| We Look Forward To Serving You |
| I look forward to meeting you. |
| Pastor Kevin E. Ruffcorn pastorkevin@desertstreams-surprise.org |
| Like 99.9% of the people living in Arizona, I'm not from here. I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My wife, Faye, grew up on a farm near Petersburg, North Dakota. We've been married for 35 years "a big city kid and a farm gal" go figure! Two young men call us "mom" and "dad." Shane, who is just turning 33 this year, lives in Chandler, Arizona. 30 year-old Ryan lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife, Sarah. Previously, I've served congregations in North Dakota, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. |
| So that you know a little more about me, here are some of my likes, dislikes and accomplishments |
In 2002, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American
(ELCA) congregations in Sun City, Sun City West, and Sun
City Grand, realized that there was a need for a congregation
to be started in Surprise. This new congregation would focus
its ministry on the needs of Surprise's expanding, young
population. The Grand Canyon Synod and the Churchwide
office of the ELCA agreed. The Grand Canyon Synod asked
me to be the pastor/developer of the new congregation
called Desert Streams Church. Faye and I arrived in Surprise
on December 15, 2003.
I'm excited about developing this new congregation in
Surprise. My dream for Desert Streams Church is that God
moves in this congregation so that Prayer is more than "Now I
lay me down to sleep." Service is not work and motivated by
guilt, but inspired by passion because people are able to use
their unique talents to touch others in a positive manner.
Worship involves cutting edge praise songs rather than
funeral dirges and sermons motivate you rather than put you
to sleep,
Small groups are opportunities for people to do more than
just talk about the weather, shopping, or sports—times when
they can build deep friendships and together grow in their
faith,
Does this sound like something that might appeal to you? If it
does, come and check us out. Come and experience the
refreshing waters of Desert Streams Church.
(ELCA) congregations in Sun City, Sun City West, and Sun
City Grand, realized that there was a need for a congregation
to be started in Surprise. This new congregation would focus
its ministry on the needs of Surprise's expanding, young
population. The Grand Canyon Synod and the Churchwide
office of the ELCA agreed. The Grand Canyon Synod asked
me to be the pastor/developer of the new congregation
called Desert Streams Church. Faye and I arrived in Surprise
on December 15, 2003.
I'm excited about developing this new congregation in
Surprise. My dream for Desert Streams Church is that God
moves in this congregation so that Prayer is more than "Now I
lay me down to sleep." Service is not work and motivated by
guilt, but inspired by passion because people are able to use
their unique talents to touch others in a positive manner.
Worship involves cutting edge praise songs rather than
funeral dirges and sermons motivate you rather than put you
to sleep,
Small groups are opportunities for people to do more than
just talk about the weather, shopping, or sports—times when
they can build deep friendships and together grow in their
faith,
Does this sound like something that might appeal to you? If it
does, come and check us out. Come and experience the
refreshing waters of Desert Streams Church.
Greatest Accomplishments
(in order of importance)
(in order of importance)
- Being married and still deeply in love
for thirty-two years - Raising two fine sons
- Earning a doctorate (Doctor of
Ministry in Church Leadership) - Publishing five books--my novel
didn't make it on the New York
Times Best Seller list--not even close - Attaining a commercial pilots'
license with an instrument rating
even though I haven't flown for a few
years
Likes
- Sitting outside Starbucks sipping a
Grande Cappuccino Skinny while
enjoying the fresh air, sun, sounds,
and scenes - Reading a Grisham, Clancy, or
Baldacci novel - Chasing a little white ball through
the sand, in and out of the water, into
the trees and rough and rarely onto
the fairway of a golf course - Traveling and seeing new places
and meeting new people - Helping people grow in their
relationship with Jesus Christ
Dislikes
- Waiting at train crossings (being
stuck in traffic on Grand or Bell is
quickly replacing this dislike) - Dog droppings on the borders along
sidewalks - Reality TV
- Being told "You can't do that" or "It
won't work" - Know-it-alls
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