Our Elders and Staff
Jeremiah York
Teaching and Discipleship Co-Pastor / Elder
The passion of my life is to love God and to love people for the glory of God. One of the central ways I desire to do this is through the faithful preaching of God’s word. I believe that when the Bible is clearly communicated, the Holy Spirit is at work. My wonderful wife, Heather, and I have been married since 2001. We have three beautiful children: Lily, Ellie, and Kyle. We have lived in various parts of the country but we especially love Tucson! I was in the Marine Corps for eight years before attending Moody Bible Institute, where I received my bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Studies. I then attended Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass., and received my Master of Divinity in 2011.
Steve Johnson
Elder/Student Ministries Director
My wife Annette and I have 9 kids, ranging in age from 16 years to 8 months old. They’re a fun bunch of basketball players who have been in church with us since birth. I love The Ridge Christian Fellowship and God’s people there. The opportunity to serve Him and those wonderful people is why I am honored and grateful to be an elder- especially during this time in which so much is happening in our church story. The Ridge is important to me because one can find Christ there. The teaching, fellowship, and mission-mindedness of the people truly are different from so many churches we have been a part of. These times have no room for casual churches. I am blessed to be the director of student ministries and also a part of the setup team. My favorite things to do are traveling with my family, coaching my kids in basketball, and watching movies with my wife.
Ryan Avery
Elder
My wife, Sally, and I have been married for 25 years, and we have two children, Eliza (21) and Sam (19). We have lived in several states throughout our marriage as part of my 26-year Air Force career. It was the Air Force that brought us to Tucson in August of 2021. Upon receiving my commission from the University of Oklahoma in 2003, I pursued and received my Masters degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2011. We have attended The Ridge since our move to Tucson, and we value the biblical teaching and love the people. I was saved in 6th grade while attending our home church in Gresham, Oregon (where Sally and I both grew up). To God’s glory and by His grace, I have walked closely with Him since that decision and have grown spiritually in my walk throughout the years. God is truly my focus and anchor, and keeping Him at the center has allowed me to joyfully walk through this rewarding and often difficult earthly life. I have been serving on the Security Team for the past three years, and I am honored to serve TRCF as an elder. I look forward to walking in faith alongside this congregation.
Stephen Disang
Elder
I am originally from Botswana, Africa, and came to the U.S. as a transfer student from the University of Botswana to Creighton University in Omaha, NE, in 1997. After graduation I enrolled in Creighton Medical Center to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, graduating in 2004. I moved to Arizona to work as a pharmacist for Walgreens and am currently a pharmacy manager for Walgreens. I was saved in February 1993, and with the zeal of a new Christian, I devoted my time to reading the Bible. As an undergraduate in a Catholic college, I was required to take courses in philosophy and theology. Tebbie and I will be married 22 years this June, and we are blessed with two daughters: Zaneta and Anneta. My family and I became members of The Ridge from its inception. I’m currently one of the facilitators in the Connections Class and am also one of the regular speakers at the Men’s Breakfast.
Staff
Jeremiah York
Teaching Pastor
Steve Johnson
Youth Director
Richard Parker
Tech Director
Lily York
Website Coordinator