We are a non-denominational Christian church that believes in gospel-centered ministry. We are called to love God and people because God first loved us. The grace of God is what drives all of our ministries. Small groups, Youth Ministry, Bible studies, Women’s and Men’s ministries, and other gatherings take place during the week in members’ homes. We are a Body of Christ including all ages and backgrounds; everyone is welcome!
About
We Believe:
The Holy Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative written Word of God (2 Tim 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21).
There is one living and true God who eternally exists in three persons as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19, 2 Cor 13:14, 1 Cor 8:6, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1, Heb 1:8-10, Acts 5:3-4, John 20:26-31).
In the deity of Jesus Christ (Col 2:9-10).
That Jesus was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Matt 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38).
That Jesus lived a sinless life (Heb 4:14-15, 2 Cor 5:17-21).
That Jesus performed miracles (John 2:7-11, Matt 14:15-21, Matt 14:25, Matt 15:32-38, John 11:43-44).
That Jesus’ death on the cross was substitutionary and atoning for all through His shed blood (Rom 3:21-26, I John 2:1-2, I John 4:9-10).
That Jesus’ crucified body was resurrected from the dead (Luke 24:6-7, Acts 2:23-24, Acts 3:14-15, Acts 10:39-41, Acts 13:29-30, Rom 1:4).
That Jesus ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, Acts 1:9, Heb 4:14, I Peter 3:22).
That Jesus will personally return with power and great glory (Matt 24:29-30, Matt 26:64, Luke 21:27, Acts 1:11, Heb 9:28).
All mankind inherits a depraved nature and consists of lost sinners in need of salvation (Rom 3:9-19, Rom 3:23, Eph 2:1-3).
God has provided salvation through offering His Son on the cross of Calvary and allowing Jesus’ blood to be shed as an atonement for the sins of all who believe (Matt 26:28, Rom 3:20-25, Rom 5:10-12, Eph 1:7, Col 1:14, 1 John 1:7, Rev 1:5).
That lost and sinful man is saved and justified when he admits himself to be a sinner and puts his trust in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and in His finished work on the cross of Calvary. This trust is accompanied by repentance from sin and regeneration of the Holy Spirit (Luke 13:3, 5, Rom 3:24, Rom 4:4-8, Eph 2:8-10, Titus 2:11-14, Titus 3:5-7, 2 Cor 5:17, Acts 2:38).
That saved man is set free from the power of sin by the grace of God (John 8:34-36, Rom 6:6-7, 11-14, Rom 8:2-4).
In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy and Godly life (Jer 31:31-34, Ezek 36:27, 1 John 2:27, Acts 1:8, 1 John 5:6, Neh 9:20, Luke 12:12, John 14:26, 1 Cor 2:13, John 16:13).
In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost–they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation (Dan 12:1-2, Acts 24:15).
In the spiritual unity of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 4:3-4, 13, Phil 2:1-2, 1 Cor 12:13).
Leadership at The Ridge Christian Fellowship has two full-time co-pastors, John Kinder (Worship and Administration) and Jeremiah York (Teaching and Discipleship). Our Elder Board consists of both co-pastors and several elected elders– Steve Backenkeller, Dave Bowen, Monty Kugler, Brandt McFarlin, and Daniel Powell. Individual ministry leaders’ names and contact information can be found on each ministry’s page. We enjoy 360-degree accountability and communication, so please ask your questions of anyone on our team.
Jeremiah York
Teaching and Discipleship Co-Pastor
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 strive to be clear, practical and biblical in my teaching. 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 and they thoroughly enjoy attending Pusch Ridge Christian Academy.
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. I was pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Talbot School of Theology but I have put that on hold in order to focus on my children. I hope to return to the Doctorate program sometime down the road.
Favorite Activities: I love hanging out with my family and volunteering at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy as an assistant cross country and track coach.
Favorite Books of This Year: The Doctrines of Grace by James Boice and Philip Ryken; Faultlines by Voddie Baucham and Providence by John Piper
Favorite Movies: Lord of the Rings
Favorite Food: Ribeye Steak
John Kinder
Worship and Administration Co-Pastor
My love for God and music has led me to dedicate my life to serving the body of Christ. My passion for ministry will always include a sense of urgency to abandoning ourselves in the presence of the Lord and to seeing what God can do when we let go. My musical preference is contemporary worship, though I enjoy mixing the old with the new in order to meet the needs of a wider audience. My background in business and construction has given me the opportunity recently to reach one of my life-long goals by helping to build a church. God is so good.
As a pastor, my hope and desire is to minister to the body of Christ along with growing in my own personal faith. I, like many of you, need spiritual consistency in my walk with the Lord, and I hope that we can make that journey together as brothers and sisters in Christ. As God has instructed us, we are to love Him and to love one another. That is my primary focus. I invite you to join me as we seek Him, find Him, and develop a level of accountability in our pursuit of a Christ-centered life. I feel it is an honor to serve God and the church, and I would not want to do anything else.
Lots of Love – Pastor John
Steve Johnson
Student Ministries Director
My wife Annette and I have been married for 15 years and have 8 kids: Hannah, Luke, Andrew, Dave, Katherine, Mary, Caroline, and Nate. I was raised in a local Christian home and was baptized at a young age. As an adult, I dove into apologetics—learning why I believed what I did and why that was correct.
I served in ministry a dozen years before my family and I joined The Ridge in 2017. Hearing Pastor Jeremiah’s heart and philosophy convinced me this was where God was calling my family to worship and serve. This has been the most meaningful season in ministry I’ve ever experienced. Ridge families and students are unlike any other group! I’m entirely honored to help serve the people of The Ridge, and I’m excited to see what God has in store.
I enjoy coaching my kids in basketball, watching movies with Annette, helping produce the Practical Youth Pastor podcast, collecting retro video games, and cheering for Cleveland sports teams with my kids.