About Us

The Lutheran Difference was an effort by the congregation of Risen Savior Lutheran Church and School in Palm Bay Florida and it's pastor Gary Held to better minister to it's members and the community around them. Founded on the idea of "the Lutheran Church makes a Christian Difference", the podcast "the Lutheran Difference" became the centerpiece where the participants could get together to talk about issues that are most important to Lutherans as whole today.

In October of 2007, the Podcast became a radio show on AM920 WMEL, and was renamed "Radical Grace". The show still continues to this day.

On April 27th, 2008 the show had it's first broadcast on WWBC, AM1510 out of Cocoa, Florida. Currently Radical Grace can be heard over the majority of the state.

Knowing that Mainstream Evangelicalism has moved from the core teachings of the Christian Faith, our program strives to expose the world again to the reformation and begin a new reformation in and around the area as well as the world by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and him crucified for sinners.

The Cast
Pastor Gary Held came to Risen Savior in May of 2004. He previously served for four years as pastor in southern Indiana. He is a 2000 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. Pastor Held entered the ministry after an earlier career as a software engineer, which included positions at Rockwell-Collins, Texas Instruments, and Chrysler Technologies. He met his wife, Lisa, when they were both undergraduates at Iowa State University. Lisa has a degree in journalism and is also a certified Montessori elementary teacher.

Troy Curtis is a layman with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and studying for the ministry at Concordia House of Studies. Troy is an Elder at Risen Savior Lutheran Church and head NEON (North East Organization of Neighbors) in Palm Bay. Totally new to Radio, Troy brings a unique blend of insight into today's Christian culture as well as an unstudied manner to the radio show.

Matthew Pancake came to Florida in 1997. He is the grandson of Rev. Clell Pancake and brother of Rev. Jamie Pancake. Originally a Baptist, Matthew made his way from there to a brief stint as an atheist/agnostic, then returned to modern evangelicalism and Pentacostalism. After discovering the Reformation, he met Pastor Held in late 2004, and finally visited Risen Savior Lutheran Church in August of 2005. He serves as Host and producer of the show.

Bob MacLellan was born in Baltimore, Maryland and has been a Lutheran since he was twelve, although he was confirmed Methodist. Attended Baltimore City schools and joined the Navy at eighteen, went to work for Bethlehem Steel as an electrician and a lineman, afterwards went on to work with C&P Telephone as an Installer, Line Manager and Staff positions and retired after twenty-nine years.

While working at C & P Telephone Company, he then attended Essex Community College and after graduating matriculated to Towson State University majoring in Business Management.

At the present time, he is currently the Treasurer of Risen Savior Lutheran Church and works part time as the Office Manager of our school. He has served in nearly all positions of the Church Council including President of the Council.

Richard Spellman is a member with Christian Church Disciples and retired (unretired) pastor of fifty years...