Get to Know the Leadership Team
Meet the team who has leadership responsibility and
sets the vision of Maricopa Springs Church
Grady Root, M.Div.
Elder / Lead Pastor
Grady is the Lead Elder of Maricopa Springs. He moved to Arizona with his wife Leanne in 2009 to plant Maricopa Springs Family Church. He and Leanne have four kids and absolutely love living in Maricopa! Grady is unashamedly obsessed with Jesus and has a heart for people in our city to hear about God’s 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.
John Wiltberger
Elder
John and his wife Kim moved to Maricopa in August of 2015 to be closer to family and joined Maricopa Springs shortly thereafter. They currently have two young children, and John has been serving as an Elder since 2018. John is passionate about ensuring that the body of Christ is well cared for, bringing an emphasis on shepherding to the Elder Team, as well as a faithfulness to sound doctrine.
Leonard Ybarra
Elder / Worship Leader
Leonard was born in Southern California and moved to Maricopa in 2008. Leonard is married to Kathryn Ybarra and they have two amazing boys. 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 Christ 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. He is passionate about expressing worship to God through music and teaching the scriptures.
William “Gabe” Gabriel
Elder
Gabe came to Christ in 1971 and spent many years in ministry as an Ordained pastor in California. He is an evangelist by God’s gifting and his heart’s desire is to see people come to faith in Christ. Gabe and his wife Connie have been attending Maricopa Springs Family Church since they moved to Arizona in 2017, with Gabe serving as an Elder since 2021. Gabe is passionate about building into younger men and encouraging them to follow Christ with all of their heart.
We Don't Do This Alone
Our ministry team leaders are instrumental in carrying out the mission and values of Maricopa Springs Family Church.
RJ Howarth
Youth Pastor
Tricia Barbaglia
Children’s Ministry Director
