We met at the tender age of 13 and began dating our senior year of high school after Heather led me to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. I promptly took her on a date to a Poison and Slaughter concert. We’re glad to say it’s been all uphill since :)

We dated throughout college at WVU, then married in 1995, just after Heather got her degree in Psychology. I finished up a year later with a Chemical Engineering degree and we headed off to New Hampshire for Heather’s post-grad work in Psychology. In 1999, along came Glenna Rose. And then, after moving back to Fairmont, Isaac came along in early 2002...which is about the same time we started helping out with FSU’s Chi Alpha. By Fall 2003, we were directing the group as volunteers. But God was knocking. On December 31, 2004, I retired from engineering and started my new career in campus ministry the following day. I’ve been campus pastor for Fairmont State Chi Alpha and on staff at Trinity Assembly of God, our primary supporter, ever since.

We both love reading, traveling together and just hanging out as a family. Matt also enjoys sports, while Heather likes art. Glenna is really into art and horseback riding, while Isaac loves getting dirty, collecting bugs, and falling down. Evelyn was just born so she likes eating and sleeping and smiling so cutely that it hurts. Homeschooling is a big part of our family life, as well. We’d love to have you come and hang out at the Sprenger Farm!

And by the way, we love our students!!

Ashley and Rich met one another while on a Chi Alpha summer expedition to Central China. At the time, Ashley was a Fairmont State student, and Rich was working full-time in the automotive industry, while helping out the University of Michigan Chi Alpha.

Ashley graduated from FSU with an Education degree in December 2006, and they married in 2007. That fall, Ashley began a 2-year commitment to stay around FSU Chi Alpha as Campus Ministry Assistant, with Rich helping out as well. Now the tables have turned and Rich has left his job as a quality engineer to join our staff as a Campus Ministry Assistant as Ashley has become a teacher. While serving as a CMA, Rich is also enrolled in the national Chi Alpha Menternship training program (click for more info).

Rich, who began following Christ while studying at Penn State, is a phenomenal story-teller. Anyone who can start a true story with “I once was stuck in a punching bag” has got to be top-notch. Also, he’s known as Rich Boy to a lot of the guys in XA.

And by the way, they love our students!!

Jeremy & Erica served as students in Chi Alpha a few years ago, before graduating and helping out as volunteer staff, including serving international students.

Jeremy then took a human resources job near Parkersburg, where they partnered with a local church and started a Chi Alpha at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. A little over a year back in Fairmont, they’ve jumped back in to the XA mix, helping out in any way possible. Currently, Jeremy still works in Human Resources, while he prepares for future ministry with Chi Alpha. Like Rich, he is also enrolled in the national Chi Alpha Menternship training program (click for more info). Erica is homeschooling Isaiah.

And in case you didn’t know, they love our students!!

Patrick & Kimberly met at a college ministry while both were students at Fairmont State. They eventually married and stayed in the Fairmont area, working and getting involved in a local church. In the fall of 2004, Patrick & Kimberly began helping out Chi Alpha, basically doing anything they could to serve and love students.

Patrick is an expert archer and avid outdoorsman. He works as a chemical technician for Allegheny Energy. Kimberly competes in endurance horse-racing and was a respected commercial mortgage lender, before becoming a highly respected mom of newly-adopted Elana. Patrick & Kimberly have spent a lot of time with a lot of different students, including hosting them on their 60 acre farm. They’ve especially been a blessing to Chinese students at Fairmont State (probably a little bit of influence on them adopting Elana).

And, oh by the way, they also love our students!!