.
Our History and our ELCA Affiliation
About Grace Lutheran Church
Founded in 1979, Grace is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), located north of Houston near beautiful Lake Conroe. Marked with the cross of Christ, we believe that God has called us to proclaim the good news and to live the Grace of God.
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
The ELCA is a community of faith that shares a passion for making positive changes in the world. The ELCA is built around a strong belief as made known to us in Jesus Christ. With nearly 10,500 congregations across the U. S., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and nearly 5 million members, the ELCA works to put faith into action. In today’s complex world, ELCA families strive to make a difference in practical, realistic ways.
