Love INC Staff and Board

Reverend Gracie M. Jackson, BSOE, M.Div. (ThD in progress)
Executive Director
Love INC of Eagle River, Alaska

Pastor, Grace Community AME Mission

I am a graduate of Central Baptist Theological Seminary and Wayland Baptist University. Outreach ministries have always been my passion. Love INC is a community ministry that involves the church and community, which fulfills the mission of the body of Christ. I am excited about this ministry to know that more people will have a personal encounter with Jesus by calling into the Clearinghouse. I raised my two children in Eagle River, Russell and Rodney. I believe my family would have greatly benefited by Love INC, if it had existed in our community at that time. I am a retired grandmother of six grandchildren, who looks forward to serving God even more in our community. I pastor a new church fellowship in my home - Grace Community AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church.

Virginia Marquez,
Operations Coodinator
Love INC of Eagle River, Alaska

I have lived in Eagle River, Alaska with my husband for 14 years, and returned to my Catholic faith in 2000, then was blessed with a beautiful son and many other gifts from God.  My home church is St. Andrew Catholic Church in Eagle River, where I volunteer as much as possible, with the Welcoming Committee, the Ladies group, as a Lector and coordinator of a continuous prayer vigil, called Eucharistic Adoration.  I currently volunteer with the Reconciling Community, which helps former Catholics to return to active participation in the Mass and our wonderful parish.  I dedicate my time and talents to Jesus and receive Him in the holy Eucharist nearly every day.  I work for Love INC because Love INC seems to embody the spirit of the gospel message to love one’s neighbor. 

I believe this position will increase my effectiveness in serving this community, and I am encouraged to see Christians of many denominations working together to serve our neighbors as Jesus has taught us.  This ministry and my work depend entirely on Him, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. 

William (Bill) N. McCay,
Board Member

I retired from the US Air Force in 2005 after serving over 20 years and have owned Greatland Christian Cache, with Connie, my wonderful wife of 23 years. Although the world considers us owners of the business, we gave to God what was already His from the beginning. Even though I am the one filling a board position, Connie and I are united as one. We became involved with the development of Love INC of Eagle River from the start, because it promotes a spirit of unity among God's people that we believe is essential. We cannot wait to see how God uses it and all of us to transform lives in our community. I have served as treasurer for the Love INC Board and chair of the Finance Committee. My church home is King’s Way Ministry Center.

Wendy Cleveland,
Board Chairperson
Love INC of Eagle River

I have been married to my husband John for 29 years, and we are both teachers. I teach Kindergarten at Homestead Elementary School, and John teaches band at Gruening Middle School, both in Eagle River, Alaska. Our church home is Peter’s Creek Christian Center. We have 3 children, who are now young adults - Hillary, Ryan, and Abi. Our daughters live nearby and our son Ryan and his wife Tara live in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Abi is Mommy to Briana, our precious 3 year old granddaughter. We love being grandparents!

I serve as VP of Administration on the Alaska State Area Team for the ministry of Aglow International, a Christian women’s ministry. I have a small weekly Aglow group, “His Hands,” where I teach praise and worship songs in sign language to girls and women. Aglow is where I developed my heart for unity and outreach, which was a perfect fit for launching the ministry of Love INC of Eagle River.

I have been involved with Love INC since the inception in 2004, as we prayed to develop this ministry. I believe that Love INC is changing the face of our community. As our partner churches and volunteers unite together to reach out and help our Neighbors in Need, the love and compassion of Jesus Christ is released. I am so excited to continue to serve, and to see just what God is going to do through the ministry of Love INC of Eagle River!

Kevin Dougherty,
Board Vice Chairperson

My wife Doreen and I have three children, and we have lived in Eagle River for 25 years. We are members of St. John’s Orthodox Church, and are truly thankful for the life Christ provides us. We also believe that Christ has called us to love our neighbors in need. I am semi-retired after 25 years as an attorney for the Alaska Laborers. Today I am active in my Church and the Pregnancy Center in Eagle River. I serve on the Love INC Board as Vice-Chair, and head up the Personnel Committee. I look forward to the help we can provide to the people in our community through Love INC!

Lisa Munson,
Board Member

I am a long time resident and business owner of Accurate Framing Systems, LLC, in the Eagle River area. I am married to Robert Munson, and have two children, Rachael and Estevan Padilla, and I am Nana to two grandsons, Christian and Hayden. My church family is with Eagle River Missionary Baptist Church. I currently participate in our women’s mission, senior center outreach, and media ministries at my church. My positions with Love INC include Prayer Partner, Board Member, and Chairperson of the Nominating Committee. I love the Lord and believe in the mission statement of Love INC, helping churches help people, AND bringing people to the realization of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by testifying and sharing the good news of the Holy Scriptures. Other ministries include riding along side other motorcycle believers spreading the gospel, and outreach to the homeless.

Stasia Straley,
Board Member

I moved to Eagle River in January of 2005 with my husband, Kelly, and our son, Ry. We drove up from Wyoming – what an adventure! Thankfully it was in God’s plans to get all of us here in one piece! When we first moved up I worked as a CPA for KPMG, a public accounting firm, for 4 years. I am now teaching accounting at the University of Alaska. It is a blessing to be able to interact with so many interesting people on a daily basis.

I am excited and honored to be on the board for Love INC of Eagle River. I have already met some amazing people and I am looking forward to meeting many more. I am thankful that God led me to this place. I hope to help Love INC achieve their mission by using my gifts from God. I have seen God work through my home church, St. Andrew Catholic Church, as well as through the Love INC group. It is truly incredible seeing people from so many different backgrounds coming together to help those in need in the name of God.

Marguerite Culhane,
Board Member

I was born and raised in Anchorage, and like many Alaskan families I was sent to a Catholic boarding school in California for high school. I graduated from Seattle University in 1964, and then got a job in Washington D.C., teaching elementary school in the shadow of our nation’s capitol building. Teaching and working in Washington D.C. is an education in the disparity of economics within our nation. After two years, I changed careers and went to work for an airline. Seventeen years later, I came back to Alaska in 1983. I built my house in Eagle River and joined St. Andrew Parish. Since then, I have taken long distance learning courses through Gonzaga University and scripture courses through the Newman Center at Alaska Pacific University. This has been very helpful in my ministry, working with the RCIA and the Reconciling group at St. Andrew. Love in the Name of Christ is an answer to a prayer. This witness of Christian unity has given me great hope that someday, we will be united again in the name of Christ.

Ruth Doubek,
Board Treasurer

Leonard and I have lived in Eagle River for 31 years, raising our four grown children here, moving from Minnesota 34 years ago. We are both retired from the school district, where I was a teaching assistant for nineteen years. Children, especially high maintenance ones, have been my passion, as we were also foster parents for several years. We were blessed to have been able to adopt our youngest daughter, when we realized she perhaps would become a "throw away child.” When Love INC presented at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, I found the avenue to help me practice and give to what I so deeply believe, helping our backdoor neighbors, before venturing into far away lands. I've done numerous and varied volunteer jobs, but this one seems like the most exciting and rewarding. I am not sure where all this will take me but I believe that, with the help of the existing board and faith in God's direction, I will be the one who is helped the most.

Father Bob Young,
In Memorium

Father Bob Young was the pastor of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Eagle River. His was one of the first churches to partner with Love INC.  Father Bob was particularly active in helping families and individuals dealing with substance abuse issues. His example of Christian charity and giving unselfishly to others will long be remembered, and he will be greatly missed.

" A Christian leader is a person who, when alone, is comfortable in and with his walk with God."   - Father Bob Young