Pastors and Elders

Leadership and Staff / Pastors and Elders

Justin Franchino

Teaching Pastor

I was born in a trailer park in Warsaw, IN, while my dad was finishing up seminary at Grace College. We moved to Soldotna when I was 9 months when my dad was called to be youth pastor right here at Peninsula Grace. I started in the nursery, where I was know as "Justin Wailer," and have been making noise here every since!

I came to know Jesus in the back of my parents' station wagon at the bank drive-through, talking with my mom. Growing up in a Jesus-centered home and church, I slowly fell deeper in love with Him. I really made my walk with Him my own through some high school conferences and missions trips, as well as Bible school.

In August 2018, I was introduced to my wife, Jill, through a random guy who met each of us for an hour and said we should meet. We were married in June of 2019, and she moved up here from CA.

I received a Bachelor's Degree of Intercultural and Biblical Studies from New Tribes Mission (now Ethnos 360) in 2007. I also received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education in 2015 before the Lord led me to be the lead pastor of PGC in 2016.

Fun facts: For a solid decade I wore nothing but inside-out yellow t-shirts, and I visited all 30 major league baseball stadiums over 96 days in the summer of 2014.

Ross Skjold

Family Pastor

I was born in Soldotna, AK and raised down the road in Kasilof. God used the faithfulness of my parents and local church family to draw me into a relationship with himself at a young age. It was in high school, however, while attending SoHi that I first remember being broken by the Gospel--my need for grace and faith in Jesus' death and resurrection in my place.

It was also while in high school that I began dating the beautiful girl who would become my (even more beautiful) wife. Monica and I were married four years later, in 2014. We now have three sons and a daughter.

After graduating high school, I moved to Columbia, South Carolina to study the Bible at Columbia International University. God used my experience in college to grow my desire to pursue ministry. After college I attended seminary where Monica and I began to long to return to Alaska and serve a local church in our hometown. After serving a local church in Columbia as a pastoral resident, God opened the door for me to join the Peninsula Grace family in August of 2019.

In my spare time, I love to spend time with my family in the great outdoors. I enjoy hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping. I'm also known to spend an unusual amount of time reading and drinking Dr. Pepper.

Daniel Mangione

Youth Pastor

I came to Alaska in 2009 and since then have developed an incredible love for the state and the people. I began my Youth Ministry journey in 2013 and look forward to the many years to come. My wife, Brandi, and I have been married since 2016 and have four children, Eliza, Wesley, Fletcher and Atticus. We love getting to know new people over a meal, games, and our weekly gatherings.

Scott Franchino

Elder

Drew Dickson

Elder

Jim Harden

Elder

Jamie Mason

Elder

Brent Hallsten

Elder

Paul Peterson

Elder

Elders not currently on the board.

Allen Clinton
Brad Zubeck