The Rev. Dr. Ben Seller - Pastor/Head of Staff

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Hometown:  Tempe, AZ

Family: Wife: Lauren. Children: Geneva and Liesel

Duties: Resident Theologian and People Lover

Passions: People coming to Christ, being a godly husband, godly father, following my Sun Devils and punishing heavy weights by tossing them around. 

Philosophy of Ministry and Life: We are all children of God called to turn our lives to the light of Christ.

Scripture(s): Romans 8:28-39 

Education/Ordination: BM: Arizona State University, Master's of Divinity: Columbia Theological Seminary, and DPTh: Master's Graduate School of Divinity 

Favorite Quote(s): :  "There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first or last time, I owe him my best." Joe Dimaggio to the Sporting News in 1951. 

Favorite Music: Classical and Heavy Metal. Saint-Saens, Brahms, and Metallica.

Favorite Books: Bible, Calvin's Institutes, Muscle, Smoke and Mirrors, The Runner

Interests: Soccer and lifting anything heavy.

Strange but True: My junior prom date was on Jerry Springer.  

Stephanie Nelson - Family Life Director

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Hometown: Loomis, NE

Family:  My parents, Steve and Judy, live in Nebraska, and they are both retired and winter here in Casa Grande. My two older brothers are also in Nebraska. One is a farmer and the a banker. (But I did not, in any way, inherit their skills in farming or with money.)

Duties: Education (Nursery thru Adults), Small Groups, Family Life

Passions: Good theology, understanding God’s grace, creating safe environments for people to learn in, and teaching the full gospel story.

Philosophy of Ministry and Life: We live in the “already/yet”... meaning, we have not yet arrived in glory, but we are already forgiven & in the process of being restored by Christ. There is joy & struggle in this restoration, but God wants to heal the wounds sin has left behind.

Scripture(s):  2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53, 1 Corinthians 13:12, and does it get much better than Romans 8?

Education/Ordination: B.A. in Communications / Sterling College. M.A. in Educational Ministry / Covenant Theological Seminary.

Favorite Quotes:  "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." –my friend Gina. 

 "The red states think the blue states are the trouble, and the blue states think the red states are the trouble, and Jesus says, 'You're all in trouble, and I love you.'" - Tim Keller 

Favorite Music: Mat Kearney, Mumford & Sons, Derek Webb, Sufjan Stevens, Peter Bradley Adams, Nickel Creek. 

Favorite Books: Mere Christianity, Blue Like Jazz, Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be, Creation Regained,  Irresistible Revolution 

Interests: Good coffee, good books, good music, good movies. I love to write. 

Strange but True:  I used to raise rabbits when I was in 4-H and have a few trophies from that experience – even trophies in the showmanship area. If you even want to know how to show a rabbit, I’m your girl.

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Family: Wife - Barbara - of 55 years, 2 children - Scott and Sherri, and 8 grandchildren

Duties: Support groups and assisting with caring ministries

Passions: People in general and family in particular

Philosophy of Ministry and Life: Touch people's lives with the message of the God's love

Scripture(s): John 3:16

Education/Ordination: B.A. in Education from Universtiy of Arizona, Master's of Divinity from McCormick Seminary. Ordained in 1969. Trained as an interim pastor.

Favorite Music: Classical

Favorite Books: Mysteries, Spy Novels

Interests: Camping in our motor home, walking, our miniature dachshund, "Cassie"

Strange but True: My alter ego is Luigi Vasco, Italian Chef.

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Family: Husband - Jim.  2 children - Scott and Sherri, and 8 grandchildren!

Duties: Visiting and caring for folks in our congregation, also working with Stephen Minisitry and the Board of Deacons.

Passions: Family (including Jim) and friends!  And our little dog "Cassie"

Philosophy of Ministry and Life: Love and enjoy the time we are given and the folks we meet along the way!

Scripture(s): John 3:16

Education/Ordination: High School and some college plus PHT (Putting Hubby Through!)

Favorite Quote(s): Do unto others as you would have others do unto you!

Favorite Music: Easy Listening

Favorite Books: Mysteries

Interests: I love to walk, hike the Rocky Mts and camping (That's in additionto family and friends)

Strange but True:  I helped my father who was a Landscape Architect for the Forest Service. We figured elevation for laying out sumer home and picnic areas in the Catalina Mts. and other areas of the National Forrests in Arizona and New Mexico.

Mark Vanderheyden - Executive Director, Seeds of Hope

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Hometown : Chula Vista, California

Family: Wife Karen,  Daughters Kristee (Casa Grande ),  Karee (San Diego )

Duties: Executive Director Seeds of Hope Ministry

Passions: Helping people help themselves

Philosophy: We were all created in God’s image. It’s up to us to realize that full potential he gave us !

Scripture: Colossians 3 23-24

Favorite Quote: A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.   -Winston Churchill

Favorite Show: Seinfeld

Favorite Music: The Beatles

Interests: Sports, hiking

Thomas Boone - Youth Director

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Hometown: I grew up here in Casa Grande

Family: I have two younger sisters and a younger brother, all whom are awesome and talented. 

Duties: I have the pleasure to spend time with and share the love of Jesus with the high school students in our church and community.

Passions: Jesus and Music. 

Philosophy of Ministry and Life: Glorify God by enjoying Him forever- Piper

Scripture(s): Ephesians 2:1-10

Favorite Quote(s): "Next to faith this is the highest art -- to be content with the calling in which God has placed you." – Martin Luther

Favorite Music: Hillsong United, David Crowder, Bon Iver, MuteMath, James Brown, 

Favorite Books: ESV Study Bible, Desiring God-Piper, Problem with Pain- C.S. Lewis

Interests:Studying the Bible, Music, Sports

Strange but True: I have no ear lobes 

Nancy Lockhart - Office Manager

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Hometown:  Ames, IA

Family: 1 brother (Episcopal Priest). 1 Sister (Clinical Psychologist). Daugher (Works at Legacy School) and Husband (News Editor)

Duties: You name it - I do it.

Passions: Serving in the church, family, reading, traveling.

Philosophy of Ministry and Life: Helps other and let them see Christ through me.

Scripture(s): Philippians 4:8, any of the Psalms

Education/Ordination: 2 years of college and some continuing ed classes.

Favorite Quote(s): No one has power over us unless we give it to them - Eleanor Roosevelt

Never give up, Never, never, never, never! -Winston Churchill

Almost anything by C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia)

Favorite Music: Classic Rock

Favorite Books: Historical novels, The Chronicles of Narnia

Interests: Reading, family, traveling, trying new things

Strange but True: I asked my husband out on our first date. I used to ride hunters, jumper horses and motorcycles.

Hometown: Casa Grande, AZ

Family: Wife - Janell. Son - Carl. Daughter - Karen

Duties: Grounds - cleaning and maintenance.

Passions: Christian Education, History, Family

Philosophy of Ministry and Life: God is in control.

Scripture(s): Luke 17:20-21, 1 John 3:17, Phil 4:8

Education/Ordination: B.S. in Chemical Engineering. I've also been ordained as Deacon and Elder.

Favorite Quote(s):  

Those who don't know their history are condemned to relive it. -George Santayana

There is a God-shaped vacuum in every heart.  - Blaise Pascal

Favorite Music:  I like most kinds of music. My favorite to sing is Barbershop Harmony.

Favorite Books:  Lord of the Rings - JRR Toilken,  Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis

Interests: Singing, Geneology and Civil War History

Strange but True:  My niece is a soap opera actress on The Youth and the Restless

Hometown: Rantoul, Illinois (raised in Tucson, AZ)

Family:  Lots!  Too many to name!!

Duties: Worship Director/Handbell Choir Director

Passions: Music and People

Philosophy of Ministry and Life: Let others see Christ in everything I do!

Scripture(s):  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  -Isaiah 41:10 

For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  -Romans 8: 38 & 39  

Education/Ordination:  BA and MA in Vocal Music Education from University of Arizona in Tucson

Favorite Quote(s):   A church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.  -Abigail Van Buren

 Think of all the beauty that's still left in and around you and be happy!  -Anne Frank

Favorite Music:  Bagpipes, Steel Drums, Handbells, Choirs.....Favorite Song:  "It Is Well With My Soul"

Favorite Books: Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

Interests: Singing, Ringing, Eating, Tinkling (on the Ivories!)

Strange but True: Don't like artichokes!!

Hometown: I grew up on a farm near Freeman, South Dakota, and have also lived in Newton Kansas, and Lawrence, Kansas, and have lived in Casa Grande since 1973.

Family: I have a stepdaughter, Stacey, her husband, Keith, and four Grandchildren, with whom I have a very close relationship.   My brother and his wife live in Colorado.

Duties:  I help the members of my choirs learn music that will be performed as special music for our church services.  And we have a lot of fun as we work to learn the music.  We are always looking for more singers to join us in praising God with song.

Passions: Obviously, music and singing are some of the things about which I am most passionate.

Philosophy of Ministry and Life:  Everyone is somewhere on their spiritual  journey, and I must be aware and respect that fact that, though they might be on a different path than I am,  they are exactly where they are supposed to be!

Scripture(s):  "Stop judging others, and you will not be judged."  Matthew 7:1

Education/Ordination: I attended Mennonite schools from grade school through College.  I received a degree in music performance and education, and used it for 30 years while teaching General Music in the Elementary Schools here in Casa Grande.   It has also come in handy with my choral director's job in the First Presbyterian church for over 30 years, as well as with the yearly performance of the Messiah every December.

Favorite Quote(s):  Friends are the Family you Choose

Favorite Music:  Do you have to ask???

Favorite Books:  Anything by Kenneth Wapnick

Interests: Concerts, Mah Jongg, Card Games, Mexican Train,  Singing, laughing and having fun with friends.

Strange but True:  My friends say I always have a party going on inside my head..... I think they may be right!