our TEAM

Our staff team is comprised of pastors, directors and ministry assistants who desire to ignite a passion to follow Jesus.  The following concepts guide our staff:

  • Values – keep our Core Values the foundation of our ministry
  • Excellence – honor God through excellence & being good stewards of resources
  • Team – maintain a environment of trust, encouragement, accountability & mission

 

Dr. Mark Hale, lead Pastor

As the Lead Pastor, Dr. Mark Hale serves as the primary teacher on Sunday mornings.  Pastor Mark is a 22 year ministry veteran who is passionate about God, family, and the church.  Growing up outside Detroit, Michigan, Mark, his parents and three older brothers became true followers of Christ in 1986.  That conversion was followed by God calling Mark into full-time ministry.  Mark followed that call and prepared for ministry by attending Olivet Nazarene University, Asbury Theological Seminary and completing a Doctorate at Nova Southeastern University.  Mark married his college sweetheart, Lisa, and they have shared their life together for the past 22 years.  Four children make the Hale home complete!

 

Brian Fuller, Worship Pastor

The Bible has a lot to say about music, and Brian’s role is to lead the church’s worship of God in a way that matches the character of God.  Back in high school, Brian felt a call into ministry, particularly Youth Ministry.  So Brian attended MidAmerica Nazarene University and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Youth and Family Ministry with a minor in Music.  It was there he met Krisha and discovered their true passion was worship and music.  Brian and Krisha have been married for 10 years and have four amazing children to add joy to their already wonderful life.

 

Becky Corsar, lead children’s director

Becky has a deep passion for God and Children…the perfect match for Thrive’s Kid’s Matter Ministry Director.  In addition to being a full-time mother of two children, Becky leads the coordination and oversees the Children’s ministry programs.  She graduated from Henderson State University with a Bachelors in Human Services and a Masters in Clinical Counseling.  Becky & Michael met and were married while still in college.  After 18 years, they are still fully devoted to each other and to the ministry of serving God.

 

 

Jen Gemmill, Children’s director

Jen is one of our very talented Children’s Directors.  She was born and raised in Whitehall, Michigan a small town minutes away from Lake Michigan.  Having grown up in a christian home, Jen was involved in her  church’s children ministries & youth group.  Jen’s favorite verse which help’s her get though life’s ups and downs is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and  not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Not only is she a wife and mother of two, but she  also works at Alru Hospital’s Interventional Radiology department, loves Thrive & the opportunity she  has there to serve the Lord.

 

Lea Duckstad, Children’s director

Lea grew up in central Wisconsin and moved to this area for an interpreting job in 1997. Currently, she works full time as a sign language interpreter in the Stephen-Argyle School District. She gets a lot of quiet time with the Lord as she commutes to her job daily. In the evenings, she works part-time as a Third Party/Medical Billing Coordinator for 14 school districts. She is married to Jared and has three children, Cassi, Nate, and Joella. After searching for a church home for many years, Lea knew Thrive was the place where she could fit in and be used by the Lord for his purpose.

 

Terra Phelps, youth director

Terra Phelps has a passion to serve the youth at Thrive Community Church!  When she was in 9th grade she began attending a youth group that changed her life forever.  Ever since then, Terra has had a desire to be someone God uses to reach teens.  Her goal is to create an atmosphere were teens can come and just be themselves.  She loves to help teens grow into a faith that will be life changing for them.  Terra is married to her best friend Bryan Phelps.  They have three amazing children: Parker, Lilah, and Collin.

 

 

Jered Lease, business administrator

Jered Lease grew up in Columbia River Gorge located along the border of Oregon and Washington. It was ultimately his passion for aviation and the flight school at the University of North Dakota which brought him to Grand Forks. While attending college he met his wife Tara and were married in 2005. Today, Jered is a dedicated husband and father of two young and energetic boys. He primarily works as a Lecturer of flight theory at the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace at UND. By God’s grace and direction, he uses his talents for business and administration to assist the church stay organized and financially stable.