Ministry Team

Lead Pastor

Matt Anderson

HOMETOWN

Birmingham, Alabama

EDUCATION

BA Business Administration + Christian Ministries — Anderson University

MA NonProfit Leadership/Theology — Wesley Seminary (Indiana Wesleyan University)

FAMILY

Robin – married in 1998

Connor – born in 2001

Calvin – born in 2004

Charlie – born in 2010

HOBBIES

Travel. Golf. Running/Hiking.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2008

Connect Pastor

Alyssa Dees

Hometown

split between Plainfield, Indiana + Jacksonville, Florida

Education

BA Interior Design – University of Central Oklahoma

Family

Tanner – married in 2011
Montie – born in 2023
Dogs: Ezra (mini-goldendoodle) Dixie (beagle mix)

Hobbies

My dog (Ezra) goes with me everywhere. Rollerskating. Skiing. Jeeping. Home remodeling projects and design.

At Mcdowell

Since 2021
Worship Pastor

Lindsey Haugen

HOMETOWN

Oklahoma City, OK

EDUCATION

BA Business Management – Harding University

FAMILY

Kyle – married in 2004
Knox – born in 2011
Ruby – born in 2015

HOBBIES

Travel. Adventures. Being outside. Movies.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2021

Students Pastor

Sarah Wedel

HOMETOWN

Fort Worth, TX

EDUCATION

BA Psychology – Baylor University

FAMILY

Kyle – married in 2018

HOBBIES

Exploring new coffee shops + restaurants. Being outside. Walking around a new city.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2018
COO

Jason Boffo

HOMETOWN

Gibbsboro, NJ

EDUCATION

B.S. Sports Medicine- Eastern University

FAMILY

Dana: Married 2000
Jackson- Born 2005
Giana- Born 2007

HOBBIES

Golf. Traveling. Watching my kids play sports.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2016

Community Life Pastor

Don Doe

HOMETOWN

Sylmar, California

EDUCATION

BA Religion – Warner Pacific University
MDiv – Anderson University School of Theology

FAMILY

Lori – married in 1978
Three adult children – Randee, Jared, Richard
Six grandchildren

HOBBIES

Reading. Mexican food. Dodgers baseball.

AT MCDOWELL

Since before day one (1995)
Worship Pastor

Jordan Irwin

HOMETOWN

Williston, ND

EDUCATION

BS in Ministry and Leadership – Oklahoma Wesleyan University

FAMILY

Megan – married in 2022

Ezran – born in 2024

HOBBIES

Travel. Sports. Music. Movies.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2024

Missions Pastor

Ryan Chaisson

HOMETOWN

Dunedin, FL

EDUCATION

BS Transformational Christian Ministry – Warner University

FAMILY

Laura – married in 2008
Maggie – born in 2014
Myer – born in 2016
Moses – born in 2018

HOBBIES

Cycling. Golfing. BBQing

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2010

Early Childhood Director

A.J. Gain

HOMETOWN

Widefield, Colorado

EDUCATION

BS Human Development and Family Studies + Theater Acting and Directing – Colorado State  University, Masters of Advanced Studies Infant and Family Practice – Arizona State University

FAMILY

Jason – married in 2016
Genesis Imani – born in 2018
Journey Asa – born in 2020

HOBBIES

Anything Broadway-related (watching, performing, belting soundtracks). Raising chickens. Newborn care and sleep training. Cooking and trying new foods. Reading, writing and editing. Escape and puzzle rooms. And farmer’s markets.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2013
Kids Pastor

Sarah Stevens

HOMETOWN

Amarillo, TX

EDUCATION

BA English – Hardin-Simmons University // MA Family Ministry – Logsdon Seminary

FAMILY

Mikal – Married in 2014

HOBBIES

Running & working out. Exploring. Coffee. Napping with our dogs, Bailey & Delilah.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2022

Ministry Support Team

Office Manager

Florentine Cobb

HOMETOWN

Springfield, MO

EDUCATION

Accounting + Data Processing – Draughon Business College
Writing – Missouri State University

FAMILY

Steve – married in 1990
Chloe – born in 2001

HOBBIES

Walking. Reading. Thrifting. Adventures in dining. Tweaking my house. Movies. Beach.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2013

Students Resident

Tory Johnson

HOMETOWN

Fountain Hills, AZ

EDUCATION

Recently graduated from Fountain Hills High School

FAMILY

Mom – Terra Johnson
Siblings – Trace, Taylor

HOBBIES

Basketball

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2021

Facility Assistant

Don Rose

HOMETOWN

Tucson, AZ

EDUCATION

White Pigeon High School

FAMILY

Angela Rose – married in 2015

Zelzenika – born in 2023

HOBBIES

Camping. Hiking. Blacksmithing. Reading.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2023

Facilities Director

Ken Crosser

FAMILY

Christy – married in 1978
Kyle – born in 1991

HOBBIES

Family. Being creative.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2018

Finance Assistant

Holly Lacy

HOMETOWN

Clifton, NJ

EDUCATION

Berkeley Business School – E. Orange, New Jersey

Quickbooks Online Advanced Certification – 2022

FAMILY

Corissa – born in 1978

Austin – born in 1986

I have 3 grandchildren living in Denver, CO with my daughter and her husband

HOBBIES

Movies. Pickleball. Swimming. Local meetups with good friends.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2023

Brittany
Community Life Administrative Assistant

Brittany Shappee

HOMETOWN

Lake Stevens, WA

EDUCATION

BA Communications – Grand Canyon University

FAMILY

Tyler – Married in 2018
Hudson – Born in 2024

HOBBIES

Family. Travel. Cooking & Baking. Fitness. Beach.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2025
Graphic Designer

Bekah Jenkins

Hometown

Waxhaw, NC

Education

BA Graphic Design – Cedarville University

Family

Dog – Mocha (mini dachshund)

Hobbies

Running. Hiking. Woodworking. Waterskiing.

At McDowell

Since 2025
Front Door Ministries

Pam Millar

EDUCATION

BFA Graphic Design – Wichita State University

FAMILY

Emily – born in 1998
Madie – born in 2000
Bryce – born in 2003

HOBBIES

Hiking. Lake/beach time. Laughing with friends.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2014

 

Graphic Designer

Alena Vera

HOMETOWN

Tempe, AZ

EDUCATION

BS Psychology, BA Family Development – Arizona State University

FAMILY

Jason – married in 2022

HOBBIES

Writing. Reading. Skiing. Frisbee. Piano.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2024

Trailhead Barista Team

Trailhead Coffee Barista

Karlee Abeler

HOMETOWN

Scottsdale, AZ

EDUCATION

Senior with dual enrollment at Grand Canyon University

FAMILY

Mom and Dad – Angie + Tom

HOBBIES

Going to coffee with friends. Serving in preschool ministry. Cooking.

AT MCDOWELL

Since January 2024

Trailhead Coffee Barista

Dariana Griesemer

HOMETOWN

Dublin, Ohio

EDUCATION

Junior at Desert Mountain High School

FAMILY

Mom and Dad- Kelly + Fred
Brother- Bryden

HOBBIES

Music. StudentLife. Hanging with friends and family. Spending time with my dogs. Going to Walmart and Target and finding the things that make me laugh the most.

AT MCDOWELL

Since July 2019

 

Trailhead Coffee Barista

Jennifer Pearce

HOMETOWN

North Augusta, South Carolina

FAMILY

Whitney – married in 1991
Jordan – born in 1995
Braden – born in 1999
Milo – my precious dog

HOBBIES

Traveling. Cooking. Baking. Crafting.

AT MCDOWELL

Since 2019

 

Ministry Interns