
Our Story
Love God, Love People,
Change the World
Two congregations. One calling. A new chapter begins.
First Church has anchored downtown Melbourne since 1886. St. Mark's grew up beachside, shaped by music, community, and the rhythm of the shore. For years, these two churches moved quietly toward each other, building relationships, discovering shared vision, and finding in one another a common heart for Jesus and for this city.
Now they move forward as one. Resurrection Grace is that new chapter. Not a merger of institutions, but a union of people. 140 years of faithful presence stepping into something genuinely new.
Why "Resurrection Grace"?
The name says it all, really. Resurrection points to new life, the kind that doesn't erase the past but transforms it. Grace reminds us how we got here and how we keep going: not by earning our way, but by receiving what's freely given and passing it on.
Together, those words describe both Easter and everyday life in this community. Faith isn't something we carry alone. It's something we live out together, in worship, in service, and in the ordinary moments that turn out to be holy.
Our United Methodist Heritage & Values
We're United Methodist, and that shapes everything about how we welcome people and practice faith. Grace comes first here, and it goes all the way through.
We gather around prayer, Scripture, the Table, and works of mercy, because we believe love grows by habit, not hype. We keep three simple commitments before us: do no harm, do good, and stay close to God. In Melbourne, that's how we show up.
Our Core Values
Hope
We speak future over people’s present, naming God at work in small steps.
Hospitality
We practice warmth and clarity with clear next steps, real follow-up, and open tables.
Grace
We make room for questions and contradictions without shame, recognizing we all fall short of the Glory of God.
Love
We serve our neighbors locally and globally, letting love become visible in the city.
Community
We prioritize circles where names are known and stories are held sacred.
Faith
We root our practice in Scripture and accountable, grace-filled discipleship.

OUR MISSION
Guiding hearts to know, follow, and share the love of Jesus.
We are a welcoming place of grace, where we love God, love people, and walk together in faith—holding stories with care and helping each person belong, grow, and reflect Jesus’s love in everyday life. Through circles that nurture and rows that invite, we cultivate disciples who grow deeper and live bolder in love.


OUR NORTH STAR
We seek a congregation of full hearts growing in discipleship.
We are a safe harbor for honest faith, a place where you belong before you believe. While we love gathering from the sanctuary to the shoreline, true connection happens in smaller circles. Around tables and in living rooms, we share our lives and hold each other's stories with care. No matter the questions you carry, your story is safe here.
Our Team

Rev. Craig S. Hammond
Co-Pastor
Rev. Craig S. Hammond serves as Co-Pastor of Resurrection Grace, leading alongside Dionne with a deep love for Jesus and a passion for people. Originally from Michigan, Craig brings a warm, approachable spirit to ministry and a heart for connecting with others in meaningful and authentic ways. Craig is especially passionate about designing engaging worship experiences that help people encounter Jesus and grow in their faith. He loves creating environments where people feel welcomed, inspired, and invited into the life-changing grace of Christ. Known for his sense of humor and well-timed dad jokes, Craig brings joy and lightness to the life of the church. At his core, he is driven by a passion to reach all people for Jesus and to help them discover a place to belong, grow, and live out their faith. When he’s not at church, you’ll likely find Craig enjoying the outdoors or spending time with family

Melody Ray
Director of Modern Worship
Melody Ray loves singing and leading worship since she was a teenager, when she first joined a youth worship band. What started early has grown into a deep passion—not just for leading worship, but for raising up and encouraging other worship leaders and team members, helping them thrive in their gifts and callings. In her free time, you can usually find her with my husband, Jonathan, writing music together, heading out on day-trip adventures as they explore new places and nature trails, and enjoying the beach. They love strolling through Hobby Lobby or Target—especially around the holidays—with a Starbucks Latte or Rockies Cafe Smoothie in hand. They also enjoy Friday nights watching a good movie together, and they love being a part of worship music nights-- extended times of worshipping Jesus with their friends and worship team community!

Krista Zapata
Director of Communications and Administration
Krista has a passion for serving God by connecting with His people. After growing up in the church she dedicated her college summers to working at Warren Willis United Methodist camp, where she had the opportunity to work with kids and youth throughout Florida, and met her now husband Danny. Before moving to Melbourne, Krista worked with UMCOR on a Hurricane Ian recovery project where she connected with survivors and shared the comfort that God can bring through connection. Her goal is to always help and support others when possible. In her free time, she enjoys being with family, spending time in nature, and being creative through dance, art and experimenting with floral design.

Rev. Dionne C. Hammond
Co-Pastor
Rev. Dionne C. Hammond serves as Co-Pastor of Resurrection Grace, leading alongside Craig with a deep love for Jesus and a passion for the local church. Formed in the church from an early age, her faith has grown through a lifelong journey of following Christ and helping others do the same. Dionne is passionate about preaching and creating spaces where people can encounter Jesus in real and life-giving ways. She loves walking with others as they come to faith, grow as disciples, and discover their place in God’s story. At the heart of her ministry is a strong belief that every person is a COGPOW—a Child of God, Person of Worth—created, loved, and called by God. She is committed to living out the mission and core values of Resurrection Grace, helping people belong, grow, and share Jesus in meaningful ways. Dionne and Craig are parents to three adult children—two of whom are married—and proud grandparents to three little ones.

Beth Green
Director of Classic Worship
Beth Green joyfully serves God through music as Director of Classic Worship, joining the staff team in 2014 after many years of volunteering and partnership. In our local community, she leads the Indialantic Chamber Singers, Brevard Youth Chorus, and Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Her previous career was teaching elementary music for over a decade. Married to Matt (in our mainland Sanctuary) and mother to Matthew Jr. (baptized in the Sanctuary), Beth blends her faith, family, and music into every part of her life.

Tiffany Reddick
Director of Family Ministries
Tiffany Reddick has the honor of serving as the Director of Family Ministries and brings over eight years of experience working with children. She is deeply passionate about making an impact on the next generation by pointing them toward Christ and the love of God. For Tiffany, there is no greater reward than watching a child grow closer to God. At twenty-six, Tiffany is the oldest of four siblings, with a significant age gap between her and her brother Jayce (12), and sisters Aubree (9) and Rylee (8). She cherishes this age gap because it allows her to be a role model they can look up to. Tiffany has lived with her grandparents for most of her life and considers them her greatest supporters and encouragers, noting that she would not be where she is today without them. In her free time, Tiffany loves spending time with friends, attending church events, and building Legos—a hobby that has grown into an impressive collection she is quite proud of.



