Meet The Ministry Team
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Kris Swenson and Gayle Day were all too familiar with sex, drugs and rock and roll in the 60s and early 70s. He lived in Ohio, and she in Maryland. He had experienced the divorce of his parents. She had experienced one of her own. In Ohio He played in bands, while she dated band members and threw herself into rock concerts. After leaving Ohio to start over in Maryland, Kris allowed Jesus to take control of his life in 1975. As part of a prayer group, he began praying for the salvation of one of the member's sisters. She turned out to be his future wife. Kris and Gayle met the very night she confessed Jesus as her Savior. Since then, they have continued pressing on together, through the good and bad, to serve Him with a whole heart. Both Kris and Gayle are students and teachers of God's Word. Kris' musical background afforded him the opportunity to play and sing in praise bands, Christian rock bands, and a country gospel band. The Swensons are convinced that intimate relationship is the heart of God. Gayle was told that she would bring forth the songs of God's heartbeat. That became reality as she ministered her songs to audiences of one, as well as hundreds. As a psalmist, Gayle has been writing music for over 20 years. She and Kris have recorded several albums and her worship music is used in the US and Europe. She has also performed at Christian gatherings around the country. Gayle filled the position of local church music minister for some 20 years. During that time she realized that God's idea of true worship is to encounter Him, heart to heart. She believes that when we come into God's throne room in worship, we are inevitably changed. Gayle envisions healing and deliverance occurring during worship. She believes that the Church has experienced a revival of worship in recent years. And, while the importance of praise and worship has been realized by many leaders, not all saints have truly become worshippers that long for God Himself and not only the blessing He gives. She believes that praise and worship is not an entertaining, spectator sport intended to tantalize our emotions--but a means to usher us into fellowship with the King Himself! Along with itinerant ministry, Kris has held positions of youth pastor, men's fellowship leader, and associate pastor. Kris was called to "addict yourself to the ministry of the saints." He believes this call involves shining light on the truths of the Bible that set people free from stale religion, empty tradition, and dead works to serve a living God--and walking in the joy and freedom of God's Spirit that has come to abide in them. The Swensons believe that God's children are individuals, created to be only who God made them to be. As believers recognize who they are in Christ, walk in obedience to his Word, and move in the power of God, they can change the world. They believe that God's plans for His people are good. "Kris and Gayle live in Maryland with their adopted grand-cat, JT. Their son Jer also lives in Maryland with their grand-dog Armstrong. Their married daughter, Tamar, lives in California with their son-in-law Ryan and the Swenson's grand-cats, Max and Owen." Left to Right: Jer, Gayle, Tamar, Kris, and Ryan |
