green’s farms church staff

Rev. Jeffrey Rider can hardly believe he’s been building churches for people who don’t go to church for 35 years! Since graduating from Yale Divinity School, Jeff enjoys working with faithful folk who think and worship outside of the box, finding unique solutions that breathe life into the local church. Assembling teams is his passion, as are discovering faith through service, and growing the next generation of church leaders. Immersive domestic and international mission trips with youth and adults help him get out of his box and re-experience Jesus’ radical call to love one another.

When he’s not at work, you can find Jeff walking his black lab, Ida, sipping coffee (black), taking photos, grilling, or best of all, heading to the golf course for a moment of Zen. Adult children are more fun than he ever imagined possible, and he and his wife, Lynn, are grateful beyond measure for their three, Abby, Cal and Jack.

LaQruishia Gill began her Pastoral Residency at GFC in August 2023, after having served on the GFC program staff for 10 years. She has a breadth of ministry experience that includes people of all ages in a variety of contexts in and beyond the church. In addition to her pastoral work, LaQruishia also leads worship, sings in a band, plays the french horn, and does a lot of other things potentially poorly in her spare time. A graduate of Yale Divinity School, LaQruishia is passionate about sharing Christian history and expanding biblical literacy for Christians of any age or stage.

Wes has always called Westport home, having spent his entire childhood and school years here. He's a familiar face at GFC, growing up within its walls and now, in his third year, leading our middle and high school youth groups. It's a role he understands well, being an alumnus of the program himself.

When he's not at church, Wes can often be found in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes, strumming his guitar, or singing a tune. He's also currently pursuing a master's degree in Sustainable Food Systems at the Culinary Institute of America. Don't hesitate to say hi if you see Wes at the church or around town!

John enthusiastically joined the team at Green’s Farms Church in the summer of 2023. On many occasions, he has been heard saying that he “belongs here.” Following a professional life that includes legislative development and communication in the NY State Senate, decades of sales and marketing leadership with some of the largest consumer goods companies in the world, ownership of an historic small business in his home county of upstate New York, and most recently, non-profit development in Connecticut, John will help lead Green’s Farms Church through the many new and exciting chapters that lie ahead. In leading the day-to-day business of Green’s Farms Church as Director of Operations, John calls on his background in team leadership, business process, and operations to drive key initiatives at the church and in our communities.

Apart from the church, John loves anything and everything sports. Running the stadium stairs at the local high school, working around his yard in Weston, and of course playing with his English Bulldog Scarlett, are his quiet times. Family is the center and joy of his life, with adult children Emily and Connor, and his life partner Emily, at the forefront.

Shaun officially joined the staff at Green’s Farms Church in the fall of 2023. Not only does Shaun maintain our facilites both inside and out, he is the point person for setting up our many spaces used by outside community groups for meetings and events. Always wearing a smile, Shaun has been a great addition to our staff, while establishing himself as a relied upon resource for our outside groups.

When not at Green’s Farms Church, Shaun enjoys time with his partner Brandy and their daughter Shyne. He has also found time to create a non-profit organization that supports inner-city youths in the greater NYC area.

EmmaRae Carroll, A Kansas City native, is a graduate of Yale, Andover Newton Seminary, and the Institute of Sacred Music. Born and raised an evangelical in the Midwest, EmmaRae is a glad convert to the Northeast and the congregational church life. She loves the community here at GFC, where she is involved with various comings and goings around church, including women’s ministry, service planning, prayer writing, and youth group, among others. Together with her husband Zak, they have two beautiful children—Aurora, who celebrated her first heavenly birthday in February, and Griffin, who loves saying hello to everyone.

In her free time, she enjoys board games, knitting, and walking around her East Rock neighborhood in New Haven.

Dylan Sauerwald is a distinctive keyboardist and conductor. He has been praised for his “fleet fingers” and “sophisticated playing,” (Capriccio), and as a conductor, his performances have been called “extraordinary” (OperaWire), and “refined” (Boston Globe). You can hear Dylan’s playing in several commercial recordings, and in the BBC historical drama Poldark. He is passionate about teaching and sharing his love of music with students, colleagues, and audiences. He is best known as an interpreter of baroque and classical music, but he’s also been seen playing piano or cajón with the Green’s Farms Praise Band from time to time.

Outside of music, Dylan loves to cook, especially traditional and historical dishes of southern Europe. He is a devoted practitioner of Aikido, a hockey fan (sometimes a player as well), and a keen hiker and camper. He and his wife, Jennifer, live in Norwalk.

Alison has been going to Green’s Farms Church since she was a toddler. Growing up in the church she has become an avid member and now co-leads the Middle School Youth Group (MSYG) and the High School Youth Group, Icthus, both of which she participated in when she was a child. She is dedicated to nurturing and mentoring GFC’s youth, hoping to facilitate their growth in faith, their community and in themselves. Spear heading Mission Trips over the summer, leading thoughtful discussion and playing games is what keeps GFC’s youth coming back and, in all honesty, Alison as well!

In her free time Alison hangs out with her family, also members at GFC, and goes on hikes with her two super cute (and sorta smelly) springer spaniels! Alison works full time at Bigelow Tea running their social media, as well as runs her own social media business. Make sure you say hi to her the next time you see her, she’d love to chat!

Martha has been on staff of the GFC Operations team for over two years, assuming the role of Treasurer in the past year. Much of her experience has been in the fields of corporate accounting and database management, as well as electronic filling processes with private consulting organizations. Genuine, dependable, sharp, and committed are some of the adjectives we use to describe Martha as she plays a pivotal role in managing the finances of Green’s Farms Church.

When the pandemic struck, leading to to a loss of employment, Martha was hopeful of landing a role that mirrored her volunteer work at her home church. Fast forward a bit and we had the good fortune to have her land here! Martha feels that she’s where God meant her to be - part of a wonderful community!

A Fairfield resident for most of her adult life, Martha is married and the mother of 3 adult children. When not at the church, she enjoys reading, sewing and baking.

Zak is a native Missourian who followed his ministerial calling (and more importantly, his wife!) in 2019 and migrated to Connecticut for Divinity school. Though he studied politics in undergraduate, Zak grew up in the church and has been an active member of Baptist and Congregational churches for his whole life. A graduate of Yale Divinity School and Andover Newton Seminary, he focused on Patristic theology (with an eye to the Cappadocians) and homiletics during his time at Yale. From youth group assistant to a multi-year Raymond Preaching Fellow out of the Congregational Church of New Canaan, Zak has had a bit of experience with a variety of roles in his years of ministry.

When not in church, Zak enjoys grabbing a cup of coffee and jamming out to the latest Taylor Swift album. He and his wife EmmaRae, are board game enthusiasts, and they have a prolific collection that they play until either their baby boy, Griffin, or one of their two cats manages to playfully destroy the game board. He is always open to a lunch or coffee to discuss faith, religion, or merely what's going on in your life!

Kristian Rose brings deep faith and passion to his role as Praise Leader, and a demonstrated ability to connect with the congregation. His singing is as heartfelt and inspiring as it is confident and skillful. He is a gifted music leader whose ministry invites each of us, singers and instrumentalists alike, to find our own voice and join the praise. Kristian is a blessing to our community and the music ministry at GFC.

Kristian Rose grew up in Harlem NY, part of a very musical family. He spent his childhood singing in many local gospel choirs and groups. For most of his adult life he has lead Christian houses of worship in praise. There is almost nothing he enjoys doing more.

When Kristian is not leading praise music on Sundays he is spending time with his wife and kids and teaching mathematics to 7th and 8th graders.

Allen is our Consulting Theologian. On trips to Westport and from a Zooming distance, he preaches, teaches, facilitates courageous conversations, and helps mentor our Pastoral Residents. After a Ph.D. from Yale University in New Testament studies, Allen has for three decades guided learners through scripture in academic circles (St. Mary’s College of CA and Yale Divinity School), continuing education programs (Yale Divinity along with Princeton, Austin, and Dubuque Seminaries), through daily ONE Church devotionals, and, mostly, in vibrant churches like GFC.

Allen is the founding Director of House United, a polarization-busting non-profit initiative designed to “bring people together across difference for the common good.” He lives in Austin, TX where he loves life with his wife Liz Anderson Hilton, their two college-aged sons, Sam and Isaac, and their faithful labradoodle, Watson. When not flying everywhere, Allen plays golf, drinks excellent teas, watches British detective series, and, occasionally, sleeps.

Cindy is the latest addition to the GFC staff. In addition to many day to day responsibilities, including being the person who welcomes visitors and callers to GFC, Cindy takes the lead in constructing our weekly service bulletin which contains not only details about each week’s service, but pertinent information about the numerous activities occurring across our various ministries and groups. Additionally, Cindy is the point person for organizing our special events and volunteer efforts throughout the year. Cindy lives in Norwalk and enjoys cooking and baking while not here at Green’s Farms Church. Welcome Cindy!