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Staff
Our staff works to oversee and implement the day-to-day, week-to-week ministry of the church. They would be glad to hear from you and answer any questions you may have! 
David Sherwood, Senior Pastor David grew up in New Jersey. He received his B.A. from Duke University (and remains an avid Duke basketball fan to this day) and his M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Having served as a senior pastor in Texas for fifteen years, he is thrilled to be back in the Northeast. David and his wife, Kim, live in Barrington and have four children: Jennifer, Emily, Katherine, and Ryan. In his spare time David likes to watch House M.D. and Lost, listen to Bruce Cockburn and The Derek Trucks Band, and fuss over Milo and Otis, a pair of old Mercedes diesels…unpersuasively trying to convince Kim that they were wise purchases. 
Eddie Park, Assistant Pastor for Campus Ministry Annie Park, RUF Staff Eddie grew up in New York (Long Island), though he has been in Providence for over ten years. He graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in Ancient Greek. He completed his M.Div. and Th.M. at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Annie grew up in Ocean City, New Jersey, and received her B.S. in Biology from the College of William and Mary. They met as staff in RUF at Brown and RISD, and tied the knot in May of 2007. They are coffee fanatics. In their free time, they enjoy taking long walks together. They also love going to the beach. Annie likes wading in the ocean, while Eddie works unceasingly to keep the sand off of his feet. 
Deborah Young, Administrative Assistant Deborah grew up in upstate New York. She graduated from Houghton College in 2005 with a double major in accounting and business administration. For three years she worked for the Navy at various stations in Philadelphia, Cleveland, Washington DC, Harrisburg, and Annapolis. She moved to Providence in 2008 with her husband, Stephen, when he began a PhD program in Religious Studies at Brown University. Stephen and Deborah are endlessly entertained by their two tabby cats, Apollo and Daphne. Deborah spends her spare time cooking, crafting, and cultivating an appreciation for televised sporting events. |
Chris Plante, Ministry Intern A native Rhode Islander, Chris Plante has over fifteen years of experience working with children and families, as well as community-development, in a variety of contexts and locations including inner-city Chicago, Providence, Central America, and East Africa. He is committed to reinforcing and protecting the historic institutions of marriage and family, and facilitating sustainable, grassroots development across Rhode Island’s communities. His experience includes social-work, classroom teaching, youth and family development, and pubic policy advocacy. A graduate of Bishop Hendricken High School and The King’s College, Chris has also been trained in Exegetical Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He has been married to Cynthia for 14 years and they have three children, ages 11, 9, and 7. 
Nathaniel Koliyah, Ministry Intern Nathaniel grew up in Liberia and immigrated into the US in 1994. He graduated from Roger Williams University in 1999 majoring in History and Paralegal Studies. He served in the US Army for eight years. Nathaniel is presently completing his Masters of Divinity with LAMP Theological Seminary. As he studies, Nathaniel serves as Athletic Director for a number of Catholic schools in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He enjoys watching football and Everybody Loves Raymond. 
Carol Mahla, Ministry and Education Coordinator Carol grew up in New York and attended Florida State University. Carol and her husband, Walt have spent most of their married life in New England. They have two sons, Tim and Matt. Having spent many years in the computer networking industry, Carol appreciates the opportunity to work for the church. She enjoys watching sports with the men in her life (even across the miles – the beauty of text messaging). |