Elders and Deacons

While raised with an understanding of Christianity, it was not until the early years of adulthood that Ryan heeded the Master’s call.

A fourth generation native of Laramie, Wyoming, Ryan and his wife Jessica moved to Lander in 2008. They consider themselves blessed with brothers and sisters of the Church to encourage, equip and challenge them. The young couple gives all the glory to the Lord for their happy, albeit busy, lives! They have two sons Morgan (7) and Caleb (3).

John grew up in Dallas, Texas and joined a Presbyterian Church as a communicant at age 12. He and his wife, Sharon, met in the kindergarten of that church. They have one son and four grandchildren.

In 1991 the church, where they met, split and John helped start a PCA church.

In 1996 John and Sharon moved to Lander, the site of the only PCA church in Wyoming at that time. After 15 years, that church split and he helped start Grace Reformed Fellowship.

Born in Philadelphia, PA to Christian parents, John had the further blessing of growing up as a covenant child in Calvary Presbyterian Church of Willow Grove, PA. Under the ministry of Dr. Robert Strong, he came to know Christ at a young age. The rural setting of his childhood home provided many opportunities to observe with wonder the works of the Creator God, leading him to excel at outdoor pursuits and to consider a career as a veterinarian. He studied Zoology at Wheaton College, but ultimately chose to enter the medical profession. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School and the University of Washington residency program, he became Board Certified in both Surgical and Clinical Pathology. His career led him to practice Pathology in Wyoming, Iowa, and New Mexico; returning to Wyoming to retire!

Tim Starks has been a member of Grace Reformed Fellowship since 2017. He was installed as a Ruling Elder in February 2024. He attends to his Mother’s care and is Executor and facilitator of the Starks Family Trust (translate: gardener, landscaper, chauffeur, maid, and amateur nouthetic counselor). He teaches Adult Sunday School and will be leading a Bible study group beginning September 3rd of 2024 at the Riverton Public Library from 5:00 to 7:00 every Tuesday night thenceforth.

I was born and raised in a Christian home, baptized by my grandfather, a Presbyterian Pastor, at two weeks old. My Mother once said that I grew up on the Church secretary’s lap as we were always at the church doing something! My life has been one that has grown up and become intertwined with the Church. This however is not a mere profession to me. Some may think that I became a Pastor because I grew up knowing nothing else. This is not true. I grew up going to church, but did not have an interest in the things of the Lord until He drew me to Himself. I came to the Lord at the age of 14 during a week at a Christian Summer Camp in Ohio. Prior to that week I felt such an incredible load of guilt due to my sin, I was fearful of death and rightfully so, but upon hearing the Gospel, that no sin was so big that the Lord Jesus couldn’t forgive, I believed and found rest and release from the burden of my sin. It was then that I realized that there is nothing more important than a person hearing the truth of the Gospel and being delivered from sin’s guilt and penalty. My life has never been the same.