LEAD PASTOR

Tony Svendsen

Tony and Lisa were married in 2002 on the island of St. Thomas. They both love to travel, the outdoors, cooking, and the arts. Since 2006, they have served as missionaries with e3 Partners Ministry. With e3, Tony has served as a Strategy Coordinator for Uganda and since 2016, he has been the Strategy Coordinator for Ireland.  He has helped to develop and implement strategies to see the multiplication of the gospel, disciples, and churches by training and equipping national pastors and leading short-term mission teams. Lisa is a Senior Trip Leader and has helped to mobilize the church to be on mission.  Tony has served in church leadership as a Lead Pastor at New Life Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and most recently as the Missions Pastor at Cypress Bible Church in Houston, Texas. His education is from Liberty University, Southern Evangelical Seminary, and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Tony has a Master’s in Theology. 

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Sean Simpson

Sean and Ariel Simpson, have been married for 20 years. They have 3 outgoing
third culture kids, Ariss (16 years), Priest (15 years), and Bishop (9 years). As a family,
we’ve served the Lord by way of the Gospel internationally for over 14 years in several
countries and contexts. Sean graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with a
Master’s degree in 2020, which has helped prepare their family intellectually and
spiritually for the mission fields God has presented. The most precious gifts from God
are their children; they have been homeschooled throughout their entire education and
they have excelled quite well, while simultaneously gaining precious life skills through
their exposure to different cultures and customs. All has not been perfect, but they are content with the beautiful life of service and calling God has led them and is leading them through. With full hearts they are overflowing with expectancy for what the Holy Spirit wants to do by calling them to Little Rock Church.

HISPANIC PASTOR

David Mejia

David and Jhuliana Mejia moved to Little Rock in February of 2020 to work with ACPN to plant a church, Comunidad Cristiana. Their mission is reaching out to the Hispanic community that needs the peace and love of God. David has been pastoring the people of Comunidad Cristiana faithfully since 2020, and in January of 2024, Little Rock Church and Comunidad partnered together to continue their efforts in reaching people in our community.

ADMINISTRATOR

Dave Garner

Dave and Alesa have been part of Little Rock Church since 1986 and Dave has been on staff since 1996. They have been married 36 years and have two grown children and three grandchildren. He served many years as a House Church Leader and is a member of the worship team. Alesa is active in the Women’s Ministry as a teacher.

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Sarah Tappe

Sarah and Sean have been part of Little Rock Church since 2010. She joined the staff of LRC in 2020 in the role of Communications Coordinator. Sean and Sarah have both served on the worship team for several years, and have been house church leaders at different times in their time here at Little Rock Church. They have four children- Anabelle, Ruby, Emmalee, and Brody.

Brad Dell

Brad has served as a House Church Leader, Worship team member, Bible class teacher, volunteered with Men’s Ministries, and has served since 2002 as elder/shepherd. MaryLee is a Bible teacher, is involved in the LRC Women’s Ministry and serves an Area Director for Community Bible Study. Brad and MaryLee have four adult children and eleven grandchildren. They have been at Little Rock Church since it began in 1986. Brad says, “We love this church family! It’s a privilege to serve the Lord in this community of believers. “

Gerald Driskill

Gerald and Angela Driskill have been married since 1992 and have two adult children, Eli and Abby. They have been involved in mission and service in other countries. They have been leading house churches since 1994. Gerald serves as a professor at UA-Little Rock and serves with the City Church Network. He has served on the Little Rock Church preaching team. The Driskills have been involved in foster care and in the children and youth ministries. Angela is a physician for UAMS/Baptist health. She is a gifted Bible teacher and also serves in the women’s ministry. Gerald says, “We are grateful for the loving and service focus at the heart of this church family. We have been mentored and grown over the decades by so many.”

Scott Philbrick

Scott and Ashley have been married since 1990 and have three children. Scott has served as a house church leader, has worked with the youth group, taught classes and serves on the preaching team. Ashley has served in a teaching role for many years and as a mentor in the women’s ministry. They have both been involved with LRC for close to 30 years.

Tom King

Tom and Angie have been members of LRC since 1989 and have been married for over 33 years.  They have three children and worked together with the youth group for several years.  Angie currently teaches in the children’s ministry and is active in the women’s ministry.  Tom works in the men’s ministry and is currently also part of the preaching team. 

Russ White

Russ and Sue have been at Little Rock Church since the beginning. Russ has served with the preaching and teaching ministry for many years. Sue has taught children’s bible classes and has been busy mentoring and encouraging young women. Russ has made his living working in the pharmaceutical industry and Sue is a CPA. They have three adult children, and five grandchildren.