Lead Pastor

Ben and Kara Sinnard have been in ministry since 2003, beginning with the Navigators Campus ministry at their alma mater, the University of Nebraska. Ben attended Covenant Seminary in St. Louis and upon graduation helped plant a young church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Most recently, he served as Associate Pastor at Cornerstone Church in Delafield, Wisconsin until following a call to plant a church in his current community, Oconomowoc.

The Sinnards have two bio kids Maren and Reid and two adopted boys. The ministry of foster care and adoption are near and dear to Ben and Kara’s hearts.

Both are excited to establish the Grace & Peace community and to see people and Oconomowoc shaped and transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Look for their family at local beer gardens, food trucks, hiking trails, or on disc golf courses!

Director of Family & Discipleship

A Kentucky native, Rob moved with his wife, Alicia, to Wisconsin in 2018 to be closer to Alicia’s family.

They have three children, Cal, Mia, and Ben. Rob completed his training for ministry through Reformed Theological Seminary and the OnWisconin NxtGn Cohort.

He enjoys conversations about Jesus and the Bible, and specializes in writing a personal bio in the third person so it appears that someone else wrote it. Rob and his family also really enjoy walks in the neighborhood, swimming in the pool, watching Packer football games, and spending time with friends and family.

Pastor of Church Planting

Clay Smith is a Wisconsinite, through and through. Go, Pack, Go! Born and raised here, he lived elsewhere only for 3 years, in Charlotte, to attend Reformed Theological Seminary. He returned to began ministry in 2019 at Cornerstone Church (overlapping with Pastor Ben) as an apprentice.

He was ordained as Assistant Pastor in 2021 and served there until being called to Grace & Peace to explore ministry avenues and church planting in the Watertown area. Raised Roman Catholic and returning to faith in later years in non-denominational circles, he is experienced in the broad Christian tradition and very interested in seeing Jesus Christ for the first time again alongside others, wherever they may be.

He drinks caffeine-free tea and has two black belts (though he begs you not to make him to prove the latter). Clay and his wife, Katie, live in Watertown with their four young children (Gabe, Rosie, Teddy and Cameron).

Children’s Ministry Coordinator

Erika has been in non-profit work since graduating with a Sacred Music degree from Bethel University a number of years ago that shan’t be named. She is delighted to serve the children of Grace & Peace. It’s a joy to see the way God is working.

After falling in love as choir nerds in college, Erika and her husband Brandon have gone on to have one son, and adopt two children. In her copious spare time, she likes to read, mountain bike, travel, and eat tacos…oh, and chocolate.

Director of Music

Ken has experience playing and leading worship music in several churches over the last 30 years. It is said he has too many guitars and is generally liked by other musicians and church goers.

Ken is passionate about helping the church congregation feel comfortable in singing out and always tries to provide songs that have both rich lyrics and singable tunes.

He and his wife Amy have two children and an increasing number of adorable grandchildren. 

Operations & Design

Kari is originally from Indiana and moved to Wisconsin to go to school in Stevens Point. She has a background in Biology and Pre-Vet.

After several years, she moved to the Madison area to study Graphic Design and after spending a few years in the field, returned to her alma mater and taught Graphic Design for several years at Madison College. 

She and her husband have lived in Oconomowoc for over thirteen years and have two rambunctious children, two ginormous dogs and two cats. 

She enthusiastically joined the team at Grace & Peace in 2023 and has enjoyed becoming a member in this amazing church family. 

Ruling Elder

Ruling Elder