our elder team

John Wiltberger serves on our Elder Team in addition to Grady Root, our full-time teaching Elder.  Maricopa Springs Family Church is an Elder-led church.  We strive to govern our church through a plurality of Elders.


  • Grady Root

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  • JOHN WILTBERGER

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Lead Pastor: 

Grady Root, M.Div.

Grady is the Lead Preaching Elder of Maricopa Springs. He moved out here with his wife Leanne in 2009 to plant Maricopa Springs Family Church in the growing city of Maricopa. Grady and Leanne have four kids (Aiden, Karis, Soren, & Briley) and absolutely love living in Maricopa!   Grady is unashamedly obsessed with Jesus and has a heart for everyone in Maricopa to hear about His grace and love. He strives to lead a church where people sacrificially take up their cross to give their whole lives in service for the kingdom of God. 


Grady@maricopasprings.com

Elder:

John Wiltberger

John was originally born in Illinois, but moved to Mesa, Arizona when he was 13. He then moved to Maryland after college. John and his wife Kim moved to Maricopa in August of 2015. They moved to be closer to family and settle down to start a family of their own. John and Kim started attending Maricopa Springs in October 2015. They currently have a young daughter and a son.



john.w@maricopasprings.com

Children's Ministry Director:

Tricia Barbaglia

Originally from upstate New York, my family and I moved to Arizona in 2011. We came west seeking better job opportunities, great weather, and to spend time with family. My husband, Chris and I married in 2000 and we have two fantastic children, Macayla and Ethan. I have a degree in elementary education and I have spent my career (more than 20 years) working with children in a multitude of capacities, including: teacher, administrator, trainer, and mentor. The Lord led us to Maricopa Springs in 2014 and in 2017, the Lord called me to make ministering to children my full-time focus. I have dedicated my career to ensuring children are growing and developing with strong, healthy foundations. I believe that the love of Jesus is instrumental in their developmental foundation. I love helping children discover who Jesus is and find their purpose and identity in Christ. I am excited to be able to share my knowledge and experience with the families at MSFC and I thank you for your trust with your most precious gifts. I invite you to share your feedback as well as any suggestions you may have for the children’s ministry. I look forward to getting to know each of you and your children. 


Tricia@maricopasprings.com

Worship Leader: 

Leonard Ybarra

Leonard was born in Southern California and moved to Maricopa, Arizona in February 2008. Leonard is married to Kathryn Ybarra and they now have 2 amazing boys: Little Leonard and Evan. They started attending Maricopa Springs Family Church in 2018. Leonard has always loved music, studying it through High School and into College. He loves Jesus and keeps Jesus at the center of our worship.  Though it is important to our entire team to play and sing skillfully to the Lord, it is equally important that our hearts remain fixed on Him. Music is such a powerful way to declare the majesty of our God.  It is both a corporate expression of our love for Him when we gather together on Sunday mornings, and an intimate way to express our love for Him individually.


Leonard@maricopasprings.com

Facility Lead:

Aaron Foote

Aaron was born in Poughkeepsie, NY and spent his youth and young adulthood in different rural towns of upstate NY.  He married April in 2009, and they moved to Arizona in 2010,  eventually finding their way to Maricopa.  Aaron and April began attending MSFC in 2014.  Today, Aaron leads the crew that sets up and tears down before and after each service, as well as completes various blue-collar type projects.  He is grateful for his time serving here, and has grown in his love for Jesus while serving.  Aaron lives in Hidden Valley with his wife April.



Aaron@maricopasprings.com

Technical Director:

Brian Duke

Brian was born and raised in Central Illinois and moved to Arizona in February 2014 for work. He and his family have been coming to Maricopa Springs since 2016. Brian has a degree in Spanish and spent time in Spain studying and as a missionary with the Navigators. Since he returned, he settled down and started a career in insurance. He met his wife Sarah in 2009 in England and they were married in July, 2010. They have two children, Owen and Eryn, who both love Jesus. 

 

Brian joined the audio team just after he began attending MSFC. He used to work part time at a Christian radio station and has been a "sound guy" at church ever since. He loves Jesus, baseball & traveling. He can often be found at the sound table discussing the finer points of Reformed Theology and how the designated hitter rule has ruined baseball. 

 


Financial Secretary/Treasurer:

Kathryn Ybarra

Kathryn was born and raised in Lakewood, California. Leonard, her husband, and Kathryn moved to Maricopa as newlyweds in February 2008. They have two amazing boys, Leonard and Evan. Kathryn is a Registered Nurse who works full time at Banner Health. Kathryn and Leonard began attending Maricopa Springs Family Church in April 2018 and became members in February 2019. Jesus is Kathryn’s King, Savior and Friend. She loves spending time in prayer with Jesus and learning more about him through studying the bible. Jesus is Kathryn’s source of joy and love, which she loves spreading everywhere she goes. 


Kathryn@maricopasprings.com


Crux Ministry Director:

RJ Howarth

RJ and Kaitlynn moved to Maricopa in 2018 from New Jersey. They have been apart of Crux ministry since 2019 and in January 2021 became the leaders. They have 3 sweet kiddos, Roy, Andy and Lucy. 


Crux@maricopasprings.com

Women's Ministry:

Meredith Walker

Meredith has been leading Women's Ministry at MSFC since 2020.  She is a calm and steady leader who has brought much joy to the women at Maricopa. Meredith, her husband Andrew and children: Sahara, Micah, Olivia, and Ella have been apart of the Maricopa Springs Family since 2018. 


Womensministry@maricopasprings.com