Adam Fisher - Senior High Youth Pastor / Assistant Staff Pastor email Adam
Carol Ritz - Children's Pastor email Carol
Elijah Balsbaugh - Junior High Pastor email Elijah
Greg Hull - Worship and Administrative Pastor email Greg
Ken Ritz - Teaching / Senior Pastor email Ken
Rick Hanger - Visitation Pastor email Rick
Debbie Tharp - Secretary/Prayer Chain email Debbie
Vicki Williams - Accounting
Ken Ritz - Teaching/Senior Pastor email Ken
It took 37 years for Ken to figure out what he wanted to be "when he grew up." At first the idea of being an Admiral and sailing the seas sounded exciting, so he attended Annapolis Naval Academy and became a jet pilot in the navy. After the realities of military life set in (11 years worth) he jumped ship and headed back to school for his MBA at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. He was hired by GE, and later AT&T, for their corporate marketing departments.
Then it happened! In 1994, God told him to become a pastor of a tiny, struggling Vineyard church plant. His wife Kathy agreed, but said, "don't quit your day job." A year later, with attendance already at 150 weekly, he quit his day job (yes Kathy said it was ok) and has never looked back.
Ken's Goal: To live a life of radical and wholehearted commitment to Jesus Christ.
Ken's Declaration (borrowed from "Angel Stadium Declaration")
I will live the rest of my life serving God's purposes with God's people on God's planet for God's glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word.
Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.
Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, "we" over "me," character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most and I'll give it all I've got. I'll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.
I won't be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I'll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough and I get tired, I won't back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I'll just keep moving forward by God's grace. I'm Spirit-led, purpose-driven, and mission-focused, so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.
I'm a trophy of God's amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.
To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I'm ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Any way. Whatever it takes Lord; whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way that on that final day I'll hear you say, "Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!"
Greg Hull - Worship & Administrative Pastor email Greg
Description coming soon.....
Adam Fisher - Senior High Youth Pastor / Assistant Staff Pastor email Adam
Adam joined our staff in December of 2007. He has recently taken over the Senior High Youth Pastor position (in Interim) and leads our teens, with the help of several amazing youth leaders, closer to Christ through preaching, teaching, outreach, worship and prayer. As our Assistant Pastor on staff, he is also responsible for coordinating Sunday morning services, assisting the other Pastors with special projects, overseeing the maintenance and upkeep of our building, updating our website and computers, and serving as a liasion for our food pantry and homeless shelter, Serve City, when possible. You can find him often leading worship with our adults Sunday mornings and again, Wednesday evenings with the teens. Adam has been happily married to his wife Emily since 2002. They have three young children: Xander, Viera and Kiera.
Carol Ritz - Children's Pastor email Carol
Carol joined the church staff in July of 2008, but she has been a part of the Vineyard since 1990. Carol was incredibly excited to jump into the children's ministry after being a leader in programs like Upward, Sonlight, Vacation Bible School and Sunday school for so many years.
Carol graduated from Bluffton University with a degree in Communications. She enjoyed her time at Bluffton and appreciated the life changing opportunities she found there, especially her school trip to Israel and Palestine to study the historical significance and conflict in the region.
Several mission trips to Guatemala with the Vineyard, as well as an internship with Food for the Hungry, have instilled a passion in Carol for missions and social justice, which she hopes will continue to be a large part of her future.
Elijah Balsbaugh - Junior High Ministry Leader email Elijah
Elijah has a love for sharing Christ with people, more specifically, sharing Him with teens. His parents were pastors, so growing up he was involved with the church a lot. It wasn't until he was in his Jr. High years that he began to really put trust that Jesus was his Lord. It was at this time that Elijah began teaching in the church, knowing that this is where his passion lies. He believes, wholeheartedly, that the love of Christ stretches beyond any problem.
He is currently attending Miami University, majoring in middleschool education. He has been dating Emily Brown, who helps in the youth ministry as well, and they are planning on marrying in the future.
Rick Hanger - Visitation Pastor email Rick
Rick grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He has a BA degree from the University of Va. and spent four years in the Navy in an F-4 squadron. After the Navy, he spent a year studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel (where he met Gwen). After marrying, he attended Union Theological Seminary in Virginia and earned a D. Min. and was ordained for 20 years as a Presbyterian (PCUSA) minister. He has previously served on staff with four churches and as pastor to four churches in Virginia, Illinois, and Ohio. Rick and Gwen have four children Victor, David, Barbie, and Reed. and they have attended the New Life Vineyard Church since July of 2002.
Debbie Tharp - Secretary/Prayer Chain email Debbie
