Maple Grove Evangelical Free Church

Toni Sather

Title: Director of Student Ministries

Responsibilities: Jr. High Oasis Director and Sr. High Fuel Associate

Hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota

Family: Married 28 years to husband Judd; 3 lovely daughters, Ashlynn 24, Janaya 18, Annali 15 years old!

Education: 4 years at U of M in special education now working on certificate of Christian Ministry through the EV Free Church

Experience: Post-college: 5 years on staff with Grace Church Edina (now Eden Prairie) as interns working and being trained in the High school ministry; 4 years with Dan Roelofs, 4 years with Ryan Elliott, and 3 years with Paul Stewart here at MGEFC

What brought me to MGEFC: Dan Roelofs (the youth pastor at the time)

Vision for my ministry: Oasis is…To be that place in the Jr. High desert where students can CONNECT, GROW and experience being loved, accepted, belonging and a personal encounter with the Living water, Jesus Christ who will CHANGE their LIFE!  John 7:37

Favorite verse: John 7:37  I love it that He promises not just to fill us up and meet our needs but to also have enough left over to overflow onto others and meet needs!

Favorite TV show: Medical shows like “Emergency” - I wanted to be a paramedic growing up but I can’t stand the sight of blood (I faint)

Favorite book (other than the Bible): “The heart of the matter” by Dave Busby

Favorite caffeinated beverage: Skim milk, sugar-free vanilla latte extra hot (190 degrees al least)

Favorite person: Patty Daily - the woman who discipled me for 4 years while I was in college

Favorite place to pray: Lakeside - anywhere near water or in my car while driving

Favorite sports team: My daughter’s soccer team. Go Maple Grove!

Favorite food: Kettle cooked chips or coconut ting-a-lings/haystakes

Hobbies/interests: Ideas, memories, photos, arts and crafts, scrapbooking, reading, kids, camping, outdoors, my family

Random fact about me: I’m nocturnal; I collect ideas; I absolutely love COLOR; I could sit by water or a fire for hours on end; I was a figure skater; I owned my own horse; I was the Egg and Spoon Champion in Jr High.

What fascinates me: Jr. high students - no, really! God’s passionate, unfailing, strong, no strings attached love for me and His GRACE

Best advice given to me: “Plan as if you have forever but live like it’s your last day here on earth”

My life motto: “To live is Christ - to die is gain”

Three people I would like to have dinner with: Patty Daily(my discipler), Francis Chan (favorite teacher), my gramma (She just died at 101 years old but was my best friend growing up)

Heroes: Jesus!  HE saved my life on June 4th 1977