DR. BRYAN HURLBUTT
Lead Pastor
After years of preparation and seeking the Lord’s direction, Bryan moved to Utah in 2004 for the sole purpose of founding Lifeline Community. Born and raised in upstate New York, Bryan received his bachelor’s degree in religious education from Davis College in Johnson City, New York, and his master’s degree in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. His doctorate of ministry from Talbot School of Theology focused on how worldview, philosophy, and culture relate to the local church, which culminated in the release of his first book, Tasty Jesus: Liberating Christ from the Power of our Predilections, published by Wipf and Stock. A true scholar and pastor at heart, Bryan longs to merge the life of the mind with life in the Spirit. His primary passion in ministry is discipleship, as evidenced by the various ministries at Lifeline, with the intended result that Lifeline be the kind of church that no one ever outgrows. Bryan is married to Jennifer and they have three daughters. He is an avid runner, a devout Syracuse Orange fan, and his favorite hobby is discussing world views and theology at ANY time in ANY place.
ROB ALLES
Associate Pastor
Rob graduated from the University of Utah in 1992, married in 1993, attended seminary in 1994, and began a construction business in 1996 while training for pastoral ministry under the guidance of North Hills Community Church in South Carolina. After several years of lay ministry, he became a full-time pastor in 2014 and completed his master’s degree in biblical/theological studies at Western Seminary in 2019. His pastor’s heart is displayed in several capacities and various ministries. He and his wife, Melissa, have five children, and they can muster up a mean barbecue. He enjoys hunting and fishing in the great outdoors, and has also been known to build a thing or two.
BRAD HOMER
Pastor of Worship and Media
Also born and raised in upstate New York, Brad served as a youth and worship pastor at three other churches prior to joining the team at Lifeline. He received his bachelor’s degree from Davis College in Johnson City, New York (where he met a guy named Bryan Hurlbutt) and completed his master’s degree in religion at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Growing up in a small country church, Brad’s relationship with Christ was initially fostered by his parents as well as his faithful pastor who heavily invested into the lives of the teens at church. Brad firmly believes it was this foundation that has helped him grow into the pastor he is today. Brad and his wife, Rachel, have three sons.
STEPHEN BLUE
Executive Pastor
Stephen was involved in student ministry on a variety of levels for several years prior to joining the Lifeline staff in January 2015 as the pastor of student ministries. He moved into the executive pastor role in April of 2022. His overall ministry goals are that he might grow, and help others grow in gospel identity, biblical literacy, biblical theology, biblical outreach, and biblical community. He feels privileged to serve in a variety of supportive ways to help the ministries of Lifeline move forward. Stephen has a bachelor’s degree in history from University of Texas at Arlington and a master’s degree in biblical studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, but he believes that the best education is from the Lord and His people. Stephen is married to Michelle and they have three daughters. He still enjoys volunteering in student ministry, and he’s thrilled to have the opportunity to serve at Lifeline.
AARON DODDS
Pastor of Student Ministries
Having grown up in the church with family members serving in full-time ministry, Aaron gained experience throughout his life in music ministry, evangelism, media production, and discipleship, shaping him for multiple areas of service within the church. Aaron and his wife, Krista, began attending Lifeline in 2015 where they both dove in headfirst. Throughout 2018-2019, Aaron completed his master’s degree in theological studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary while simultaneously undertaking a two-year ministry development internship at Lifeline. Aaron seeks to show his love for God and His people by helping to facilitate deeper connections within the church and broadening gospel application through equipping students and their parents for ongoing discipleship and theological depth in the home. Aaron enjoys movies, music, reading, fellowshipping with others, and spending time with his wife and son.
CRYSTAL SANTOS
Director of Counseling
Crystal was born and raised in southern California, later moving to Seattle where she met her husband and received her bachelor’s degree from Northwest University. After three years of marriage they had their first child shortly before God relocated them to Utah and brought them to Lifeline. She began training as a biblical counselor at Lifeline Christian Counseling Center, completing her practicum and internship at the center, while finishing her master’s degree in professional counseling at Liberty University. She firmly believes her role is not just a vocation but a calling, helping people understand the root of their problems while taking a back seat to how God powerfully works in their lives. Crystal enjoys singing, running, cooking, traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with her husband, Jonathan, and their two children.
LEN ROBINSON
Director of Vocation and Pastoral Care
Prior to beginning to serve with Lifeline Community in September 2022, Len graduated from Columbia Bible College, in 1970, with a bachelors in Biblical Education and a masters in Biblical Studies from Trinity Theological Seminary, in 2011. Following graduation from Columbia Bible College, Len completed an eight-month Missionary Internship in Farmington Hills, Michigan, after which he served two years in the United States Army. After completing his military service, Len and Hope were married, and, over the years, have been blessed with three daughters, all whom are married with grown children of their own. Len and Hope are both humbled and grateful for how God has blessed and directed them over the years (eleven plus years as church planting missionaries in Barcelona, Spain, and thirty-two plus years in pastoral ministry in the United States). Len not only longs to finish well for the glory of God, but also to be instrumental in helping others to do the same.
LAURA HULSE
Office Administrator
Laura was raised in the Bible-belt state of Oklahoma by a family that was heavily involved in church ministry. But God led her far from that culture to the state of Utah where she discovered a newfound heart for those who haven’t been exposed to the Gospel. Laura’s gifting is organization and number-crunching, and she loves taking what most consider mundane and doing it for the glory of God. Laura and her husband, Ray, have four children and three grandchildren. She loves traveling and Notre Dame sports (go Irish!), but her greatest passion outside of God and ministry is running. She runs a ridiculous number of miles and has completed several marathons including the world-famous Boston marathon.
SIDNEY PORTER
Administrative Assistant
Sidney was raised in a tight-knit home with her parents and three older brothers, right here in the Salt Lake valley. Growing up, she loved being a part of ministry and the life of the local church. After graduating high school, she moved to the Oregon coast to attend Ecola Bible College, in the beautiful town of Cannon Beach. Following her completion of their one-year program, she returned for a second year to be a part of the School of Ministry. Outside of her walk with the Lord, Sidney’s family and community brings her the most joy! Sidney also enjoys watercolor painting, rainy days, dad jokes, bantering with her family, spending time outdoors, and a good glass of cold brew coffee.