Tony, our Lead Pastor, started our church in the summer of 2006 with a team of 13 people who moved to Lafayette from Champaign, IL. He has been married to his wife, Sarah, since 2002 and they have five kids, Raya, Brooks, Max, Jude, and Phoebe.
Before he became a pastor, he was planning on becoming a Tropical Biologist and spent several months living and doing research in the jungles of Latin America. Tony enjoys backpacking, fishing for smallmouth bass in the creeks around Lafayette, reading pop-science books and rooting for the Chicago Bears (even though he lives in Colts Country now). Tony’s responsibilities at Clear River include teaching, leader development and overseeing other pastors and staff.
Zach, originally from Middlebury, IN, graduated from Purdue University in 2008 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
After spending 4 months working for Caterpillar in Lafayette, he gave up his life as an engineer to come on staff as a pastor at Clear River Church. Zach oversees several part-time staff and interns as well as Wednesday night Discipleship Community. Zach spends much of his time losing at games to his wife Emi, knocking down walls in his house (literally), and eating his wife's amazing culinary creations.
In 2004, Kurt, born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana, managed to escape from IU country to pursue a degree in PE & Health at Purdue University.
Kurt originally had dreams of being a teacher and high school football coach, but upon graduating from college in 2009, he was brought on staff at Clear River as a Pastoral Assistant. Since then he has become one of our Staff Pastors and currently oversees our Small Group system, Prayer Team, Bag Hunger program, and Tuesday night Discipleship Community. Kurt and his wife Karissa were married in October of 2010 and enjoy spending time hanging out with people and are avid gamers (board games, that is).
Alan, originally from Taiwan, moved to the United States at the age of 13 and attended high school in Greenwood, just outside of Indianapolis.
He graduated from Purdue University in 2008 with a degree in mechanical engineering and worked as an IT Analyst before being brought on staff at Clear River Church as a Staff Pastor. Alan is responsible for overseeing several of our Sunday morning service teams, events, facility, office administration and Thursday night Discipleship Community. Alan has been married to his beautiful wife, Marissa, since 2010, he is an amazing cook (he makes the best fried rice in town), and he has a man-crush on Kobe Bryant from the L.A. Lakers.
Zach grew up in Avon, IN and was brought to West Lafayette to attend Purdue University. He graduated in 2010 with a degree in Agronomy.
After two and half years of working for Monsanto as both a Seed Salesman and Agronomist, Zach gave up his agriculture life to come on board at Clear River. Zach is responsible for overseeing many Sunday serving teams, facility, prayer team,some special events, and “maker of the coffee” through the week at Clear River. Zach spends his free time fishing and hunting, but mostly enjoys hanging out with his beautiful wife Katie and their son Knox.
Lee was raised in northeast Kansas and eventually made his way to Purdue University where he received a degree in Computer Graphics Technology.
After graduating, Lee ran a Life Sciences 3D animation company for over 6 years. Lee was brought on staff at Clear River in 2010 and now is in charge of anything technology or graphics related. At the end of the day Lee heads home to spend time with his wonderful wife Tiffany. In his spare time he likes to talk to his computers. He has named all 6 of them.
Leah, originally from northern Indiana, came to Lafayette to attend Purdue University. After graduating from Purdue in 2009, Leah married her husband Gabe.
They felt that God asked them to stay in Lafayette for Clear River, so they've been here ever since. Leah's main responsibilities on staff include developing women leaders and helping with food and decorations for church events. In her free time, Leah enjoys taking care of her new baby girl Hannah, being crafty, and sewing.
Heather was on the path to becoming an elementary school teacher, when God stopped her in her tracks to oversee our kid's church program.
Her responsibilities include training teachers and helpers, overseeing Sunday morning Kids’ Church services, and making sure our kids learn about Jesus in a fun and relevant way. Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, Tom, and their little girl, Ruthy, crocheting and going on walks.
Chad has lived in Lafayette nearly his entire life. He was pursuing a career in restaurant management while working at Olive Garden when he was asked to come on staff as Worship Leader at Clear River.
Along with leading the worship team, he is also a small group leader. He and his wife Stacey were married in October of 2011. When he’s not spending time with Stacey and their dog Samson, he enjoys watching or playing sports.
Kalli grew up in the “middle of nowhere” near Lafayette, IN, and after graduating from Purdue University in 2012 with a math degree, she spent the summer applying for finance-related jobs, or any job really.
After finally receiving her first job interview from Purdue, she was simultaneously asked to come on staff part-time as the bookkeeper and asked to bake part-time for The Dessert Bar, LLC. Her main responsibilities at the church include bookkeeping and office administration. When she isn’t crunching numbers and baking, Kalli enjoys hanging out with her husband Ryan, hiking, running, crocheting, and drinking good coffee.
