The East Hills Team...
(For staff contact information, go here)
JOHN STEWART
John is our Associate Pastor. He is married to Patti Stewart (married on March 25, 1989) and is the proud father of two teenage boys, Brayden and Trent. John has been in full time ministry since 1988 and prior to coming to East Hills, he was a Pastor of Student Ministries for over 21 years with the church that planted East Hills. He came to East Hills in August of 2010 and currently oversees our Children's, Student, Men's, and Women's Ministries as well as our LIFE Groups. John preaches when needed and assists in leadership training. He also oversees our data base and web site allowing us to connect with others better and follow up with them. When asked what he likes most about his job, John says, "Being part of a church that is active in their faith, serving others and caring for one another. Plus, I just like being around the people here."
In addition to his responsibilites here, John is also the Head Coach of his son's high school varsity baseball team. He loves sports (playing and watching), plays guitar, enjoys some computer games, and loves spending time with his wife and his boys. John's life verse is Galatians 1:10 which says, "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Every night he checks his Facebook page so you can catch him there if you like.
PASTOR BRIAN BUELL
Brian is our Pastor of Student Ministries. He has been married to Cassie since April of 1999. They have two crazy children whom they love very much. Brian has been involved with the youth of East Hills since 2001. (He is convinced that the best students in the world are here at East Hills.) He loves teaching them the Bible and watching as God produces fruit in and through them.
When Brian is not “working” he also enjoys playing guitar in the worship band on Sunday morning and loves playing under the leadership of some of the very students that have come through the student ministries. He also enjoys skateboarding and surfing when he can. Brian’s favorite thing to do is to spend a relaxing afternoon with his family.
RACHELLE GJURGEVICH
Rachelle is our part time Worship Administrator. Her and her husband Robert were married on July 20, 1991 and have two children, Lauren and James. Rachelle and her family have been attending East Hills since 2005 and has been involved in the worship ministry here at East Hills for several years. Before that she was involved in the youth ministry. Rachelle has a heart for young people and has had a passion for worship since she was a teenager singing in her church choir. When asked what she likes most about her job, Rachelle says, “Watching a new generation of young people leading the congregation before Christ each Sunday. I am truly blessed to work with them.”
When Rachelle is not at church, you will find her helping her husband run their own business. She also enjoys spending time with her family just hanging out by the pool and barbecuing. She also loves the beach and tries to spend as much time as she can there with her husband and their kids. Rachelle’s life verse is Isaiah 40:31 which says, “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." She would love to have you come worship with the body of Christ on a Sunday morning.
DEBBIE CHRUSZCZ (pron. "crush")
Debbie is our Kids Konnection Director. She married Roman on March 27, 1993. Together, they are blessed with three beautiful children, Ashley - 11, John - 6, and Ali - 6. Debbie chose to leave a successful career in mortgage banking to be a "stay-at-home" mom. Debbie was involved off and on in children's ministry for 11 years at Calvary Chapel in Big Bear Lake. In 2008 her family moved back to Riverside and East Hills has been their home church ever since. When asked how she feels about her job, she'll answer that she has the best job in the world. Working with children, she believes, is one of the best ways to impact the future...knowing as Proverbs 22:6 tells us: "Train up a children in the way he should go, when he is old, he shall not depart from it." The enjoyable part of her job is greeting all the kids that come in on Sunday mornings, and following up and caring for those involved.
Debbie's best friend is her husband, and favorite past time is hanging out with her family, then, spending time with friends. As a family they love to hike, go off-roading, and storm chasing. Also she helps out at the children's school and loves sports (esp. basketball and soccer!). Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13, which says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
VANESSA HERNANDEZ
Vanessa is our Baby Konnection Director. She has been married since 2005 to her husband, Daniel Hernandez. They have four beautiful amazing children, Zoey, Ruby, Abby and Levy. She has attended East Hills since 2005 and has been actively involved in ministry since 2006. She and her husband taught 4th grade before joining Baby Konnection full time.
She is an active mother and wife. She keeps herself busy with her family and enjoys every moment of it. The best part about her ministry is seeing the littlest ones understanding and seeing who and what Jesus is! She absolutely loves the little ones and enjoys seeing them all each and every week. Her life verse is Psalms 100 because it has always brought her peace since she was a young girl. She is a busy mom of four but always finds time to talk with parents, so you will more than likely find her in the hallway at church on Sunday mornings.
PATTY CARVER
Patty is our Outreach and Missions Director. She resides in Moreno Valley with her sister Ramona, 14 year old nephew, Zack, and 12 year old niece, Katy. Patty has been in ministry for approximately 20 years. She has 28 years of experience working with teenagers in the Riverside Probation Department as well as developing various programs from the ground up. Prior to becoming the Outreach and Missions director at East Hills in 2004, she was at Gethsemane Church where she served as the Fellowship Director, Vacation Bible Study Director, and sat on the Board of Directors. She began attending East Hills in 2000. From 2004 – 2008 she facilitated a Life Group in Moreno Valley. Patty enjoys being part of a church that has a heart for helping and serving others.
When not serving, Patty enjoys spending time with family and friends, a good book, camping, the movies and traveling. Her life verse related to Outreach and Missions is 1 Peter 4:10 which says “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
SHARON SOLOMON
Sharon Solomon is East Hills’ Administrative Assistant. Her and Greg were married on January 9, 1982 and they have 2 young adult children: a daughter Danyelle and a son Dale. Sharon has been working at East Hills since April 2006, attending since 2004. She oversees the running of the office and is the voice you will normally get when calling the church. She is also involved with Women’s Ministries Leadership. She says that the best part of her job is being able to help each ministry here at East Hills and then help those people that walk through the office door!
She loves to read her kindle, play games and hang out with her family and friends. If you haven’t heard her laugh, well . . . it’s very contagious!!! Her life verse is Philippians 4:13 which states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” She does NOT have a facebook page and doesn’t ever plan to have one, so you can reach her at the church office.