Local Team

Lukus grew up on the East Coast and is a graduate of University of Maryland Baltimore County (Baltimore, MD). He currently serves as the lead pastor of Gospel Grace Church in Salt Lake City with over twenty years of pastoral ministry experience. Before moving to Utah, Lukus was a family pastor in Millersville, MD during which he completed his M.Div. from Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary (Lansdale, PA). After moving to Texas to be the pastor of Wichita Falls Baptist Church, Lukus continued his education and completed a D.Min in Homiletics from Dallas Theological Seminary (Dallas, TX). After moving to Utah for church-planting, Lukus completed his Ph.D in Systematic Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC). In addition to his pastoral ministry, Lukus has served as a U.S. Air Force Reserve chaplain for twelve years and a civilian counselor for five. He loves books, a hot cup of coffee from his Jura, the opportunity to preach, and good theology. His research interests include ecclesiology, homiletics, and counseling.

Lukus has been married to Liesl since 2000, and together they have four children: Elijah, Eden, Cana, and Lydia. Liesl is from Wisconsin and enjoys teaching piano, working on the completion of her MFA, discipling women, and caring for the kids.

Matt grew up in Layton, Utah and is a graduate of Weber State University (Ogden, UT). He currently serves as the lead pastor of Crossroads Church in Sandy. Before coming back to Utah, Matt was the head coach for the Boyce College men’s basketball team in Louisville, KY. He earned an M.Div. and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY). Matt is the author of the booklet, How Can I Serve My Church? (Crossway) and is currently working on a book on Psalm 110 for IVP’s New Studies in Biblical Theology series. He has also contributed articles to The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology and 9marks. Matt is passionate about pastoral theology, biblical theology, preaching, and ecclesiology.

Matt has been married to Brittany since 2008, and together they have six children: Elijah, Jeremiah, Aliyah, Josiah, Judah, and Isaiah. Brittany is from Illinois and enjoys being a stay-at-home mother, gardening, and homeschooling their children.

Jared grew up mainly in Franklin, TN and is a graduate of the University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT). He currently serves as the Executive & Teaching Pastor at Risen Life Church in Holladay. Jared earned his M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY), and his Ph.D. in Biblical Studies (Old Testament) from Gateway Seminary (Ontario, CA). Jared has been a contributor to major publications such as the Baker Exegetical Dictionary (forthcoming). Jared has a gifting and passion for teaching and preaching the Word and regularly does so at Risen Life Church. In his spare time, Jared loves to read and enjoy the Wasatch mountains by climbing, skiing, hiking, and running.

Jared has been married to Amie since 2002 and together they have four children: Bennett, Jeremiah, Wyatt, and Rubie. Amie is from Florida and enjoys being a stay-at-home mother, growing as a biblical counselor, and selling real estate.