We’re excited to introduce Nickie Gael-Barnes as Graceway’s new Small Groups Director!

Nickie has served faithfully as part of the Graceway family since 2022. She’s a gifted leader, a dedicated D1 mentor, and an active part of our missions ministry. She brings a rich blend of experience, insight, and passion for Small Groups that we believe will serve this ministry—and our entire church—exceptionally well.

We asked Nickie a few questions to get to know her better, and her heart for this ministry shines through every answer:

What excites you most about stepping into the Small Groups ministry at Graceway?
“I am so excited to be a part of the Graceway team, and I am thrilled to join the mission to continue building a strong church family. I’m excited to be joining a thriving ministry team with a strong foundation and connection. I look forward to building relationships of listening so I can learn from the Small Groups Team and participants what motivates people to show up and what keeps them away. I also want to discover the soul-longing that lives under both of these things, so we can have a better idea of why, and how we can build on the foundation we have with creativity, care, and a deep belief that formation happens best in community.”

How have small groups made an impact in your own faith journey?
“Small groups have been essential in my lifelong transformation journey. I have been blessed to be a part of many small groups over the years and several lifelong friendships have come out of these times of shared journey. It is hard to imagine how I would have made it through some of the hard places without the communities that are truly my family—they provided a spiritual grounding, physical support, emotional encouragement, and were intentional in including me in a way that I felt deeply loved and seen.”

What’s your vision for how small groups can help people grow in community and discipleship?
“My vision for small groups is rooted in belonging. I imagine small groups as the front porch of the church—warm, open, familiar. A place where stories are told, friendships are built, wounds are tended, and hearts are slowly, steadily transformed. This is where the Church becomes family. Where spiritual formation takes root not in performance, but in presence. Not just around curriculum, but around tables, couches, and shared lives.

We have an opportunity to invite others into this vision through story—real lives changed, real people known. Structure can be sacred too, building clear pathways: intentional onboarding, relational mentorship, and development tracks for potential leaders, coaches, and hub leaders. Each individual should be seen, equipped, and released—called to something deeper than service alone: to shepherd, to guide, to grow. I count it as sacred work.”

What’s one thing you’d say to someone who’s never been in a small group before?
“’We were built for community’ is not just something we say. We were made for community, not just because the Bible says so (that includes before the earth was even created!), but also because it has been shown to help with emotional and physical health. People can be difficult, and that can make things messy, but if you are willing to put the effort in, then community will change your life in ways that you can’t even imagine!”

Tell us something about yourself.
“I’m a military brat, so ‘home’ is everywhere and nowhere all at once, but I think we mostly called our childhood home a little town in Minnesota where all the extended family gathered. After my husband, Steve Barnes, retired from his 30-year military career, he and I moved to KC about four years ago. We have five kids and four grandkids. When we’re not traveling to visit family and friends, I like to hang out with my neighbors and friends, host get-togethers, and visit local coffee shops and antique stores.”

We are excited to have Nickie on board and can’t wait to see how God uses her leadership and heart for people to continue building a strong, Christ-centered community through small groups at Graceway!

Please join us in welcoming Nickie to the team! 🎉