Who We Are

A smiling middle-aged woman with blonde hair wearing a black top, turquoise and cream beaded necklaces, and gold hoop earrings standing beside a smiling middle-aged man with curly light brown hair, wearing a light blue button-up shirt, outdoors with greenery in the background.

Rev. Ryan and Dale Young

Rev. Ryan Young is the Founding Pastor of Living Rock Church and has been serving as its Lead Pastor for 42 years. He is happily married to his wife of 45 years, Dale, and has 2 children and 2 grandsons. Pastor Ryan currently oversees churches in Connecticut, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, as well as internationlly, including 4 churches in the Ukraine. He has a burden for the local church as a primary witness of God to a hurting world.

Pastor Ryan has served on board of the Juvenile Diversion Board of Clinton, as well as the board of The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries serving for 12+ years. His wife, Dale, has served alongside her husband in many of the ministries of the church, encouraging and strengthening others to live out their full potential in God. In their spare time they enjoy gardening, boating, and spending time with their family.

Elders

A man with glasses and a beard, wearing a cap and a black T-shirt, stands on a hilltop holding a patch, with a backpack, overlooking rolling green hills and a blue sky with some clouds.

JD Crandall grew up at Living Rock Church—both literally and spiritually. His parents brought him to some of the church's very first services at the Grange Hall in Madison when he was about three years old, back when Living Rock was just beginning as a church plant.
Over the years, JD has served in many areas of ministry. He taught Children's Church for more than a decade, participated on the Toymaker & Son mission team to Ukraine, served as a trustee, held the position of church treasurer, and now serves as Living Rock's Financial Administrator and as an elder. In 2020, he was invited to join the teaching team and has been faithfully preaching and teaching ever since.
JD and his wife, Jess, were married in 2009 and have two children. They live in Berlin, Connecticut. When he's not busy with one of his many jobs, you'll likely find him hiking in the woods, climbing a mountain, or discovering a new trail to explore.
A self-proclaimed dork with a heart for God's Word, JD has been part of the Living Rock family for what feels like forever and is grateful for every opportunity to share what the Lord is teaching him.

Todd and Wendy came to know the Lord over 40 years ago. They began their service to God as a couple in 1988, six months after they were married, serving aboard YWAM’s Mercy Ships. With a desire to start a family of their own, they decided to leave the mission field in 1991. In 1997, they joined the Living Rock Church congregation, where
Wendy also worked as the church’s Financial Administrator for 21 years and then as treasurer for two years. During their time at Living Rock, their servant hearts led them to fulfill the passion of ministry by becoming Missions Directors, joining the Church on trips to Ukraine and Bolivia for many years.
Todd also became involved in men’s ministry, as well as a member of the worship team.
Not only have they faithfully attended and served Living Rock, but they have also raised their two sons, Jonathan and David, in the Church.

Rich and Liz have been walking with the Lord since 2000 and 2004 respectively. They have been calling Living Rock Church home since September 2017. They have three puppies named Jimmy, Suzie, and Tommy.
Rich is an investment broker and oversees large events in the church, and plays a vital role in the Isaiah, 61 inner healing and deliverance ministry.
Liz is a retired elementary school teacher who recently went back to school to earn a certification in Christian life coaching with a concentration in biblical counsel and inner healing prayer. She also co-leads the Isaiah 61 Ministry and the Women of the Rock Ministry.
Their number one passion after the Lord is boating, and they love to be found aboard their vessel Heaven Sent.

A smiling man and woman sitting closely together at a restaurant or event, with a busy, elegant background and other guests dining.

Paul and Beth each came to faith in Christ in 1980 and met later that same year on Cape Cod, where they were living. They were married in 1982, and have four grown daughters and three grandsons.
After moving to CT in 1983, they became very involved in a local church in the area where they lived for the next seven years, serving as worship leaders, Sunday school teachers and working with the youth group. Paul also was the treasurer of the church and on the church board.
They came to LRC in 1990 and have been involved in a number of different ministries since then, including the worship team, altar ministry, children’s ministry, prison ministry, and have served previously as small group leaders, deacons and care pastors. Paul also attended the Rock Church Bible School.

A smiling couple taking a selfie outdoors near a body of water during sunset. The woman has gray hair and blue eyes, wearing a colorful patterned jacket and a yellow top. The man has a gray beard and mustache, wearing a gray cap and a zip-up jacket. The background shows green vegetation and a sunset over the water.

Nico and Morley van Yperen have been married for 31 years and have 6 children and 3 grandchildren.
Nico is an ordained minister and has owned Alpha and Omega, a real estate appraisal business for 30 years.
Morley has her undergraduate degree in Biblical studies and completed a Master of Arts in Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary at the end of 2022. She received her doctorate in June 2023 and she is currently the Theologian in Residence for Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet.
Together they have a heart for small group ministry and cultivating community. They look forward to continuing to serve the body of Christ and being a part of the future of Living Rock Church.