The GDAB is a family of Flourishing churches who are led by healthy pastors, cooperating together to multiply gospel growth.
Our Staff
James Risner
Associational Missionary
James serves our churches by leading GDAB staff and volunteers to accomplish our vision of encouraging pastors and equipping churches for the sake of gospel growth. In addition to leading the association, he also leads the Encouragement Team, which supports pastors with biblical counseling and convenes pastor encouragement gatherings in the Greater Dayton quadrants.
Contact me at missionary@gdab.org
EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE
Associate of Arts in Character Development (2001)
BA in Humanities (2005)
Master of Divinity from Southern Seminary (2006)
PhD in Systematic Theology from Southern Seminary (2013)
Serving in vocational ministry since 1999.
Taught at Boyce College for 8 years.
LIFE & LOVES
Wife Jenny, four kids: Elijah (13), Eliana (11), Josiah (11), Abby (6).
Loves preaching, playing sports and music, studying culture, being outdoors, spending time with family.
REagan Wagoner
Planting Team Leader
Reagan serves our churches by leading a team of experienced pastors and churches to encourage and pursue planting and replanting in Greater Dayton area. He partners with the Send Network of the North American Mission Board to train leaders and network churches in strategic cooperation.
EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE
Two degrees in Biblical Studies/Psychology (BA) and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) in Pastoral Studies. He is also currently pursuing his DMin in Leadership from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Serving in ministry for 24 years.
In his 24 years of ministry, he has been personally involved in the planting of 85 churches through mission partnership, training, or direct planting both here in the Cincinnati/Dayton area, the US, and also around the globe.
LIFE & LOVES
He and his wife, Heather, have been married for 19 years, and lived in Springboro, OH since 2015.
Four children (Reese – 16; Ty – 13; Tess – 12; Presley- 8).
A huge sports fan, Disney fan, and loves the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, and Texas Rangers. He also knows where he lives, and cheers for the Buckeyes (though he is also a life-long Sooners fan as well)
Todd Cyphers
Coaching Team Leader
Todd serves our pastors and church leaders by leading a team of experienced pastors to provide coaching to other Associational Pastors. Coaching is a relationally oriented process that guides pastors to help fellow pastors shepherd their churches toward biblical faithfulness.
EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE
Associate Pastor and Associate Church Planter (1997-1999)
Lead Pastor of a Multiplying Church that started churches (1999-2022)
Send Network pastor of Waynesville Community Church (2022-present)
LIFE & LOVES
His wife, Glenna, two daughters, and six grandchildren
Walking, watching college football, and just about anything that includes grandchildren
Walking alongside other men in discipleship, equipping ministry leaders and staff, and mentoring young leaders and pastors to follow Christ
Jim Corbin
Great Commission Connector
Jim serves the churches within the association by (1) connecting churches to partner together on short-term trips (via a missions’ trip connection tool); (2) providing on-site evangelism training and/or consultation to help increase the Great Commission faithfulness within the local context; and (3) cultivating diaspora missions’ awareness, equipping, and mobilization.
EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE
Director of Mission and Mercy Ministries (University BC, 2022-present)
Strategy Coordinator, Argentina and Peruvian Amazonas region (e3Partners, 2018-present)
Church Planter (e3Partners, 2012-present)
M.S. Systems Management
LIFE & LOVES
Married to Sandy (42 years), 2 children (Chris and Milissa) and 6 grandchildren
Golfing, reading, and anything that Poppa can do
All Pittsburgh sports teams (yes, that includes the Steelers)
Tyler Haerr
Associational Resource Manager
Tyler serves the GDAB by ensuring all the trailers and equipment are in tip top shape so our churches can use them to further the mission of the gospel. In addition to maintaining the equipment Tyler is also available to answer any questions about equipment setup and deliver trailers if necessary.
EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE
Graduate of Northeastern High School (2015)
Veteran of the US Navy (2015-2019)
Licensed Aircraft technician (2016-present)
Youth Leader at Crestview Baptist Church (2021-present)
Worship team member (2021-present)
LIFE & LOVES
His wife Kelsie and son Wyatt (1)
He loves leading youth to know Christ, playing guitar on the worship team, hunting, fishing and spending time with family.
Corey Thomas
Software Support
Corey’s work accelerates the pursuit of our vision to encourage and equip pastors and to grow the gospel in Greater Dayton churches and neighborhoods. He does this primarily by building and maintaining the GDAB app and, as additional time permits, by being available to consult with churches regarding software support for ministry.
EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE
Worked at and started several technology companies and consulting agencies, ranging from 1-person companies to larger brands (such as Tony Robbins, Dave Ramsey, Michael Hyatt, Zappos, and TV personalities from ABC, HGTV, and the Discovery Channel)
Served as an operations pastor at a local church
Deacon and group leader at University BC
Currently working on a Masters in Biblical Studies at Redemption Seminary
Recently built a member care app for University BC
LIFE & LOVES
His wife, Krisha, and 3 children, Roman, Galilee, and Hosanna
Creating technology solutions for local churches
Hunter Harwell
Ministry Assistant
Hunter serves the Association by updating the website, designing communications like the newsletter and weekly flyby, and assisting with reception. He is also the treasurer and bookkeeper for the GDAB.
EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE
Intern at the Center for Public Christianity and Apologetics at Cedarville University (2018-2020)
Working on completing his Masters of Divinity
Song leader and Pastoral Resident at Trails Church
LIFE & LOVES
Long-term goal is to teach Bible at a school or seminary after finishing his degree
Theology, especially hermeneutics and exegesis
Reading and playing piano
Our goal is two fold. To strengthen existing churches and plant new churches.
Churches want to multiply. Whether you’re passionate about international or local missions, planting or replanting churches, or revitalizing, you want to obey the Great Commission to make disciples of Jesus. A flourishing church who multiplies is a church who is shaped by the gospel and shares the gospel. Flourishing churches are led by healthy pastors.
We aim to encourage pastors and equip churches for the purpose of multiplying gospel growth.