our team

*Not pictured are the hundreds of church members who make excellent ministry happen each week. But, for what it's worth (and we think they're worth a lot!), this our staff ...

LEAD PASTOR

Neal vannatta

neal@ridgecrest.org


Neal was born and raised in Florida. After high school he attended the University of Central Florida, earning a Bachelor of Science in Social Science Education. Neal met his wife, Laura, at UCF where they were married in 2004. Upon graduation, he studied at Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he received a Master of Divinity with emphasis in Biblical Languages. After seminary, Neal served as a Youth Pastor at two churches in Georgia and Florida. And, in 2017, Ridgecrest called Neal to be our Lead Pastor.  Neal and Laura have four sons, Joshua, Gideon, Caleb, and Micah. 

Connections & Administration minister

Jake Lynch

jake@ridgecrest.org


Jake grew up in a small town in Kentucky.  He is a graduate of Sullivan University (Associates of Business Admin. & Accounting), Boyce Bible College (B.S. in Christian Education) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A.C.E.).  Jake has served at churches in Kentucky and Indiana.  In 2021, Jake was called to serve on staff at Ridgecrest as the Minister of Connections and Administration.  Jake met and married his wife Alicia in 2006, while serving at a church in Kentucky.  Jake and Alicia have two boys, Trindon and Aiden.


Children's Director Amy Garibaldi

amy@ridgecrest.org


Amy is a native St. Louisiana who loves toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake and the only real type of pizza - St. Louis style thin crust.  And to answer your question, she went to Affton High School.  Go Cougars!  As a teenager, Amy began volunteering in children's ministry in a variety of different roles, continuing into adulthood.  In 2015 she was called to serve on staff at her church, and she has been following God's leading to reach children with the Gospel wherever He leads.  It is truly her heart's desire to reach children throughout our community and around the world so that they may know Jesus and His amazing love for them.  Since 1996, Amy has been married to Chad whom she has known since the fourth grade.  God has blessed them with two amazing children, Ethan and Meghan, as well as THE CUTEST mini Yorkshire Terrier, Felix.

 

Music & Worship Minister

Could this picture be you?  

We are looking for a Music & Worship Minister for Ridgecrest.

Click HERE for the full description of the position.

Submit your application HERE.

  • admin. assistant

    jackie dalton

    jd@ridgecrest.org

    Type the content for this list item here. This is just example text to show you what it will look like when you enter text content into this list item. Your unique, authentic, and appropriate text will be filled into this section.

  • Bookkeeper

    Laura Connelly

    laurac@ridgecrest.org

    Type the content for this list item here. This is just example text to show you what it will look like when you enter text content into this list item. Your unique, authentic, and appropriate text will be filled into this section.

  • facilities manager

    ralph mapes

    INFO@RIDGECREST.ORG

    Type the content for this list item here. This is just example text to show you what it will look like when you enter text content into this list item. Your unique, authentic, and appropriate text will be filled into this section.