At Eastview Christian Church we believe those who make up the elder leadership team are a vital component to upholding the biblical model of church leadership and to establishing the vision that allows Eastview to be the breakthrough church God intended it to be. You can contact the elder leadership team at eastviewelders@eastview.church.

Learn more about each of our Elders by clicking on their photo.

Adam Ghrist - Chairman

Adam Ghrist

Like many in town, the Ghrist Family are transplants to Bloomington-Normal with the nearest family two hours away. For them, Eastview is as much a part of why they call McLean County home as their physical house. Adam and all three of his children were baptized at Eastview, and over the years their family has served in multiple different areas. Outside of Eastview, Adam is an attorney with a diverse general practice and Tracie is one of two educator coaches for 13 elementary schools in Bloomington-Normal, and together they are blessed to parent McKenna, Brooklyn, and Abram.

Dale Avery

Dale began attending Eastview when he and his wife Laura and daughters Megan and Jenna moved to Bloomington 20 years ago. After a 36-year career at State Farm, Dale retired 5 years ago. He serves as a Ministry Partner in the High School Ministry and has also been part of the Financial Leadership Team for many years.

Brandon Grant

As Lead Pastor Brandon serves in the role as Elder. Brandon became our Lead Pastor in 2024. Prior to that he was Eastview's college pastor for seven years before moving to San Diego in 2012 to launch Rise City Church which he let until his return to Eastview. Brandon and his wife Jamie have four children. He loves a great cup of coffee, grilling a hearty meal, coaching his kid's sports teams and most of hanging out with his family.

Travis Johnson

Travis has grown up attending Eastview with his family for over 30 years, serving in various ministries ranging from IT and photography teams to student groups and global outreach. In his day job, he works as a software engineer at State Farm. Travis met his wife Stephanie at Eastview in 2015 and since getting married in 2020, their family has served at both the Normal and Bloomington campuses in Eastview Kids and Special Needs ministries. Travis and Stephanie also serve in the community as CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for McLean County. Outside of these activities, they both love to spend their time traveling, enjoying tasty food, and trying to keep up with their adorable toddling daughter.

Matt Knobloch

Matt has attended Eastview for 10 years and is active in the 4th and 5th grade ministry. He and his wife, Summer, have five children. Matt is the Chief Operating Officer at Spread Truth Ministries, a local organization that equips believers with the necessary resources, training, and opportunities to confidently share Christ.

Aaron Traeger

Aaron and his wife, Megan, are from Champaign, Illinois. After medical school at the University of Illinois and pediatrics residency at the Saint Louis Children’s Hospital they relocated to Normal in 2010 to join Carle BroMenn. Aaron and his family are glad to call Normal home and enjoy the wide variety of activities available in town, eating, traveling and being active. They have three girls, Avery, Amelia, and Abby, that all attend Unit 5 schools. After joining Eastview in 2010, Aaron and his family have been active with Eastview’s global partners in Haiti, El Salvador, and Kenya; participating in medical missions since 2012. Aaron also serves with the marriage ministry and Eastview Students as a small group leader.

Todd Wilcox

Todd has been attending Eastview for 38 years and is actively serving at our Bloomington Campus as a hospitality team leader and as a Sunday morning service host. Todd and his wife Deb have three children and three grandchildren. Todd owns and operates a cleaning franchise here in Bloomington-Normal.