Leaders
“You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
- Mark 10.42-45
Jeff Colby - guiding Elder
Jeff and his wife, Rosa, have been a part of Harvest for over a decade. A CPA who works in the finance industry, Jeff leads a LIFE group and oversees volunteers and finances at Harvest.
Family
Rosa and I married in 1992. We have one daughter and one son (both now adults).
Where and when did you trust Christ?
1991; California.
Favorite Book (apart form the Bible)
Lord of the Rings.
Favorite Movies
Star Wars (Episode IV)
A Christmas Carol (w/Alastair Sim)
Nacho Libre
Favorite Music
GLAD Acapella Project.
Favorite Food
Real Mexican, Grandma's cinnamon rolls.
Favorite Color
Blue.
Sports Team
UCLA basketball.
Free Time or Hobbies
What is that? Running.
Favorite Bible Verse
1 Corinthians 6.9-11
Nicole cox - MUSIC
The daughter of a pastor, Nicole brings years of ministry experience into her role at Harvest.
Family
Married Devon in 2004. We have 1 son and 2 daughters.
Salvation
Saved in 1980 in Harvey, Illinois.
Favorite Book (besides the Bible)
Many favorites from C. S. Lewis to Amy Tan... anything that captures or speaks to my spirit.
Favorite Movie
Many favorites! Action, fantasy, psychological thrillers, and musicals (both classics and new).
Favorite Music
EVERYTHING! From hip-hop to bluegrass to rock... if it speaks to my soul, I love it!
Favorite Food
Italian.
Favorite Color
All bright hues.
Sports Team
Our family is an NBA family. We pick favorites every season... but my husband insists our loyalties stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers!
Free Time
Movies and music or random shenanigans with my inner circle!
Favorite Bible Verses
John 1.1-18; 2 Timothy 1.7, Romans 12.1-2, 1 Peter 2.9.
Rick doctor - teaching Elder
Rick, in addition to serving as a teaching elder at Harvest, leads a LIFE group online and helps with the student ministry.
Family
Married to Daizzee in 2010; 4 kids.
When and where did you get saved?
2007; Jacksonville, Florida.
Favorite Book (besides the Bible)
No favorite book, but I love fantasy and sci-fi. Most of my reading is done through audio books.
Favorite Movie
I don’t have a favorite but I absolutely love “Maverick”… the Mel Gibson one.
Favorite Music
‘70s and ‘80s music, and instrumental hip-hop.
Favorite Food
All food.
Favorite Color
Black, yellow, orange, and green.
Sports Team
Obligatory… the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Free Time or Hobbies
Doodle, basketball, tennis, board games, video games, and chill with friends.
Favorite Bible Verse(s)
He must increase, but I must decrease. - John 3.30
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10.31
Brett Maragni, guiding elder, lead teaching elder
Brett and his wife Lacey are the blessed parents of four children. A native of southern Illinois, he is a graduate of Union University (B.A.), Southwestern Seminary (M.Div.BL), and Luther Rice (D.Min.). Preaching since his teen years, he has been a guest speaker at camps, retreats, college chapels, and various other venues. His writings are listed at soundoftruth.org.
Lacey and I married in 1995. We have four kids... two boys and two girls.
Spring of 1986; Benton, Illinois.
Favorite Book (after the Bible)
No one favorite. My favorite author is the late Elmer Kelton, who wrote historically accurate Westerns, set mostly in Texas.
Favorite Movies
"The Right Stuff"
“North By Northwest”
"The Bourne Identity"
“Napoleon Dynamite"
"Lonesome Dove" (TV mini-series)
Favorite Music
Depends on my mood. I love classical, jazz, and hundreds of songs from the '80s.
Favorite Food
Down home country cooking (especially from Lacey, my Mom, and my Mother-in-Law), Firehouse Subs, and Mexican (chips and salsa all day long!).
Camo. And blue.
Sports Teams
MLB: St. Louis Cardinals
NBA: San Antonio Spurs
NFL: Green Bay Packers (NFC), Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC)
NHL: St. Louis Blues
Soccer: Liverpool, Bayern Munich, FC Cincinnati, and St. Louis City.
College Sports: SIU Salukis, Texas A&M Aggies, UT Vols , FSU Seminoles, and Liberty Flames.
Free Time
Good conversation with family or friends, reading, following sports, watching a good movie, series, or documentary. I love to learn something new, especially in sports or history.
Life Verse
John 15:5… where Jesus said… “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
Michael Spong - Deacon, men's ministry
in addition to serving as a Deacon at Harvest, Michael oversees our men's ministry, which consists of special events throughout the year.
Family
Gina and I married in April of 1998. We have two children, a boy and a girl.
When and where did you become a Christian?
As a young child in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Favorite Book (aside from the Bible)
No one favorite. I enjoy Russian novels - Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, as well as fantasy genre and historical biographies.
Favorite Movies
Braveheart
Chariots of Fire
Favorite Music
U2, '80s, but I enjoy most styles of music.
Favorite Food
Italian and Mexican.
Favorite Color
Charcoal gray.
Sports Team
Pittsburgh Steelers, Penn State Nittany Lions.
Free Time or Hobbies
Family time, running, reading, watching sports.
Favorite Bible Verse
Romans 8.28-39, Isaiah 6.1-8.
Gina spong - women's ministry
With years of experience in ministering to women, Gina has a passion to see women discover the goodness and grace of God.
Family
Michael & I married in 1998. We have two kids... one boy and one girl.
When and where did you get saved?
Freshman year of high school at a Christian Rock Concert.
Favorite Book (other than the Bible)
My favorite genre is Christian books on growing in the disciplines.
Favorite Movie
Don't really have one... enjoy comedies and romance. Also enjoy spy thrillers.
Favorite Music
Contemporary Christian.
Favorite Food
Anything chocolate.
Favorite Color
Blue.
Sports Team
Cleveland Cavaliers.
Free Time
Playing board games, reading, going to the beach, amusement parks, and movies.
Life Verse
Deuteronomy 6.5... Love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Armando Vivancos - LIFE Groups
As leader of the LIFE group ministry, Armando's passion is to see believers discipled and transformed into the image of Christ and training other leaders who are committed to Harvest's Life Group ministry.
Family
Married to Maria since 2008; 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren.
Salvation
Saved in 1982 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Favorite Book (besides the Bible)
Many favorites. Favorite authors are Tim Keller, Frances Schaeffer, C. S. Lewis, and J. R. R. Tolkien.
Favorite Movie
"Lord of the Rings" is all-time favorite. Comedy: "Meet the Parents"
Favorite Music
Shane & Shane, David Crowder, '90s Alt/Modern Rock.
Favorite Food
Cuban, Italian; any pasta combo.
Favorite Color
Hunter Green
Sports Team
Mostly College Football
Free Time
Spending time with family and friends. Date night with Maria. Reading, travel, theology.
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE
Favorite? Hebrews 4.14-16
Life Verse? Philippians 3.10, That I may know Him and the power of His Resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to His death...
