Staff

Reverend Steve Engram – Pastor

Steve is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and received his Master’s from Liberty Biblical Seminary. Steve married Tami Sonmor in December 1989. Tami grew up in the Philippines as her family were missionaries there. They have three children: James who recently graduated from college, Jeremy who recently graduated from high school and started his first year at Arizona Christian University; and Kylee who just began her High School career. Steve has been in full time ministry since 1981 and was ordained by Church of the Open Door in Ohio in 1985. Steve has served as Pastor at Desert Springs since 1995.

Ric Engram – Administration and Care Pastor

Ric grew up in the Midwest and accepted Christ at the age of seven. After graduating from high school in Ohio, he attended Moody Bible Institute where he received a diploma in Christian Education. He completed his Bachelor’s degree at The King’s College in New York, and went on to obtain a MA in Counseling from the University of Akron in Ohio. After spending 25 years in the counseling field as both a clinician and a clinic director, he joined the staff of Desert Springs. He and his wife Sally were married in 1982, and have twin daughters Lindsay and Jacqui, and a son Mitchell. In his free time he enjoys traveling and working in his yard.

Kyle Powell – Youth Pastor

Kyle was born in Lubbock, Texas and spent many of his childhood years in Oklahoma and Texas. He studied Marketing and Public Relations at Oklahoma State University and worked in Radio and Television for a few years prior to entering the ministry. He earned his Master of Divinity from the Moody Bible Institute in 2003. Kyle and his wife Melissa have been married since 1998 and have three children: Ethan, Burgundy, and Harrison. In addition to leading our student ministry, Kyle enjoys sports, reading, being outdoors, playing guitar, and spending time with his family. Kyle has been with Desert Springs since the fall of 2006.

Daniel Thomas – Worship Pastor

Daniel was born in Northern California, lived in Colorado and Texas as a child, and later returned to California. He sang in his first quartet at age 13 and dedicated his life to ministry at the age of 14. He attended Master’s College in Santa Clarita, California, where he studied Vocal and Church Music. He graduated with a B.A. in Church Music and a minor in Biblical Studies.  Daniel married his best friend, Suzanne, in December of 2003. Together they have four children: Benjamin, Jonathan, Micah, and Abrielle.  Daniel and Suzanne joined the staff of Desert Springs in the Fall of 2008.

Debbie Santillan – Administrative Assistant to the Pastor

Debbie was born in Mesa, Arizona. She lived in Texas and California before coming back to Arizona.  She and her husband Joe,have been married since 1979. They have three children: Martin, who is a veteran from the U.S. Army and is married to Melisa; Gabriel, who is a gifted musician; and Alicia, who was married in early 2010 to husband Mike, who has since joined the U.S. Coast Guard. Debbie enjoys being with her family, cooking, reading, traveling and serving the Lord . Debbie has worked in the office at Desert Springs since 2001, and has been the church secretary, office administrator and administrative assistant to Pastor Steve.

John Waltz – Evangelism and Facilities Director

John was born and raised in Northern Indiana.  After serving in the US Navy, he returned to Indiana to begin a career in the construction industry, where he started and managed his own construction company.  He later moved to Northern Illinois and became involved in construction consulting and indoor air quality.  In 2003, John moved to Arizona and later joined Desert Springs.  In 2005 he met and married his wife Lori at Desert Springs.  John and Lori have been involved with short term missions trips, United Indian Missions and Evangelism Explosion since joining the staff of Desert Springs in 2006.  They also co-teach Share Your Faith Workshops in conjunction with Evangelism Explosion.  John is an avid outdoorsman, and both he and Lori enjoy reading, traveling and sharing the Gospel of Jesus.