STAFF BIOS (click on name to contact via email)

Patrick Mead, Senior Minister

Patrick comes to us from Rochester, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, where he served for ten years as a senior minister. He has done mission work and grown churches for over thirty years. Raised by missionaries, he was trained as a scientist with doctorates in psychology and psychoneuroimmunology. Since returning to America in late 1985, he has served churches in Ohio, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Michigan. He is married to Kami Taylor Mead, an interior designer who was raised in Lakewood, CO. They have two grown children and one grandchild. Patrick joined the Eastside staff in August 2011.

Some of Patrick’s Favorites

Favorite Books: Mere Christianity, The Feast, The Blue Parakeet, A Man’s Search for Meaning.

Favorite Movies: Up, Blackhawk Down, Tears of the Sun, The Mission, The Bourne movies.

Favorite TV Shows: Psych, Justified, Mythbusters, Dirty Jobs, Top Gear.

Favorite Place:  Wherever Kami is.

Favorite Activity: playing guitar or golfing with friends. Or just reading quietly.

Favorite Sports Team: Detroit Tigers, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints.

Favorite Quote: “The chief danger in life is that you may take too many precautions.” — Alfred Adler

Favorite Scripture: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8

Bobby Crews, Youth Minister

Bobby has been a youth minister since 1993 in places like Arkansas and Florida.  Though many years have passed and places and fashions have changed, Bobby’s heart is still set on helping students love God and one another.  Bobby has been at Eastside since 2007, and he and Vicky, his wife, are now guiding their own children – Emily, Wade, and Seth – alongside the other parents here. Bobby and Vicky attended Harding University.  Bobby’s excitement for the Eastside students is contagious, and he takes great joy in seeing God’s hand on this ministry.

Some of Bobby’s Favorites

Favorite Book: Watchman Nee’s Release of the Spirit

Favorite Movie: The Wizard of Oz

Favorite TV Shows: Charlie Rose, Independent Lens, Frontline, Nova, The Colbert Report

Favorite Place:  His house

Favorite Activity: Building/repairing anything mechanical, mountain biking

Favorite Food: Rare steak

Favorite Sports Team: Arkansas Razorbacks, any SEC team when playing another conference, and any team his kids are on.

Favorite Quote: Just about anything from Benjamin Franklin

Favorite Scripture: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Matt Elliott, Worship Minister

Matt’s passion for ministry began while growing up in south Alabama — leading singing in church even before his voice changed, spending his summers at church camp, and, as a little boy, accompanying his father, a minister, on visits to the sick and “shut-ins” from their congregation.  He has served as a youth minister for churches in Alabama and Florida, was the chaplain for eight years at a large Christian school in Atlanta, GA, and was a worship minister in Atlanta for 14 years prior to moving to Eastside in July 2009.  His wife, Lela, is a licensed professional counselor at Fort Carson, and they have three children, Isaac, Seth and Annie.  Matt has a Bachelor’s degree from Freed-Hardeman College and a Master’s from The University of Alabama.

Some of Matt’s Favorites

Favorite Books: Rick Bragg’s All Over But the Shoutin’, Chaim Potok’s My Name is Asher Lev, and Brian McLaren’s A New Kind of Christian.

Favorite Movies: Raising Arizona, Toy Story 2, and The Sound of Music.

Favorite TV Shows: Parenthood and The Andy Griffith Show.

Favorite Place:  Brno, Czech Republic.  Visits each year to encourage Christians there.

Favorite activities: Laughing and singing with his wife, laughing and cuddling with his kids, reading, and hiking.

Favorite Foods:  Fish tacos, Czech goulash, and collard greens. (But not at the same time!)

Favorite Sports Teams:  The Alabama Crimson Tide – and whoever is playing the Tennessee Volunteers.

Favorite Quote:  “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace; a soul generated by love.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Favorite Scripture:  “Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.” Ecclesiastes 7:10

Julie Hammitt, Children’s Minister

Julie Hammitt came to Eastside in April 2009 from Little Rock, Arkansas, where she served as Children’s Minister at the Central Church of Christ. She grew up in Fort Worth, TX, and met Ben, her husband, while in college. She is passionate about working with children, teaching them about God, and developing them into future church leaders. She sings on the Eastside Praise Team, and she became a staff member at Eastside in July 2010. She and Ben have three young children, Casen, Kinley, and Cale.

Some of Julie’s Favorites

Favorite Book: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Favorite Movie: Steel Magnolias

Favorite TV Show: Biggest Loser

Favorite Place: Anywhere on vacation with her family.

Favorite Activities: Playing basketball, digital scrap booking, and reading.

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Sports Team: Dallas Cowboys

Favorite Scripture: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11

Joan Preslar, Office Manager

Joan has been Eastside’s office manager since 1999 and loves her job.  She is the mother of two daughters and two wonderful sons-in-law, the grandmother of five, and she finds her greatest pleasure in her family. She is the wife of Ken, an elder at Eastside.  She has worshipped with churches around the world as a result of their twenty-plus years in the Air Force, but her walk with Christ has centered around Eastside since their arrival in Colorado Springs in 1985.

Some of Joan’s Favorites

Favorite Book: Anything by Beth Moore

Favorite Movie: Fiddler on the Roof

Favorite TV Shows: 24, The Closer, Lost

Favorite Place: Wherever her grandkids are!

Favorite Activities: Travel, cooking, entertaining

Favorite Food: Fried chicken

Favorite Scripture: “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” – Matthew 5:46

Larry Kirkland, Maintenance Supervisor

Larry brings a big smile, an infectious sense of humor, and a great heart for the Lord to work with him every day.  He has worked in construction for most of his life and was a general contractor for several years.  He and his wife, Linda, have been at Eastside since 2001.  Larry serves as a ministry leader and sings on the Eastside praise team.

Some of Larry’s Favorites

Favorite Place: Durango, CO, in the fall of the year

Favorite Activity: Spending time with his grandkids

Favorite Sports Teams: Denver Nuggets

Favorite Quote: “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” – Abraham Lincoln

Favorite Scripture: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13