Rick Gering

1. What Would You Say You Do Here?
Let’s see, my role is whatever the congregation says it is! LOL! No, really, I am the Lead Pastor…enough said!

2. What's one thing people don't know about you?
Hello? Why would I answer this? If I must…I’m a sports nut. No wait, they already know that. Maybe it would be that I hate to fly. No wait, they know that, too! Okay, how about that I had a pet squirrel when I was young. That’s right! You can ask my mom!

3. Who lives in your house?
I am privileged to have my wife, Cindy, living with me for 25 years now! We are empty nesters with one daughter, Amber, at Liberty University, and another daughter, Ashley, in Arkansas living with her husband and our two grandchildren. Love it!

4. What is your favorite hobby?
Tough question! Me personally, it is fantasy sports! With my wife, it is camping!

5. Who is your favorite sports team?
Come on! Should be everybody’s favorite sports team! The Black and Gold of Wichita State Shockers!!! Get hooked by going to www.goshockers.com

6. What is your favorite food?
Whatever my wife makes! Good points scored there, huh? Besides my wife’s cooking, it would be Mexican!

7. Favorite movie?
So many! Let’s go with Gladiator! Such a man movie!

8. Why do you like serving at “The Grove”?
The biggest reason I like serving here is the people. It was that way on day one and it remains that way now. The people of SGC are the most kind generous people I have known. God has a special plan for them as they move forward building His Kingdom!

John Ware

Discipleship and Missions Pastor Pastorjohn@sugargrovechurch.com

1.What would you say you do here?
I serve as Pastor of Discipleship and Missions. I love to see people reach their potential in the Lord and reach out to a world that needs to know Him! It’s my great privilege to be a part of that process.

2.What is one thing people don’t know about you?
Other than being the youngest guy on staff (just kidding) let’s see. Ummm. I worked in television news in Dallas while I was in seminary. I was paid to go to Cowboy and Ranger games and eat free food in the press box! I once videoed a robbery that was still in progress. Exciting!!! 

3.Outside of the Grove what are you most passionate about?
I’m crazy about sports, sailing and family! 

4.Who lives in your house?
I live with my wife, Catherine the Great! Other than Jesus, Cathie is the joy of my life. She is incredibly intelligent, deeply spiritual, amazingly positive, and drop dead gorgeous! We have two awesome daughters and two gifted sons-in-love. We have four of the most incredible grandsons on the face of the earth!  

5.What is your favorite hobby?
I love sailing. I absolutely love the sound of the wind in the sails, the breeze in my face and the beauty of a sunset on the water. Cathie is a certified sailor, so she tells me how to do it! 

6.What is your favorite sports team?
I’m a fan of the Oklahoma State University Cowboys. We had the opportunity to work closely with the athletic department as team chaplain. Orange is in our blood! GO POKES!!! 

7.What is your favorite food?
My wife is a gifted chef, so I have a lot of favorites. I especially like Mexican food. I grew up in Texas and have spent a lot of time in Central America. “Enough said” 

8.What is your favorite movie?
“What About Bob?” I laugh my head off every time I see it. I also love classic westerns and war movies. I guess it’s a guy thing. 

9.Why do you like serving at “The Grove.”
I’m the new guy on the block, but you don’t have to be around “The Grove” very long to discover that it is a special place, with special people, where God is doing special things. What a privilege to serve in such a church!

Tony Staires
Worship Arts Pastor  

Pastortony@sugargrovechurch.com

1. What Would You Say You Do Here? Your Role at the Grove?
Creative Arts Pastor.  (music, media, communications, and 1st Impressions)

2. What's one thing people don't know about you?
I coupon.

3. Outside of the Grove, what are you passionate about?
Cooking, photography, and people.

4. Who lives in your house?
My wife Stephanie and our dog Blue.

5. What is your favorite hobby? 
I don't have one specific favorite hobby, but I enjoy spending time with others. That usually involves eating, which I also enjoy very much.

6. Who is your favorite sports team? 
If I had to pick, it would be the New Orleans Saints.

7. What is your favorite food? 
Ice Cream. Most specifically Blue Bell Cookies and Cream.

8. Favorite movie?
I don't really have a favorite. I enjoy watching any good movie no matter what the genre.

9.Why do you like serving at “The Grove”?
Because God is doing a great work through a great group of people at SGC, and I'm glad to play just a small part.

Kent Bjurstrom   

Associate Pastor of Student Ministries pastorkent@sugargrovechurch.com

1. What Would You Say You Do Here?
I oversee all student ministry activities, programming, and events that go on here at Sugar Grove Church! I lead Crossfire student ministries along with an amazing team of volunteers that are dedicated to reaching this generation for Jesus Christ. Some side roles I fill are worship leader in our Café Worship services and Pastor Ricks personal bodyguard.

2. What's one thing people don't know about you?
Most people probably don’t know that my favorite sport is volleyball. I used to be able to dunk a tennis ball (what, that’s good for a short guy) and I hate Carrot Cake!

3. Who lives in your house?
My wife, Stephanie, and our 3 boys, Trey, Colby, and Cayden.

4. What is your favorite hobby?
I have several things that I enjoy doing in my spare time. I love going golfing whenever and wherever! I enjoy playing guitar and just music in general. Other hobbies I have are putting out oil rig fires, saving endangered animals from extinction, and building forts with sheets and pillows!

5. Who is your favorite sports team?
I am a die hard Notre Dame Fighting Irish football fan. Grew up wanting to be the quarterback for the golden domers! I am also a hard core Indiana Hoosiers basketball fan. I would go over as a child to my grandma & grandpa’s house and watch the games with them.

6. What is your favorite food?
The only food I really eat is beef, cheese and bread… wait…that’s Pastor Josh! I enjoy a lot of different food. Huge fan of grilling so anything on the grill I am good to go with. I enjoy bread at restaurants. If I go to a restaurant and they bring out bread “just because”… that’s a solid establishment!   

7. Favorite movie?
I love all Disney movies. I am a huge fan of the classic guy movies (Braveheart, Gladiator, The Patriot, Bourne Series). Don’t tell my wife but I don’t mind watching girly movies, most of them are somewhat entertaining!

8. Why do you like serving at “The Grove”?
I love serving at “The Grove” because the people there are the best around. They are selfless and desire to see God change this community. That’s exciting to be a part of. That’s the kind of church that will make a difference for the Kingdom of God. There is no church like SGC and I am honored to be a part of what God is doing here!

Matt Wheeler
Children and Family Pastor  

Pastormatt@sugargrovechurch.com

1. What Would You Say You Do Here? Your Role at the Grove?
Disciple kids, support the family, and develop leaders.

2. What's one thing people don't know about you?
Amber and I enjoy taking cooking classes together... makes for a great date!

3. Outside of the Grove, what are you passionate about?
My family, Ohio State football, and the bean- I enjoy a great coffee!

4. Who lives in your house?
My wife, Amber, and our boys Joseph and James.

5. What is your favorite hobby?
An occasional good book, travel... love to plan trips.

6. Who is your favorite sports team?
Ohio State! Love to attend the games home or away, have been to several games at Bloomington, Eveanston, and Champaign- Urbana.  Also, love going to the ballpark to catch a Cincinnati Reds game!

7. What is your favorite food?
An excellent steak- medium... and a homemade sour cherry pie.  Yummy!

8. Favorite movie?
Lord of the Rings loved the books; Remember the Titans love the sport; Courageous love the message.

9.Why do you like serving at “The Grove”?
My wife and I love the people and are excited to be a part of what God is doing at SGC.

.

Scott Ailes

Director of Classic Worship   Scott@sugargrovechurch.com

1. What Would You Say You Do Here? Your Role at the Grove? I serve as Director of Classic Worship, which entails organizing weekly worship services, scheduling people for sound and media, preparing the media presentations for the week, selecting music and directing the Choir. As well as filling in leading worship for the Café services when needed.

2. What's one thing people don't know about you?
 I grew up on a farm in Central Indiana where I raised pigs for most of my youth and helped my Dad in the corn and soybean fields.

3. Outside of the Grove, what are you passionate about?
 My family. There is nothing more precious to me than my wife and children.

Sandy Fischer

Administrative Assistant sandy@sugargrovechurch.com

 1. What Would You Say You Do Here?
As an Administrative Assistant, I help carry out the vision of our Pastors here at SGC. I enjoy seeing the dreams and passions of our staff come to fruition by administrating the details that enable them to happen.

 2. What's one thing people don't know about you?
I spent a summer during my college years sewing for and encouraging missionaries throughout Bolivia, South America. It was a life-changing experience for me.

 3. Who lives in your house?
My husband, John, and I have been married over 25 years. We have a daughter, Elena, who is a junior at Concord High School. We also have a daughter, Rebecca, and son, Andrew currently attending Geneva College in Pennsylvania. Our oldest son Daniel, and his wife Amber live in Lubbock, TX.

 4. What is your favorite hobby?
I love to attend my kids band events. If there is any spare time, I enjoy reading, baking, and playing free cell.

 5. Who is your favorite sports team?
Being married to a die-hard Packers fan…need I say more? GO PACKERS!

 6. What is your favorite food?
Vereniki is my all time favorite food. A traditional German-Mennonite fare from my dad’s side of the family, it is a fruit filled dumpling, boiled, and served with gravy. Sounds gross, I know, but my husband and children all love it as well!

 7. Favorite movie?
My kids would say it is “The Sound of Music.” It’s the only movie I can quote from since I am not an avid TV or movie buff. I would much rather read a good book!

 8. Why do you like serving at “The Grove”?
It is exciting to be a part of a ministry that is growing and moving forward, never static. Sugar Grove is making an impact in our community, changing lives for Christ and for eternity. It is a privilege serving the people of SGC.