Leadership
Meet Our Leaders
Sandy Ridge is shepherded by a plurality of elders who oversee the church, and served by deacons who lead specific ministries.
Elders
Those who oversee and shepherd the church
Pastor Derek Filley
Pastor & Elder
Derek Filley has pastored Sandy Ridge Church since 2015, and has been in ministry since 2007. An Arizona native, he studied at Arizona State University and earned his Master of Divinity at Phoenix Seminary. Along with his wife, Leah, he is raising three sons and Indy, their lab-hound mix. On a good week you’ll find him on a hiking trail, on the slopes, or coaching youth soccer. More than anything, he loves teaching the Bible plainly and helping ordinary people follow Jesus.
Wayne Ellison
Elder Candidate
Bio coming soon.
Deacons & Deaconesses
Those who serve and lead our ministries
Ann Peterson
Deaconess · Prayer Ministry Director
Bio coming soon.
Laura Lee Adams
Deaconess · Small Group Leader
Bio coming soon.
Leane VanBiezen
Deaconess · Social Media Director
Leane VanBiezen is a deaconess and the Social Media Director at Sandy Ridge Church, where she has been a member for seven years and has run the church’s social media since 2023. She loves using it to welcome newcomers and share how God is moving in the church. A homeschool mom to two boys with her husband, Jason, she unwinds with Pilates and loves family camping trips.
Tawna Robinson
Deaconess Emeritus
Bio coming soon.
Bill Kleman
Deacon · Facilities Director
Bill Kleman is a deacon and the Facilities Director at Sandy Ridge Church, where he has attended and served since 2006. He runs the audio-visual equipment during Sunday services and looks after the building’s maintenance needs. He enjoys serving his family, his church and his community.
Jason VanBiezen
Deacon · Security and Safety Director
Jason VanBiezen is a deacon and the Security and Safety Director at Sandy Ridge Church, where he and his family have worshiped for seven years. A software engineer who came to faith later in life, he loves exploring how science and nature point to a Creator. He and his wife, Leane, are raising two boys, and when he’s not at work you’ll find him camping or baking sourdough.
Frank Jones
Deacon · Sunday School Coordinator
Frank Jones is a deacon and the Sunday School Coordinator at Sandy Ridge Church, which he has attended since 1986, back when the church met in a strip mall at 9400 South and 700 East. He has led the adult Sunday school since about 1987 and now facilitates the Sunday morning small group, where regular participants take turns leading the study. What he loves most is helping others know Jesus and grow in their walk with Him.