Teri, though born and raised in the Midwest, always knew she was destined to be a Texan. That, however, does not negate her fierce loyalty to the University of Missouri (Mizzou) Tigers! She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Design, Merchandising and Management from the school of Home Economics at Mizzou.
Teri met her husband, Kevin, her freshman year of college, and the rest is history. They have three children: two sons in college, and a daughter in high school.
Teri enjoys boating with family and friends, hanging out with her girlfriends, and bringing about change. She loves cowboy boots, her two dogs, and doing ministry.
Kristen Dark is an award-winning producer who specializes in high definition. A member of the Consumer Electronics Association's Academy of Digital Pioneers and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, she has produced a wide variety of productions including: documentaries, commercials, media tours, live concerts, live sports and promotional spots for technology companies.
She grew up in Georgetown, TX and is a graduate of Baylor University. She's wife to HD Pioneer, Randall Dark and mom to a feisty Jack Russell Terrier named Beans. A passionate Dallas Cowboys fan, Kristen spends the NFL season talking smack with her 2 younger brothers and finely tuning her Fantasy Football team.
My name is Andrew Dyrhood. The last name is pronounced "deer-hood"....it's tough I know. I'm from Fayetteville, Arkansas, home of the Razorbacks. Go Hogs! I was born and raised there by an incredible Mom and Dad who had a deep desire to see their kid's (three of us) have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. My dad led me to the Lord at a young age. Through my cell group leader in high school, along with many strong friends I learned what it meant to walk with Christ daily and have a passion to see his will done in my life. Through the years I spent a lot of time traveling the nation wakeboarding. In 2007 I was brought to wakeboard camp to help out! The Lord set it on my heart to be apart of wakeboard camp, so in spring of 2008 I moved down! I was plugged in quickly here at the church with Broadcast 6.8. My goal is to see our students first, fall in love with Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It is the most important place to start before anything else and is strongly backed all throughout scripture; Mathew 22:37, Ephesians 3:17-19, John 21:15-17. I'm excited to be apart of everything going on here! All students can come to the middle school building to challenge me in a game of Mario Kart...You will lose!
Jen was born in Canada yet grew up in Illinois. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education (Illinois State University) and a Master's Degree in Instructional Systems Design (Florida State University). She taught elementary school in Tallahassee, FL and then moved on to designing corporate training programs for Motorola in Schaumburg, IL and Austin, TX. Jen and her husband, Greg, moved to Austin in 1996 to begin their family and call Texas home. They have two teenage children, Dana and Mitchell, who both love to play basketball.
Jen loves working at SonShine School and calls it "the best job ever!" She loves ministering to the children, their parents and the SonShine School staff each and every day.
Marilyn and her family are transplanted Dallasites -- and glad they are! They arrived in Austin in 1993 and joined The Ridge shortly thereafter. She served in women's ministry for over 10 years before God led her to The Ridge Staff as Women's Ministry Director in 2006. Marilyn has a heart for working with women, and loves helping them find a place in the church where they can serve and lead. She and her husband, Will, both grew up in Garland and have three wonderful children: Preston and his wife Lauren who live in Lindale and Mason who lives in New York City. Marilyn, formerly a food editor for Southern Living magazine, enjoys cooking and having people into her home, walking at Town Lake, and traveling.
Mike was born and raised in Florida. He attended Florida State University and Reformed Theological Seminary. He married a Georgian named Lauren who is a wardrobe consultant and personal shopper. They have boy/girl twins named Jack & Lily. Mike has an over obsession with FSU football and enjoys live music, anything caffeinated, and admits to watching way too much educational and documentary television.
Born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, Emily never imagined herself living in Texas After 18 years of playing in the cornfields, she moved to Minnesota where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Christian Education from Crown College. One year later, she had this crazy notion to move to Texas.
In 2008 Emily moved to Fredericksburg, TX and worked at a church as the Director of Children's Ministry. She is excited to be part of the Children's Ministry team at Austin Ridge. She has a passion to see kids come to know the Lord as their Savior and to help them grow in their relationship with Christ.
Emily enjoys hanging out with friends, laughing as much as possible, and cannot survive the day without her coffee.
Scott came to the Ridge in July of 2007 to help guide the IT needs and support the ministries in utilizing technologies more effectively. Scott met his wife Tiffany while completing a B.B.A at Baylor University. They have two kids, Michael & Macie who are now in high school and middle school.
Besides working on computers, Scott also loves mountain hiking, wood working, riding ATV's, BBQ, Mexican food, western movies, reading non-fiction stuff, horses and old cars.
Dean was born in South Dakota an Air Force kid. After seeing the world growing up and finally calling Colorado home, he ended up in Chicago for college at Moody Bible Institute and then the American Conservatory of Music earning his BM and MM degrees. Since the mid-'90s he has been a professional video content creative doing editing and motion graphics in the corporate, broadcast and non-profit settings. He is also a composer/orchestrator for the film industry and has been active as a studio and live keyboard player. Dean has two married sons and is a grandpa.
"For the unsaved, sorrow is the fundamental and joy the peripheral, but for the believer in Christ, joy is the fundamental and sorrow the peripheral..."
_Ravi Zacharias quoting Chesterton, 1993_
Bobby and his amazing wife, Jamie, come from the beautiful land of Nelly, Imo's Pizza, the Cardinals, and the world famous St. Louis Arch. Having graduated from Southwest Baptist University with a degree in Church Ministry in '06, Bobby served as Student Minister at a couple of churches in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois. With a wide-array of experiences from working in a church setting to being a Mad Scientist and also working at an oil well, God brought the two of them to Austin Ridge, where Bobby serves as the Children's Ministry Creative Director. He has a heart for God, kids, theater, music, art, and that people may know truly know the love of Christ!
During his time outside of work, he enjoys being with Jamie, eating, sleeping, reading, speaking in the third person, drinking his milk with ice cubes (don't hate), watching too much tv, visiting family, and playing a mean air guitar/Rockband/instruments that aren't real. Bobby and Jamie are both very excited to be here and to see all the great things God has in store for The Ridge and Austin area!
Michael was born and raised in Austin and came back here as quickly as he could. He attended and graduated from Baylor University in 2008 with a Theatre Performance degree with a minor in entertainment marketing and immediately moved to Nashville to work in the music industry. After a short time of working at a record label, he spent a few months on the road managing bands. Michael has wonderful parents and two older brothers...yes, the youngest kids are always the favorite! Michael is very excited to be working here at Austin Ridge and looks forward to seeing what God has in store for Broadcast Student Ministry and the church!
Amy is originally from Texas and received her BBA from Baylor in Management Information Systems. She met her husband, Grant here in the youth group back when the Ridge was Westlake Bible Church. They have been married for 13 years and have 3 amazing children ages 9, 7 and 4. In between running a busy household, Amy enjoys dates with her husband, Bible Study, spending time with her girl friends, and doing just about anything with her kids when they are having fun. She loves Mexican food, a quiet house before anyone wakes up in the morning, jeans, cowboy boots and college football.
Originally from a Llano cattle ranch, Josh made his way to Texas A&M where he met his beautiful wife Sheryl and obtained a Degree in Agricultural Development. After college he attended Tommy Nelson's Discipleship Program at Denton Bible Church. In May of 2006 he joined the staff at Austin Ridge Bible Church. He and Sheryl have one daughter Sophie Kate and another little girl on the way! He enjoys hunting, fishing, mountain biking, snowboarding--pretty much anything fun outdoors.
As technical Director of Austin Ridge, Jeff oversees all technical aspects, including audio, lighting, and video. He is blessed to be leading a talented group of volunteers.
Jeff feels that God blessed him at birth by making him a Native Texan. He was born in Dallas and has traveled all over this great state. He and his fantastic wife Dana settled in Austin in 1993, where they added two more Native Texans, Milo and Davis. After spending most of his years pursuing fame and fortune as a "rock and roll sound guy", he finally found his fortune in serving the Lord through using his gifts and talents in the building of God's Kingdom.
Jeff's interests include being with his family, 4X4's, coffee in the Rockies, crunchy guitars, and Sunday afternoons on the couch watching football or NASCAR!!
Though a Texas native, Eddie has lived in numerous places across the country--right now he lives on a hill. He is bald and the lover of one Lindy Michelle. Together they have 2 beautiful daughters. Kadison will most likely turn the world upside down with her pen. She will stand up for right and bring down injustice and do it all with a sweet French accent. Karissa will most likely change the world with her laugh and do whatever sounds fun at the time. Lindy (eternally 28) loves canoeing, painting, hugs, Kadison, Karissa, helping those that need helping, her Granny, creating, and photography. Eddie loves being close to Lindy, being a dad, and hanging out with other bald musicians and worship leaders. Sometimes he sings and plays guitar.
Mark was born and raised in Houston TX, but has always dreamed of being an Austinite. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University, spent four years on staff with the high school ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ in Florida, then moved back to Houston to serve on staff at his home church as the Student Pastor. He believes the next generation has massive potential to impact this world for Christ and considers it a great privilege to be a part of their development. He loves (in no particular order) almost any sport, movies, live music, steak, macaroni, nachos, mountains, kayaking, his wife Megan, his French bulldog, and Texas high school football.