Michael, who served as Vice President of Advancement at SGA from 1997-2003, was named President of SGA in May of 2017.

Michael began his career as an account manager and supervisor at highly respected international advertising agencies from 1986 to 1995, serving major consumer brands. He later moved to nonprofit agency leadership at KMA Direct Communications and Douglas Shaw and Associates, where he served as Senior Vice President for 11 years before rejoining SGA.

Michael is building on the solid biblical and ministry foundation laid by Peter Deyneka and Bob Provost, who will continue to serve as an advisor to Michael as President Emeritus.

Dr. Bob Provost served from 1994 through April 2017 as the fourth president of SGA. He speaks Russian and has made more than 180 ministry visits to the former communist world to serve evangelical pastors, evangelist-missionary pastors, and their church families.

Bob’s passion is two-fold — to serve evangelical churches in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and Israel, and to serve missions-minded churches in America by helping them joyfully partner with zealous churches in the lands of Russia. When faithful Bible-preaching churches labor together, a great harvest of souls is gathered for the glory of Christ. Bob and his wife, Louetta, reside in Rockford, Illinois. The Provosts would love to visit, encourage, and challenge your church family.

Prior to joining SGA, Eric was engaged in military flight test and space systems integration for 16 years. While serving on the International Space Station program in Moscow, he developed a special love for the Russian people.

Called out of aerospace into ministry in 2002, Eric travels and ministers throughout the Russian-speaking nations and the USA to serve faithful Bible-preaching churches. His passion is to see God’s people serve and live their lives on mission for the sake of the Gospel. He is also the pastor of River’s Edge Bible Church in Pecatonica, Illinois, where he resides with his wife, Kristi. Eric has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, an M.B.A in International Development, and a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Alex grew up in the country of Latvia; in 2000 the family immigrated to the USA. In 2006, he graduated from The Master’s College and later, earned his Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2007, Alex joined SGA as an accountant; later, he joined the ministry department, where he is involved with church planting ministries and church relations. Alex and his wife, Yelena, and their children, Daniel and Ilona, live in Loves Park, Illinois.

Joel Griffith has served at SGA since 1993 in a variety of capacities, now as our mission’s communications manager. Joel began as a broadcaster in 1978, last serving as news director of The Christian Communication Network stations (WQFL/WGSL) in Rockford, Illinois. Since joining the SGA team, Joel has been to Russia and Belarus several times, and keeps a close eye on global developments that could potentially have impact on Christian ministry. He lives near Cedarville, Illinois.

Larry served previously as SGA’s director of church relations from 1994-1998, returning to SGA to serve in this role in June 2021. He brings almost four decades of pastoral ministry experience to this role, during which he has served on staff in a church of thousands and served as shepherd for churches in urban and rural settings in Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri. Privileged to preach in several countries around the world, Larry’s passion is to biblically serve pastors and their churches wherever the Lord allows. Indeed, his job description with SGA says, “The main priority of this position is to be a blessing to pastors and churches.” It would be his joy to open God’s Word with you.