Dennis Gray, Senior Pastor
I did not grow up in a Christian home or environment. In fact, I do not remember even attending Church more than a handful of times before I became a Christian at the age of 17.
I was called to full time ministry when I made a public confession of my faith in Jesus and attended various schools to prepare for Christian service. During that time I met and married Darlene, and graduated from Dallas Bible College in 1984. After 5 years of marriage God blessed us with our first daughter, Jennifer, with Stephanie following almost 2 years later. Upon graduation in 1984 Darlene and I were called to Germantown, Maryland where I served in my first full time ministry position as Minister of Education at Greenridge Baptist Church. In 1988 I was called to be the Senior Pastor of Riva Trace Baptist Church, and have served in that capacity since that time.
Other Interesting Facts:
- Loves the Dallas Cowboys.
- Enjoys antique books, fishing, reading, softball, and anything about George Whitefield.
Favorite Verses:
Keith Hammer, Executive Pastor
I put my faith in Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior in the spring of 1974 at the age of 16, and He has been the center of my life ever since .
In 1979, I graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in Business Management and married my home town sweetheart Janice. We have three children, Dan, Mark and Sarah.
After spending 20 years as a manager and executive in the Information Technology field while serving as a lay leader in the local church, God lead me into full-time ministry in 2000 when I was ordained and joined the staff here at Riva Trace.
Other Interesting Facts:
- Janice and Keith met at their high school youth group.
- Keith spent the last 5 years of his corporate career as a Chief Information Officer for 2 different companies.
- Keith is actively pursuing his Master of Divinity degree at Capital Bible Seminary.
- Keith is a certified Walk-Thru-the-Bible Instructor
- Keith serves on the Board of Directors for the Christian Counseling Center and Navy League of Annapolis.
Favorite Verses:
- Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Samuel 16:7; Romans 8:37-39
Bill Bloomquist, Worship Pastor
I was brought up in a Christian home and was always in church. I gave my life to Christ at a very early age and was baptized. I served in many volunteer ministry positions, during college and the years afterwards, but did not feel a calling to full-time ministry.
I met my wife Mary Ann, in 1982 while she was performing in a musical theater and I was subbing as a pianist. We were married the next year.
After Mary Ann and I were married, we gave concerts in churches, lead music for revivals and continued to volunteer in our own church as I worked on developing a classical music teaching and performing career. When Mary Ann and I met Pastor Dennis and visited RTBC in 1992, God's calling on my life to serve at RTBC was very clear. I joined the staff of RTBC in 1992 and was ordained and became full time two years later. When I look back on my life I can see how God orchestrated things to bring me to where I am today. I owe all that I am and have to Him. He has blessed me with a wonderful wife and daughter (Brooke) and has allowed me to serve in a church that is committed to changing the world for Jesus' sake.
- Other Interesting Facts:
Bill has performed as a classical pianist throughout the U.S. including the Kennedy Center, Boston’s Jordan Hall and New York City’s Merkin Concert Hall. His international touring has included Belgium, Canada, Germany, Portugal, Russia, Spain and Venezuela.
- Bill won first prizes in the National Symphony Collegiate Artists Competition and the Shreveport Symphony’s Wideman Competition.
- Plays lots of tennis and will always accept free tickets to University of Maryland basketball games.
Favorite Verses:
- Psalm 1, Psalm 150, Philippians 2:14-16
Joey Ruyter, Student Pastor
Ever since transferring my trust from myself unto Jesus, I have had a hunger to serve Him and be apart of furthering His Kingdom. I grew up going to church, except I never knew what it meant to be saved by Grace alone. Once I made that decision in High School, my life was never the same. I enrolled in Washington Bible College soon thereafter and had begun serving immediately in the local church’s Young Adult Ministry. God had put in my heart a calling into Student Ministry about a year ago, as one day I had realized, High School was a period of life where life hit me fast, and I had arrived at many answers when I came to know Christ as my Savior. After ministering for some time in my local church in various capacities, I felt an extremely strong pull from The Lord to join staff here at Riva Trace.
Other Interesting Facts:
- Loves the Washington Redskins (The Real Hometown Team)
- Enjoys traveling, watching ESPN at any hour of the day, playing any sport, being anywhere near water
- Wears Flip Flops Year Round (Yes, even in the Winter)
- Loves a good conversation
- Joey and Stephanie are High School Sweethearts
- Will pursue a Master of Divinity degree
Favorite Verses:
- Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:12-16; Philippians 4:6
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