Grace Covenant International
Unified to reach the world for Christ.
OUR STAFF.
Dallas Elder was born and raised in St. Joseph, Missouri. He grew up as an unbeliever. After searching out and discovering all the emptiness and brokenness that the drug and party culture of the early 1970s had to offer, he was wonderfully saved in 1974. He was later called into fulltime ministry at age 23. He graduated from Missouri Western State University with a degree in Psychology. He received his Masters of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. Dallas has served in full-time ministry as a church planter, senior pastor and apostolic leader over a span of more than 40 years.
He has a passion to spiritually invest in people for them to discover their ordained value, purpose and destiny in Jesus Christ. His heart is to see people discipled, filled with the Holy Spirit and serving faithfully in their gifting. He is genuinely engaged in helping believers to be equipped to maximize their full potential in Christ Jesus. With a grace-filled heart, he ministers with strong pastoral, teaching and prophetic gifts. His heart's desire is to raise up a Jesus-centered, faith-filled, Spirit-empowered, holy army to advance the Kingdom of God in this generation.
He serves as the Ministry Director of Grace Covenant International, an apostolic network of churches and ministries in the United States and in 10 foreign countries. He is actively involved in pioneering new works of ministry through church planting, missions and leadership training. He serves leaders and churches as a ministry coach with apostolic anointing, in leasdership development and in building bridges to bring unity in diversity for Kingdom impact.
Dallas also serves as the Director of the Ministry Skills Institute, a ministry training school serving the Grace Covenant International network and the Body of Christ. Dallas Elder is the author of The ValueGiver: The Heart of Receiving and Giving True Worth (available under Mininstry Training-Online Store and on Amazon) which was published in 2011. He and his wife, Connie, lives in the Kansas City, Missouri area.
Linda Wagers serves as the Office Manager for Grace Covenant International, where she brings nearly three decades of experience, dedication, and a heart for service. With a compassionate spirit and an eye for detail, Linda plays a crucial role in ensuring that the day-to-day accounting and administrative needs of the organization are seamlessly met. She is passionate about fostering meaningful connections with donors and ministry partners, consistently working to keep them engaged and informed about the impact of their contributions. Her attention to detail and organizational skills help strengthen the foundation of Grace Covenant International, allowing the team to focus on their mission around the world.
In addition to her role in finance and administration, Linda is a steady presence in the office, offering support in a variety of ways. She handles a range of tasks from correspondence to coordination, always with a heart to serve others. Linda’s commitment to Grace Covenant International goes beyond the office as she consistently demonstrates a servant-leader attitude, ensuring that all who interact with the ministry feel valued and cared for.
Originally from St. Joseph, MO, Linda’s roots in a small, close-knit community have shaped her deep commitment to building lasting relationships and serving with humility. Her unwavering dedication to the mission of Grace Covenant International continues to be a source of strength and blessing to the organization and the global community it serves.
Marquis Harris serves as the Executive Ministry Director for Grace Covenant International, working closely with Ministry Director Dallas Elder to support the leaders and ministries within the GCI Ministry Family. His responsibilities include overseeing daily administrative tasks, implementing office systems, providing logistical support for ministry events, and contributing to the development of the NEX GEN Leadership Connection and Community to empower the next generation of leaders.
Originally from Dallas, TX, Marquis began his faith journey in college and felt a call to full-time ministry. In 2015, he became Executive Pastor at Crossroads Church in Fort Worth, TX, where he worked alongside senior leadership to provide strategic guidance and alignment with the church's mission, vision, and values. He has also received ministry training through Grace Covenant International’s Ministry Skills Institute.
Marquis moved to Kansas City in 2017, the same year he and his wife, Makayla, were married. They now have three children. Together, they began serving at Crossroad Family Center under Pastors Glenn and Emma Hancock, where their roles included preaching, assisting with service flow, and leading youth outreach. Marquis & Makayla currently pastor Mission 418 Church in Kansas City, MO.
His ministry experience spans several countries, including Spain, Italy, and the Dominican Republic, where his fluency in Spanish has helped bridge cultural gaps and share the Gospel. Passionate about fostering healthy communities, Marquis is dedicated to empowering both men and women to step into their leadership potential, regardless of their career path or position. His commitment to serving others is deeply rooted in his faith, with a primary focus on honoring God and caring for his family.