Staff + Leadership

Mike and Renee Higgins came to South City Church in 2012. Mike attended Covenant Seminary earned his MDiv in 1996 and served as a PCA pastor in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia before returning to Covenant Seminary as Dean of Students in 2011. He is also an army chaplain (COL) assigned to the Pentagon. In May 2012, Mike earned his DMin from Covenant where his focus was the “Experiences of African American Church Planters in the PCA.” He has been married to Renee for 33 years, has two daughters, Mary and Michelle and two grandchildren, Moses and Mattie.

Why is the Gospel good news? The Gospel brings a message of reconciliation and hope from, through and to the Almighty God who seeks to reclaim and rescue His people from every race, tribe and culture and bring them back to Him through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the real Christmas Story of God’s amazing grace in providing the gift of salvation.

Married to Jen and father of two daughters, Story and Annie, my great joy beyond living with and playing with and loving these girls is experiencing the Gospel as it is mediated to me through the glorious ruins of South City Church.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because it gives me the freedom my heart craves – freedom from needing to prove myself, freedom to repent for my sin without fear, and freedom to be myself – confident in God’s gracious love and the Spirit’s constant work.

Mike Brandenstein,

As associate pastor, I direct music, oversee seminary interns and work with the ministries of Engage St. Louis.  Before coming to St. Louis in 2006, we lived in Nashville, TN for 10  years where I traveled as bass player for various Christian artists and songwriters. My wife Christi and I have enjoyed working together as a ministry team with South City Church. We have three girls, Zoe, Mia, and Evi.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because it means that because of Christ’s life, death and resurrection, I no longer need to struggle to be accepted.

Erin Perrin, Children’s Ministry Coordinator

I’ve been married to my husband, Ben, since June ’07. We moved to St. Louis in July ’09, and started attending South City Church as soon as we got here. I became the Children’s Ministry Coordinator at SCC in August ’10 – a job that I couldn’t love more!!

Why is the Gospel good news? Because it means that I don’t have to have it all together all of the time. I am confronted on a daily (hourly, moment to moment…) basis with my own sins and imperfections, so it is wonderful and liberating to know that I have a Savior that has already conquered sin and death on my behalf.

Lindsay Perkins,

I am happy and grateful to be John’s wife, and mother to Eva, Shepherd, Clementine, and Juniper.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because not only has Jesus saved me, but my heavenly Father is never tired, never poor, and never too busy to listen.

Cathajane Rieger,

I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, and have settled here because I love it so much. I got my degree in Plant Science at the University of Missouri – Columbia in 1997 and then took a position at the St. Louis Galleria in 1998 working with both their interior and exterior plants. I married my husband in 2003 and later, in 2008, became a stay-at-home Mom. I currently hold that position as well as the position as nursery coordinator for South City Church. I also have a passion to see quality, affordable housing stay a reality in St. Louis so for the past decade I have been a volunteer board member of Cornerstone Corporation, a low-income not-for-profit housing ministry located near the Delmar Loop.

Why is the Gospel good news? I will quote the David Crowder Band: “I am full of earth. You are heaven’s worth. I am stained with dirt, prone to depravity. You are everything that is bright and clean, the antonym of me. You are divinity. But a certain sign of grace is this: From the broken earth flowers come up pushing through the dirt. You are holy, holy, holy. All heaven cries, ‘Holy, holy God.’”

Becky Kiern,

I am ever grateful for the road that led me to the welcoming doors of South City Church over 3 years ago. While here in St. Louis the Lord has continued to do a great work in my heart and life. After graduating from Covenant Seminary in the summer of 2011 with a M.A. in Educational Ministry I have had the great blessing of working with the beautiful women of our church and community.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because I am a broken person living in a broken world in need of hope for today and for all the days ever after. I am filled with eternal hope by the good news that God not only cares about my brokenness, but also loves me enough to enter into my life and usher in change.

Caroline Scruggs,

I come to St. Louis from the great state of Texas, and am a third year M. Div student at Covenant Seminary. I have been married to my wonderful husband, John Mark, since July of this year! Time these days is filled mostly with reading and writing, working at the Container Store and babysitting, but when I’m not doing these things I enjoy spending time with my husband, family, and friends, eating out, going on walks, watching good movies, learning to cook, and occasionally doing some yoga when time allows! Still a high school girl at heart, I love spending time with students and have deep desire to help them see how to connect the realities of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the realities of their every day lives!

Why is the Gospel good news? It tells me daily that the brokenness I see every day- in myself, in my relationships, and in the world around me is not the only or ultimate reality. We have a God who has willingly entered into this brokenness, to walk with us in it and redeem us from it, and ultimately to make all things new! This is truly great news!

Stacey Clear,

I live in the Benton Park neighborhood of St. Louis with my wife Stephanie and son Daniel. When not practicing my vocation as an architect (buildings, NOT computers!), I enjoy bicycling, exploring the city and taking family hikes in nearby state parks. I am an omnivorous reader (any redemptive recommendations?). I like a good beverage and may snag you sometime for some fellowship at a nearby coffee house or brew pub.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because it is Love that brings Life – to me, to His church and to any who choose Him. The Gospel gives meaning to the past, peace and security in the present and great hope for the future.

Dale Guariglia, e-mail

My wife Julie and I have four daughters, Mary Lara, Anna, Martha and Isabelle and one son-in-law, Jeffry. I am an attorney with the law firm of Bryan Cave LLP. In 2007, we joined South City Church when Olive Branch Presbyterian, located in the Benton Park neighborhood, and SCC merged.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because it tells me of my adoption into God’s family as His son.

Patrick O’Banion, e-mail

I was ordained as a ruler elder in the PCA in 2008. I’ve been a part of South City Church since 2006 and have lived in the neighborhood since 2003. My wife, Rachel, works for an adoption agency in southern Illinois, and I’m a professor of Reformation-era history at Lindenwood University in St Charles.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because it is the great exchange of our sin for Christ’s righteousness. “Christ,” said Martin Luther, “is full of grace, life, and salvation; our souls are full of sin, death, and condemnation. Let faith step in, and then sin, death, and hell will belong to Christ, and grace, life, and salvation to the soul. For, if he is the church’s husband, he must take to himself that which is his wife’s, and, at the same time, give to his wife all that he has.

Chris Barclay

I have been married to my wife Valerie since 1998 and we have two children, Maren (6) and Graeme (2). I enjoy fly fishing and playing my guitar and am the maintenance supervisor at Covenant Theological Seminary.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because it brings me Redemption, restoration, sanctification, hope, security and the promise that there will be no more tears one day.

Jon Easterling

I am a St. Louis native and one of the founding members of South City Church. By day I work as a bank auditor and by night as a restaurateur. My Mad Spreadsheet Skillz come in handy as the Deacon Treasurer. When I am not entering numbers in boxes for the church, I enjoy teaching the church’s preschool children stories from the Bible during Children’s Worship. I am on a perpetual journey to be delighted by the Creator’s beauty and creativity, hence my love for good food, wine and beer, fly fishing, classic films, hiking and playing soccer.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because it is something that is simple enough for a young child to understand and yet profound enough that new truths are revealed to me constantly.

John Patton

I was ordained as a deacon at South City Church in May 2011 and consider it an honor to serve the congregation here. My wife Annie and I, along with our three children, Olivia, Evans,and Lucas, live in Brentwood and have been in St. Louis since 2006. I work in the administration at Covenant Theological Seminary and am a Th.M. student there as well.

Why is the Gospel good news? It brings true joy and contentment. There are so many things in my life that I can expend my energy on in order to find those things that will fulfill me once and for all. In Jesus Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension I can make sense of why I am here and what I am called to. I am supremely loved by God and have found peace in Him.

Andy Goodman

My wife, Shelly, and I live in South City with our dog Coalby and our cat Norman. I work for my brother-in-law as an electrician and do some carpentry. I also assist Shelly with her photography business as a second shooter at weddings.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because despite how messed up and terrible I am as a person, husband, son, friend, deacon, and Christian, I am still loved by God.

Jason Jung

My magnanimous wife, Megan and I have lived in St. Louis since 2008 and been at South City Church pretty much since then. We were blessed with a son named Townes Stanley in April of 2012, who continues to teach us about God’s unyielding provision and our own frailty. If you haven’t met him yet, you need to. We also have a dog named Franny who thinks she’s kind of a big deal. My wife is a counselor and I work as a graphic designer and manager for a multimedia company.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because it acknowledges the struggles of life and assures me of a place and purpose in God’s kingdom. The good news of God’s promises is also a call for us to live life as it’s meant to be and doing so we all get a chance to take part in his coming kingdom.

Kevin Tibbs

My wife Tiffany and I have two girls, Rachel and Allison and live in a great little South City neighborhood here in St. Louis. I am a Formulation Chemist during the day, and in 2008 I co-founded a company called BETTER LIFE- a company that develops natural cleaning products that are safer for our homes, families, and planet.

Why is the Gospel good news? God knows me and has given me a place and a purpose in his kingdom.

Ben Perrin

I married my high school sweetheart, Erin, in June 2007. We moved to St. Louis in July 2009 so that I could continue my education. I am a graduate student at Covenant Theological Seminary working towards a Master of Arts in Counseling. In May 2012, I will graduate with my MAC and I hope to be working towards becoming a licensed therapist. I’ve been blessed to be a part of South City Church since August 2009 and I was called to serve on the Diaconate in May 2011.

Why is the Gospel good news? The Gospel is good news to be because it allows me to be me… in all my broken, ugly, truest forms. The Gospel reassures me that there is nothing that I can do to earn my salvation and that is a huge relief! I can rest in the arms of my Savior and knowing that his sacrifice is enough to cover my sins and gain my salvation.

Christi Brandenstein

I am married to Mike Brandenstein, Associate Pastor at South City Church. We have the pleasure of parenting three daughters, Zoe, Mia, and Evi. I am a licensed professional counselor at CrossRoads South, a satellite of CrossRoads Christian Counseling Center.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because it has profoundly changed me. Because of the Gospel, I now experience the freedom that comes from being known, and loved by a Heavenly Father who will stop at nothing to pursue His plan for His creation. In my growing awareness of the depth of my own sinfulness, I am increasingly grateful for God’s gracious provision of a Savior for me. This has freed me to embrace myself and others with authenticity, love, and compassion.

Chris Gillam

I am employed as an Engineer, but my passion is to see the gospel of Christ transform the city of St. Louis. I am currently single, but have a wonderful and growing family of vagabonds surrounding my home.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because it has opened me up to knowing what true love is. It is not about sex, but about sacrifice – and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on Cross.

Chrissy Weeks

I am a former missionary turned Specialist at Apple who has been married to her fantastic husband, Justin, since January ’10!  We moved to St. Louis so that we could pursue degrees from Covenant Theological Seminary and found our home at South City Church.

Why is the Gospel good news? The Gospel of Jesus Christ frees me to be the woman that I was created to be, despite my failures, sins, and flaws: Christ’s death and resurrection cover it all! And because of that, I have the power to bring peace and flourishing to the rest of the world alongside my brothers and sisters in the global church.

Emily Zdenek

I’ve been working for a biotech company for the past 7 years and am changing gears a bit to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because through it I know that Jesus continues to rehab my messy heart and make my ruins glorious. Jesus’ love for me and work on the cross have given my life infinite depth, and it is out of  this depth that I am able to love and serve South City Church, St. Louis, and  the world. Without this depth…well, I make things rather messy.

Marianna Cymbala

I work in the medical records dept at St. Alexius Hospital.

Why is the Gospel good news? Because of God’s forgiveness and He overcame death. There is nothing that He can’t fix. He is the great Healer, too.