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Sam Barber, Executive Director Finance/GO Group Point Leader
I am one of those folks who was born and reared in the beautiful state of Utah. Raised in a wonderful Italian family with three other brothers in the small town of Orem, I was able to play lots of sports such as high school baseball and basketball. After attending the University of Utah from 1968-1972, I entered the business environment. Here, I worked for several companies in the retail automobile business for 10 years before my brother and I opened our own car dealership in 1981. Later, we opened several other dealerships with our other two brothers and all four of us have now been partners for many years without thrashing each other (yet).
- Sam joined the staff at Washington Heights in 1997 as the director of the Men’s Ministry team. After 10 years in Men’s Ministry, he and a fantastic team were tasked with establishing small groups here at the Church. GO Groups are now interwoven into the fabric of Washington Heights.
- Sam and his wife Shari have four grown children and live in an empty nest in beautiful Morgan County, except when granddaughter Aliya comes to visit.
- Sam is an avid fly fisher, snowboarder, mountain biker, airplane pilot. He enjoys just about anything else that relates to the mountains or Shari.
Charles Green, Worship Pastor
I grew up here at Washington Heights when the church averaged around only 90 people on a Sunday. I came to believe in Christ early on but over the years a subtle shift began to take place in my life. While at the U of U, studying trumpet performance, I began to crave the ‘high’ of the musical experience, which definitely impacted my relationship with Jesus. Near the end of my time at the University, I felt God nudging me to use music to encourage others in their walk with Jesus by serving in a church.
Today, my passion is helping people experience authentic prayer and worship with Jesus while also encouraging them to worship God all throughout the week—not just on Sundays. We worship God with all that we are and all that we do, not just with our voices or instruments. Worship doesn’t always include music. It’s about giving God the praise He is due, no matter what we are doing.
- Charles received his Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Utah and a Master Degree in Leadership from Denver Seminary.
- Charles and Kim were married in 1995. They have two daughters, Emma & Joy.
- Previous ministry experience after the U of U and prior to return to Washington Heights includes serving in these areas: Wheaton, Illinois; Moline, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; and Oskaloosa, Iowa.
- He enjoys fishing, reading, camping, riding his scooter and relaxing with the family.
If you would like to contact Charles, please contact his assistant Terry Hampton at charles.g@theheightscommunity.org
Roy Gruber, Lead Pastor
I was born and raised in northern New Jersey. I grew up attending church, but it was just something I did and something I planned to give up once I was old enough to make my own decisions about church. God changed that when I was 16 as He made Himself real, personal and extended His grace to me. As I experienced God, Jesus became more than a name, and His death on the cross was not only something to be known but embraced personally.
This experience impacted me to have a great passion and deep conviction to share God’s desire for a relationship with all people, whether those folks have never attended a church or grew up in one. This experience also helped me realize that church is not for the purpose of “going through the motions” or merely being spiritual but rather it is about the thrill-ride that is the love and the power of God that transforms lives, families and communities.
- Roy received a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Literature from Northeastern Bible College and a Master’s Degree from Biblical Theological Seminary.
- Roy married out of his league in 1988 to Sally. They have two children: Chelsey and Ryan.
- He enjoys snowboarding, coaching youth soccer and running and hopes to one day run the Boston Marathon.
If you would like to contact Roy, please contact his assistant Michel Vigil at michel.v@theheightscommunity.org
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Tammy Higginson, Executive Director/Children
I’m a Utah native and grew up in a loving home--the youngest of five children. To me, God was always someone far away who had a big book of all the things I had done in it, the good and the bad. No matter what I did and how hard I tried, it never seemed like it was enough. After the suicide of my brother, I longed for peace for both me and my family, but nothing seemed to bring it. Years later, still trying to be good enough, yet continuing to fail, God finally brought me to His Biblical message of Jesus Christ through my children.
Along with that gift, Jesus also gave me a tremendous passion for children and families. This passion was so real that it led me to leave my former career behind and spend the next ten years working in administration at a local Christian school. As I look back now, God seemed to be training me for the next adventure which was coming to Washington Heights in 2006 as the Children’s Ministry Director. I truly believe that I have the best job in the world!
- Tammy is married to a wonderful man Bruce, and has two children, Parry and Hanna, who have been a part of WHC for the past 20 years.
- She Loves: Jesus, her family, her friends, all children, biking, traveling, reading and being a kid at heart!
If you would like to contact Tammy, please contact her assistant Angie Mood at angie.m@theheightscommunity.org
Chad Holladay, Student Pastor, Grades 6-8
I’m a native to Colorado but with a Utah heritage. I would have to say that I spent much of my early life trying to please people and resisting God. My journey with Jesus began as a sophomore in high school when God got my attention through a car accident. After the accident, I began attending youth group, and it was there that I grew in my love for God. A year later, I began to wonder if God wanted me to become a youth pastor. “Nah.” I knew I loved God and had a strong desire to share His grace, hope and love that He has for teenagers, yet I explored every other avenue I could think of to avoid the conflict that was rising within me.
While in seminary, my love for God and reaching out to teenagers deepened, yet the conflict remained. After finishing seminary, God led me to Utah where I eventually found my place as the junior high pastor at Washington Heights. I love Jesus, working with middle school students, their families, and adult volunteers! I finally came to a place in my life where I stopped resisting God, and now I am extremely grateful for the life He has given me.
- Chad met his amazing wife Tami while at seminary, but resisted his feelings initially. She wanted to go to Australia and he wanted to stay in Colorado. Ask him about the golf ball.... God had better plans. Chad and his bride have two amazing daughters, Leah and Bethany.
- Chad loves his family, especially wrestling, coloring, and playing games. He’s a loyal fan of the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Avalanche (that’s hockey). He also enjoys disc golf, reading, and getting alone with God in the wild.
- Chad earned a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Anatomy and Neurobiology at Colorado State University and a M.A. in Counseling from Denver Seminary.
- Chad thinks resisting God's plan is the dumbest thing a human can do.
If you would like to contact Chad, please contact his assistant Angie Mood at angie.m@theheightscommunity.org
Allison Martin, Women’s Director
When I was old enough to understand my name meant "Little Truthful One," I quickly realized that I didn’t always live up to my name. When I was younger, God knew I was playing "hide-n-seek," trying unsuccessfully to hide my faults and failings from God and others. I thought this would help me to be more accepted. I believed the lie that if others knew who I REALLY was inside, no one would ever truly love me and certainly no one would want to marry me. However, when I made my decision to follow Jesus as a junior-high student, God has patiently renewed my mind over many years through the power of His Spirit and His Word.
- Allison got started in Women's Ministries by volunteering in a variety of positions, then "interning" under the previous director of WM at Washington Heights. 2010 marks her tenth year as Director of Women's Ministries.
- Allison is married to Guy, who knows her well after 25 years and loves her anyway. Together they have two college-aged sons, Kyle and Corey. They moved to Utah in 1993 from California.
- She earned a B.S. in Environmental Biology from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo and has done some post grad work at UC Irvine.
- She is recharged by all kinds of outdoor activities and thinks that almost everything is more fun when done with friends. She enjoys snowboarding, scuba diving, hiking, reading and gardening.
If you would like to contact Allison, please email her assistant Pam Sams at pam.s@theheightscommunity.org
Benjer McVeigh, Student Pastor, Grades 9-12
I was born in Iowa and raised in Colorado. In fact, I spent most of my middle school and high school years wandering the beautiful Colorado Mountains. Being curious about my best friend’s faith, I started attending church services and an InterVarsity Bible study during my first semester in college. During that semester, I encountered Jesus and trusted in Him for the first time. This experience has given me a passion for sharing Christ with people who do not yet know Him, especially teenagers. I know firsthand that through Jesus our deepest needs are met.
- Benjer is married to Jennifer, the best companion for the Journey he could ever ask for. They met working together with youth and fell in love while leading a ministry to young adults in south Denver. Together they have two beautiful daughters, Bethany and Samantha.
- Benjer received a bachelor’s degree from Colorado College studying mathematics, and a master of divinity degree from Denver Seminary with an emphasis in youth ministry. He loves spending time with his family, playing the piano, reading, and coaching youth sports.
If you would like to contact Benjer, please contact his assistant Angie Mood at angie.m@theheightscommunity.org
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Pablo Morales, Hispanic Pastor (Nuevas Alturas)
My name is Pablo Morales. I was born in Guaymas, Mexico and grew up in a family of five brothers and two sisters that didn’t know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Instead, we were raised in the traditional religious values of the predominant religion. At an early age I witnessed domestic violence on the part of my father toward my mother. Eventually my mother divorced him and she raised all of us as a single mother. When I turned 16 my father passed away due to alcohol abuse. My life became meaningless and empty and as a result I made some mistakes. When I turned 19, I moved to California, by myself, trying to find meaning, fulfillment and healing for my pain. I never imagined what God had in store for my life.
- God has honored me with a wonderful wife Christina Morales, to whom I have been married for 19 years.
- God has also given me four wonderful children: Bianca (17), Jessica (15), Rebecca (10) and Pablo Junior, a seven year old.
- God has blessed me not only with the call to love and serve him with all my heart but also with a family that loves and follows Him.
If you would like to contact Pablo, please contact his assistant Lupe Toca at lupe.t@theheightscommunity.org
Jimi Pitts, Connection and Mission Pastor
Hi I’m Jimi. Where did I grow up? Well that’s a loaded question since I moved from one coast to the other during the first 18 years of life; from California to North Carolina feeling like a gypsy not sure where to plant my feet. It was during my families’ earlier gypsy travels that God chased me into His arms. As a young boy I found myself in a hospital for over a month in traction, due to a car accident. It was here that I truly began to live life with meaning and purpose. . .
So how did I end up in Utah? Family. I moved to Utah in 1991 and have been here ever since. By God’s grace I’ve been a part of the Washington Heights for 15 years in various roles and positions. At Washington Heights, I have experienced true community and church family.
- I’ve had the great opportunity to “marry up” to my beautiful wife Shelby and we have three beautiful daughters; Tessa, Ariel, and Talia.
- My favorite place to travel – the place I haven’t been
- Most exotic foods I’ve eaten – bat, tarantula, dog, rotten fish soup and blended cow
- My hobbies – hanging out with my wife, kids, and hiking
- My passions – God, the lost and the poor
If you would like to contact Jimi, please contact his assistant Jan Bowser at jan.b@theheightscommunity.org
Mac Smith, InterVarsity Pastor
I grew up in the in the cold, rainy climate of western Washington. After growing up in church for 17 years and hearing 100's of sermons, I made the statement that I would never go to church again. However, what finally drew me to Jesus was a group of people at a Christian summer camp that genuinely loved God and authentically shared their lives with me. However, it was the youth pastor, Tim Vincent, that had the greatest impact on my life. Not only did Tim lead me in a prayer during that time to receive Christ, but over the years, he would baptize and continue to disciple me. It was through his influence that the Lord called me into full time ministry.
- Amy and I have two boys: Gabe & Hudson.
- Mac is the Dodge ball king and has won many trophies.
If you would like to contact Mac, please contact his assistant Pam Sams at pam.s@theheightscommunity.org
