Lead Pastor + Elder

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I married my best friend Teresa Demeter (affectionately known as Tree) in the summer of 2000. We have 3 kids: Carson, Logan and Ryhan. Both my wife and I grew up in the West Valley and moved back to the area in 2012.

I grew up in and out of church. During my sophomore year in college is when I really turned a corner in my relationship with the Lord. God catapulted my growth with him through a personal discipleship relationship and a community of people that were passionate about their pursuit of Jesus.

After college, my wife and I joined the ministry staff of Athletes in Action in 2002, where we served college and pro athletes for 15 years. I was the Executive Pastor at Redemption Peoria from 2017 to 2021 and then took the Lead Pastor role in 2021.

My hope is all who see me, hear me and experience me would catch a glimpse of him who saved me.

Pastor of Counseling & Care + Elder

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I was one of the founding elders of Redemption Peoria. I currently serve as the Pastor of Counseling and Care. A native of New Jersey, I joined the Coast Guard at 18, felt a call to the Navy Chaplaincy, attended Cornerstone University and Grand Rapids Seminary, and served for 24 years retiring from the Navy in 2005.

In 2006 I joined the faculty at Union University and directed the Adult Studies program in Germantown, TN for 7 years. My wife Shirley and I moved to the valley in 2013 and served as a Department Chair and a Dean at Arizona Christian University for 5 years and taught as an Adjunct Bible Professor at Huntington University for 4 years.

Shirley and I have been married for 43 years and have three daughters, two sons in law and one grandson and one granddaughter.

Elder

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I have been married to my beautiful wife, Carrisa, since 2008. We are blessed to have two children, Caleb and Evangeline. Carrisa grew up in the valley, while I grew up in the Midwest before attending university in California and Denmark.

I grew up attending church, but didn’t come to faith in Christ until my early teenage years. Shortly after becoming a Christian, I felt a call to ministry, specifically to share Christ and equip others in the Majority World. In 2004, I moved to Phoenix to serve with an international development organization where I mobilized churches and universities for global service.

When Carrisa and I met, we realized that we had similar callings to serve the global church. Now, in a beautiful way that only God could bring about, we are serving together with Global Training Network, equipping and encouraging pastors in the Majority World.

We have called Redemption Peoria our home church since 2018 and are grateful to be a part of this community that longs to live for Christ and reflect His grace in the northwest valley.

Elder

R/Students Youth Director

Pastor of Communities & Connection

Guest Services Coordinator

Community Events Coordinator

Women’s Ministry Director

Foster Care, Kinship, & Adoption Support Group Coordinators

Production Director

Worship Director + Director of Finances

R/Kids Director + Church Admin

R/Kids Volunteer Coordinator

Resident in Ministry + Youth Director + College & Young Adults Director