| Your Council Officers |
President
Darrell Dierks
I was born in Iowa and moved to Arizona in 1985. I
served in the Navy and the Air Force. I am a
Registered Nurse with a Degree from ASU. I am
currently a home health nurse and a grad student
in business at ASU west. My wife Jill and I moved to
the west valley in 2002 and searched for a church
for about two years and found Desert Streams
from the ELCA website. We knew immediately we
had found our church home and have been as
active as possible ever since. We look forward to
many constructive years of service in our Surprise
community.
Darrell Dierks
I was born in Iowa and moved to Arizona in 1985. I
served in the Navy and the Air Force. I am a
Registered Nurse with a Degree from ASU. I am
currently a home health nurse and a grad student
in business at ASU west. My wife Jill and I moved to
the west valley in 2002 and searched for a church
for about two years and found Desert Streams
from the ELCA website. We knew immediately we
had found our church home and have been as
active as possible ever since. We look forward to
many constructive years of service in our Surprise
community.
Secretary
Betty (Elizabeth) Brunson
I was born in Northeastern Ohio. I received
my Masters in Library Science from Case
Western University and worked for several
years as a Bookmobile and then as a
Reference Librarian. I temporarily retired to
raise my family. When my husband took an
early retirement, I returned to work as the
Director of my home town library. After a 31
year career I finally retired in 2006 and
decided to follow my son out to Phoenix.
After settling in Surprise, I spent several
months looking for a church home. Desert
Streams ended my search. Here I can grow
spiritually, share in Christian fellowship, and
help others serve the Lord.
Betty (Elizabeth) Brunson
I was born in Northeastern Ohio. I received
my Masters in Library Science from Case
Western University and worked for several
years as a Bookmobile and then as a
Reference Librarian. I temporarily retired to
raise my family. When my husband took an
early retirement, I returned to work as the
Director of my home town library. After a 31
year career I finally retired in 2006 and
decided to follow my son out to Phoenix.
After settling in Surprise, I spent several
months looking for a church home. Desert
Streams ended my search. Here I can grow
spiritually, share in Christian fellowship, and
help others serve the Lord.
Vice-President
Tony De la Torry
Tony life's journey has included time as a
Franciscan monk, a Dental Corpsman in the
Navy, close to 3 decades in Fish & Wildlife
Enforcement work, teaching, marriage &
helping raise 6 kids, & ELCA lay ministry work.
Passions include my wife Camille, whom I am
blessed beyond my merits to wake up each
morning with my best friend lying next to me,
family, creative writing, stained glass, music &
drama, fishing, gardening, hiking & walking,
traveling & exploring, cooking, & unfortunately,
eating.
Tony De la Torry
Tony life's journey has included time as a
Franciscan monk, a Dental Corpsman in the
Navy, close to 3 decades in Fish & Wildlife
Enforcement work, teaching, marriage &
helping raise 6 kids, & ELCA lay ministry work.
Passions include my wife Camille, whom I am
blessed beyond my merits to wake up each
morning with my best friend lying next to me,
family, creative writing, stained glass, music &
drama, fishing, gardening, hiking & walking,
traveling & exploring, cooking, & unfortunately,
eating.
Treasurer
Bill Rouch
I am an Arizona native (yes we really do exist!)
married to my lovely wife Brenda Anne, and
the father of four children with two wonderful
grandchildren. I am a graduate of the
University of Arizona and am currently
employed with Sears Holding Corp. My fervent
belief is that my life stay God centered, for He
alone is the wellspring for all the joyous and
wonderful things that have been granted to me
in this life. I too have found a church home at
Desert Streams. What a privilege it is to serve
this congregation and in turn this community of
believers to the glory of our great God.
Bill Rouch
I am an Arizona native (yes we really do exist!)
married to my lovely wife Brenda Anne, and
the father of four children with two wonderful
grandchildren. I am a graduate of the
University of Arizona and am currently
employed with Sears Holding Corp. My fervent
belief is that my life stay God centered, for He
alone is the wellspring for all the joyous and
wonderful things that have been granted to me
in this life. I too have found a church home at
Desert Streams. What a privilege it is to serve
this congregation and in turn this community of
believers to the glory of our great God.
Congregational Life
Kelly Suckow
I think of Desert Streams Church as an extension
of my family. A place where there is support and a
whole lot of love for God. I also believe that our
pray team is very strong and I am personally proud
to be a part of which miracles have come true and
prayers have been answered.
Kelly Suckow
I think of Desert Streams Church as an extension
of my family. A place where there is support and a
whole lot of love for God. I also believe that our
pray team is very strong and I am personally proud
to be a part of which miracles have come true and
prayers have been answered.
Ministry & Outreach
Sandra Spurlock
I like Desert Streams because
Desert Streams has provided me the opportunity
to be a part of a mission, startup church. Being a
member of Desert Stream’s Church council and
the active participant in the Sunday 8:30 AM
service has allowed me to grow both spiritually
and personally.
I have changed. My future has become brighter
and healthier. My goal is to retire some day and
actually serve as a missionary. I have much to
learn. I couldn’t do it without Desert Streams and
the support I receive from our church family.
Sandra Spurlock
I like Desert Streams because
Desert Streams has provided me the opportunity
to be a part of a mission, startup church. Being a
member of Desert Stream’s Church council and
the active participant in the Sunday 8:30 AM
service has allowed me to grow both spiritually
and personally.
I have changed. My future has become brighter
and healthier. My goal is to retire some day and
actually serve as a missionary. I have much to
learn. I couldn’t do it without Desert Streams and
the support I receive from our church family.
Discipleship
Barbara Harmonson
Jim and I moved to Arizona from northeastern
Nevada in 1984 and I love it. My parents and
some family lived here and since we needed a
milder climate we chose to try this one. I was an
assistant director at the Department of
Education and later taught at Western Sky
Middle School in Litchfield. We moved to
Surprise in 1997. It had taken us a while to find
a new church home with the warmth and grace
of our one in Nevada. We found it with Desert
Streams this last year. The Desert Streams'
community has been warm and welcoming both
individually and spirituality.
Barbara Harmonson
Jim and I moved to Arizona from northeastern
Nevada in 1984 and I love it. My parents and
some family lived here and since we needed a
milder climate we chose to try this one. I was an
assistant director at the Department of
Education and later taught at Western Sky
Middle School in Litchfield. We moved to
Surprise in 1997. It had taken us a while to find
a new church home with the warmth and grace
of our one in Nevada. We found it with Desert
Streams this last year. The Desert Streams'
community has been warm and welcoming both
individually and spirituality.
Worship
Traci Sawyer- Sinkbeil
My husband Bryan and I made our home in
Surprise March 2003. We, along with our son
Alexander became a part of Desert Streams in
2006 and enjoy the fellowship that this
congregation brings. I currently work for the
Tolleson Elementary School District as their
Specialist of Human Resources and hold an MBA
from Ottawa University. For many years I have
been heavily involved in dramatic productions
serving as dramatic director, stage director,
assistant production director under the Worship
& Lively Arts Minister. Having served on
numerous worship teams for many years, even
on teams during mission trips to Panama & Cuba
has instilled a sense of peace and
understanding. I firmly believe music through
worship is the soul of the church and I welcome
the opportunity to serve as your Worship Council
Member.
Traci Sawyer- Sinkbeil
My husband Bryan and I made our home in
Surprise March 2003. We, along with our son
Alexander became a part of Desert Streams in
2006 and enjoy the fellowship that this
congregation brings. I currently work for the
Tolleson Elementary School District as their
Specialist of Human Resources and hold an MBA
from Ottawa University. For many years I have
been heavily involved in dramatic productions
serving as dramatic director, stage director,
assistant production director under the Worship
& Lively Arts Minister. Having served on
numerous worship teams for many years, even
on teams during mission trips to Panama & Cuba
has instilled a sense of peace and
understanding. I firmly believe music through
worship is the soul of the church and I welcome
the opportunity to serve as your Worship Council
Member.
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Building and Grounds
Joe Madero
I was born in New York, then moved with my
family to Connecticut in 1984. In 1990 I
retired from the NY Sanitation Dept, started a
new career and then in 2006, retired from the
Stratford Board of Education as Head
Custodian of the local high school. My wife,
Lynn, and I moved to Surprise in July 2006.
While Lynn was setting up house before our
move, Pastor Kevin rang our doorbell and the
rest is history. We enjoy being an active part
in our church family.
Joe Madero
I was born in New York, then moved with my
family to Connecticut in 1984. In 1990 I
retired from the NY Sanitation Dept, started a
new career and then in 2006, retired from the
Stratford Board of Education as Head
Custodian of the local high school. My wife,
Lynn, and I moved to Surprise in July 2006.
While Lynn was setting up house before our
move, Pastor Kevin rang our doorbell and the
rest is history. We enjoy being an active part
in our church family.
