REVEREND DOUG THUEN
Lead Pastor | Ext. 1001
Pastor Doug was born and raised in beautiful northern New Jersey. Graduating from Nyack College in 1990 and Alliance Theological Seminary in 1995, he has served in full-time ministry since 1989. Doug was the first pastor called to Sparta Church and has been ministering here since 1995 with his wife Jen. Doug and Jen cherish their sons, daughters, and son-in-law and are enjoying seeing God's fruit bear out in each of their lives as they grow in Christ as adults. They love to "do life together" with Josh, Emily (married to Josh Warncke), Grace and Nate.  Doug is also known as ‘Poppy’ to the two greatest granddaughters in the world, Reagan and Mackenzie. Sometimes you may find him riding his motorcycle around the county, or swinging a golf club when he gets the chance. Pastor Doug's passion is leading people to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ while helping them identify their God-given purpose and equipping them to lead others to do the same.

STU SALVIGSEN
Minister of Discipleship | Ext. 1005
Stu grew up in Northern New Jersey.  In high school, he met Courtney, who he would marry in 2002, and raise 4 children together (Sawyer, Sayler, Channing, and Lachlan). They attended Baptist Bible College together, where Stu studied Bible for 4 years and received his bachelors of science degree.  They began attending Sparta Church in 2006, and have been serving in ministry here while raising their family. Stu served on the Deacon board for 10 years (4 years as chairman), followed by 6 years on the Elder board. In 2024, Stu was called into fulltime ministry as the Minister of Discipleship at Sparta Church.

FINN CLIFFORD
Minister of Youth | Ext. 1006
Finn was born and raised in South London with his two sisters. After living in Australia for several years, he eventually landed in Sparta, NJ in 2013, and it was then that the Lord started not only calling Him to Himself in salvation, but also to dive headfirst into ministry. Completing his formal training at Lancaster Bible College, Finn is eagerly passionate about evangelism and apologetics, and equipping the Church to live on mission. In 2022, Finn married his lovely bride, Gabby, and together they have collectively served in Sparta Church for over 20 years. Finn is also an avid soccer fan, often found cheering for Crystal Palace on a Saturday morning, or out on the field having a "kick about" with his students. Finn's greatest hope is to faithfully serve in building God's kingdom here, seeing as many as God gives come to know the radical, life-changing truth of the gospel, as he did at 20 years old.

JOE LIPARI
Minister of Worship | Ext. 17
Born and raised in New Jersey, Joe has been the Director of Worship at Sparta Church since July of 2018. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Counseling. In August 2021, Joe married his lovely wife Anna who serves alongside him in the ministry at Sparta Church. He has been actively involved in ministry at Sparta Church for over a decade now. He has a passion for worshipping the Lord, leading a congregation in genuine worship, and growing other musicians to do the same. He believes that worship is the overflow of life in Christ and loves expressing that with the body of Christ.

OWEN DORRITY
Campus Minister | [email protected]
Owen is a third-generation member of Sparta Church and a native of Sussex County. After graduating high school, Owen attended Cedarville University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and a Master of Divinity. Owen is married to Rose, his high school sweetheart, who also happens to be a pastry chef with a God-given gift for hospitality. Following Owen’s graduation from Cedarville, he and Rose moved back to New Jersey so that he could answer the call to join the staff at Sparta Church and help lead a church-planting effort. Owen is passionate about church planting, generational discipleship, ministry to the marginalized, and fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission. In his free time, you might also find Owen reading, listening to music, or cheering on his beloved Raiders.
  

KATIE BENNETT
Children's Ministry Coordinator | Ext. 1003
A Sussex County native, Katie has been a member of Sparta Church for the past 15 years. She graduated from Messiah University with a degree in Human Development Family Science and Family Consumer Science Education.  After serving in public education for a decade, she's thrilled to join the team at Sparta Church. God's given her a love for the church and its people; she delights in equipping and encouraging others to follow Jesus. She also loves her husband Nate and four kids: Judson, Jack, Magnolia, and Lucy. In her spare time you can find her leading fitness classes, gardening, hiking or reading a good story!  

JANEEN DORRITY
Director of Operations | Ext. 1007
Janeen was born in New Jersey and raised in New England, but no matter where she’s lived, she has found her home in the Evangelical Free Church. She met Dennis, the love of her life, while attending Messiah College, and they moved back to New Jersey together after they were married in 1995. They began attending Sparta Church more than 25 years ago and have been faithful members ever since. Janeen has spent most of those years raising her two beloved children, Owen and Maggie, who are her pride and joy, and she cherishes her daughter-in-law, Rose, who is the newest member of the family. Throughout her years at Sparta Church, Janeen has served as a deacon, a children’s Sunday school teacher, and a women’s ministry leader. Janeen is administratively and organizationally gifted, and she is passionate about investing in Christian education, promoting biblical literacy, and discipling women toward maturity in Christ.

LAILA QARMOUT
Office Administrator

Born and raised in Newton, New Jersey, Laila graduated from Messiah University with a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Science in 2025. After spending time studying the apostle Paul's ministry in Türkiye and traveling to Greece and Jordan, Laila moved back home and is now a youth leader.  She also has served as an administrator for Breakaway Day Camp for many years, and continues on as apart of the planning committee. Laila loves studying the Bible, reading, shopping for candles, and caring for her plants.

LAURA PINKHAM
Bookkeeper
Laura was born in Houston, Texas, but has lived most of her life in Sussex County, New Jersey.  She graduated from Cedarville University with a degree in accounting and finance in 2008 and worked in corporate accounting for more than 8 years.  After the birth of her son, Joshua, she was blessed to start working at Sparta Church in 2015.   She has enjoyed being able to serve the body of Christ with the skills that God has given her.  Laura and her husband Dan have two kids, Joshua and Chloe.