Pastor Khader Khalilia

Lead Pastor

Pastor Khader Khalilia was born and raised in Bethlehem, Palestine, the very town where Jesus was born. He was baptized and nurtured in the Greek Orthodox tradition, where he was shaped by the richness of ancient liturgy and sacramental life. Over time, he was drawn to Lutheran theology, particularly its evangelical catholic expression, grounded in the Word, the sacraments, and the theology of the cross.

He attended Talitha Kumi Lutheran School and earned a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies and Christian education from Bethlehem Bible College. In 2005, he was invited by the Evangelica Lutheran Church in America to continue his theological education. He received his Master of Divinity from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California, and was ordained into the ministry of Word and Sacrament in January 2009.
Pastor Khader first served as Associate Pastor of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in San Mateo.

California. In October 2013, he was called to serve as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, where he continues to lead the congregation in worship, preaching, and community ministry with joy and dedication.

He currently serves as Dean of the Southwest Brooklyn Lutheran Conference. Pastor Khader Khalilia represents the Metropolitan New York Synod on the New York Council of Churches, and serves on the Board of the Arab American Association of New York. He is actively engaged in several local and national organizations, contributing his voice to ecumenical and interfaith dialogue.

Pastor Khader is passionate about proclaiming Christ crucified and risen, celebrating the sacramental life of the Church, and building bridges of justice, compassion, and understanding among people of different cultures and faiths.

He also leads regular pilgrimage trips to the Holy Land, inviting others to walk where Jesus walked and to encounter Scripture in new and transformative ways.
He proudly calls Brooklyn home and finds deep joy in its vibrant, diverse, and resilient community. In his free time, he enjoys reading, cooking, working out, biking, and sharing meals and stories with family and friends.

Come and be part of the Grace community, where faith is lived, love is shared, and all are welcome.

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Charbel Zgheib

Salam Arabic Lutheran Pastor

At Grace Lutheran Church of Brooklyn, we are blessed to have Rev. Charbel Zgheib as our Pastor of Salam Arabic Ministry. Rev. Zgheib also founded Salam Radio Station, the first Arabic online ecumenical radio platform, and serves as pastor of Salam Arabic Church. Born and raised in Lebanon, his Catholic upbringing and deep commitment to justice, compassion, and human dignity shape his ministry every day.

With over twenty years of experience, Rev. Zgheib is a mission developer and church planter within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He is passionate about building inclusive faith communities that nurture spiritual resilience. He also champions holistic mental health care, especially for vulnerable and frontline populations.

Rev. Zgheib's academic journey reflects his commitment to both faith and psychology. He earned a Master's in Clinical Social Psychology from the Lebanese University in 2007, followed by a Master's in Theological and Pastoral Studies from Antonine University in 2010. He graduated from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in 2020. His education and ministry experience span Lebanon, Syria, and the United States, bringing a truly global and multicultural perspective to his work.

Throughout his career, Rev. Zgheib has led meaningful programs for organizations like ABAAD MAAN Foundation, and the Justice and Mercy Association. He has developed and managed initiatives focused on gender equality, interfaith cooperation, prison reform, and psychosocial care. His work with the United Nations and various non-governmental organizations includes training, counseling, and program management-equipping frontliners with trauma-informed care, self-care, and community healing strategies.

In addition to his ministry and humanitarian work, Rev. Zgheib has over 20 years of media experience. He has hosted impactful talk shows on Voice of Charity and Charity TV in Lebanon, sharing messages of hope and faith. Fluent in Arabic and English, and French, he brings a unique blend of spiritual depth, clinical insight and cultural understanding to every aspect of his ministry. Whether preaching, counseling, or serving on the front lines of humanitarian efforts, Rev. Zgheib’s work is always guided by a heartfelt commitment to faith, justice and human dignity.

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Kirsten d'Aquino

Music Director

Kirsten D’Aquino brings artistry, dedication, and deep faith to her role as Music Director at Grace Lutheran Church of Brooklyn, a position she has held since the early 1990s. A gifted organist and vocalist, Kirsten has shaped the musical life of our congregation for over three decades, enriching worship through her thoughtful leadership and exceptional musicianship.

A graduate of The Juilliard School with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in organ performance, Kirsten joined the Grace Lutheran community early in her career. She made Brooklyn home, raising a family while cultivating a ministry of music that has inspired generations.

Beyond her work at Grace, Kirsten has served in multiple musical roles across New York City. She founded and directed a volunteer choir at Holy Innocents, played for midweek Latin Masses, and performed in renowned venues including Alice Tully Hall, St. John the Divine, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Her ministry has also extended to Washington, D.C., where she organized music for Latin Masses during the March for Life at St. Mary, Mother of God.

Kirsten is a member of The Renaissance Street Singers and continues to explore new creative paths. She is currently preparing for an operatic role in Monteverdi’s Orfeo, expanding her expression of sacred and classical music.

Rooted in a lifelong faith, Kirsten sees her musical gifts as a way to grow spiritually and help others do the same. Whether she is leading hymns on Sunday morning or singing in the community, her work reflects a passion for beauty, reverence, and service.

Originally from Long Island, Kirsten has lived in New York her entire life. Alongside her love for music and her devotion to her children, she finds joy in cooking, gardening, and cultivating beauty in all areas of life.

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Christina Swanson

Cantor

Christina Swanson brings versatility, creativity, and passion to her role as a cantor at Grace Lutheran Church of Brooklyn. Equally at home in opera, musical theater, concert, and performance art, Christina enriches worship with her dynamic voice and artistic spirit.

Based in New York City, Christina’s broad experience spans stages large and small. She recently appeared in a Theatre Row reading of The Dressmaker’s Story and has performed with arts organizations including Utah Festival Opera, Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, Opera MODO, Hudson River Opera, and the Oratorio Society of New Jersey. As a dedicated chorister, she is on the roster of the New York Philharmonic Chorus and the Choral Chameleon Ensemble.

Christina co-founded Killer Queen Opera, an emerging company supported by the Brooklyn Arts Council and the Alliance of Resident Theaters. She produces chamber operas and cabarets, and recently premiered an original performance art piece, Where My Grandmothers Live in My Body, at the Spark Theater Festival in NYC.

She holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Michigan and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance with an Advanced Pedagogy Certificate from New York University, where she also served as an Adjunct Voice Instructor. A passionate educator, Christina teaches Vocal Arts at City School of the Arts and maintains a private voice studio.

At Grace Lutheran, Christina’s voice and artistry help build an inclusive, vibrant space grounded in grace and community. Her work reminds us that music can connect us across genres, cultures, and generations, inviting all to experience the joy of worship and artistic expression.

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Collin Ellsbury

Cantor

Collin Ellsbury brings experience, artistry, and a care for liturgy to Grace Lutheran Church of Brooklyn. Collin embraces his role as a meaningful expression of community, worship, and service.

Collin was recently seen in concert with Alan Menken and the NYU Broadway Orchestra under the direction of Ted Sperling at the Jack H. Skirball Center For The Performing Arts. He performed "Out There" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame as part of the overall concert "Celebrating the Genius of Alan Menken," and is deeply grateful for his opportunity to have performed this music with its composer.

Collin called Fort Dodge, IA, his home for most of his life before living and learning in Illinois, Oklahoma, and now New York City. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Classical Vocal Performance and Music Theater and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Political Science, summa cum laude, from Oklahoma City University.

Collin is also a recent graduate of New York University, having finished his Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Post-Master's Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy in May at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. While at NYU, Collin served as an Adjunct Instructor of Voice, teaching non-music major students about the voice and music.

Collin has performed roles spanning the opera and music theater canon, including The Baker in Into the Woods, Schaunard in La bohème, Inspector Javert in Les Misérables, Manfred in Two Remain, J. Bruce Ismay in Titanic, J.J. Peachum in The Threepenny Opera, and Guglielmo in Così fan tutte. He has performed at many venues, including Radio City Music Hall, the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, the Great Lakes Center for the Arts, the Iris Cantor Theatre, and the John M. Hall Auditorium.

At Grace Lutheran, Collin assists a music ministry grounded in artistry and community. He fosters a welcoming space where music becomes a bridge between personal expression and spiritual connection. Motivated by a passion to serve, Collin continues to develop as both an educator and worship leader dedicated to supporting others through his gifts."

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Tammy Johnson

Program Director of Development

Tammy Johnson was raised in Brooklyn, where she grew up in her family’s business and learned early the importance of responsibility, consistency, and sound financial management. That foundation shaped her disciplined approach to leadership and her understanding of what it takes to sustain an organization over time.

She earned a Bachelor from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School. In 2003, she assumed ownership of her family’s business, leading its operations and financial oversight for a decade. Managing a multi-generational neighborhood business required careful stewardship of resources, long-term planning, and accountability to employees, customers, and community partners. That experience continues to inform her work at Grace Lutheran, where sustainability and trust are essential to the church’s ongoing ministry.

For more than two decades, Tammy has been an active and dedicated member of St. John-St. Matthew Emanuel Lutheran Church. She served 18 years as Treasurer and multiple terms on Church Council, working closely with pastors, finance committees, and ministry leaders to develop budgets, oversee expenditures, and strengthen financial accountability within the congregation.

As Program Director of Development, Tammy builds upon decades of financial stewardship and congregational leadership. She works to strengthen the church’s financial systems, support strategic planning, and ensure that Grace Lutheran’s resources are positioned to sustain its ministry and future growth.

Her leadership reflects more than two decades of trusted service, disciplined oversight, and a proven commitment to strengthening the operational and financial foundation of the church.

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Tammy Johnson