Expedition Church - Payson, AZ

Making Disciples who Love God & Love People

Life Groups

^{Life groups at Expedition Church offer a unique environment for personal and spiritual growth. In these small groups, individuals connect more closely with God and each other, sharing our lives with honesty and openness. Life groups are where faith becomes practical, where the teachings from Sunday are lived out during the week, supported by a community walking the same path.}

COMPLETE THIS LIFE GROUP INTEREST FORM TO JOIN A GROUP TODAY!

_{Family Matters - Week 6}

^{Remembering God’s faithfulness changes how we face today’s challenges and gives us hope for what comes next. When we tell the next generation what He has done, we help them learn to put their hope in Him.}

^{Life Groups create a connection that simply cannot be found in a larger church setting. They break down the walls of anonymity, ensuring that each person is seen, heard, and valued. Here, the joys, struggles, and questions of following Jesus find a safe place to be explored. In times of need or celebration, these groups offer support and encouragement as we journey in following Christ.}

_{Christian and Kya Schulz}

_{Christian and Kya Schulz are Payson locals, having spent the majority of their lives here. Their family also includes two boys, Wilder and Woods. Christian works in construction, specializing in framing, while Kya is primarily a stay at home mom working one day a week as a hair stylist. They enjoy spending time with family, and making new memories with their boys. They have been members of the Expedition family for over 4 years, and have participated in previous life group sessions. They appreciate a diverse group of all ages and backgrounds, and find it beneficial to have perspectives from all seasons of life. They are excited to embark on this new journey of leading a group, and to make deeper more meaningful connections with new and old Expedition friends.}

^{Scott and Kelli Sheffer}

^{Scott and Kelli Sheffer made Payson their home in 2019, leaving behind Hillsboro, Oregon, but bringing with them a deep love for God’s Word and His people. With two adult sons, one serving in the U.S. Air Force and the other active in church leadership, their family is rooted in faith. Kelli, a retired officer from the Portland Police Bureau, and Scott, with a background in probation, are both passionate about living out the gospel daily. They find joy in Rim Country’s natural beauty, enjoying activities like golfing, skiing, and hiking. Their life’s mission is to know Jesus more intimately, obey Him faithfully, and reflect His character to those around them. Hosting a Life Group at Expedition is their way of creating a space where believers of all ages can experience the transforming power of God’s grace and truth.}

_{Ricky and Alee Dimas}

_{Ricky and Alee moved to Tonto Basin in 2024 and began attending Expedition Church that same year. They have two young children, Juliana and Gabe, ages 3 and 4, who keep life full of adventure and laughter. As a family, they love camping, hiking, lake days, and game nights with friends. They believe that some of the best friendships are the ones that become family. As young parents themselves, Ricky and Alee understand the joys and challenges that come with raising children, navigating marriage, and figuring out life along the way. They wanted to become Life Group leaders to help other young families find meaningful friendships and build a strong community around them. Their hope is to create a space where people can be raw, real, and honest about the things they’re walking through, whether that’s parenting, marriage, careers, or simply figuring out who they are. They want their group to be a place where families can encourage one another, offer healthy and Christ-centered advice, and always know they have people in their corner. Above all, Ricky and Alee hope to build a village where families can grow together, support one another, and grow closer to God.}

^{Jim and Charleen Graham}

^{Jim and Charleen Graham have been pillars of the Expedition Church community since 2018, bringing with them decades of experience in ministry and education. Jim, a retired pastor and seminary professor, and Charleen, a retired educator, have both been deeply involved in Life Groups and various ministries at Expedition. Their love for the Rim Country and the Expedition family is evident in their dedication to serving others. With three adult children and thirteen grandchildren, their desire is to encourage others in their faith journey, helping them integrate into the dynamic Expedition community.}

_{John and Karen Cornelius}

^{John and Karen Cornelius have been a part of Expedition Church for over seven years, having moved from Flagstaff where they frequently visited the church. Their commitment to the Expedition community has grown through their involvement in the children's ministry and supporting hospitality events. With interests in art, music, cooking, and fostering friendships, they have found Life Groups to be a key component in deepening their connections within the church. Now, they are eager to help others feel loved and connected, building meaningful relationships with Jesus and each other.}

^{Randy and Mary Kohls}

^{Randy and Mary Kohls, retired with three grown daughters, moved to Payson in 2021 after spending many years in California. Originally from Chicago, they accepted Christ as teenagers and have a rich history of leading and hosting Life Groups for over 20 years. Randy, a former commercial banker, and Mary, a stay-at-home mother and real estate agent, have a passion for building relationships and staying active in God’s beautiful creation in Payson. Their goal is to continue fostering strong, faith-based connections within their community, encouraging others to grow in their walk with Christ.}

_{Jeremy and Amy Hogan}

^{Jeremy and Amy Hogan are a blended family with three adult boys and an 8-year-old daughter, who bring joy and energy to their lives. Their sons have blessed them with four wonderful grandchildren, making family gatherings lively and full of love. Jeremy runs a small business, while Amy manages the beautiful chaos of their home, keeping everything running smoothly. They moved to Payson in 2021 and quickly became involved with Expedition Church, where they have built meaningful friendships. Whether coaching, playing, or cheering from the sidelines, you’ll often find them at the local sports fields, deeply engaged in the community. They understand that life can be messy and not always perfectly put together, but they believe in doing life together, embracing the imperfections along the way.}

_{Pat and Paula Schrader}

_{Paula and I have been married for over thirty years and are parents of three grown boys. We’ve been living in the area since 2006 having a cabin in Pine at which time we attended First Baptist Pine before moving to Payson permanently in 2022. We were led to Expedition Church by golfing friends of Paula and have been blessed by the ministry and friendships of the body of believers. Prior to retirement Paula’s career was in technology where her major involvement was as a network administrator in a hospital setting. My career was as a school administrator for over fifty years. For a number of years I’ve been blessed to facilitate Life Groups and Bible studies. During these experiences the participants along with Paula and myself grew in our relationship with the Lord as well as each other. Our Life Group meets at 8:30am on Fridays.}

_{Larry Kosloski}

_{I relocated to Payson in August 2023 after a 40-year career in sales management in the A/C and plumbing industry. I have one son, three grandsons, and two great-grandsons. In my early adulthood, alcohol took hold of my life. What started as casual drinking gradually became a destructive force that led me down a path of addiction. Over the next 40 years, I lost relationships and experienced financial devastation. But then God set me free! Through His grace, I found healing, restoration, and a new purpose. Now, I feel called to walk alongside men who are struggling as I once did, because I know firsthand that God can work miracles through prayer and by surrounding yourself with the right people. I am grateful for Expedition Church and the incredible community of believers I have met here. It is exciting to see where God will lead us as we seek healing, redemption, and transformation for His glory. This group is a place for men to find hope, accountability, and encouragement. No matter where you are in your journey, you are welcome.}

_{Tom and Shannon Ruth Ferguson}

_{Hello Expedition Family! We have made Payson our home since 2018 with our daughter Katie and Granddaughter Cassidy. A few years later, our son Ian and his wife, Brittany, also joined us here in Payson. Our oldest daughter, Annie, also moved here with our grandson James and granddaughter Cora Lynn. Two years ago, Shannon’s Mom joined us, too. We have enjoyed hosting a Life Group at our home since the initial kickoff. We have been blessed with so many new and lifelong friends over these years; it truly has been amazing. We look forward to continuing to meet new friends and being blessed by our church.}

_{Jeff and Barbara Kleck}

_{Jeff and Barbara moved to Payson a couple of years ago and have been members of Expedition since shortly after moving. However, both have been involved in church ministry for many years. Jeff is retired, and Barbara is a Flight Attendant for Southwest Airlines.

They will lead and host a sermon-based study designed to focus on using the Bible as a “mirror” for personal growth in Christ. They love praying with each other and like to enjoy fun activities like hiking, board games, golf, fellowship, and other things. "Come and let us edify one another so we can bless others."}

Gary and Jaz Volpe

_{Gary and Jaz moved from Philadelphia (Go Eagles!) to Arizona in 1995. The story goes Jaz threw a dart at the map and it landed in Arizona. She really wanted warm weather and Gary was in agreement. The truth is God wanted us here. We moved our family to Mesa and joined a Christian church where as a family we were baptized and chose to follow Christ. We have served in many ways over the years while living in Mesa. In 2018 we moved to Payson and God lead us to Expedition Church in 2023. Since then we have been blessed with the opportunity to serve and to grow stronger in Christ.}

_{Doyle and Elli Figueroa | Lori & Rich Buskrik}

_{Doyle and Elli Figueroa are excited to serve Expedition Church in a new way through Life Groups! Elli has called Expedition home for 14 years, and Doyle has served on the worship team for several years. They’re looking forward to growing in faith, building community, and doing life alongside others.}
_{Together with Lori & Rich Buskrik, they’ll be co leading a welcoming, mixed age Life Group where different generations can connect, share their experiences, and grow together in Christ.}