Dick and his wife, Kay, have walked this journey together since their first date in 1964. From conservative roots and a shared graduation from a Christian college, the two built a life grounded in curiosity and growth. Their faith was shaped through military service, graduate school, conversations around feminist and liberation theology, and many late-night discussions sparked by Kay’s pastoral counseling textbooks. That shared exploration laid the foundation for a lifelong engagement with progressive Christianity, and eventually led them to Grace.

Over the years, Dick’s leadership and service have spanned eight churches across six states. Each move was driven by his career with the Department of Veterans Affairs, while Kay worked in mental health. At every stop, Dick found ways to serve. He taught classes, chaired committees, led worship, and helped guide churches through both everyday tasks and big-picture thinking.

At Grace, Dick’s impact is unmistakable. He served on the Finance Committee, including three years as chair, and contributed to the Administrative Board, the Free Clinic meal ministry, and adult education efforts. He was a lay member to Annual Conference and became deeply involved at the conference level, chairing the Planning and Research Committee and consulting for the Connectional Ministries Council.

Among all of those contributions, one moment stands out. In 2014, a Thursday night study group at Grace decided it was time to do something bold. Dick proposed bringing a Jesus Seminar on the Road event to Des Moines. With support from the Westar Institute and a team of volunteers, that idea became reality. The seminar brought in over 100 attendees, some from as far away as Tennessee, and became one of the best-attended events of its kind. For Dick, it was a highlight not just because of the turnout, but because it brought progressive theological conversation to the heart of the Grace community.

Today, Dick continues to lead the Ikono-Odyssey adult class. Originally known as Bill Cotton’s class, it became a space for thoughtful conversation at a deliberate pace. During the pandemic, the class met every Tuesday on Zoom and formed an even deeper bond. They are known for taking their time with each book, sometimes focusing on just two paragraphs in a single session. The goal has never been to finish quickly, but to grow together.

Dick is also clear-eyed about the challenges facing the wider Church. Declining attendance, aging congregations, reduced giving capacity, and a shrinking clergy pipeline all weigh heavily on his mind. While on the Conference Planning and Research Committee, he helped forecast clergy needs for years ahead. He believes that intentional planning and honest conversation are essential if the Church is to meet the future with hope.

Still, Dick remains hopeful. He sees signs of growth at Grace, not only in numbers but in energy. He sees laity stepping into leadership, people engaging with their community, and the church making smart use of technology to stay visible and relevant. He believes this openness to change is a strength, and that offering meaningful opportunities for adult education and honest dialogue is part of Grace’s DNA.

When asked what being named a Grace Ambassador means to him, Dick is reflective. Turning 80 this year, he sees this award as a kind of lifetime recognition. He also knows how many others at Grace quietly serve and give without expecting any recognition. “I am humbled,” he says. “I hope this award encourages others, because we do what we do not for rewards, but to help bring God’s realm closer to reality.”

For Dick, hospitality begins with presence. He believes newcomers and returning members need more than a welcome — they need to be known. “We need to ask what brought them here, what they are looking for, and what gifts they carry,” he says. “We may have been waiting for them without even realizing it.”

That kind of wisdom, spoken without fanfare, is what has defined Dick Braley’s time at Grace. It is also what makes him not just a long-time member, but a true ambassador of the values that make Grace what it is.