OUR
History
Gracepointe was begun simply as a church music group at Liberty. All of its members are heavily involved in the music program at Liberty and love using music as a way to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jonathan, Derrick, Jeremy, and Scott first practiced together several years ago, but did not think much of it. In October of 2016, a spontaneous call from the pastor had them on the platform singing together for the first time. They sang an old faithful hymn, “He Touched Me." Singing together gave them a greater love for gospel music and had them excited to learn more songs together. They soon became a regular special in Liberty services, singing in conferences and special days. They each bring a friendship and a love for God that challenges each other to do more to spread the Good News of the Gospel.
After much thought and prayer, the men decided on the name Gracepointe. Gracepointe literally means, pointe - or peak - of grace. They felt that this was perfect because, at salvation, we are put on the peak of grace, and as Christians we should strive to stay there in our ministry to the lost.
Jonathan Patoka - lead
Jonathan Patoka - lead
Jonathan Patoka was born on April 12, 1989, in Bangor, Maine to Ronald and Kimberly Patoka. Jonathan grew up in the New England region of the country until 2002 when his family moved to Durham, North Carolina, where he attended Liberty Christian School and Liberty Baptist Church.
Jonathan's love for music started at a young age riding in the car with his dad, and was cultivated during his teen years when he joined a young men's quartet and began singing in the Liberty Baptist Church choir.
From 2007-2011, Jonathan attended Hyles-Anderson College where he continued to enjoy singing to praise the Lord and encourage others. Upon graduating in 2011, he moved back to North Carolina where he is currently employed on the management team at a local Walgreens Drug Store.
On November 14, 2015 Jonathan married Laura Ferrell. They had attended Liberty Christian School together, and had gotten reacquainted in 2013. They have recently welcomed the birth of twin boys, TJ and JJ.
Jonathan spends his days with his wife and children, singing with his friends, and following his New England sports teams with a diehard passion unlike any other.
His prayer is that this group will glorify and praise God, as well as encourage and uplift those who hear them.
Derrick Sandridge was born on December 3, 1990 in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was raised in Durham, North Carolina and attended Liberty Baptist Church. He also attended Liberty Christian School from kindergarten through high school graduation in 2009.
Derrick was saved at the age of four and vividly remembers his mom leading him to the Lord. He had the wonderful privilege of being raised in a strong, Christian home with his parents, Rick and Remona Sandridge, who loved him and provided a godly environment for him to be raised in. He has two younger brothers, Jeremy and Nicholas.
During his high school years, Derrick began singing in a teen guys' quartet as the group’s bass. During his senior year, he began to expand his range and transitioned into singing baritone. Through college, he continued to develop a love for the baritone part.
While attending college, he began dating Ashley Youmans. They were married on July 26, 2012. A month after their wedding, they began teaching at their alma mater, Liberty Christian School. Derrick has been a teacher and coach at Liberty for the last six years. In his six years on staff at Liberty, Derrick has been involved in assisting with the youth ministry and singing in the church choir.
In April of 2016, Derrick and Ashley saw their family grow with the birth of their son Landyn. In August of 2018, they were blessed with a daughter, Brytsol. The Sandridges love serving the Lord at Liberty Baptist Church. Derrick is grateful for the privilege and opportunity to further serve the Lord as a member of the Gracepointe Quartet.
Derrick Sandridge - baritone
Derrick Sandridge - baritone
Scott Gray II - tenor
Scott Gray II - tenor
Scott Gray II was born on July 17, 1994 in Longview, Texas. He was raised in Longview until the age of ten, where he attended the Longview Baptist Temple, pastored by his grandfather. His family then moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where they lived for three years and served at the Middle Tennessee Baptist Church, pastored by Tony Hutson. From there they moved to Hobart, Indiana. After his freshmen year of college, his family moved to Durham, North Carolina, where his dad took the pastorate at Liberty Baptist Church.
Scott was saved at the age of four, and vividly remembers his dad walking him through the plan of salvation. Scott was raised in the preacher’s home of Scott and Jenny Gray, and grew up in the ministry, traveling with his dad to many preaching meetings. Scott is very thankful for the good heritage he has been given. He has two younger brothers, Phillip and Steven.
Scott had a love for music at a very early age, especially the tenor part. He grew up singing in church choirs, special music groups, singing solos, and even learning a few instruments. As he got older, and as his love for Gospel music became even greater, he took pride in singing the “high part” that no one else wanted to sing. He also traveled in a singing group for the college he attended.
Scott met his wife, Allie, when his family moved to Liberty Baptist Church where she is a member. They began dating two years later, and were married on June 23, 2017. The Grays now have a baby boy, Emmitt, who was born in June of 2019. Scott loves the opportunity to serve the Lord full-time at the church and school, and is thrilled about the opportunity to serve the Lord even further as a member of the Gracepointe Quartet.
On August 21, 1995, Jeremy became the second son born to Rick and Remona Sandridge. He has two brothers, Derrick and Nicholas Sandridge. Jeremy was raised in Durham, North Carolina, and attended Liberty Baptist Church his whole life. He was saved at a young age but got assurance of salvation at the age of 10 while attending a summer camp. He surrendered his life to the Lord shortly thereafter, asking God to use him.
After graduating from Liberty Christian School in 2013, Jeremy attended West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, California. It was there that the Lord gave him a passion for sharing the gospel through song. While at college, Jeremy was able to travel all across the country singing bass in a men's quartet. Traveling to different churches across the country, singing and encouraging believers, is what Jeremy feels is the Lord's calling on his life.
Currently, Jeremy works for a property service in Durham. He continues to be involved at Liberty Baptist Church by helping out with a teen bus class on Sunday mornings, teaching kids about Jesus. He is also taking vocal lessons and a music class to help fully develop his talents in order to spread the gospel through song. Jeremy's favorite verse in the Bible is Psalm 149:1, "Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints."