OUR STAFF
LEAD PASTOR - BURT MILLER
Burt has lived in Lewes for most of his life. He has a knack for preaching engaging messages that are both true to Scripture and easy to understand. His passion is to see people far from God come into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Burt holds a bachelor's degree in the Bible from Eastern University and a Master's in Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He, his wife Katie, and their sons Ben and Luke reside in Lewes, Delaware.
Josh Bell
Associate pastor
Josh Bell has been a part of the Solid Ground community for over thirteen years. He started attending when he was a senior in high school in 2012 and joined our full time staff in 2017. Josh has a Bachelor's degree in Biblical studies from Eastern University. He enjoys helping people discover purpose and freedom through following Jesus. Outside of ministry, Josh enjoys hunting, working out, camping, and going on trips with his family. He and his wife, Leah, have two children and are active members of our church community.
Marissa Murr
Administrator
Marissa Murr serves as our administrator at Solid Ground Church. Marissa and her husband Zack began attending Solid Ground in 2016 and have called the church home ever since. Marissa previously served as an outreach leader. You can currently find her serving in SG Kids, Andrew’s Closet, and our Women's Ministry.
Ashlee Rolkowski
Worship Director
Coming from an Army family and moving around most of her childhood, Ashlee has a passion for helping others find what she previously lacked- deep roots in a church community. She sees music as a way to communicate truths about God that resonate with people from all backgrounds and to give people the opportunity to come together in corporate worship of the Lord. Ashlee holds a Bachelor's degree in Worship and Music Ministry from Liberty University. She and her husband, Eric, have two kids, Piper and Finn.
Autumn Straume
Kids Ministry Director
Autumn Straume serves as the Children's Director at Solid Ground Church. She grew up in Lewes, Delaware, and has been passionate about working with children for many years. With a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Autumn has taught elementary and middle school students since 2015. Raised in ministry, she has volunteered much of her life sharing the love of Jesus with kids. Autumn is dedicated to meeting children where they are, helping them grow in their faith, and experiencing God's love in a way that speaks to them. She lives in Lincoln with her husband, Keith, their two children, Rory and Gray, and their dog, Oakley. Autumn is excited to walk alongside the church's children as they discover the joy and peace from knowing Jesus.
Kara Shores
Finance Director
Kara has been attending Solid Ground since 2014 and is passionate about using her skills to help further the kingdom of God. She has worked professionally in accounting since 2018. Kara has a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, a Master's in Business Administration, and is working towards her Doctorate in Business Administration. She lives in Lewes with her husband Alex and their two children, Daisy and Violet. Kara is excited to be on staff at Solid Ground, the church where she, her husband, and their oldest daughter were baptized. It brings her deep joy to be part of the hands and feet of Jesus in this way.
CHURCH ELDERS
How we are governed
We believe that the biblical example of leadership is for a church to be governed not by one individual, but by a plurality of male elders. This non-staff board provides oversight for our church alongside our Lead Pastor.
Chris di francesca - elder
Chris and his wife, Giselle, are originally from Baltimore, MD, where they married in 2002. They have been blessed with two sons- Christian and Rocco. In 2000, as an extension of his home church, Chris co-founded a food pantry/ outreach center, now City of Refuge Baltimore. In 2008, he also helped plant a church in Milford, DE, where I served as an Elder and in various other ministry roles. Chris has been part of Solid Ground since 2015, where he currently serves as an Elder and on the production team. He is currently employed as a regional manager for a construction materials manufacturer.
Drew jensen - elder
Drew and his wife, Kim, have been married since 1997, and they have three grown children, Tim, Matt, and Evelyn. He attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and served as a pastor for nearly 10 years before moving to Delaware. He currently serves in administration at a Christian school. Drew loves the local church and has a passion for Outreach and Missions.
roy clark - elder
Roy was born in Havana, Cuba, and his family migrated to the United States in 1962. He completed his education in the New York City School System. Roy came to faith in 1982 and met his wife, Demetrius, in 1987. They have three children and seven grandchildren. Roy owned and operated the "Hallelujah Shoe Repair Shop," where he encouraged many and led many to Christ. He also worked for the New York City Transit Authority as a Bus Driver for twenty-five years. His testimony was so influential that the NYCTA afforded him a space to meet with and minister to the Bus Drivers, which launched his Pastorate. In New York, Roy has also served as an elder, church planter, and Senior Pastor.
Jimmy Paden - Elder
Jimmy Paden is dedicated to serving the body of Christ with humility, wisdom, and a heart for discipleship. With a solid foundation in leadership, he aims to support the church community by fostering spiritual growth, promoting biblical truth, and guiding others through life's challenges with faith. He holds a Master's in Biblical Exposition from Liberty University and is committed to faithfully teaching God's Word and reflecting the love of Christ in every interaction. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Online Enrollment Management at Montreat College, a Christian institution in Western North Carolina. He has been married to his wife, LK, for 35 years, and is a proud father of two grown children. He deeply values his family and the faith that anchors his life.
