Teacher/Musician Bios

Steve Argue joined Mars Hill as the Life Development Director in 2009. In addition to serving on the Ministry Leadership Team and giving oversight to the Kids and Students teams, he directs Mars Hill’s Intern-Resident program, and serves on the Theology and Pastoral Care Sub-Teams. Steve earned his Masters of Divinity degree from Trinity International University and is currently working on his PhD in Higher Adult and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University.

Rob is the founding pastor and pastor emeritus of Mars Hill. He is the author of Velvet Elvis and Sex God, and is a coauthor of Jesus Wants to Save Christians. He is also featured in a series of spiritual short films called NOOMA. Rob graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He and his wife Kristen have three children and currently live in California.

Greg Boyd surrendered his life to Christ in 1974. Since then, he studied at the Yale Divinity School and Princeton Theological Seminary and worked as a Professor of Theology at Bethel University for 16 years, where he continues to teach part time. In 1992, he founded Woodland Hills Church, an evangelical megachurch in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he serves as Senior Pastor. Well-known for his writings on the relationship between Christianity and politics, he has written many books, including best-seller, The Myth of a Christian Nation. In his spare time, Greg is the drummer for Not Dead Yet, a rock band that raises money for childred in Haiti. Greg and his wife Shelley live in St. Paul, MN. They have 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren.

Ian Morgan Cron is an author (Chasing Francis, Jesus, My Father, the CIA & Me) speaker, and retreat guide. In addition to writing, facilitating retreats, and speaking around the country, Ian is an adjunct priest at Christ Episcopal Church in Greenwich, Connecticut where he curates the Conversations in Courage and Faith series (courageandfaith.org). He is also a student at Fordham University where he is completing his doctoral work in Christian spirituality.

Meredith joined Mars Hill in 2011 as Community Life Pastor.  Previously, she was Associate Pastor of Trinity Church in Greenwich, CT. Before being called to seminary in Seattle, where she earned her Master of Divinity from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, Meredith worked in the marketing and non-profit sectors. Her passions include teaching, preaching, photography, and spiritual formation. Meredith lives in Grand Rapids with her husband Stephen and their daughter Imogen.

Ed is the Vice President for Spiritual Formation at Cornerstone University and the Pastor Emeritus at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids. He holds a B.A. and M.A. in Religion, as well as a doctorate in Higher Education. A consulting editor with Leadership Journal and the author of many books, he also served as a member of the consultive group representing The World Council of Churches in dealing with the international problem of HIV/AIDS.

Mars Hill guest musician, Stu G, was the lead guitarist, backing vocalist, and secondary songwriter for the band Delirious? from 1994 until 2009. Read his bio here.

Troy is the Lead Worship Pastor at Mars Hill. A graduate of Judson College who studied English and music, Troy confesses to being an unashamed self-proclaimed music snob. He plays in a local band called The Mines, and his other interests include reading, Brit Rock, contemplative practices, black shirts, and the Cherie Inn. If you see somebody strumming a ukulele at Mars Hill, it’s probably him.

Michael, his wife, and three children live in downtown Denver, Colorado where he is the Lead Pastor of Denver Community Church. He writes regularly for Relevant Magazine, blogs regularly at michael-hidalgo.com and his first book is due out with IVP in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @michaelhidalgo

Shane Hipps joined Mars Hill as a Teaching Pastor in early 2010. Formerly a strategic planner in advertising, Shane spent several years working on the communications strategy for Porsche Cars North America. He later left advertising to pursue his long-held interest in spirituality and theology, earning a Master of Divinity degree at Fuller Theological Seminary. Before joining Mars Hill, Shane served as pastor of a growing, urban congregation in Phoenix, Arizona.
Shane is the author of two books: The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture: How Media Shapes Faith, the Gospel, and Church [2006] and Flickering Pixels: How Technology Shapes Your Faith [2009].

Eric Kuiper is the Director of Adult Life at Mars Hill. A graduate of Calvin College and Fuller Theological Seminary, Eric spent 11 years on Young Life staff in West Michigan prior to joining the staff of Mars Hill. Yet, he and his wife Kate have been a part of the Mars Hill community from the beginning. His love of story means he is often watching, talking about, or writing about film.

Matt Laidlaw is the High School and Post-High School Pastor at Mars Hill. He is a graduate of Kuyper College and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and has lived and studied in the Middle East. He serves as an adjunct instructor of Bible at a local college, leads camp, retreat, and pilgrimage experiences, and writes, teaches, and trains on student ministry and theology. He has been a part of Mars Hill from the beginning, and is grateful to call this community his home. Matt is a sports enthusiast, poor joke-teller, and food snob.

Kyle Lake is our Fifty6 [5th + 6th Grade] Pastor at Mars Hill. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and currently a student at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. Kyle is passionate about his work with kids, students, and families. He is an avid Michigan Wolverine and Detroit sports fan, cyclist, and coffee drinker. Kyle lives in Grand Rapids with his wife, Sandra, and dog, Walter. They enjoy camping and exploring all that is Pure Michigan.

Scot McKnight is a recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. McKnight, author of more than thirty books, is the Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lombard, IL.  Dr. McKnight has given interviews on radios across the nation, has appeared on television, and regularly speaks at local churches, conferences, colleges, and seminaries in the USA and abroad. Dr. McKnight obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Nottingham.
Scot McKnight was elected into the Hall of Honor at Cornerstone University in honor of his basketball accomplishments during his college career. He and his wife, Kristen, live in Libertyville, Illinois. They enjoy traveling, long walks, gardening, and cooking.

First joining Mars Hill as a volunteer musician in 2004, Ethan has since taken on the role of guest worship leader. He draws inspiration from a rich past of musical influences: Half of an electronic music duo, singer for a reggae trio, bassist in a latin band, and senior chorus member of Opera Grand Rapids. Presently, he joins Troy Hatfield as singer and co-conspirator in their band, The Mines. He and his wife, Ashley, love adventures and are always planning the next road trip.

Aaron Niequist was the worship leader for Mars Hill from 2004-2007, and currently serves as a guest musician. Learn more at aaronniequist.com

Doug Pagitt is a pastor, author, business owner, speaker, consultant, and radio show host, seeking to be a social and theological entrepreneur and goodness conspirator. He is married to Shelley and they live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are the parents of 4 young adults. Doug is the founding pastor of Solomon’s Porch, A Holistic Missional Christian Community in Minneapolis. He has a theology degree from Bethel Seminary and was one of the founders of the social network Emergent Village. Find Doug online at DougPagitt.com.

Cornelius [Neal] Plantinga Jr., is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church and has served as a pastor in Webster, NY and supply preacher in Cliffwood Beach, NJ. Before joining the faculty at Calvin Theological Seminary, Cornelius Plantinga Jr. taught at Princeton Theological Seminary [1976-78], Fuller Theological Seminary (1985, 1987) and Regent College [1997]. From 1996 to 2002 he served as the first ever Dean of the Chapel at Calvin College. He now serves as President of the seminary there and teaches systematic theology.

Peter Rollins is a widely sought after writer, lecturer, storyteller and public speaker. He is also the founder of ikon, a faith group that has gained an international reputation for blending live music, visual imagery, soundscapes, theatre, ritual and reflection to create what they call ‘transformance art’. He is the author of the much talked about How (Not) to Speak of God. His most recent work is entitled Insurrection. He was born in Belfast but currently resides in Greenwich, CT and is employed by The Olson Foundation.

James K.A. Smith is professor of philosophy at Calvin College and a Senior Fellow of The Colossian Forum on Faith, Science, and Culture (colossianforum.org). Jamie is an award-winning author whose books include Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism?, Thinking in Tongues, and Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation. His new book, Imagining the Kingdom: How Worship Works will be out in January 2013. His writing has also appeared in magazines such as the Harvard Divinity Bulletin, Christian Century, First Things, and Books & Culture. He and his wife, Deanna, have 4 children and are committed urban dwellers who make their home in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids, MI. For more, visit his website: jameskasmith.com.