Our Team

Our Leadership Philosophy

At Restoration Anglican Church, our leaders include men and women, clergy and laity, paid and volunteer roles. We believe that clergy and laity should serve together in leadership.

The Church Council is one of the spaces where laity and clergy intersect. This team of lay leaders is empowered to steward Restoration’s vision, values and finances.

The Church Council consists of Eric Chesney, Bemni Mekonnen, Dustin Jizmejian, Heather Mavel and Sam Habesha. If you need to contact them, you can reach the team at leadership@restorationcos.org.

Staff

Lead Pastor

Eric Chesney

As the Planting Pastor of Restoration Anglican, it’s my deep delight to provide Pastoral Care, Proclaim the Gospel, and be the Primary Apprentice of Jesus as he leads us in the restoration of all things. This joy is made sweeter for me by the incredible Pastoral, Preaching, and Leadership Teams of men and women with whom I get to walk the Jesus Way.

I’ve been married to Eyerusalem since 2008 and we have five kids Jr high and younger. I love learning, reading, and dropping C.S. Lewis quotes as often as possible (sorry, not sorry). I enjoy hiking, climbing, Jeeping (yep, it’s a verb), black coffee, long and leisurely conversations, puns, playing and watching Football (soccer) with the fam, and becoming more fully human as God draws us into the life of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You can reach Eric here.

Next Gen Pastor

MadY Long

God delights in his people, and I am honored to share in his heart and delight of little ones. Being NextGen Pastor at Restoration is part of living out a passion to communicate who God is to children. Championing kids in their worship, inviting them into liturgy, the church calendar, and sacrament brings me great joy! And I love helping adults recognize how much there is to learn from the way kids respond in awe & wonder to these acts of worship! My ideal weekend is waking up to coffee and pancakes, doing something outside with my husband Nick and dog Willy, and then ending the day having quality time with friends. I also enjoy skiing with Nick, crocheting, embroidering, and my houseplants!

You can contact Mady here.

Music and Tech Director

Spencer Mamo

As the Music and Tech Director, I am responsible for (among other things) leading worship each Sunday at Restoration, calling the congregation to participate in honoring God through song. I am also a high school English teacher here in Colorado Springs. In my free time, I like to write, run, and make/perform music. I have a lovely, patient wife named Meg with whom I make music, and we have a beautiful daughter named Eloise. They are a great joy and blessing!

You can reach Spencer here.

Pastor Intern

Mac Conn

As the Pastoral Intern, I get to assist in a variety of different tasks within the Church. And I am so grateful for this season of learning as the Church Body discerns with me what the Holy Spirit may be up to in my life. My background is in working with vulnerable populations, and I love looking for spaces of resurrection or hope, especially in dry and weary places. I also love running and skiing in the mountains. But when I am home, I like to sit on my porch and read good sentences.

You can reach Mac here.

Volunteer Clergy

Assisting Priest

Chris Stroup

I am the President and CEO of Anglican House Publishers and Assisting Priest at Restoration. I also co-lead the racial justice initiative for Anglican churches in the Rocky Mountain region.

My wife, Amy, and I have three children, and we are actively involved in anti-trafficking work in Thailand and love serving together.

You can reach Chris here.

Deacon

PAULA LADEFOGED

Deacon Paula grew up, married and raised her family in the Colorado Springs area. Ordained to the diaconate in 2019, Paula has a life-long passion for teaching scripture, attending to the souls of God’s people, and walking alongside others in their journey with Christ. In 2021, she and her husband, Joel moved to Monte Vista, Colorado as missioners with the hopes of planting an Anglican Church. The family of believers that God formed and raised up became Restoration Anglican Mission. They worshiped together, grew in relationship with each other and served the community of Monte Vista together until Joel’s untimely death in August of 2023. After two years of waiting upon God and listening to His voice, God’s call of returning to Colorado Springs and serving as Deacon at Restoration Anglican Church in Colorado Springs became abundantly clear. She now makes her home in the Colorado Springs area and continues to walk in the calling and passions that God birthed in her so many years ago.

You can reach Paula here.

Volunteer Staff

Meal Groups Pastor

Devin Arinder

Stay-at-home Dad by day, Meal Group Pastor by night (sometimes day too). My privilege at Restoration Anglican is to help and join others in learning to become more like Jesus around the context of a table.

A great day for me includes rock climbing, coffee, and curious conversation with my framily (friends + family). Oh, and maybe a New Orleans Saints win to cap the day, Who Dat!

You can reach Devin here.

Administrative Assistant

Krysta Smart

I have always been someone who enjoys taking care of the little things, as my pencil case (and still a few pencils!) from Kindergarten can attest. It’s a great joy to take care of the backend tasks that help things run smoothly so that other people can run ahead and do what they do best without getting waylaid by the many little hurdles that like to pop up.

My husband Ben and I moved to The Springs in 2023 after the completion of our studies, though I’m originally from a little ranching community in Oregon. I also train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, so if you need someone to talk to about the finer points of raising a goat or how to triangle choke someone, I’m your girl.

You can reach Krysta here.

Communication Director

Brandy Lovelace

I have loved writing since I was a little girl, and have been blessed to make a living as a storyteller for more than 20 years. In my role as Communications Director, I get to make sure we’re communicating clearly, and tell the stories of restoration happening in our church. I have my own freelance writing business, and I am currently enrolled in a Doctor of Ministry Program in the Sacred Art of Writing.

My husband, Mike, and I have been married since 2019, and we have an adorable grandson, Eli, who calls me “Grandy.”

You can reach Brandy here.

Treasurer

Sam Habesha

As a Treasurer, it’s an honor to serve alongside my brothers and sisters at Restoration Anglican Church. With a background in Banking and Finance, I currently work as a Senior Commercial Underwriter at a Regional Bank.

I must say, though, that as much as I love numbers and finance, my greatest passion lies in building relationships and witnessing God’s love and goodness in people’s lives. On my days off, you will find me hiking and exploring the great State of Colorado or simply feasting with family and friends.

For questions about Restoration finances, contact the Church Council here.

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