Spruce Grove Alliance Church

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Our Staff

David Chotka
Lead Pastor
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David Chotka is our Lead Pastor, responsible for overseeing the congregational direction in partnership with the elders. His primary role consists of preaching, teaching, overseeing the staff and working with the leader core to ensure that the congregation moves forward in its vision to become a Christ-like community of Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus Christ. David also serves the national church by chairing the Alliance Pray Team and is released to preach and teach in other venues from time to time. David is married to Elizabeth (who serves the district as the Pastor’s Wives Coach). Together they have two children, (Ben and Jessica) who participate with them in the life of Christ here at SGAC.

Pedro Escamilla
Youth Pastor
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Pedro Escamilla was born in the country of El Salvador. He moved here with his family when he was 10 years old. He did his schooling at Vanguard College, graduation with a Diploma in theology. He has worked with youth for over 7 years and is a recent transfer into the Alliance Church. He has a passion to grow mature Christian Youth by helping them discover their gifts and finding places for them to use them.

Russ McDermott
Executive Pastor
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Russ joined our staff in August 2006, having served Alliance churches in Ontario and the United States. His ministry passion is helping those in our church family find meaningful places to serve and use their spiritual gifts. Russ is married to Jennifer, and they live in the country with their five children: Sam, Seth, Susanna, Stephen, and Jack.

Daryl Sam
Pastor of Worship and Creative Arts
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Daryl is a husband, father, and proud member of the pastoral team here at Spruce Grove Alliance Church. His role is to oversee Worship and the effective use of Arts within the church. Daryl values your continued prayers as he lends leadership to this area of ministry.

Russell Mueller
Pastor of Senior Adult Ministries
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In 1959, Russell married Virgie, his high school sweetheart and the Lord blessed them with 2 sons, 1 daughter and 8 grandchildren. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Christian Education from Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska and his Master's Degree in Administrative Studies from Briercrest Bible Seminary in Canada. He has served 30 years with the Northern Canada Evangelical Mission; 12 years in Native communities in Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan and 18 years at the Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute in Lac La Biche, AB, the training center for Native Believers. In 1992 he served in the Yellowknife Alliance Church for 4 years. He is assured that it is the Lord's Calling to serve Him in Spruce Grove as it is his conviction that God calls us to serve Him wherever we are.

Russell will seek to continue to trust the Lord in all his ways and to learn from Him (Prv. 3:6; Heb. 3:6), to grow in his life and walk with the Lord through His Word and Prayer (2 Peter 3:18; 2 Tim 2:15), and to be faithful to his call to serve the Lord, using his gifts to bring Him praise (1 Tim. 4:12-14a; 1 Cor. 7:20).

Coreen Frey
Pastor of Children's Ministries
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Coreen and her husband Dave have been in full-time ministry for the last 26 years in Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta. They have 3 children, Andrew(21) in Vanguard College, Amy (23) a teacher in Edmonton and Joshua (26) a program director and worship leader at Eagles Nest Ranch. Making disciples out of children and providing ministry opportunities for them is Coreen’s passion. Playing scrabble comes a close second. Of course Jesus is her reason for living and the church is the hope for the world.

Scott Buck
Pastor of Evangalism and Outreach Ministries
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Scott Buck grew up in a small town in Northern Ontario, known to many as a retirment community, Elliot Lake. His post secondary education began at Lakehead Univeristy where he received his B.A. He then attended Bible College in New Brunswick, where he was challenged and trained to do the work of an evangelist. He continued his educational training at McMaster Divinity College where he received a Masters of Divinity.

Concluding his academic persuits Scott accepted a position in Grimsby, as an Associate Pastor of visitation, evangelism/missions and youth. Working in the context of the local church for nearly six years was an invaluable experience as he learned and grew in his understanding of how a church is sustained, works and moves forward. The Lord then led Scott to serve with CCWM as the executive Director of Acts 29 Missions. A ministry designed to equip, empower and evangelize through the local Church.

The Lord then extended to Scott the privilege of leading many evangelistic mission trips to places that include: Chicago, Ill; New York, NY; Forest, Ont; New Liskeard, Ont; Toronto, Ont; Montreal, Que; Hamilton, Ont; and Zambia. At the present time Scott is fulfilling his calling at Spruce Grove Alliance Church as the Pastor of Evangelism and community outreach. His main objective is to communicate the reality of Christ to unbeliever locally and globally; and to equip and empower the local Church to move beyond the comforts of the Church building to engage our community with the love of Christ.

Josie Vance
Pastor of Women's Ministries
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Josie brings direction to the Women's Leadership Team in providing ministries to the women of SGAC and our community. It is her desire to equip and encourage women in their journeys with the Lord and in the ministries He has called them to. She is eager to support women in trusting Christ and in deepening their faith in Him. Josie is married to her best friend, Jason, and is blessed to be a mom to Sophie, Elijah and Evelyn. She loves to laugh and to spend time wiht family and friends.

Candice Bacon
Pastor of Connecting Ministries
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Candice and Tony have been married for 22 years. They have 3 daughters, Cassandra (20), Carlee (12) and CeeJay (9). Candice and Tony planted a church in a small town in Saskatchewan where Candice was the lead pastor for 1 year. They moved to Spruce Grove in August 2007. God led them to Spruce Grove Alliance Church where Candice has served on the staff since October of 2007. She received her accreditation with the C&MA in June 2009. Candice's passion is to see believers become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ within Christ-like community. She is compassionate about God's people and is excited to teach them the value of community together. (Hebrews 10:24-25)