ANTHONY PATTON – Lead Pastor

FAMILY:

I met my wife, Janice, through church when we were both fifteen years old, and we got married five years later in 2007. As an adoptive and foster family, our hands and home are joyfully full with seven kids ranging from a newborn to a 19 year old young adult. Life in the Patton household is a beautiful mix of chaos, laughter, laundry, and love! Together, our family is blessed to serve in many ministries, including our church’s worship team, small group ministry, and Kairos Prison Ministry.

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE:

Growing up in a Christian home, I watched my dad faithfully bring the love of Christ to inmates in prison, and that passion took root in my own heart. As an adult, I have had the privilege of serving alongside other Christian men through Kairos Prison Ministries, sharing the gospel with inmates at Coxsackie and Greene Correctional Facilities. I currently serve as the Cochair of the Advisory Council for the Hudson Valley Kairos.

I was deeply involved in ministry at Living Water Church long before stepping into pastoral leadership. For over a decade, I ran the media and sound, served on the worship team, led small groups, and was mentored by my friend and pastor, Derek "D-Rock" Duncan. Shortly before Derek was called home to Glory in 2020, I was ordained as a pastor, and soon after, I became the Lead Pastor of Living Water Church.

I attended Moody Bible Institute, further deepening my theological training and love for God’s Word. My heart is for discipleship, biblical expository preaching, and equipping the church to live fully surrendered lives for Christ.

HOBBIES & INTERESTS:

Coffee is practically a spiritual discipline in the Patton home—the darker the roast, the better! I love spending time with my church family, whether that means gathering for fellowship, engaging in deep theological discussions, or enjoying a good board game.

As a family, we are passionate about the great outdoors—camping, hiking, canoeing, fishing, and pretty much anything that involves a bonfire (which, of course, is perfect for both s’mores and brewing coffee).

Most of all, my greatest joy is seeing lives transformed by the gospel and helping others grow in their walk with Jesus.

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE: 

We both grew up serving in our home church, helping in areas like tech and children's ministry. This foundation has been a blessing as we've continued our ministry at Living Water Church. Emma serves faithfully in our children's ministry, The Dock, and we both help lead our youth group, H2O. At Living Water, I began taking on more leadership roles, such as leading a small group, and felt a call to pursue ordination. I was ordained in 2023 and then brought on as the second full-time pastor in 2024. I'm passionate about teaching and preaching the truth of God's Word, and I love building others up in the faith. I also enjoy helping other churches and ministries effectively use technology to reach a wider audience with the Gospel.

HOBBIES & INTERESTS:

As a family, we love camping, movies, and game nights, though most of our free time is spent keeping up with an old home and a young child. I'm also an avid consumer of coffee (though admittedly less so than some others), and I've been known to occasionally play badminton in our auditorium.

ERIK PICARD - Church Plant Pastor

FAMILY:

Michelle and I met in bible college. We are both graduates of a small college on the outskirts of Boston, MA. In January 2017, we got married and spent our first years as a young married couple in the great state of Texas! In 2020, we moved back to the Northeast and eventually found ourselves as first time homeowners in Hyde Park. In 2019, we started a family. Over the past 5 years, God has blessed us with 3 rambunctious boys that keep us busy. We love watching our boys grow and are excited for how God is shaping us for the future!

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE:

I surrendered to full time ministry in High School at a vacation bible school. In 2011, I went on to attend Boston Baptist College where I eventually met Michelle. Over the years, I’ve worked in various ministries. My goal is to serve Jesus in whatever capacity He has called me! Currently, I teach a 3:18 group and lead our First Impressions Ministry.

HOBBIES:

I love to fish and spend time outside with my boys and our dog June. I also enjoy sports and reading.

DAVE JENKINS
Elder / Men’s Group Leader

FAMILY:
Susan and I have been married 31 years. We have two grown children, Ben 25 who lives in Norwalk CT and Beth, 22, who lives in Anchorage, AK. We both grew up in Virginia and graduated from Virginia Tech. In 2004 we moved to the Hudson Valley. I work as an engineer for Metal Container Corporation in New Windsor, NY.

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE:
I grew up in church and accepted Jesus and was baptized at age 7. However, for the next 30+ years, I knew all the answers to the spiritual questions, but lacked a sense of tangibility and fervor in the Lord. Shortly before coming to Living Water Church, God became real when a dear friend invited me to a Tres Dias weekend which was the beginning of a spiritual transformation.

Over the past eight years, my growth at Living Water has included mission trips to Uruguay and Dominica. God has continued to place ministry opportunities in my path including helping lead the Living Water Men’s ministry and Men’s Group. I have also had the privilege of serving on a Tres Dias weekend team. Susan and I actively serve with Love INC serving the needs of those in our local community.

HOBBIES:
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, and home improvement projects.

PAUL STEIER
Elder / Children’s Teacher

FAMILY:
I am the blessed father of six children and one new granddaughter who is an absolute delight. We are longtime residents of LaGrange and most of my children still live nearby. We enjoy backyard bonfires, biking on the rail trail and hiking everywhere there is natural beauty.

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE:
As a child growing up in a Christian household I was fortunate to have parents who prioritized their availability for church ministry in whatever capacity the Lord led. The joy and peace my parents displayed serving the body of Jesus became something my siblings and I never wanted to be without. The past few years at Living Water Church I have been blessed to serve and teach in the Children’s ministry. What fun we all have upstairs in “The Dock” and so often the questions the kids ask me in response to the morning’s teaching has challenged and build up my own faith. I can say with all sincerity it has been all joy to part of what the Lord has been doing ever week at Sunday School, Wednesday evening prayer and many other Living Water Church outreach ministries.

As a Church Elder it is my deepest desire to continue the good work the Lord has started with this body of believers. Loving God, Loving people, making disciples. Seeking new and creative ways to reach our community and to build a stable church foundation with Jesus Christ as the Head.

Colossians 1:15 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.”

Jim Russell
Elder

FAMILY

Marta and I met at The King’s College in Briarcliff Manor, NY. After graduating we were married in the Spring of 1989. We have three wonderful daughters and two grandchildren. Two daughters are married, and we look forward to our last wedding in June of 2025. I have been blessed to work in the physical security industry and continue to love selling these products to national companies across the U.S. Marta works part time as an elder law paralegal.

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE

Marta and I both grew up in the church and participated in youth activities and camps. As a young married couple, we served as both Junior High and High School youth group leaders. More recently, Marta helped lead a Bible study with female inmates at FCI Danbury. I served the church in the role of Trustee, where we cared for the church’s infrastructure and business needs. Currently, we lead a 318 Group at our home and enjoy connecting more closely with those in our group (there’s always room for more). As an Elder at LWC, I look forward to working with the team as we strive to deliver the gospel message in the NEW home the Lord has blessed us with in downtown Poughkeepsie.

HOBBIES

Marta and I enjoy traveling and, as my work life begins to wind down, we look forward to seeing more of the world that God created for us to explore. We also love spending time with our family. Marta is a tennis enthusiast, and I am getting her interested in golf as well.

DANA DUNCAN-VANSTEENBURGH
Children’s Director

FAMILY:

Joe and I married in 2024. Collectively we are blessed to have 7 children, 9 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. Joe has lived most of his life in Dutchess County. I moved here in 2009 with my late husband Derek and two of my children to start Living Water Church.

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE:

My journey in ministry started when Derek and I got married in 1985. We began to serve in the local church as volunteers and never stopped. I have taught all ages of children, birth through 12th grade. I have served in the music ministry in choir, orchestra, and directing youth band. Our entire family has served together on local, national, and international missions projects, working extensively in Uruguay, South America from 1999-2007. In August of 2009, our family moved to Dutchess County as missionaries to start Living Water Church. I love our children’s ministry at LWC, as we seek to support our parents in the spiritual nurture of their children. It is a joy to watch the children grow as they learn about the truths in God’s word and how Jesus loves them.

HOBBIES:

My favorite thing to do is spend time with my husband Joe, my grandchildren and children. I enjoy music, gardening, and working on my house.