MEET OUR TEAM
"WE EXIST SO THAT PEOPLE CAN CONNECT TO THE LOVE OF GOD AND MAKE AN ETERNAL DIFFERENCE"
ERIC VANSCHOONHOVEN
LEAD / FOUNDING PASTOR
eric@thebridgeaz.com
Eric, Meagan, and their son Samson make up the Van Clan. Pastor Eric attended Masters Commission in Orlando and graduated from Southeastern University in 2007 in Biblical Studies. Eric has Pastored full time since 2007 in Youth Ministry and Associate roles. Meagan attended TCU and Southwestern University. Eric and Meagan have been married and lived in Arizona since 2012. In 2016, their first baby, Samson, arrived. They love to laugh, explore, and try to find a way to incorporate football into most situations.
JOSH BOLTON
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Josh, Andrea, Alexandra, Ariana, and Ezekiel are the Bolton family. Josh was saved at an early age and is grateful for how God has guided and protected him. He joined the Air Force in 2002 and served as an instructor for 11 years. God called him out of the service and into full-time ministry in October of 2013. He has served in children's, youth, and associate pastor roles.
Josh and Andrea have been married since October of 2010. They love to connect with other parents as they take their kids to the pool, the park, and jiu jitsu classes. They look forward to serving you at The Bridge Church and are excited to see what God will continue to do in and through His church.
JASON CHAVEZ
WORSHIP DIRECTOR
Jason and Erin along with 5 incredible kids make up the Chavez family. Jason has been a musician for most of his life. While playing in bands all throughout his teens and 20's, he aimed his gifting towards worship and has never looked back. He has lead worship teams of all sizes and backgrounds. Jason has even passed a worship lifestyle down to his kids, who may be sharing the main stage with him soon enough!
REBECCA NAIR
PRE-SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Rebecca was born and raised in the West Valley. She was born into a Christian home and learned the importance of a personal relationship with Christ from a young age. She's been happily married to her husband, Ivan since 2009 and is blessed to have two sons, Isaac and Jonah. Rebecca desires to reach children with the Gospel from a young age so they can know Jesus as Savior.
MEAGAN
VANSCHOONHOVEN
BRIDGE GIRL DIRECTOR
Meagan is the wife of Eric our lead Pastor, but she is much more than just a shared last name. She is the creative genius to most things that happen. In addition to that, she leads our women's ministry, Bridge Girl. This was a far fetched idea many years ago. Meagan was content doing behind the scenes exclusively. Then God started to give and affirm giftings in her life that forced her to explore leading out front. It has been a transformative process in her life, as well. Meagan loves a few things in life - Jesus, family, and bean and cheese burritos.
JEANETTE HAMILTON
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Jeanette serves as Administrative Assistant at The Bridge Church. She met her husband, Justin, while they were both serving in the US Air Force in Omaha, NE and got married in September 2004. They moved to Phoenix in February 2008 when they separated from the AF and after their first child, Elizabeth, was born. With the birth of Isabel-just 13 months later, then Mathias, and Autumn, they knew their family was complete. Now they are a very active family who enjoys spending time together.
JAMES HUNTER
James and Ashley got married on December 5th 2021! James has served in ministry since he was 15 years old, played college football, and is a phenomenal drummer. They both have a heart for the Young Adults of this generation, and are sold out to seeing Young Adults use their unique gifts and callings to impact the kingdom of God. James is also overseeing our youth and worship ministry, and new guests to our church. His favorite saying is "PULL UP".
BRITTNEY CLARK
BRIDGE KIDZ DIRECTOR
Brittney has served in kids ministry for nearly a decade. She is married and has 3 boys and one daughter. She believes that making disciples begins at a young age, and with partnership from parents, kids can know Jesus and make Him known now! Brittney is also a gifted painter, using her gift to illustrate the power and majesty of God.
SHANA MCGRATH
OUTREACH DIRECTOR
Shana was radically saved 5 years ago and has an intense desire to reach those who have been forgotten, left out, and abandoned by the world. She is the mother of 3 beautiful girls. She was one of the first people to say yes to our church when we started meeting in a home in 2018. She served as BridgeKidz Director until 2020 when she moved into Outreach. Fun fact: Shana is usually the loudest person in the room, if you think that you're louder, just challenge her and see.
AARON & OLIVIA
KIRKBY
YOUTH DIRECTORS
Aaron and Olivia were married in March of 2020! They were both youth students in Pastor Eric and Meagan's youth ministry through high school. Aaron is earned a Christian Ministries degree at Grand Canyon University, and Olivia graduated from GCU in counseling and now has a career in social work. Aaron and Olivia are also both key leaders on our Sunday morning worship team.
ERIN RATHIER
BRIDGE GROUPS DIRECTOR
Erin is a mom of three incredible kids who all love Jesus, a wife to Mike who runs sound and plays bass at our church, and the heartbeat of all of our Bridge Groups. In under 2 years she has grown our groups from 30 people per week, to over 180. She has served in church leadership for many years in many roles. If you are wanting to know what groups are all about, Erin is your person!