Staff

Steve is the kind of pastor that becomes like part of the family. He is the head pastor here at Accelerate Church. One of the reasons why people love Pastor Steve so much is because he is passionate about helping them grow and reach their full potential in life. His heart of love shines through in everything he does, whether teaching a message, talking with a child or leading his staff.

Growing up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, he came to realize his calling to ministry as an early college student. He married his wonderful wife, Heidi, in 1993, and within that next year, moved down south to Broken Arrow, OK to attend Rhema Bible Training Center. He has 2 children, Seth and Jessica. Jessica looks just like him (Seth looks like his mom!). You’ll never find him drinking coffee, but you just may find him out on the golf course!

He has a BIG vision for the church and for empowering people to fulfill their God-given visions. Leading people to become great leaders is something he gets very excited about. He encourages people through his inspiring and humorous messages. He has been known to have some extremely hilarious bloopers during sermons!

Fun…Crazy…Weird…Joyful…all these words are commonly used to describe Heidi, the creative communicator! She is the wife of head pastor, Steve Rickard and also is the head of the worship team. She gets very passionate about leading people in heartfelt worship. Teaching and preaching is also a big part of her, and she teaches foundational classes for the believer at Accelerate and has also spoken at various Women’s Conferences.

One of the great joys in her life is hanging out with her family. Whether it’s a “Settlers of Catan” game night, or walking on trails and talking with her husband, she is big on time spent together. Activities with her kids, Seth and Jessica, include playing video games, writing goofy rap songs or watching Mr. Bean or Mel Brooks movies. Raised in a big, hilarious, Wisconsin family, the girl knows how to get together with people and have some family fun!

She also enjoys attending or hosting Women’s Conferences. Women becoming healthy and strong spiritually, as well as laughing and having fun in life, is serious business to Heidi! Her deep desire and ambition for the things of God and her love for people make her a blessing at Accelerate.

Don’t be fooled by Lester’s nickname, “Stone”, this associate pastor is all ooey-gooey inside! Anyone who knows Pastor Guest has been touched by his humble heart and the kindness in his eyes. Ministring to people has been the main part of his life and has many rich experiences including pioneering a church in Haiti that is still thriving to this day. Prior to Accelerate church, he has preached overseas, served as the director of World Outreach of Toledo, served as associate pastor at several churches and also has been the head pastor and pioneer of a church in Michigan.

Just before the new millennium, he married the gorgeous and elegant Tamara. They have 4 children; Josh, Jordan, Lexi, and Tanner. If you see a well-dressed, beautiful family out spending time together and the man is wearing a fedora and driving a Buick….you’ve almost certainly seen the Guest Family!

Many of the ministries of Accelerate Church are better organized and growing because of the work Lester does and the grace he brings. He excels at getting things lifted off the ground and is skilled in building up and training leaders to go higher in God. Although his office and administration abilities flourish, likewise do his preaching and teaching abilities. He has a strong desire to help people grow and be free from anything that hinders them from being successful in this life, as evidenced by his creatively visual messages and his passionate spirit.

A great starting point to describe Tamara would be to say “a person who sees you, and a person who cares”. Tamara is the wife of Associate pastor, Lester Guest. What does she “do” at Accelerate Church? Well, frankly, a lot! Like her husband, she has the foresight and ability to get programs up and running in an efficient, organized way and because she has a lot of love for people, they are developed and grow as leaders. She serves as one the directors in Accelerate Kids and she oversees the Greeter Team and the Hospitality Ministry.

Habla español? If yes, than you’ll enjoy speaking with Tamara! She is a middle school Spanish Teacher in the Clinton School District. God uses her in the classroom to be a kind, encouraging, and loving influence in the lives of her students.

When at home, she enjoys hanging out with her family, playing in the yard or watching a movie. One of her favorite things to do is to grab a good cup of coffee, then go on a walk to take in the beautiful farm landscape with its rolling cornfields. She may appear the quiet-type at first, but she really loves to have fun, laugh, and play games with people. Her witty observations and joyful spirit make her the life of any party!

Kainan, fisher of men and a fisher of…. fish! A big outdoorsman who was born and raised in Arizona, this guy loves to fish and hunt delicious animals and be out in nature. When he’s inside, you might find him trying to beat his high score on his favorite video game. He has a blast working for a company that builds cars. One thing is for sure, he truly loves hanging around people and building relationships. He’s definitely a people-person through and through!

Coming from a life of hurts, filled with alcohol and drug addiction, he met his Savior, Jesus, and was completely delivered-spiritually, physically, and mentally! He felt called to ministry and in 2006, moved to Oklahoma to attend Rhema Bible Training Center. During his time there, he noticed a pretty blonde with a Canadian accent, a Rhema student that lived in his same apartment complex. It was love at first sight and he worked on wooing Jessi with his corny Canadian jokes. She couldn’t resist and they married. They now have 2 girls, Parker and Addison

Serving in youth ministry since 2009, he and Jessi diligently work to build the Momentum Youth Group and teach them about finding their identity in Christ and God’s love for them. Kainan has a great way of connecting with teens and helping them know that God can save them and set their lives on a great path. He also plays bass guitar and serves on the worship team.

Jessi has a beautiful, comforting smile that speaks volumes of the love of Christ! She serves as a Momentum Youth Pastor at Accelerate, along with her husband, Kainan. Any of the teens that are in the youth group know that she has a great amount of love and care for them. Creative and relevant messages, fun and exciting games, unique and memorable events…all these things are characteristic of Jessi!

She was born and raised in Ontario, Canada by parents who taught her good work ethic and business skills through involving her in the family business throughout her childhood. At four years old, she made Jesus her Savior while listening to a very powerful preacher…”Gospel Duck”! Her parents demonstrated what it means to have a life sold out to God, and they supported her in answering the call to ministry and moving to Oklahoma to attend Rhema Bible Training Center.

While at Rhema, a motorcycle dude pulled up alongside her one day. She was awestruck by this cute (but very cool) ministry student and she has never left his side since! She and Kainan have 2 little daughters, Parker and Addison! During her free time she likes to do a little thing that most women love… shopping! While at home, she might take in an episode of Project Runway or play cards with her hubby.