MEET OUR STAFF

Teaching Team

John Kaites

Lead Pastor

John Kaites is the Senior Pastor at Horizon. John is the author of "Fear Not: Two Weeks of Living Boldly into God's Authentic Confidence". He is an American entrepreneur who has owned some or all of 18 companies. John began his career as a broadcaster, before moving on to serve as an attorney, a state representative, and a state senator. He attended Fuller Theological Seminary and Phoenix Seminary, during which time he began to take the words of Christ and transform gospel teachings into secular business principles. In addition to business, teaching, and the practice of law, John helps pastors and churches rethink their growth strategies in an entrepreneurial and transformational way. He currently serves as Dean of the Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University. John and his wife, Ann, live in Phoenix and have two sons.

Dustin Blatnik

Worship Director/Teaching Pastor

Gary Kinnaman

Teaching Pastor

Alyssa Schifferer

Teaching Pastor

Alyssa Schifferer is a dynamic Bible teacher focused on bringing scripture to life. As a mother of three young boys, she brings relatable stories and a witty sense of humor to her down-to-earth style of teaching. She helps the audience wrestle with the robustness of scripture: the beauty, the comedy, the drama, the darkness, and the ever present light. She aims to help long-time disciples and seekers alike gain deep insights into the cultural context of the life and time of biblical characters, as well as shedding light on the profound connections between Old Testament and New.

Frank Switzer

Teaching Pastor

Having come out of the marketplace after a 17-year career in Retail and Restaurant management, Frank has been a Lead Pastor of two churches over the past 27 years, most recently at Redemption Church Arcadia (REDARC). He recently transitioned into a new pastoral position at REDARC: Pastor Emeritus. With his M-DIV from Fuller Seminary and a Master’s in Human Communication Theory from Arizona State University, Frank has also spent the last 28 years as an adjunct professor of Communication at Paradise Valley Community College and Grand Canyon University. Married for 39 years to Jackie, the couple has two daughters – Shelby and Darby – and two sons-in-law who are also serving in vocational ministry – Zach and Joey – along with five grandchildren. Jackie serves as the Executive Director of the Family Life Center at North Phoenix Church, where she has been employed for the past 30 years.

Ministry staff

Connor Vicary

Youth Leader

Dr. Michelle Rhodes

God's Garden Director

Michelle is celebrating her 10th year at God’s Garden! She holds a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education and has more than 20 years of experience teaching young children and training early childhood professionals. She is passionate about creating high-quality, play-based learning experiences and enjoys coaching teachers as they grow in their skills. You will often find her working alongside teachers or playing and learning with children in the classroom.

Originally from California, Michelle has called Arizona home for more than 30 years. She has two daughters, Josephine and Lola, and enjoys reading, running, hiking, biking, swimming, and camping.

Chelsea Dietriech

Administrative Director

Chelsea serves as the Administrative Director at Horizon Presbyterian Church, helping support the church’s day-to-day operations, communications, events, and ministries. With a background in education and administration, she enjoys creating organized, welcoming spaces where people feel connected and cared for.

Chelsea is also a mom of two daughters and loves being part of a church community that encourages people in their faith and brings families together. She feels grateful to use her skills behind the scenes to support Horizon’s pastors, leaders, and congregation.

elders

Chuck Jarrell

Elder

Chuck Jarrell is a charter member of Horizon Church and has served in a variety of roles. He works with the God's Garden Preschool, a vital ministry of the church. He is the Stated Clerk of Hope Presbytery of ECO, a national Board member of Encore Creativity for Older Adults, and the Faculty Chair of Marketing and Sales in the Colangelo College of Business of Grand Canyon University. He enjoys family history research and international travel and visits with his three children and six grandchildren.

Don Clark

Elder

Don Clark is a current elder and the current president of the Horizon Church Corporation. Don served on the organizing committee before Horizon became a chartered church in 1992. He and his wife Sharan are charter members of Horizon and Don was on the first session. He has served on and off session for the past 34 years since Horizon was chartered. Both Don and Sharan participated in the construction of the first Horizon building as weekend volunteers. Don and his wife Sharan have been married for 54 years and their son Doug attended Horizon as a student since the beginning of the church. Doug’s Eagle Scout project included the supervision of construction of the first children’s playground just outside the entrance to the church building.

Alan Wolverton

Elder

Rick Akin

Elder

Rick Akin serves as a member of the Session at Horizon Church. He is an attorney and the founder of The Akin Law Firm, LLC, as well as co-founder and Vice Chairman of The Steamboat Institute. Rick has also served on several nonprofit and community boards throughout his career.

Rick and his wife, Jennifer, are active members of the Horizon Church community. Outside of work and church, he enjoys spending time outdoors, including fishing, canoeing, hiking, and climbing.

Debora Marino

Elder

I was looking for more meaning in my life and I walked into Horizon Church alone in 2011 and was immediately welcomed into a nurturing and supportive environment to help me grow as a Christian Woman. I was baptized and married to my husband Doug at Horizon Church. I have served as a Deacon, and have served on the nominating committee to select and grow leaders. The Christian life is a life of joy and service that I want others to have. You never stop growing in Christ at Horizon Church. Horizon is a place to learn and live God's Word. Come grow with us. I believe God has a plan for you!

Gary Davis

Elder

Gary Davis has been a member of Horizon Presbyterian Church since 2004. Gary has been a member of other Presbyterian churches since 1981, serving as an elder in various service capacities including deacons and session. Gary is currently serving as Clerk of Session with responsibility for keeping track of records for the church including all marriages and baptisms as well as maintaining roles of church officers and keeping names, addresses and contact information for congregants.

Gary’s wife, Laurie, is also an active member of the church serving with deacons. Gary and Laurie have been married for 45 years, have two sons and are blessed with one grandchild.

Dustin Blatnik

Elder

Gary Kinnaman

Elder

Gene Taylor

Elder