Meet the Staff
JOSH LARAVIA- Lead Pastor
BACKGROUND: Josh received his Bachelors of Arts degree at Louisiana State University in history and a Masters of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in Biblical Languages. Before leading Randall, Josh lead the college ministry at The Chapel on the Campus (2002-2011 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana). He was the collegiate pastor for Istrouma Baptist Church (2000-2002) in Baton Rouge, LA. He was also the youth pastor for Grace Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, LA (1998-2000). Through each position Josh has learned a lot about leading the body of Christ to enjoy His grace and extend His glory. FAMILY: Josh married his wonderful wife Allison in 2002 and they have 3 children, Kennedy, Jackson and Jude. MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Josh was a Teaching Pastor at the Chapel on the Campus and focused on the collegiate flock of nearly 800. He discipled a core group of 100 collegiate leaders and adults that served the campus through outreach and evangelism, community groups, and service. Josh mobilized students and adults for several world-wide mission trips. He did this because he has a heart to glorify Christ by making disciples of all nations. His vision is the same for Randall, to lead a church that is wholly yielded to the Lord and passionate for the glory of Christ. Josh believes the Great Commission and the Great Commandment provide the church with its mission, and these imperatives are unchanging and timeless.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
DICK MURPHY- Executive Pastor
BACKGROUND: Born and raised in the Rochester, New York area, Dick received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton College, and earned a Juris Doctor degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Law. In addition to his pastoral duties, he maintains an active, full-time practice of law as a partner in the law firm of Sheffer, Murphy & White located in Williamsville, New York. FAMILY: Dick married his wife, Mary Ann, in 1969, and they presently make their home in East Amherst, NY. They have three children. The oldest, Erin, is married to Dr. Nick Flugstad and they live in Milwaukee, WI. The next, John, is married to Emily; they live in Williamsville, NY and are proud parents of Jack. The youngest, Katy, lives in Wheaton, IL. MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Since his college years, Dick has always been actively involved in ministry. He spent two years as Associate Director of Community Outreach Ministries in Glen Ellyn, IL, engaged in various music performance ministries over the years, and served in various lay leadership positions in churches he attended in the Wheaton, IL and Buffalo, NY areas. He joined the pastoral staff of Randall Church in 2000 as Pastor of Discipleship (half-time), and in that position engaged in personal disciple making, training others to make disciples, helping and encouraging others in their spiritual walk as disciples, and modeling principles of discipleship in his own life. Under Lead Pastor Josh LaRavia, Dick is transitioning to the position of Executive Pastor in which he will help Josh carry out his vision for the Randall faith family to glorify God by making disciples of all nations. In addition, Dick will coordinate the Worship Gathering aspect of church activities including Sunday morning services, assimilation and children’s ministries. In all these things, Dick seeks to accomplish God’s call on his life to minister for His glory using the full measure of his gifts to equip disciples of Jesus to serve him with the full measure of their gifts.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
JACK WILL- Associate Pastor
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
KODY LABARTHE- Pastor of Local Discipleship
BACKGROUND: Kody received his Bachelors of Science degree at Louisiana State University in Business Management and is currently pursuing a Masters of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Before coming to Randall, Kody worked on Staff for The Refuge, a college ministry at LSU (2009-2010). As well, he was a staff member for The Chapel in China, where he was part of a new church plant amongst college students in Southeast Asia. In each of these positions Kody learned many invaluable skills and lessons concerning working to advance the Lord’s kingdom. FAMILY: Kody and his new bride, Vicki LaBarth were married this year. He is super-excited about this new step in life, and looks forward to a future of working alongside Vicki to make disciples and fulfill the Great Commission. MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Kody was part of a staff team at The Refuge that was committed to making disciples to the glory of God. In his time with this ministry he was able to gain much experience doing on-campus evangelism, leading community groups, discipling young men, leading summer mission trips, and teaching the student leaders in the ministry, as well as gaining some experience teaching at the weekly large group gathering.
In Asia, Kody was blessed to be a part of the beginning stages of a church plant amongst college students. While there, he learned how to depend on the Lord while sharing the Gospel often with students, as well as discipling a core group of leaders to live their lives to the glory of God. Discipling these students sharpened Kody in his skills of teaching and shepherding. Also, he was able to take several trips to unreached people groups in Asia, bringing the Gospel to different people groups who have never had the opportunity to hear about Jesus Christ before!
At Randall, Kody is so excited to help lead a church that is deeply in love with Jesus Christ, and willing to do anything in obedience to him. He believes that a church with this radical nature is poised and ready to make a great impact for the kingdom of God as its members make disciples, love the Lord, and love people with all of their strength!
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
DIANE SHARPE- Children’s Director
BACKGROUND: Diane received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Education at the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Masters of Science degree in Elementary Education from the State University College of New York at Buffalo. After an extensive teaching career, Diane has retired and desires to use her knowledge and experience in Children’s Ministry. FAMILY: Diane and her husband, George have two married children, Ryan,US Army and Rebecca, Elementary Educator. MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Diane has been actively involved in children’s ministry at Randall for many years both teaching and serving on the Christian Education committee as well as directing the children’s choir.
Diane’s mission is threefold. She desires to help children: 1. KNOW God through His Son, Jesus Christ. 2. GROW in their knowledge of God’s Word, the Bible and 3. SHOW the love of God in their lives and activities.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
AARON RICHBART- Pastor of Student Ministries
BACKGROUND: Aaron received his Bachelors of Science degree at Philadelphia Biblical University in Bible with an emphasis in Youth Ministry. Prior to working full time with the Youth at Randall, Aaron served as a volunteer in the Youth Group (2009-2011) and worked full time as a Regional Director for Christian Service Brigade Ministries (2009-2010). FAMILY: Aaron and his wife Rebecca have attended Randall their whole lives and were married in 2008. Both Aaron’s and Rebecca’s families currently attend Randall. MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Since 2001 Aaron has worked every summer at a Christian boys camp. Aaron has served as a Cabin Leader, Program Director, and as a Camp Pastor. In college, Aaron worked weekly with a young men’s group at a local church (2005-2008). He has served as a Regional Director for CSB Ministries and has been working directly with the Randall Youth Group since 2009.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
BEV MAURER- Church Administrator
BACKGROUND: “ Bevie” was born and raised in Amherst, New York. After graduating from Sweet Home High School, she went on to receive a degree in Business Administration from Buffalo State College. FAMILY: Bev and her husband of 34 years, Al, live in Clarence with their two Bernese Mountain Dogs. Both Bev and Al have a passion for working and sharing God’s love with kids: Bevie with younger pre-kindergarten/kindergarten children and Al with senior high students. MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Bev’s family started attending Randall in her elementary school years. Upon her college graduation, Bev began a Special Education class for the needs of those students in the church as well as the surrounding area. It was a joy for Bev to participate in this ministy as well as working with the amazing teachers and staff God provided; the class continued for well over twenty years. Shortly after their wedding, Al and Bev began working with the Junior High youth group; an experience all unto its own, with tremendous rewards. Bev does have a love for “kids” and finds it an incredible joy to be coordinating and teaching the LifeStart class (4 and 5 year olds) on Sunday mornings. WORK: Bev started working at Randall many years ago as a part time bookkeeper and through the years was hired on as the Church Administrator.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
LISA KRAGBE- Pastoral Assistant
BACKGROUND: Born in Buffalo, New York and raised in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa, Lisa Kragbé received her French Bachelors of Arts from SUNY Buffalo and her Physical Education Bachelors of Science from SUNY Brockport. FAMILY: With family on both sides of the Atlantic, Lisa embraces her diverse cultural heritage. MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: Lisa was called to missions in 1996 and has gone on short term trips to countries that include Australia, Honduras, Dominican Republic, and Taiwan. The past ten years, she has been ministering State side on college campuses. While working on staff at Randall, Lisa is also serving with ISI (International students Inc.) as Campus Staff.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
JOAN ERCKERT- Support Staff
