Our Shepherds, Ministers, & Staff
Our Shepherding Couples:
 

Gary and Judy Brock

Judy and I are excited about the directions God is leading East Sunshine. As we continue to surrender our lives to God, He does work His will.

David and Linda Brown

Linda and I want to help Christians have a deeper, more thoughtful faith -- and to help spiritual seekers get good answers to their probing questions to help them come to a faith that is honest, vibrant, and growing.

Bill and Fran Chism

Fran and I see this church family as a safe haven for believers seeking to transform themselves through the Spirit and bring others to Christ.

David and Nena Dockery

Nena and I enjoy seeing how God continues to gift East Sunshine with an exciting mix of people.  As His Spirit compels us all to care, work, seek, and grow together, we catch glimpses of His ever-increasing glory in the church.  What a messy delight!

Rick and Bev Guyer

We were originally drawn to East Sunshine Church by the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the Christlike spirit demonstrated by this body of believers.  We continue to see God's hand at work in the life of this church, and look forward to witnessing what God has in store for us as we seek to honor and glorify Him.

Ken and Mary Johnson

The East Sunshine church is a lighthouse to bring faith, hope, joy and peace to generations of travelers who pass this way. Our prayer is that our church family will always be known as a place that brightens the way for individuals and families who have become discouraged on life’s journey.

Stanley and Julia Maiden

The Maidens serve tirelessly with the hospitalized, home-bound, and those in mourning and bereavement.  Stanley's favorite saying is "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."  No one meets Stanley without understanding very quickly that he cares deeply for everyone.

Ed and Judy Miller

We are thrilled to be a part of the East Sunshine Church family and we are excited to be players in God's unfolding plan for his family and the community in Springfield.

Myron and Karen Mizell

It is our desire to serve and follow the Lord as he leads us all to a richer theology, a deeper experience of community and a more inspired discipleship as we continue to allow him to transform us into the likeness of Jesus.

Craig and Debbie Peterson

We are excited and encouraged to be part of a church that is yielding to the Spirit's leading into deeper relationships with each other and with God.

Paul and Tahlula Spivy

We have worked with South National, later East Sunshine church in several areas, including serving as a deacon for approximately four years, and then as an elder since 1993.

 

Don and Marrita Strong

We have always enjoyed helping people who have needs, whatever that need might be.  It can be very rewarding to see the response of gratitude from people that you have been involved in helping, especially children. 

 
Our Ministers:
 

Jay Baker - Coordinating Minister

I want to spend the rest of my life creating community with people who feel safe enough to be real about their journey in Christ.  My dream is always to be a part of the type of group that seeks the power of the Spirit, and to help inspire and lead the group into a more perfect likeness of Jesus - even in the midst of everyone's obvious brokenness.

Chris Dell - Youth Mentoring Minister

There is no more satisfying work, at any age, than to be used by God to inspire teenagers to see His glory and to sense His will for their lives!  That’s why I am still involved in solidifying relationships between teens and their ES church family and helping them experience how a community of believers is more vital to their spiritual formation than merely a ‘youth group’.   And yet fun, service, outreach and fellowship are all part of a holistic approach to serving teenagers and helping them deepen their relationship with the Lord and with others.  Join us in passing faith to the next generation; it is at the heart of God’s mission for His people. 

Nick Fouts - Small Groups Minister

I believe the ultimate and most fundamental reality in the universe is God--God as a holy, perfectly-loving relationship of three eternal beings.  My deepest desire is to glorify God by growing in relationship with the Father, Son, and the Spirit and journeying with others who seek to do the same.

Scott Light - Youth Minister

Other than working at Sonic for a year, I have never held a position that didn't involve teens, and I can hardly imagine things otherwise. I love them. It seems God was serious in Jeremiah when He said He has plans because it is clear to me that He has sovereignly guided me thus far. I find constant guidance, encouragement, and hope in Eph. 3:14-21 & Phil. 3:7-16. Oh, that I might give up all in order to gain Christ, and that, though we are yet perfected, we might press on with the strength to comprehend how long, and wide, and deep is His Love!

Lisa Luter - Children's Minister

I love kids.  I want children to KNOW that God loves them and I want them to LOVE HIM BACK with all their hearts!  It is my passion to partner with parents in raising the next generation of Christ's followers.

Deron Smith - Teaching and Preaching Minister

My greatest desire is for the Holy Spirit to make me like Christ so that Christ might live His life through me.  I see ministry as simply Jesus sharing His life through me.  I want other people to know God and to know how much He desires to bring them into the perfect, intimate relationship with Him and with others, and to share in His work in the world—the very purposes He created them for.  I want people to see Scripture come alive and for them to grow to love His word, so that their love for Him will grow.  With this goal in mind, I try to make sure that everyone can hear a message from God and ‘get it,’ be inspired to worship Him, and say ‘yes’ to His call to Life.

Mitzi Smith - Counseling and Women's Minister

 

Mitzi Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Family Life Ministry, working with all ages of people in individual, couple and family counseling.  She joined the Family Life Center  full-time in 1990.  She and her husband Dick raised three children and have five grandchildren.  Mitzi also works with various women’s ministries including Ladies' Bible Class and Generation-to-Generation.  Mitzi and her husband, Dick,  are also very active in working with a Sunday morning discussion class and a connecting small group on Sunday evenings.

 

Our Staff:

Pat Anderson - Ministry Staff Secretary

Pat and her husband Ken have been active members of the East Sunshine family since 1992.  Ken served many years as the ministry leader over the Christian Neighbor program.  Pat and Ken came to Springfield from St. Louis in 1985 and were house parents at Fair Haven Children's home from 1985 to 1992. 

David Barnett - Facilities and Maintenance

David helps with all issues related to our facilities, including technology, maintenance, and janitorial services.

Arlene Blakey - Ministry Staff Secretary

Arlene enjoys reading, shopping, entertaining at home, going to garage sales, coordinating weddings and events, and she especially enjoys her granddaughters.  She serves as a staff secretary, wedding coordinator, event planner, and oversees the Fellowship Committee.