• SENIOR PASTOR

    I grew up in Northern Ireland during the “troubles”. My brothers and I often went to Sunday School but my family were not followers of Jesus. It was not until I attended a youth retreat as a junior high aged student that I heard the Gospel and asked Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour. I vividly remember the change that happened even at that young age. I got connected to a great youth ministry where I learned the importance of reading my Bible, prayer, worship and connecting with other believers. During high school our family emigrated to Canada. I soon got plugged into a church and continued growing as people invested in me. I met my best friend Jennifer at the church and after many years as friends we started dating and eventually got married.

    After completing a business degree at the University of Toronto I went to work in the corporate world. I was enjoying a successful career and climbing the corporate ladder when Jesus called me into full time vocational ministry. I worked and went to seminary part time. In 1993 I left the corporate world and accepted my first pastoral call. Since then I have pastored in 3 churches before coming to StoneRidge.

    Jen and I are excited that the Lord has called us and the people of StoneRidge have invited us to be here. I’m convinced that this church has much to offer the community and I’m looking forward to seeing how the Lord is going to lead us as we seek Him together.

    Contact
    davea@srfconnect.com

  • ASSOCIATE PASTOR NEXT GENERATION MINISTRIES

    I was born and raised in Niagara Falls, ON. My childhood revolved around sports and my teenage years around music. I have attended church my whole life, and would spend many days at different services and events.

    Being a bit of an outcast at school, church is where I found friendship and belonging. I gave my heart to Christ when I was 5 years old along with my brother, but it wasn't until I was in Junior High, hearing the Gospel at a Geoff Moore and the Distance concert, that I really began to make my faith my own.

    I was heavily involved in my youth group where I had a very impactful connection with my Youth Pastor. It was in Grade 9 when I felt God's clear call on my life to go into ministry and went full steam ahead to pursue it. I attended Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener, ON, during which I began at my first church as their Youth Pastor in 2003.

    Just a few months prior to beginning in ministry, I began dating my wife and we served together in the church and then eventually got engaged and then married. After a bit of travelling and enjoying time with just the two of us, we had 2 children, Avery & Cody.

    Youth Ministry has been a great passion in my life as an opportunity for me to partner in the Lord's work to help students understand who they are in Christ, and to take ownership of their faith and grow to become passionate followers of Jesus. Despite all of the obstacles and dangers that are in this world, the power of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel of Christ has the power to overcome and transform any heart. God has great plans for this generation, and I can't wait to see what he is going to do!

    Contact
    pauls@srfconnect.com

  • DIRECTOR OF STONERIDGE KIDS

    "Christ’s death and resurrection could provide forgiveness for my sins”

    Most of my childhood was spent on our little hobby farm just outside Bridgewater, NS. I have many fond memories of animal friends, bike rides to the lake and walks through the field with my dad. I grew up in a loving home with two christian parents who openly talked about God’s free gift of salvation and how that gift had changed their lives. I attended a wonderful church and had amazing leaders in Awana and Youth Group who continually showed love to me.

    When I was 8 years old, I remember sitting at the supper table with my family while my dad read from the Bible. Today, looking back, I don’t remember exactly what he read but I remember an overwhelming weight in my chest. I remember that I cried. When my parents were able to ascertain what was going on, I went to my bedroom with my dad and he showed me in God’s Word how Christ’s death and resurrection could provide forgiveness for my sins. I prayed, asking for that forgiveness and then I ran downstairs, excited to share this moment with my mom as well.

    I met my husband in my teen years, we married and began attending StoneRidge. We have three children and have been extremely blessed to have had so many people pour into them here at our church. That’s part of why I am so excited to be part of the StoneRidge staff as Director of StoneRidge Kids. I have seen firsthand, as a child and again as a parent, the importance of having Christians come alongside families and help teach children from God’s Word.

    Contact deb@srfconnect.com

  • DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
    "I realized the need for Christ as my Saviour, and accepted His gift of salvation for my life

    I am so thankful for my Aunt and Uncle who so willingly picked me up each week to go with them to church. Because of their kindness, I almost don’t recall a time that Sunday School and church were not part of my life; how blessed am I! During this time, as a young pre-teen, I realized the need for Christ as my Saviour, and accepted His gift of salvation for my life.

    Psalm 91:4 “and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler” has always been such a source of comfort and strength for me, and I praise God for holding me close, even during the frequent times that I stumble in my walk with Him.

    Daily, I desire to be more like Him, and this verse keeps me challenged… Philippians 3:13-14 “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” May this also be an encouragement for you.

    Contact

    cindy@srfconnect.com

  • DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
    Of all the investments my parents made in me as a child and young person, taking me to Sunday school, church and youth group mattered most, to them, and as it turns out later in life, to me.

    After wandering away from a lived faith to pursue music and other opportunities as a young adult, I lost my way, despite experiencing success. The journey back to a lived faith began with memories of being with people working out their faith. It continued with a realization that a fresh commitment to Christ was needed and serving others - in the faith and for the faith - would be a great use of everything I’d learned in my wanderings.

    I find what I need in Psalm 23 where it says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

    Contact
    bruce@srfconnect.com

  • DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
    "I sensed the Holy Spirit working on me”

    For years I resisted going to church. I went kicking and screaming with my wife Nancy, who finally dragged me here. I have always believed in Jesus but didn’t have a relationship with Him in my heart. My church experience at StoneRidge (then “Temple Baptist”) was so different from my childhood experience of going to the Catholic church with my Nan. At SRF, I sat with my sister who liked to sit close to the front and started to enjoy the messages. I felt that I was actually learning. It was during a message from the pastor that I sensed the Holy Spirit working on me. It was then that I accepted Christ as my Saviour.

    Shortly after, I started to get to know more people in the church. They encouraged me to volunteer in production using the skills that I had learned. It's now been about 22 years since I was first exposed to SRF and I still love volunteering and love the relationship that I have with my church family. I’m excited to be part of this journey! Praise God, my life has not been the same since.

    A favorite Bible verse for me is: Proverbs 3: 5-6 "Trust in LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."