Our Leaders

ROD MILES | pastor

Rod is the founding Pastor of Grace Marin. He is a 1986 graduate of the University of Georgia (B.B.A, finance) and 2004 graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary (graduate degree in theology and pastoral care). Prior to attending seminary, Rod was a Senior Managing Director of Wachovia Securities, Inc in NYC and Atlanta where he spent 15 years in corporate banking and capital markets. Rod was a ruling elder at Intown Church in Atlanta and served at Orangewood Church in Orlando prior to coming to the Bay Area. Rod and his wife Gwen, who met at Wachovia, were married in September 1991 and have three boys, Reid, Kevin and Rick. Rod is active in the Marin community and is a manager of a local team in the San Anselmo Baseball Association. Little known facts: he has a six-pack-a-day Diet Coke habit and loves text messaging, going on walks, Comforts in downtown San Anselmo, talking Wall Street, and recommending obscure films.

"I think it's a real privilege that you have someone who is here because he is a man who deeply believes the things that he is trying to preach to you and share with you and live with you."
     -Rev. David Jones 8/16/2009

JOHN SWEET | assistant pastor

John Sweet and his family have recently joined Grace Marin from Brooklyn, NY. We are very pleased to have his encouragement, authenticity, and expertise as our growing community seeks to learn and live out of God's love for us.

TINA BAUER | director of children's ministry

Tina is originally from Arvada, Colorado, but has been a Californian since arriving to attend Concordia University in Irvine, where she earned a B.A. in psychology. In college she met her husband, Ben, and, as she likes to say, “Colorado didn’t stand a chance” for her return. Tina has worked in the field of early childhood education in Marin for over 16 years. She has a loving passion for every child entrusted to her care and enjoys meaningful, lasting relationships with the families of these children. Tina is uniquely gifted at helping young people of all ages explore and embrace the gospel of Jesus in their own language, and in ways meaningful to the season of their lives. The Bauers, with their two children, Ellie and Jonah, live in the Gerstle Park neighborhood of San Rafael. As a family, they enjoy bike rides, road trips, and time spent in the ‘100 Acre Wood’ at their cabin in Mendocino County. Tina also enjoys hiking in beautiful Marin, long summer days, hanging out on the street with her family and neighbors where it is certain that a game of baseball, handball, basketball, or football will be played, baking cookies with her children, and snuggling in front of a warm fireplace on cold, rainy afternoons. She is excited about all that God is doing in Marin and thankful for the part Grace Marin (and GraceKids!) has to play. Tina looks forward to years of relationship building in the community.

TONY SBRANA | director of worship arts

Tony hails from Salinas, CA and has been playing the guitar since he saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. He is a gifted and prolific songwriter and has performed in bands and as a solo artist for several decades. Tony is an ordained minister and has degrees in music theory and composition, and has served in several churches in musical and pastoral roles, including Calvary Chapel in Santa Barbara, where he was Director of Music. He has also worked with Young Life for nearly 30 years, in locales from California to New Hampshire. Locally, Tony has worked with students through Young Life at Miramonte and Campolindo high schools in Orinda, and in schools in Alameda. Interesting personal trivia: in the mid ’80s he began doing stand-up comedy in the Bay Area, and in 1985 he won the North Bay Stand-up Comic of the Year contest. Tony is known to exercise remarkable patience on Sunday mornings when the Grace Marin pastors hurriedly ask, “are you using this music stand?” and if he has time to ‘test their mics’ before worship begins. Tony and his wife Michele live in Danville with their sons, Riley and Casey.