Ministry Leaders
People frequently ask: who are the Ministry Leaders at Scottsdale Bible Church? They are men and women who give oversight and direction to each department and ministry at our church. While we are happy to introduce you to these leaders, this group makes up only a fraction of the staff and pastors who work ceaselessly for the ministry of Scottsdale Bible—without this cadre of co-laborers, our church ministries could not advance.
Donna Anderson, Director of Nursery and Preschool
Donna grew up in a Christian home; when she was 12 she prayed to receive Christ while at a Christian camp. Before working at Scottsdale Bible she owned a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Magic Puppet Toy Store.
Donna has been on staff for five years at Scottsdale Bible and oversees 48 classes of children each Sunday—about 350 children. She is also the coordinator of God’s Kidz for women’s ministry. She and her husband, Jim, have been married 25 years and have six children.
Fun fact: Donna was once Dan Quayle’s administrative assistant.
Joe Baldo, Director of Facilities
Joe’s coming to Christ in 1997 was a bumpy journey, which has built a strong faith. He previously worked as Services Manager at the Phoenix Country Club and then as the Health and P.E. Director at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center. He earned his B.A. from the State University of New York at Brockport.
Joe is responsible for our church buildings, grounds and operations and manages our largest staff of 19. He and his wife Diane have been married since 2001; Joe has two children; Diane has three—between them five children and one grandson—and twins on the way!
Fun fact: Joe wrestled in high school and college.
Fred Beasley, Pastor of Outreach Ministries
Fred was 30 when he made a commitment to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Prior to going into ministry in 1990, Fred was a construction contractor and superintendent. Before coming to Scottsdale Bible as Pastor of Adult Ministry in 1997, he served as Executive Director for Partners in Christ, a para-church organization ministering in Mexico. Fred received his BA in History from Carroll College and MDiv from Western Seminary.
Fred provides direction for our missions program, communicating directly to Scottsdale Bible-supported missionaries, giving counsel to current and potential missionaries and integrating mission’s awareness and education into the life of our church—including our short-term missions and Tanzania projects. Fred and Kristen have two sons—Joe (Susie) and Jeff and three grandchildren.
Fun fact: Fred logs more than 200,000 frequent-flyer miles every year.
Darien Bennett, Pastor of Ministry to Men
In 1985 Darien went to the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast in Tucson. He listened to the speaker share his testimony of faith in Christ and it compelled Darien to accept Christ. He was hoping for some relief for his messed-up life but things actually became more difficult and complicated. Eventually the life he always wanted became a reality as Christ became the center of his life. Darien spent 27 years with the IBM Corporation and started our As Iron Sharpens Iron Ministry in 1994. He has a B.S. in Business Administration from San Jose State University a Masters of Divinity from Phoenix Seminary.
Darien is our Pastor of Ministry to Men and their families. Darien provides teaching, discipleship, leadership, development, mentoring, counseling and pastoral care to Scottsdale Bible men. He and his wife Kellie have been married 13 years and have two children, Launa and Travis.
Fun fact: Darien taught Karate for 25 years and has a 3rd degree Black Belt in Shoto-kan Karate.
Joe Bubar, Associate Director of Morning Worship
Joe was 6 when he came to Christ in his father’s church. Prior to working at Scottsdale Bible he had a variety of odd jobs, but found his niche in music ministry at Scottsdale Bible 16 years ago. In 1992 Joe earned his B.A. in Music from Wheaton College and in 1999 went on to earn his Master’s in Music of Composition from Arizona State University.
Joe is a writer, arranger and director. He regularly leads worship on Sunday mornings. He and his wife Kristina have four children: Joseph, William, Benjamin and Charlotte.
Fun fact: Joe enjoys golfing, hiking and ultimate Frisbee.
Patti Bubna, Minister of Communication/HR
Patti made a declaration of faith at a young age. She has been in fulltime ministry since 1982 as Christian Education Director, Christian Radio Broadcaster and Public Relations Director, National Ministries of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Vice President of Conference Ministries for Vision New England, and Director of College Communications and Marketing for Gordon College. Patti holds a BS in Organizational Management/Human Relations from Colorado Christian University and a Master’s in Leadership Development from Fuller Seminary.
Patti works with our church leadership and all ministries, helping them articulate key events and messages to our congregation. She sets communication standards and provides inclusive identification of all ministries and functions. Patti also heads up Human Resources. She has three adult daughters—Christina (Steve), Mitsi and Melanie (David).
Fun fact: pre-ministry, Patti was a residential construction general contractor.
Bob Cain, Pastor of Second Half Ministry
Bob Cain graduated from West Point in 1961, then served over eight years in active duty, including Viet Nam. He later developed a career in residential real estate, specializing in sales, marketing and development. In the early 1980s, Bob began attending a men’s Bible study at Scottsdale Bible. After several weeks of hearing the truth about Jesus, he invited Him to fill the deep void in his life. Bob served two terms on the elder board. He is also involved in enrichment class leadership.
Bob provides leadership for Hearty Souls, Friday Night Lights, Senior choir and hospital visitation teams. He is always on the lookout to match up people’s gifts with volunteer opportunities at Scottsdale Bible. Bob and his wife Georgann have three adult children.
Fun fact: Bob was a paratrooper in the Army with five jumps.
Luke Cooper, Minister of Worship
Luke came to faith as a child in a southern Baptist church in west Texas. He served as an intern at Grace Community Church in Tempe for eight years before coming on staff at Scottsdale Bible. Luke received a B.A. in English with a Literature emphasis and an M.A. in Composition and Rhetoric from Arizona State.
For the last three years he has been the Worship leader at somanorth, our young adult ministry. Additionally, he will provide leadership for the Contemporary Worship Venue at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings. He also leads worship for various church ministries including Hearty Souls, youth and men’s ministry. Luke and Amy have been married since 2006. Their energetic weimaraner keeps them busy.
Fun fact: Luke’s pet peeve is when people sing harmony on Happy Birthday.
Jason Fischer, High School Pastor
Jason’s parents are both strong believers and modeled faith in Christ to him. He really began to grasp the gospel at age 9. Jason was part of a traveling drama ministry based out of Los Angeles. Then he worked for Home Depot before going into full-time ministry at a church in Idaho. Soon after, he came to work at Scottsdale Bible with Randy Walters. He has been here seven years. Jason is currently finishing up his degree in Biblical Studies at Moody Bible Institute.
Jason is known for his leadership in teaching, managing volunteers, guiding and directing the high school ministry. He and his wife Shannon have been married for 12 years and have three children: Gabriel, Jesse and Shelby.
Fun fact: Jason is a Beatles maniac.
Margi Galloway, Minister to Women
Margi accepted Christ when she was 8 years old in her home church where her father was pastor. After receiving her B.A. from Northwest Nazarene University, she was an elementary teacher. Margi and her husband founded New Hope Community Church in Portland where she was Director of Women’s Ministries for 23 years and Minister of Music. Prior to coming to Scottsdale Bible, she served as Director of Spouse and Family Ministries at Asbury Seminary.
Margi is responsible for the programs and ministry opportunities for our Women’s Ministries. She motivates and trains the women who administrate the various areas of this ministry. She provides oversight for women’s Bible studies, special events, support groups, mentoring programs, leadership training, seminars, retreats and one-on-one discipleship. Margi and her husband Dale have two children—Ann (Clay) and Scott (Melissa) and two grandchildren.
Fun fact: In high school, Margi was a drum major.
Joe Gordon, Teacher and Pastor, somanorth
It was during a service at Scottsdale Bible that Joe received the gift of eternal life with God by trusting Jesus for forgiveness of sins. Before joining the ministry he was an engineer. He earned his B.A. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona and later obtained a Master’s of Divinity from Phoenix Seminary. He and his wife Tereza were married in 2008.
As pastor at somanorth, he teaches, ministers, works with outreach and leadership development and helps initiate and administer mission trips.
Fun fact: Joe enjoys traveling and seeing other cultures and how they worship Christ.
Sean Johnson, Minister of Worship
Sean’s mother was teaching a child evangelism fellowship class in Dallas when he was 8 years old; he accepted Christ at that time. Sean studied music in school and has been mentored by composers. He also worked as a freelance assistant film composer and audio engineer in Los Angeles.
Sean is a worship leader for Sunday night and a band director for Sunday morning services. Sean and his wife Cate have three beautiful daughters that the Lord blessed them with through adoption: Ada, Nica and Evelyn.
Fun fact: Sean drives the un-restored 66 Chevy Malibu—you know the one.
Kim Larson, Minister of Evening Worship and Arts
Kim came to Christ at an early age and has been a follower of Him most all of her life. At 5 years old she sang Jesus Loves Me while playing a toy piano. Kim has led worship at various places in the Valley. She studied music education at Arizona State University and is a voracious reader.
She currently plans the evening worship services, leads the choir and the evening creative arts team. She is married to Jim and has seven children: Christopher, Anneliese, Jessica, Stephen, Ricky, Sattar and Sonny.
Fun fact: Kim has chickens in her backyard.
Steve Lee, Minister to Families with Special Needs
In the summer of 1984, a friend began to tell Steve about God: that He is Creator and Jesus is Savior. After many conversations, they prayed together and he accepted Christ. Before coming on staff at Scottsdale Bible he taught at the child development lab at Arizona State University. He has also taught child development and parenting at Phoenix College and worked in civil engineering for five years.
Steve earned his B.I.S. degree in interdisciplinary studies, physiology and child development from Arizona State University. Steve and his wife Jackie have been married more than 11 years and have six children—four from foster care.
Fun fact: in the past Steve worked as a private investigator.
Rance Meyers, Pastor of ACCESS Singles
Rance grew up in the church, but it wasn’t until he was 17 that he recognized a need for Christ in his life and invited Him to be his Savior. Rance has a B.S. in Psychology from ASU and his Master’s in Divinity from Phoenix Seminary. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at Phoenix Seminary.
Rance has provided leadership in a number of capacities at Scottsdale Bible, including students, young adults and families. His current responsibility is to the single ministry, providing shepherding, teaching, development of life groups and event planning. Rance and Kecia have been married since 2004 and have three daughters: April, Brooke and Skylar.
Fun fact: in college Rance built stained glass windows for the artist who created our Lobby and Chapel stained glass.
Bill Miller, Director of Marriage Ministry
Bill Miller accepted Christ in the eighth grade at a youth event. His professional career began in the Air Force as a Psychiatric Specialist, then 25 years of management and leadership positions in local, regional, corporate and ownership roles in the hotel industry.
Currently, Bill is the Director of the Marriage Ministry. Previously, he and his wife Susan volunteered in the Counseling and Marriage Ministry for 17 years. They taught marriage classes, led retreats and small groups and served on the Marriage Ministry Council. Bill served two terms as Scottsdale Bible elder. The Millers have been married for 41 years have a son and daughter and six grandchildren.
Fun fact: Of Wayne Lehsten’s 20 years on staff, Bill served 18 years with him in a lay leadership capacity.
Dave Otto, Minister of Spiritual Formation
Dave came to Christ in 1978 in Chicago. Prior to coming on staff at Scottsdale Bible, he headed up the IRS legal division in the southwest for 30 years, specializing in tax litigation. He is also a CPA, President of the Arizona Christian Foundation and board member of the Presidential Prayer Team. Dave’s BBA, MBA and JD were earned from the University of Wisconsin.
Dave heads up Spiritual Formation, working to encourage and enable adults to grow deeper in Christ through enrichment classes, marriage ministries, counseling, Class 100, Hearty Souls, financial ministry and support groups of all kinds. Dave served on our elder board twice. Dave and his wife Donna have one daughter, Anissa (Jason) and two grandchildren.
Fun fact: Dave reads hundreds of books each year.
Patrick Sullivan, Associate to Senior Pastor
Pat was 17 when he prayed to receive Christ. Pat served as Specialist Fourth Class, 82nd Airborne Division and later spent 12 years as Conference Services Manager at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in northern California. He received his Masters of Biblical Leadership from Phoenix Seminary.
On staff at Scottsdale Bible since 1990, Pat assists Jamie by returning phone calls, meeting personally with people and answering letters and emails. He also oversees the Timothy Leadership Training Ministry (leadership training program for young men) and is the Intern Coordinator, currently giving oversight to 8 interns. Pat takes special joy in serving our church family and local community by conducting weddings and funerals. Pat and his wife Sharon have two daughters—Holly (Umesh) and Shannon and one granddaughter.
Fun fact: Pat played little league with Kurt Russell and has a signed photo in his office.
Matt Suman, Minister to Grade School
Matt became a Christian when he was 6 at vacation Bible school. Before working at Scottsdale Bible he was a behavioral health technician at Arizona Baptist children’s services and Site Supervisor for the children’s programs at the YMCA. He received his B.S. in Communications from ASU.
Matt oversees the grade school and AWANA programs. He and his wife Rose have two children: Nathan and Madison.
Fun fact: Matt is a big-time college football fan.
Randy Walters, Pastor of Children and Students
Randy came to faith in Christ while at a high school winter camp. He moved to Arizona in 1989 from the Central Valley of California. Randy was first a volunteer for the Jr. High Staff and then came on staff 16 years ago. He earned his undergraduate in Biblical Studies from Arizona College of the Bible and his Masters in Biblical Leadership from Phoenix Seminary.
Currently Randy is using his teaching gift by mentoring his staff and interns, and uses discernment in his leadership decisions. He and his wife Tami met in high school and have been married 16 years. They have four children: Will, Sam, Emma and Annah.
Fun fact: Randy is an rabid San Francisco Giants fan.
David Walther, Pastor of Counseling Ministry
At the age of 27 David responded to the gospel message through the Holy Spirit’s irresistible grace at Scottsdale Bible Church. David previously worked in financial services from 1989–2000. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from Arizona State University, his M.A. in Counseling Psychology and Christian Studies from Norwich University and is currently pursing his Masters in Divinity in Biblical Communication at Phoenix Seminary.
David oversees the Stephen Ministry, provides mentoring for practicum students and gives overall leadership to the Counseling Ministry. He and his wife Sharon have two children: Simeon and Naomi.