Our Staff David Bittinger Lead Pastor Dr. David Bittinger and his wife, Liz were installed as Lead Pastor of Montgomery Assembly of God in October 2010. They come to us after 28 years of successful ministry in Kent, OH. Pastor Dave earned his doctorate degree in Ministry in Organizational Leadership from the Assembly of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, MO and a master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. His ordination is with the Ohio District of the Assembly of God. Community involvement is very important to Pastor Dave. He served for 11 years as Police Chaplain for the Kent Police Department and chaplain for the high school football team. He has been an active member of many civic organizations. As a gifted public speaker and vocalist, he has been an emcee, soloist, and spokesman for many events ranging from Christian TV talk show host for 10 years, Memorial Day ceremony—soloist, and Ohio House of Representative invocation presenter. His wife, Liz is a licensed clinical counselor with the state of Ohio and previously ran her own private practice. She has been a frequent speaker for women and girl’s events. Liz is fluent in Spanish language having been raised in Mexico as a daughter of a missionary. They have three adult children who live in various parts of the country and have three grandsons. Pastor Dave & Liz Bittinger’s greatest desire is RELATIONSHIP: CONNECTING WITH GOD AND PEOPLE! (513) 793-6169 Jeff Ferrell Youth and Young Adults Pastor Pastor Jeff's journey with Montgomery Assembly of God began many years ago when attended the church as a child. Between the times he left as a teenager to move with his family to the Carolinas, God has been developing Pastor Jeff to lead the youth and young adults at our church. After receiving a call to the ministry at age 18, Jeff has pursued his calling through his education and experience for over 15 years. Jeff married his wife, Carrie, 15 years ago and they have been blessed with four children: Caleb (13), Caleigh (11), Caedmon (9), and Collen (7). Carrie has been activately involved in ministry for the last 15 years as well serving as Christian Education Director, Children's Ministry Coordinator, Children's Choir Director, and a number of other ministries in the local church. "We are excited to be here and cannot wait to see what God is going to do with this Chosen Generation here at Montgomery Assembly of God." (513) 793-6169 Carmen Gratsch Worship Arts Director (513) 793-6169 Courtnell Francois Associate Pastor Pastor Courtnell has been with Montgomery since 1999 and is currently the chairman of the board for FOCAS Ministries. His desire is, "to see the church grow and people's lives get to the place God would have them to be to bring them to their full potential in the Lord". He has a degree in theology and has worked in various positions since 1998 including elementary school teaching for three years, but has been active in full-time ministry since 1973. His extensive experience coupled with his manifold gifts in missions, evangelism, exhorting and encouraging, makes Pastor Courtnell an ideal associate pastor. Pastor Courtnell has been married to his sweetheart, Ann Marie, since 1974 and has been blessed with four adult children and one grandchild. They are natives of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies, but have lived in America since 1978. In his down time, Pastor Courtnell enjoys bowling and watching game shows. (513) 793-6169 Craig Gabbard Worship Leader Craig Gabbard has been with Montgomery since 1993, but has been leading worship in services since he was 17 years old. Craig currently studies at Northern Kentucky in business law and music. He has also written and produced several recordings which have charted nationally. Craig says, "It is a blessing to work with such gifted and talented people at Montgomery Assembly of God. I look forward to what God will do in the future." What does that future hold? Craig's heart is "to develop worship that would facilitate revival not only in our church but in the lives of all who attend services." Craig and his wife, Melissa, were married in 1982 and have been blessed with 6 children. In his spare time he enjoys working on remodeling his home and spending quality time with his family. (513) 793-6169