Craig and Candice Covak have been married 14 years and are devoted parents to Grace, Elijah, and Judsen.

"Having been part of the Vanguard family for 10 years, we have seen - both as givers and receivers - how vital care and community are in the lives of God's children. We believe in Vanguard's mission. We believe in its body of believers. And we are inspired by what God is doing in them most of all.

As Chair Deacons, we construct and foster the workings of the ministry and strive to mentor, train, guide, and support our team of Deacons in both vision and practice. We serve proudly alongside them - and you! - as God's plan for Vanguard unfolds.

Please don't hesitate to find us at craig_covak@vanguardchurch.org, candice_covak@vanguardchurch.org or stop us to say hello next time our paths cross!"

In addition to their roles as Chair Deacons over the Deacon Ministry at Vanguard, Craig and Candice support the following Life Groups:

Life Group 08  Life Group 44
Life Group 47  Life Group 49
Life Group 50

Married since August 2000, Rod and Cari Pemberton have been attending Vanguard Church since 2010.  They have two daughters, two cats and a yellow Lab.  Cari spends her time as a Certified Family Manager Coach while Rod works as a mortgage consultant.  In their down time Rod loves to golf and fly (generally not at the same time) while Cari settles into a good book.  They are currently committed to supporting the following Life Groups and can be reached at pembertons@vanguardchurch.org:

Life Group 10  Life Group 21
Life Group 25  Life Group 35
Life Group 40
Life Group 41  Life Group 42
Life Group 52  Life Group 66

Maea and Leah Apineru have been married for 3 years, have 2 daughters and have been attending Vanguard since 2002.  Maea can also be found serving as a member of the Men's Leadership Team.  They are currently committed to supporting the following Life Groups and can be reached at apinerus@vanguardchurch.org:

Life Group 06
Life Group 09  Life Group 13
Life Group 18
Life Group 31  Life Group 37
Life Group 39  Life Group 43
Life Group 53  Life Group 55

Kevin and Jen Sonntag have lived in Colorado Springs for five years and have been married for 6. They are expecting their first baby - a girl! - in early July. They love hiking, being outside, working in the garden and traveling. Jen is currently teaching third grade, but will be staying home next year and Kevin is a family crisis counselor. They are currently committed to supporting the following Life Groups and can be reached at kevin_sonntag@vanguardchurch.org or jen_sonntag@vanguardchurch.org:

Life Group 14  Life Group 20
Life Group 45  Life Group 65

Originally from Wisconsin, Mike and Cathy Van de Casteele now consider Colorado home.  They have been married 6 years and have a baby boy named Hudson.  Mike works at a group home in downtown Colorado Springs and Cathy, until recently a 5th grade teacher, now gets to dedicate her time to Hudson and their black lab Sadie.  They are currently committed to supporting the following Life Groups and can be reached at vandecasteeles@vanguardchurch.org:

Life Group 02  Life Group 16
Life Group 17  Life Group 29
Life Group 33  Life Group 62
Life Group 63  Life Group 64

Tom and Danae Herndon have been married for 10 years in November and have three beautiful kids (Eli - 7, Cassie - 4, Allie - 3).  They have been attending Vanguard for 2 years but have been aware of Vanguard in the community for its full life since Danae is a Colorado Springs native. They started coming to Vanguard when they got plugged into a life group (before they were called that). They have a passion for the tight relationships in their group and hope and pray the same kinds of things will happen in all of the Life Groups at Vanguard. Tom and Danae are currently committed to supporting the following Life Groups and can be reached at tdherndon@vanguardchurch.org:

Life Group 28  Life Group 46
Life Group 48  Life Group 72