Our Staff
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Reverend Dr. Mary Catherine Northrup
SENIOR Pastor
Born in Maryland, but raised largely in Minnesota, Reverend Cathy Northrup is a graduate of Hamline University in St. Paul, Georgetown University Law School, Union Theological Seminary in Virginia and Princeton Theological Seminary where she received her Doctor of Ministry degree. Prior to coming to Rio Verde, Reverend Northrup has served churches in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and most recently in Wichita, Kansas. Her ministry interests are broad and include preaching, teaching, pastoral care, Stephen Ministry, and outreach. Reverend Northrup is married to Michael Northrup, a graduate of Brown University and Gordon Conwell Seminary in Charlotte, N.C. They reside in Rio Verde with their rescue dog, Tawny, a pit bull, lab, and whippet mix. Reverend Northrup can be reached at the church office at 480.471.7239, via her cellphone, 480.322.0183, or email at cnorthrup@verdefaith.org.
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Tom Wojtas
director of music Ministry
Tom Wojtas became the Director of Music Ministry in May 2009. Prior to that he served for ten years as the church organist. Tom attended Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois and earned his undergraduate degree with a double major in Music and History. In 1984 he completed a Master of Music degree at Arizona State University majoring in Piano performance/Accompanying. Tom taught music for 9 years as an adjunct faculty member at Mesa Community College and 7 years at Chandler Gilbert Community College. He also traveled the country as a musical director in professional theatre and in the corporate entertainment industry. He is married to Debby and they have two children, Tommy and Abby. You can contact Tom at tomwojtas@cox.net.
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Michael Northrup
PARISH ASSOCIATE
Michael is a native of Long Island, New York, attending Seton Hall High School, then graduating from Brown University with a Bachelors degree in Political Science in 1978. He worked in Human Resource Management for a large company until 1998, then leaving the corporate world to pursue ministry work. He worked as a Youth Director for Bethel Presbyterian Church (1998-2001) in Cornelius, North Carolina, before enrolling at Gordon-Conwell Seminary in Charlotte, NC in 2001. He graduated in 2004 with a Masters in Theology, then relocated with his wife Cathy to Hilton Head, South Carolina, where he taught and coached high school for three years. While in Wichita, Kansas (2005-2011), Michael taught New Testament and Ethics at both Friends University and Butler Community College, and did volunteer prison ministry work with the Kansas Department of Corrections. He and his wife, Cathy, who have been married since 1995, relocated to Rio Verde in 2011. In addition to his Biblical studies, Michael also enjoys running, swimming and cycling. Michael can be reached at mnholy@sbcglobal.net or by calling 480-322-9294.
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Judy Stansbury
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR
Judy is a native of Iowa. She had a career of over 22 years with Norwest/Wells Fargo Bank in a variety of positions, ending as Vice President of Learning and Development for Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. She relocated to Fountain Hills in 2004, leaving the corporate world to own and operate two Planet Beach Contempo Spas, one in Fountain Hills and another in Paradise Valley, until 2009. She began working at Community Church of the Verdes in January of 2019, but has worked in Rio Verde since 2012. Judy enjoys hiking, photography, and rockhounding. She has one son, a granddaughter, and three sisters who live in Iowa. You can contact Judy at judy@verdefaith.org.
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Janet Johnston
FINANCIAL Assistant
Janet started with Community Church of the Verdes on October 26, 2020. More information will be posted soon! You can contact Janet at janet@verdefaith.org