Matt is an Elk Grove native and originally attended Creekside from the time he was in the nursery until graduating high school. After graduation he moved away to go to college at Azusa Pacific University and then began working in youth ministry in Branson, Missouri. He has worked in full-time ministry since 2013 and moved back home to join the staff team at Creekside in 2018. Matt got married in July 2020 and had his first son in July 2021, gladly adding to the up-and-coming COVID Boomer generation. Other than his little guy capturing much of my time, Matt loves anything outdoors! Biking, hiking, rock climbing, sports, you name it and he’s in! Matt’s favorite passage is: · Psalm 63:1-8 – God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Matt loves that this passage draws attention to our true and deep inner longing for our Creator while giving recognition to the reality that the Lords steadfast love is the greatest thing we can cling to in this life, He is our strength and in Him alone is true satisfaction

Andrew began attending and joined Creekside staff at the end of August in 2020, in the middle of our Covid year. After having gone to church since he was 6 years old and wearing out a lot of children’s workers and youth workers, he accepted Christ when he was 13 years old, just as he was going into high school. Before joining Creekside, he worked for two years as a Christian high school teacher and then as a global Outreach Coordinator. Andrew was born in San Francisco and grew up in the East Bay. He loves music (both listening to it and making it), films/movies, hiking, photography and videography, traveling (internationally, or even just a good road trip), and reading. Andrew is a huge Lord of the Rings fan, and also a Potterhead and a Star Wars geek. His life verse is:

· Acts 20:24 – But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Karen began attending Creekside and joined our staff in 2019. She accepted Christ when she was about 8 and started in full time ministry in 2003. A native Sacramentian, the farthest she has moved was 30 miles to Elk Grove. Karen enjoys Jeeping, the outdoors, photography and her dog ‘Spunk.’ Karen’s favorite verse is:

· Psalm 46:10 – Be Still and Know that He is God.

Nathan began attending Creekside in 2016 in during his first year of High school. He joined staff in spring of 2022. Nathan accepted Christ at the age of 9. He grew up in Elk Grove but once lived in Liberia for 6 months with his family on a long term mission trip. Some of Nathan’s favorite things volleyball and weight lifting. His favorite verse is Matthew 22:37-40

· Matthew 22:37-40: Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”