Pastors Blare & Elise Wood

Blare Wood is a pastor, speaker, and a self-proclaimed mediocre golfer. He grew up in Washington, and met his wife Elise in Missouri in their college years. They were married in December 2011, and together, they have a daughter named Jensen who was born in 2019. Blare spent the majority of his ministry serving as a youth pastor and investing in the next generation.
He still speaks to youth and young adults at conferences and camps. A true shepherd-hearted leader, Blare has a tenacity to empower others to lead in their full capacity. Blare has the ability to lead others with both tenderness and with strength, a balance not many have acquired. His aim is to raise up Jesus-centered leaders who boldly proclaim their identity in Jesus in order to grow Heaven. For Blare, empowering people is central.

Elise Wood is a pastor, evangelist, writer, proud wife of 13 years, and "mommy" to an amazing five-year-old world-changer. In October 2022, Elise founded and launched Ripple Effect, a nonprofit ministry to serve the next generation of leaders. She has over a decade of experience founding and directing next-generation leadership and ministry-training programs in the local church, and she has pastored and trained countless young people called into vocational ministry through those. Elise is passionate about seeing people in their potential, championing their calling, and exhorting them to believe God for greater things. A "lifelong learner," she earned a Master of Arts in Bible and Theology in 2018, and a B.A. in Biblical Studies in 2012. Elise is passionate about seeing people walk in the fullness of the call that God has placed on their lives to go and make disciples of all nations.