Founder/CEO

Rich Larson

Rich was born and raised in northern Wisconsin.  He is blessed with an amazing wife Heidi of over 30 years and three boys who constantly humble him with their desire to serve the Lord.  Rich has been blessed to be a part of God raising up three church plants, the Brick Ministry, Crossroads Outreach Center, and various other ministries while working with Converge Great Lakes and being a pastor for over twenty-five years.  His passion is obedience and faithfulness to his God, family, and calling.  Along the way, God and people have shown him great grace, love, and forgiveness.  I see myself as a recovering Pharisee who still struggles at times with pharisaical tendencies.  I believe God is restoring and redeeming His Church and land in northern Wisconsin.  I believe as we continue to seek Christ and His transforming power through His Holy Spirit, the Church again in northern Wisconsin will see His Kingdom come and His will be done in a way that will honor and glorify the Father in Heaven.

Chief Operating Officer

Justin Reto

Justin Was born in Charlottesville VA to David & Valerie Reto. His family moved back to Ashland in the 90’s. Justin’s mom and dad adopted seven children. Their family has always been busy. Justin has a heart for people. Growing up he founded a green thumb community garden and an adopt-a-grandparent program to pair individuals in nursing homes with adopted grandkids, and help folks in the community grow their own food.

Professionally Justin loves working with people. His career focuses on sales and customer service. Justin worked as a freelancer doing videography for many years, he took a job at a friend’s cafe and became a server and eventually manager. After that he spent four years serving his customers at Ashland Ford Chrysler as a sales consultant.

Justin was privileged to grow up in the church that his mom and dad have attended ever since he can remember. Justin doesn't remember a time before Jesus however, there was a moment during high school he had to choose for himself if he was really going to follow and make the faith his own. Justin’s greatest desire is to lead people to his Lord and live out his faith in a way that points others to Jesus.

Women's Life Relaunch Leader

Carla Ward

Carla’s heart is to answer the call in Colossians 3:12-14 to wear the compassionate cloak of Christ by serving the Last, the Least and the Lost.

Her instruction from God in the middle of a prison visiting room full of murderers, thieves, rapists, addicts and drug dealers was to

"Teach Them Who I Am”. To see Jesus in the hearts of inmates and their families. To see them through Christ’s eyes, forgive as He forgives and loves them as He loves. She is passionate about assisting those impacted by addiction and incarceration with the restoration of their relationships, beginning with Jesus Christ.

Carla was raised in Ashland and has returned, where she loves lake life in the woods. She has 2 sons and 7 grandchildren.