Our Pastors and Directors
 

Dr. Rick Efird - Lead Pastor
rick.efird@desertsprings.com In 1970 I left my family and friends in North Carolina for a westward journey that would change my life. The most important event along the way was meeting a beautiful Tennessean named Emily who became my wife in 1973. Emily is truly my best friend and life-partner. God has also given us two wonderful sons. Robb is an honors graduate of Arizona State University who works for a private urban planning firm in San Diego, CA. Samuel also graduated with honors from the University of Arizona with a degree in Business Finance and Entrepreneurship. He is working in Washington, DC for a senator and volunteers time with junior high students at Falls Creek Church. Emily enjoys working in real estate and leading women's Bible studies. Arizona has been our home since 1978. While Emily and I appreciate the advantages of living in a major metropolitan area, we frequently leave the city behind to admire the awesome Arizona scenery from hiking trails or from the comfort of our 4WD vehicle. I find spending time in the outdoors hunting, fishing or playing golf to be both challenging and relaxing. Most of all, we love the relationships that we have formed over the years here. I derive great pleasure from teaching God's Word and watching how He transforms lives in the process. Because I desire to be increasingly effective in teaching biblical wisdom, caring for people and leading the church, I have pursued a variety of degrees: a Bachelors degree in Biology, a Masters degree in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Phoenix Seminary. I continue to be amazed at how much more there is to learn about God, about people and about how we relate to Him and one another.	Hometown: Kannapolis, NC Spouse's name/where you met: Emily, met in Dayton, Tennessee Hero: My dad Favorite Pastime: Outdoor sports (hunting, fishing, golf) Favorite Movies: Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, Chariots of Fire Favorite Books / Authors:  Gordon MacDonald (Ordering Your Private World); Stephen Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People); Ken Gire (Intimate Moments with the Savior & Windows of the Soul); Brennan Manning (Abba's Child & Ruthless Trust); Philip Yancey (What's So Amazing About Grace & The Jesus I Never Knew); John Eldredge (Wild at Heart); Chuck Colson (Loving God), Dr. Larry Crabb. Favorite Band: Chicago Favorite Sports Team: Phoenix Suns
Robert Dawson -  Associate Pastor
robert.dawson@desertsprings.com I am currently serving as Associate Pastor here at DSBC. I was born and raised in Texas, attending Texas City High School where I met my wife Rosanne, whom I married in September 1970. She has faithfully followed me in my career as it took us to Denver, back to Texas, to Minneapolis/St. Paul, to Phoenix in 1990, to Zurich, Switzerland for 5 years and back to Phoenix in 2000. We have one son, Andrew, who is 30 years old and teaches sixth grade in the Paradise Valley School District. He is married to Shannon and we have two beautiful granddaughters, Emma Rose and Hayden Nicole. 11 years ago I would have said you were crazy if you had even suggested that I would be attending church in 2006, much less actually be a pastor. I came to know Christ here at Desert Springs in 1995. Through a remarkable series of circumstances (you might call them miracles), highlighted by my service at the International Protestant Church of Zurich, I felt the Lord calling me to His service. Upon our return to Phoenix, I left my career (not entirely voluntarily) of 23 years as an Avionics Specialist with Honeywell and began attending Phoenix Seminary full time in September 2001. I graduated with my Master of Divinity degree in April of 2004. Circumstances seem to have placed me here at Desert Springs at that time to assist in a process of change that was then taking place. I am excited to serve with Rick, our other pastors and directors, our staff , with our elders, and with you the congregation as we discover what God has in store for us here at Desert Springs Bible Church.	Hometown: Born in Jacksonville, Texas; Raised in Texas City, Texas Spouse's name & where you met: Rosanne. We met at Texas City High School (yes we were High School sweethearts) Hero: Mr. Renfro, High School Music Director Favorite Past-time: Reading Movie that has made a big impact on your life: A Beautiful Mind Book that has made a big impact on your life: Mauve Gloves & Madmen, Clutter & Vine, Still Life With Woodpecker Favorite Band: Pink Floyd Favorite Sports Team: Dallas Cowboys
Danny Hunkin - Pastor of Worship and Arts
danny.hunkin@desertsprings.com I have lived in the valley for over 30 years and have been singing and ministering for just as long. I graduated from Southwestern College with my undergraduate degree in Christian Ministries. I've been married for over 10 years to my best friend and wife, Jenny, and we have two adorable children: our daughter Kendall, and son Jacob. I love to encourage and lead God's people in responsive worship of Him. I desire to provide music that softens the hearts of the congregation, touches their emotions, and prepares them to receive God's Word. As a member of the staff and team at Desert Springs Bible, I eagerly anticipate the moving and maturing of God's people through this ministry.	Hometown: Born in Pago Pago, American Samoa; raised in Phoenix, AZ Spouse's name & where we met: Jenny -- we met through the College/Career ministry of Scottsdale Baptist Church. Hero: Dave Anderson - pastor of Faith Community Church, Texas Favorite pastime: golf, hunting, fishing Favorite Movies: Saving Private Ryan, Road to Perdition, Gladiator, Braveheart, The Kid, Forest Gump Book that has made a big impact on my life: Maximum Joy -Anderson; What's So Amazing About Grace -Yancey; Gates of Fire -Pressfield; Devil's Guard -Elford; Wild at Heart -Eldridge Favorite bands: Big Daddy Weave, Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Brooklyn Tabernacle, Chris Tomlin Favorite sports team:US Ryder Cup, Manu Samoa
Bradley Reith - Pastor of Student Ministries
bradley.reith@desertsprings.com I came to the valley in July of 2005 after sensing God's call to go back into youth ministry after serving in a "college pastor" type role back in my hometown of Cincinnati OH. I providentially stumbled into a relationship with God back in the early 90's when the Christian subculture that we live in (and consequently I serve in) was just getting founded. I found myself eventually plugged into a growing youth ministry under a great youth pastor who had a monumental impact on my life. I guess that's why most of us who are youth pastors go into youth ministry. After I graduated High School I got my undergrad from Cincinnati Christian University. While there I met my wife as I was volunteering with Campus Crusade for Christ. We married in 1995 and have three wonderful children (Savannah 5, Camden 2, and Madeline 1).	Spouse's name & where you met: Jamie and we met while volunteering in Campus Crusade for Christ Hero: Mark Driscoll Favorite Pastime: Shooting guns with my friends Movie that has made a big impact on your life: Braveheart Book that has made a big impact on your life: Wild at Heart by John Elderedge Favorite Band: Jack Johnson Favorite Sports Team: Cincinnati Bengal's
Gwen Bailey - Preschool & Kindergarten Director
gwen.bailey@desertsprings.com I am a mid west girl born and raised in central IL, Peoria to be exact. I graduated from Lincoln Christian College with my BA in Early Childhood Education. The Lord opened my eyes and heart to a ministry of teaching. He also at this time lead me to Phoenix and to Desert Springs Christian Preschool in the fall of 2003. I am really blessed to have the chance to work with His little ones. The best part about my job is sharing Christ's love with children and their families!	Hometown: Peoria, IL Hero: My Mom Favorite Pastime: Painting, Shopping, and Traveling Favorite Bands: John mayer, old school Jars of Clay Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Cubs
Scott Waitt - Director of Facilities
scottwaitt@desertsprings.com After spending my childhood in the beautiful state of Hawaii (and yes I surfed and did all the cool things you can do there) and after my second year at the University of Hawaii I moved back to Tucson AZ. There I found someone that made A great mixed doubles partner in tennis who became my partner in life. Debbie has been such A blessing in my life. My sisters would tell you that she saved me I don't know if that is true but Debbie certainly gave me A new purpose. We were marred in 1986. We now have two awesome kids Jordan is our teenage daughter and Chase is our son is in elementary school. We spend most of our “free time" running from one event to another and love every minute of it. We have been attending Desert springs since 1995 and what A blessing it has been for our family.	Hometown: Laupahoehoe Hawaii Spouse's name & where you met: Debbie, Tucson Az. Hero: Pat Tillman Favorite Pastime: I love being outdoors Movie that has made a big impact on your life: Braveheart, Last of the Mohicans, Napoleon Dynamite. Books that have made a impact on your life: Wild at Heart, The Purpose Driven Life, Blue like Jazz, Velvet Elvis Favorite Band: The Beatles Favorite Sports Team: AZ Thunder { Jordan's Basketball team } The Storm { Chases baseball team } and of course the Super Bowl champions Pittsburg Steelers.
Caleb Campbell -  Associate Pastor
caleb.campbell@desertsprings.com I was born and raised in Phoenix most of my life (I lived in Dallas for a few years. Just enough time to see the Cowboys win 3 super bowls). After High School I worked at a local company for a few years and then developed my own marketing solutions firm.   It was during that transition that I felt God's call on my life to become a pastor and I've followed that call since then. Being a phoenix native, I have lived in almost all corners of the valley (Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Waddell, Scottsdale, and now N. Phoenix). I have also seen it double in size over the last decade. I have a great desire to see a gospel movement in the valley of the sun. I have been a part of Desert Springs since 2002. It was here that I met my wife, Loredana. We were married November 5th, 2005 and Its been a fun ride since then. She is the love of my life. I look forward to seeing how God uses Desert Springs to reach North Phoenix for His purposes and glory.	Hometown: Phoenix, AZ Spouse's name & where you met: Loredana; we met in Phoenix Hero: Pat Tillman Favorite Pastimes:  Camping, Offroading, Hunting & Football Movies that have made a big impact on my life: Braveheart, Crash, Hotel Rwanda, American History X, Saving Private Ryan Book that has made a big impact on my life: Blue like Jazz ( Miller), Radical Reformission (Driscoll), The Reason for God (Tim Keller), [re]understanding prayer (Kyle Lake), Lectures to my Students (C.H. Spurgeon), Favorite Bands: Muse, Mute Math, RadioHead, Days of the New Favorite Sports Team: Dallas Cowboys
Carol Shoemaker -  Interim Director of Children's Ministry
carol.shoemaker@desertsprings.com I am very blessed to have been raised in a loving Christian home and accepted Jesus as my personal savior at age 4. Church was a vital part of my family’s life. My parents met a family at church that had kids similar in age and they also enjoyed being with. They were the Shoemaker’s! Needless to say, Dan and I grew up together and later became high school sweethearts. We have been married for 21 years and I’m blessed to say, he is not only my husband but my best friend. Our first 10 years of marriage Dan and I enjoyed travel and pursuing our careers. I had the pleasure of working in management for both Kemper Insurance and General Electric. God opened many opportunities which stretched and challenged me personally and professionally. Then God answered many years of prayers and waiting by giving us two boys. During the boys preschool years I worked part time at our church as an administrative assistant. I enjoyed using the gifts and talents the Lord gave me for His Honor & Glory and saw that some of my corporate experience had a significant impact in that position. Time has gone quickly and Gabriel & Brandan are now elementary age and keep Dan and me very active. Now I’m living the phrase…..”kids keep you young!” I never thought I would climb a mountain, shoot an air soft gun or give skate boarding a try. In 2005 Dan & I felt the call to move to Arizona. We didn’t know why, and honestly I wasn’t up for the change since we were surrounded by 30 immediate family members all living within 15 miles of each other. Family has been such a big part of our lives and we wanted that for our boys. So I tried to ignore the calling and basically put my fingers in my ears. Then God spoke louder to me through circumstances and made it very clear to me that I was being disobedient. I claimed to pray for wisdom and direction for our family’s future, but when He gave it to me, I decided to do my own thing and make my own decisions. So I had to repent to the Lord and to Dan regarding my disobedience. So in late February 2006, we put our home up for sale as an act of obedience. We were told that our home wouldn’t sell for at least 8 months and we would probably have to come down in price. Four days later we received an offer on our home, for the price we wanted, no contingencies and needed to be out in 30 days. God gave us clear direction and now was the time for us as a couple to act in obedience and move to Arizona without having jobs. We arrived on Easter Sunday, 2006 and started attending Desert Springs the following month. We were so grateful that our kids found a church within our community that they felt comfortable with, considering all the changes they too went through. Early in 2007, I began working here at Desert Springs in Children’s Ministry. It has truly been a gift from God. There is no greater joy for me than to share with children God’s love and to introduce them to a relationship with Jesus. It is also a great blessing to see these kids “grow-up” in their person and their walk with Jesus. We’re so fortunate to have a great team of volunteers within Children’s Ministry that serve so faithfully and have a passion for the Lord and love for teaching children.	Hometown: Chicago. IL Spouse's name & where you met: Dan and I grew up at the same church. We met when he was 6 & I was 3. Hero: My Mom Favorite Pastimes:  Date Nights w/ Dan and family movie nights Movies that have made a big impact on my life: The Ultimate Gift, Return to Me, Miracle on 34th Street Book that has made a big impact on my life: 3:16 (Max Lucado) Traveling Light (Max Lucado) If you want to Walk on Water You’ve got to get out of the Boat (John Ortberg). Favorite Bands: Casting Crowns & Watermark Favorite Sports Team: Paradise Valley North Little League - Braves