Keith was born and raised in South Florida, but after stops in Pennsylvania, Texas, and North Carolina, he has made Jacksonville his home. He loves trying different breakfast spots with his wife and spending time with his kids at the beach, on the basketball court, or at the pool.
Q: If you could be anywhere else, right this minute, where would it be?
A: Fishing on the Stick Marsh with live shiner and setting the hook on an 11-pound largemouth bass.
Q: When you were five, what job did you envision for yourself now?
A: An Oceanographer
East Staffers describe Keith in one word as: “Authentic”
Matt was born and raised in Eastern NC (hence the accent) but considers Jacksonville to be his home. You can find him attempting to surf at the Mayport Poles, at the Gym Jax, or crushing sparkling water at True Food in the Town Center.
Q: What is something you’ve always wanted to learn?
A: I’ve always wanted to earn my pilot’s license.
Q: If you could be anywhere else, right this minute, where would it be?
A: On a zero-turn mower cutting grass in a lush green meadow overlooking the ocean, enjoying a pinch of Copenhagen, with 70’s era rock playing in my headphones, with both of my sons in my lap riding with me.
East Staffers describe Matt in one word as: “Purposeful”
Parker is a Jacksonville native and loves anything that involves an animal doing something that a human would normally do. He also loves a shirt with a good pocket and finds the existence of turtles hilarious.
Q: What is a food you could eat for the rest of your life?
A: Mint chocolate chip ice cream
Q: When you were five, what job did you envision for yourself now?
A: Frog-catcher
East Staffers describe Parker in one word as: “Precise”
Claire is from the Atlanta area but has been in Florida since college. She enjoys her Peloton workouts, shopping, eating her husband’s delicious food, and is often driving her kids around to their various after-school activities.
Q: What is a food you could eat for the rest of your life?
A: Chocolate chip cookies
Q: When you were five, what job did you envision for yourself now?
A: A teacher (I come from a family of educators) and, later on, a wedding or event planner
East Staffers describe Claire in one word as: “Thoughtful”
Clifton is local from down the street, growing up at the beaches. He has served over a decade in student ministry, previously six years at First Presbyterian Church of Augusta before coming home to Jacksonville. He loves all things outdoors, especially the beach. Pottery and the arts also hold a special place in his tender heart.
Q: When you were five, what job did you envision for yourself now?
A: I would tell people a professional baseball player for the Braves, but when given an opportunity to answer this question in Kindergarten, I said a lion tamer. I was fresh off a field trip to the circus…
Q: What’s your favorite word in the English language?
A: Free
East Staffers describe Clifton in one word as: “Spritely”
Liz is from Augusta, GA, and recently graduated from Georgia College & State University in 2022. She loves to run, preferably in nature, and take part in any competitive endeavor. Liz is excited to explore her new city and get involved with the community of Christ Church East.
Q: If you could be anywhere else, right this minute, where would it be?
A: At the base of Mt. Everest fully prepared to summit with 3 of my closest friends (as well as accompanied by an expert hiking guide). And after I would like to be immediately transferred to Santorini, if possible.
Q: What’s your favorite word in the English language?
A: Facetious. Fun to say, rolls off the tongue, and makes you sound smart.
East Staffers describe Liz in one word as: “Polymath”
Lauren is originally from Clewiston, FL, deep in the muck of Lake Okeechobee but has made Jacksonville her home since 1997. She is married to Mark, and they have two sons, Ezekiel and Malachi. Lauren spends her free time with her family, cheering on the Gators or playing tennis.
Q: What is a food you could eat for the rest of your life?
A Tacos – any day, anytime Tacos for the win.
Q: If you could be anywhere else, right this minute, where would it be?
A: Tough to choose between toes in the sand or sipping coffee on the porch in Blowing Rock, NC…..it’s a tie!
East Staffers describe Lauren in one word as: “Dynamic”
Sarah Jane is a Jacksonville native. She loves traveling, spending time with friends and family, and baseball. Go Braves!
Q: If you could be anywhere else, right this minute, where would it be?
A: I would be sitting on a porch in the North Georgia mountains with a good book and a cup of coffee.
Q: When you were five, what job did you envision for yourself now?
A: Five year old SJ would have told you she wanted to be a preschool teacher or a mom, although I’m sure “Princess Belle” was thrown into the mix as well. (All of these answers still apply.)
East Staffers describe Sarah Jane “SJ” in one word as: “Caring”
Zach grew up in Marietta, Ga and attended Georgia College and State University. He is a loyal fan to Atlanta Braves baseball and Alabama football, but will be hopping on the popular Jags bandwagon this season. Go Jags!
Q: If you could be anywhere else, right this minute, where would it be?
A: Riding a steed across the plains of Montana rounding up cattle with Colter Wall.
Q: When you were five, what job did you envision for yourself now?
A: I figured I would be a Master Jedi by now.
East Staffers describe Zach in one word as: “Mellow”
Kevin was born and raised in Maryland and came to Christ during the transition from high school to college. Prior to working at Christ Church, he spent 10 years working in various commercial functions at Johnson & Johnson. Kevin is an ordained Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and a church planter with Mission to North America and the Florida Church Planting Network.
Q: When you were five, what job did you envision for yourself now?
A: When I was five I was sure I wanted to be an astronaut (or maybe a writer).
Q: What is something you’ve always wanted to learn?
A: The piano