Since Sharefaith is run by real people living in the real world, we thought we’d let you know who’s behind this whole gig. What do those people look like who you’re talking to on the phone? Where are they? Maybe these questions haven’t been keeping you up at night, but here are some photos, facts, and insights…for your enjoyment.
Just a note: This “Sharefaith team” doesn’t include our awesome artists and designers. We’ll have more about them in a future article.
Name: Hein van Wyk
What he does: Cofounder, CEO, and President.
His goal: To pave the way for pastors and worship leaders to incorporate technology to communicate with relevance.
Where’s he from? Originally from Upington, (Kalahari) South Africa, then lived and ministered in Jerusalem Israel for 4 years, now living in beautiful Medford, Oregon.
Some interesting life stuff: I don’t eat tacos or Cilantro. The taste of Cilantro reminds me of the smell from a “stinky-bug” we get in South Africa. This pretty much rules out any Mexican food.
Life apart from Sharefaith: Treasuring my wife and daughters. Writing music for Christian cinema. Trying to figure out how to walk the walk and not just talk-the-talk; be the best husband to my wife; the best father to my children; the best leader to Sharefaith, and how to not loose sight of the goals the Lord placed on my heart. It’s a journey indeed!
Matthew R. Rohr
What he does: I’m a Web & Application Developer. I get to bring all those cool and new features thrown into my lap, and bring them into fruition. While a lot of the stuff I work on is unseen, every now and then you get to see some of my handy work, like the recent Star Rating addition and the much-loved CS pop-ups.
His goal: My desire and passion is to be a Joseph and a Daniel to this ministry. I have spent the last five years fine tuning myself as an instrument that the Lord can use in some kind of web development/ministry capacity.
Where he’s from: I hail from a logging town in Washington State, called Aberdeen. The average total rain fall is 83in, which makes for a beautiful green backdrop to a very depressed town. Since then I’ve lived in San Diego (what a difference!) and most recently, Medford Oregon.
Some interesting life stuff: I served in the Navy for eight years, I’m a cancer survivor, and I can’t sleep without a fan running. My wife says I snore, but I think she just likes to pinch my nose in the middle of the night for the fun of it.
Life apart from Sharefaith? Besides spending time with my wife and two boys, I also run three other websites: www.UnityInGrace.com (ministry), www.MatthewsCalorieCounter.com (weight loss), www.Easy-A.com (education).
Zachary Merritt (a.k.a. “P.Z.” for Pastor Zach)
What he does: My official fancy-pants title is Product & Service Coordinator. My job is to help all of our wonderful and good-looking customers with any questions they have. I also write articles for our blog and help develop tutorials for our products and services.
His goal: I love the Lord and love that I get to work with fellow Christians every day and that I get to assist fellow Christians within the body of the church. Each and every moment at my “job” (more like awesome place I go to serve and so happen to get paid to do it) is an opportunity to share the love of Christ and assist the church in reaching the world.
Where he’s from: I grew up in the Rogue Valley here in southern Oregon and have lived in Medford and surrounding cities for most of my life. Medford is a smallish city with plenty to offer without feeling crowded.
Some interesting life stuff: I’m a total geek with a love for sci-fi and fantasy stuff like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. I like summer drives at night with the window rolled down to feel the breeze through my hair and my favorite movie of all time is Digimon: The Movie, which is quite possibly the greatest achievement in the history of anything to do with man-made art. Ever.
Life apart from Sharefaith? I volunteer at my church as the Assistant / Youth Pastor and love to be involved in ministry. I meet with brothers and sisters in Christ from other churches in my area and we go and preach the gospel to the lost in our valley. I also teach the youth at our church on Sundays and occasionally fill in to preach regular service and our Wednesday night services. I also love playing video games and reading books, both fictional adventures and non-fictional Christian books and, of course, God’s letters to me about how much He loves me and what He sent His Son to do for my sake (a.k.a. the Holy Bible).
Bob Potter (a.k.a. “Bob Chimp” through previous forms of monkeying around.)
What he does + what are his goals? I am a Happiness Engineer. I enjoy helping people (aka. treating you like you are human) so you can get going in the right direction as quickly as possible.
Where he’s from: I am from Wisconsin, where State Law makes it illegal to serve apple pie in public restaurants without cheese. At the age of two, my family moved to Oregon, where the largest cheese factory in the world resides, in Tillamook. Today I live just minutes away from Rogue Creamery which produces the worlds best (yes, even the French voted for us) Blue Cheese. Mmm, cheese.
Some interesting life stuff: I sew. Also, while my wife was in graduate school we would get a bubble tea and go to Trader Joe’s just for fun 3-4 times a week. Mmm…bubble tea.
Life apart from Sharefaith? I love relaxing and being in the mountains with my wife where there are lakes and streams to swim in, trails to hike, and mountains to climb. I also have an affinity for Land Cruisers, first generation Toyota 4×4 trucks, and Unimogs.
Matt Slocum
What he does: I’m the Production Manager/Church Websites Developer
His goal: My passion is to provide Sharefaith’s artwork and church websites in a manner that makes them easy to use and allows the user to more clearly present the gospel.
Where he’s from: I claim Denver, Colorado even though I’m wasn’t born there. They have more sunny days than San Diego or Miami, breathtaking majestic mountains, and the Denver Broncos.
Some interesting life stuff: I would pick a majestic mountain over a sandy beach. In the summer, I like to climb up mountains and in the winter, snowboard down them.
Life apart from Sharefaith? I love to spend time with my beautiful wife and two children.
Daniel Threlfall
What he does: Marketing, Social Media, Web Editor, Blog
His goal: My goal is to serve local church with encouragement, edification, and information that is accurate, timely, and Christ-exalting.
Where he’s from: I’m from the South…South Korea to be specific. At least, that’s where I was born (missionary family). After a few years jaunt in the pacific Northwest, I now reside in the South…again. This time, South Carolina.
Some interesting life stuff: I’m the biggest fan and closest friend of three wonderful people—my wife and two daughters. I have a fascination with missions and life international, which is probably why I’ve spent a lot of time in Asia and Africa. I may even end up living and ministering abroad someday.
Life apart from Sharefaith? I enjoy playing with my daughters, and talking with my wife. I also read. Maniacally. As much as possible, however, I shun paper forms of perusal, and opt to bask in the blue glow of an iPad. Oddly, I also enjoy school.