Our Mission

Through our music ministry and our lives, GraceFlock works to bring God’s unconditional love and grace to all people – whether they are lost, found or somewhere in between.

Band History

GraceFlock leads contemporary worship at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Peachtree City, GA and is comprised of musicians who have regular jobs, go to school, or are retired.  The group has lead the “GraceFlock” worship service since 2001 when Minister of Music, David Beecher, and several other original band members started an “experimental” worship service in the church’s fellowship hall.  The service was instantly at near-capacity – filled with disciples of all ages seeking to worship God in a less traditional but Lutheran fashion.  The service has been going strong ever since.  

The original music of GraceFlock, written by Lans Rothfusz and Gary Pederson, brings Lutheran theology to life and teaches of grace and faith through the words of Scripture.  As worship leaders, we strive for congregational participation rather than performance.  Our congregation routinely sings original songs of confession and forgiveness (Sacrifice), stewardship (Live to Give in Love), service (Serve On), hope (Eyes of Hope), repentance (The Lost One), and praise (Soli Deo Gloria) from our first CD entitled “Living Gifts”. 

GraceFlock also takes its original music and message on the road to congregations who love to hear new songs and are eager to learn about worship outside of past tradition.  Our original music ranges from soft, thoughtful ballads to hard, driving rock.  God’s message and our praise can be delivered in many different ways.  Thanks for listening to our music and supporting the ministry of GraceFlock!

Meet the Band

James Callison is an aircraft technician with Delta Airlines. He and his wife, Carolyn, have been members Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran since 1991. As the middle child of an oil field services manager,  James was constantly relocated while growing up. Church and family were the only anchors in his life. James has played guitar since his early teens.  He has fond memories of  youth groups of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) across Texas and Louisiana that have helped him lead music as a member, counselor, or sponsor.  James holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion studies from Texas Christian University.  He plays guitars for GraceFlock and lives in Fayetteville, Georgia with his wife and two children.

Karen Ladman is a stay-at-home mom to her son, adopted from China.  Originally from Caledonia, MI her father's job moved her around the midwest as she grew up.  Music has always played a part in her life.  She plays piano and guitar.  Besides singing with GraceFlock, she is a member of the Joyful Noise Ringers and coaches middle school drama.  She teaches music at Christ our Shepherd Preschool. Her husband, Bruce, is on active duty in the US Army, stationed at Fort McPherson.  They couple's adoption journey is chronicled on their blog.

Christie Pederson is an Office Assistant at Summit Endoscopy in Fayetteville, GA.  Growing up Lutheran in Kenyon, MN, as the youngest of 13 children, she first started playing piano in 5th grade and went on to sing in church choir, high school choir, and the St. Paul Chorus at the University of Minnesota.   While at college, she started singing contemporary music in an ecumenical singing group, Joy Folk, with her husband, Gary.  She plays keyboard and sings harmony with GraceFlock each Sunday.  Christie enjoys sewing, hand-stitching, and cooking in her spare time.  She lives in Peachtree City, GA, with her husband, Gary.  They have three daughters: Karli, who lives in Statesboro, GA, and Michelle and Heather, who both attend the University of Georgia in Athens, GA.

Gary Pederson is the Research Leader of the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  A life-long Lutheran from Amboy, MN, he started writing songs and playing guitar in an ecumenical singing group, Joy Folk, at the University of Minnesota with his wife, Christie. His songs are written from life’s experiences ranging from Katrina relief at Bethel Lutheran in Biloxi, MS (Eyes of Hope) to remembering those in Christ before us (White Church on the Hill) to our guidance from scripture (Guide Me). Gary resides in Peachtree City, GA, with his wife Christie. They have three daughters – Karli, living in Statesboro, GA, and Michelle and Heather attending the University of Georgia.

Brandon Rothfusz is a sophomore at Starr’s Mill High School in Fayetteville, GA.  He is  an accomplished trombonist who has been selected for the Georgia All-State Band, landing 1st chair in his 8th grade year.  Brandon plays bass with GraceFlock, one50 (the high school praise band at Christ Our Shepherd), and Swingin' Starrs (Starr’s Mill High School jazz band).  Brandon enjoys video games and hanging out with his friends.  He is the GraceFlock webmaster, and is currently working with his friends creating his own website (www.pejoration.net) featuring machinima (videos acted out and filmed in a video game engine) which he writes and produces himself.

Kathy Rothfusz is a stay-at-home mom who works part time from home for M/A/R/C Research as a Desktop Specialist.  A life-long Lutheran, Kathy hails from Norman, Oklahoma where, nurtured in a highly musical family, majored in Music Education at the University of Oklahoma.  A bassoonist by training, Kathy plays the flutes (piccolo, C-flute, and alto) and sings with GraceFlock, is a member of the Christ Our Shepherd Flute Choir, and volunteers as the director of the middle school band ensemble at church.  Her remaining time is spent volunteering with the middle school and high school band programs.  Kathy, lives in Fayetteville, GA with her husband, Lans, and their two sons, Brandon and Preston, both highly accomplished musicians in their own right.

Lans Rothfusz (ASCAP) is the Meteorologist in Charge of the National Weather Service office of Atlanta, GA.  A life-long Lutheran from Glencoe, MN, he started writing songs around the age of 10 and has worked the craft ever since.  Between forecasting the weather and managing the NWS office, he plays drums, guitar, piano, sings, encourages youth praise bands, and produces recordings in his home studio.  He serves Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in several leadership roles.  He and his wife, Kathy, reside in Fayetteville, GA with their two sons, Brandon and Preston.