Meet the Team
Scott Slayback, Lead Pastor
I did most of my growing up in Northern California where I learned to get lost in the fog, enjoy 100 plus heat, and eat lots of fruits and nuts. I studied Religion at the University of California at Davis. During my time there, I enjoyed cycling through the Napa Valley, backpacking in the Sierras, drinking lots of milk and working with junior high students.
I met my wife Julie while studying Hebrew at Denver Seminary (I needed her help). We adopted a little Vietnamese boy in December of 1998 (Luke) and another in February 2001 (Paul). We moved to Loveland from New Jersey in April of 1999 to join the staff of LifeSpring. In the summer of 2003, I moved into the role of lead pastor. I feel blessed to be serving at a church with such a great vision for reaching out to our neighborhood, community and world.
Tim Musslewhite, Pastor of Spiritual Formation
I grew up in Texas, but am proud to call Colorado home for most of the past quarter century. I am a graduate of Baylor University and Dallas Theological Seminary. My wife Jill and I have two grown children, Tyler, a University of Colorado graduate, and Kelsey, a Boston University student. This is our second time around at LifeSpring, having served on staff here for six years in the early '80's, before returning to the staff team in 2004. Golf, hiking, and reading are favorite leisure activities.
Jeff Berg, Youth Pastor
Greetings! I moved here from Bellevue, WA in October of 2000 after working in student ministry for nine years. Investing in the lives of students is a very rewarding task and I feel privileged that God has not only called me to do it, but has allowed me to be paid for it!
When I am not doing youth ministry, I love spending time with my wife, Kari and our two sons, Ian and Landon. I love to read, hike, watch college football, and cheer for the Seattle Mariners. After spending my entire life in western Washington, I appreciate the regular appearance of the sun and the daily views of the Rocky Mountains here in Loveland.
Sara Bieri, Student Ministry Associate
I grew up in Loveland and attended Lifespring since I was six years old. I left temporarily to study Exercise Science and Biology at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. I am happy to be back working with the youth in the church; giving back to the ministry that helped shape who I am today. Having the chance to love on kids is a blessing beyond words, they can teach you so much! We have such a great group of kids among this church.
I met my husband at Fort Lewis while co-leading the athletic ministry on campus. We are also involved in a missionary organization that shares the love of Christ through the world of sports. We love being active by doing things outside and spending time with our very energetic dog (our child for now).
Gary Schmidt, Music and Worship Pastor
Hi! I was born and raised in Quebec, the French speaking part of Canada. I relocated here from Toronto in 1997 to become the pastor of worship and music at LifeSpring. Though my primary music is training is in classical piano and church music, I enjoy all kinds of music and enjoy bringing many styles into our worship blend. We also have a great bunch of God-loving talented singers and musicians who are the ones who really make it happen. The Colorado lifestyle suits me just fine as I love to hike, rock climb and take advantage of the great skiing in the winter! It is a great privlidge and joy to serve the church and community in the area of praise and worship.
Becky Amschwand, Early Childhood Coordinator and Club182 Director
When I was four years old my family moved to Loveland. It has been amazing to watch how Loveland has grown and changed over the many years I’ve lived here. After I graduated from high school I went to Colorado State University. I received my BS in Human Development and Family Studies and am a certified elementary school teacher. I did teach school until my second daughter was born in 1999. After that I stayed home with my girls and started working at LifeSpring in 2001. My husband, Jeremy, and I have three daughters: Emma, Annabelle, and Abby.
I met Jeremy one summer when I was ready for a little different scenery (since I had lived in Northern Colorado for so long). I accepted a job at a Christian summer camp in Virginia. We spent a great summer together working with children and enjoying camp life. He moved to America a couple of years later, from England, and we got married. His family is all still in England, so our time with them is very precious.
Melanie Kolb, Director of Children's Ministries
I grew up on a ranch in Western South Dakota. I attended Oklahoma Baptist University where I earned a BA in family Pyschology. My husband Randy and I enjoy living in beautiful Loveland and bringing up our three kids. I am blessed to work with the children of LifeSpring and their families. We have so many wonderful volunteers who love to love your children. Together, we aim to nurture a personal relationship with Jesus in the heart of each child we encounter.
Cassie Mattson, Support Staff
I was born and raised in Texas and moved to Colorado in 1989. I married my wonderful husband, Don in 1993 and together we have 6 children, 4 grandchildren and a couple of pets to keep us busy. Family is very important to me and of course, I love it when we can all get together. God has blessed me indeed!
Working for LifeSpring since 1998, I am constantly reminded of God's great love for me. He has blessed me with wonderful, supportive people to work with as well as a great job that I truly enjoy. As I am very much a people person, I also enjoy getting to know everyone who comes through our doors. Stop by and visit us anytime!
Linda Miller, Director of Support Ministries
I was born and raised in Iowa. I am a country girl living in the same area all of my growing up years. I have been married to my husband, Earl for 44 years. We have lived in the beautiful state of Colorado since 1970. We have two adult children and have been blessed with two wonderful grandchildren who live in Loveland.
I have been part of the LifeSpring staff for 20 years. My favorite aspect of my work is serving people and the prayer ministry. It is a blessing to see God’s faithfulness to LifeSpring year after year. I am excited about what God is doing through us and in us as we serve Him and others.
Lisa Kennison. Kids Hope USA Director
After growing up in SW Minnesota (brrr!) and spending three years living in Arizona (hot!), I am happy to have called Colorado (the perfect blend of both!) home for the past 16 years. I enjoy reading, hiking, and spending time with my husband, Keith, and our 4 wonderfully energetic children. After being involved in a variety of ministries here at LifeSpring, I became an "official" staff member in 2008, when we started our Kids Hope USA partnership with Sarah Milner Elementary--the school right across the street. With a BA in Special Education and Psychology, and a Masters in Social Work, this position has been a perfect fit for me professionally. And since two of my children attend Sarah Milner, it has also been a blessing personally. It truly is a joy to share the love of Jesus with the children and families in our neighborhood and I am humbled to be a part of a church that lives out this mission.