Our Story
The call on the Sparkman family to go to the Flathead Valley was clear. It was not the physical beauty that drew us, although it is a place of undeniable beauty. It was the people and a burden God placed in our hearts to see the spiritual beauty of the Flathead Valley reflect the physical beauty.
And so, we went with open hearts and open hands to join in the work the Lord is already doing there, and with a vision of what could be. What if the Lord would have us settle and form deep roots in the valley, living faithfully, intentionally, teaching the Word of God, and training others, so the light of Christ would shine brightly against the darkness? What if we could help others know God and make Him known, so our valley will thrive? We see the Flathead Valley thriving because people are wholeheartedly surrendered to Jesus, the Living Water; the Goodwater, never to be the same again.
Yet far beyond the view of our valley, the soil is hard and unyielding. But what if the spiritual richness of the valley overflowed like a river full from the spring rains, flowing into the hard and unyielding places, slowly, steadily over time. What if those waters of life began to carve and shape the land beyond in such a way where the people who tasted of this Living Water were forever changed, experiencing nourishment, hope, transformation from death to life, joy, and hope? We see the land beyond thriving because thirsty people encounter Jesus, the Living Water, the Goodwater, never to be the same again.
As much as the physical beauty of the valley takes our breath away, we long to see the day when it is but a pale glimmer compared to the spiritual beauty of the lives, the valley, and the land beyond that were forever changed by the Living Water, a promise of hope to a generation yet to be born.
And so, we went with open hearts and open hands to join in the work the Lord is already doing there, and with a vision of what could be. What if the Lord would have us settle and form deep roots in the valley, living faithfully, intentionally, teaching the Word of God, and training others, so the light of Christ would shine brightly against the darkness? What if we could help others know God and make Him known, so our valley will thrive? We see the Flathead Valley thriving because people are wholeheartedly surrendered to Jesus, the Living Water; the Goodwater, never to be the same again.
Yet far beyond the view of our valley, the soil is hard and unyielding. But what if the spiritual richness of the valley overflowed like a river full from the spring rains, flowing into the hard and unyielding places, slowly, steadily over time. What if those waters of life began to carve and shape the land beyond in such a way where the people who tasted of this Living Water were forever changed, experiencing nourishment, hope, transformation from death to life, joy, and hope? We see the land beyond thriving because thirsty people encounter Jesus, the Living Water, the Goodwater, never to be the same again.
As much as the physical beauty of the valley takes our breath away, we long to see the day when it is but a pale glimmer compared to the spiritual beauty of the lives, the valley, and the land beyond that were forever changed by the Living Water, a promise of hope to a generation yet to be born.
Who We Are
We are a community of people with a vision to see the spiritual beauty of the Flathead Valley become a reflection of the physical beauty.
We are committed to knowing God and making Him known, so our valley will thrive.
We are committed to knowing God and making Him known, so our valley will thrive.
What We Do
We focus on three key areas that have an eternal impact on our Valley:
Church Planting: We believe God uses gospel-centric churches and individuals to share the life-changing hope of Jesus with a vision to see the first church in Whitefish and additional churches planted in the future.
Ministry Leadership Training: We train and equip ministry leaders to joyfully, winsomely, and boldly proclaim the gospel hope of Jesus. We leverage decades of pastoral, corporate, governmental, legal, and ministry experience to train and equip leaders, so they may be built up and sent out to make an eternal impact in the Flathead Valley and beyond.
Mental Wellness: We seek to engage the mental health crisis in the Flathead Valley by meeting people where they are, connecting them to both licensed and biblical counselors, and engaging in biblical community. We believe that meeting people where they are is critical in sharing the eternal hope of Jesus Christ.
Church Planting: We believe God uses gospel-centric churches and individuals to share the life-changing hope of Jesus with a vision to see the first church in Whitefish and additional churches planted in the future.
Ministry Leadership Training: We train and equip ministry leaders to joyfully, winsomely, and boldly proclaim the gospel hope of Jesus. We leverage decades of pastoral, corporate, governmental, legal, and ministry experience to train and equip leaders, so they may be built up and sent out to make an eternal impact in the Flathead Valley and beyond.
Mental Wellness: We seek to engage the mental health crisis in the Flathead Valley by meeting people where they are, connecting them to both licensed and biblical counselors, and engaging in biblical community. We believe that meeting people where they are is critical in sharing the eternal hope of Jesus Christ.
Core Values
Goodwater Ministries is a gospel-centered organization rooted in the tradition of historic biblical belief and practice.
We will make God known through our belief in the sufficiency of God’s Holy Word for life and godliness, a commitment to submit our beliefs and totality of our lives to God’s Word, and by upholding the following distinctives:
We will make God known through our belief in the sufficiency of God’s Holy Word for life and godliness, a commitment to submit our beliefs and totality of our lives to God’s Word, and by upholding the following distinctives:
Holy Curiosity
We encourage deep questions and honest searching.
Live Generously
We are contributors before we are consumers, leveraging all we have for God’s kingdom and the good of others.
Infinite Value
We treat every person with dignity and respect because they are made in the image of God and have infinite and intrinsic value above all of creation.
Be Genuine
We come as we are and trust God will lead us somewhere better.
Leadership
Curt Sparkman
President, Director, Church Planter
Curt Sparkman has a passion for knowing God and making him known. Curt is a faithful and steadfast leader who has served in vocational ministry for over seventeen years. As an executive level pastor and leader, Curt is intent on helping others understand what it means to follow Jesus in the everyday. He finds great joy in sharing the gospel hope of Jesus Christ and developing and training leaders. He loves to coach and cheer on his four kids, fly fish, and run ultras with his wife, Michele. A significant verse in Curt’s life is Hebrews 12:2 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
President, Director, Church Planter
Curt Sparkman has a passion for knowing God and making him known. Curt is a faithful and steadfast leader who has served in vocational ministry for over seventeen years. As an executive level pastor and leader, Curt is intent on helping others understand what it means to follow Jesus in the everyday. He finds great joy in sharing the gospel hope of Jesus Christ and developing and training leaders. He loves to coach and cheer on his four kids, fly fish, and run ultras with his wife, Michele. A significant verse in Curt’s life is Hebrews 12:2 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Jon Briery
Director, Licensed Counselor
Jon Briery has a heart for ministering to people in a counseling setting. Jon is a licensed counselor and spent seven years of his early career working as an adolescent abuse counselor in Alaska, an experience that taught him invaluable lessons that continue to influence his counseling style today. Working with adolescents and their families taught him to listen – not only to what is being spoken, but also to the unspoken messages that parents and children want or need to communicate. There was also a wilderness component to the program there in Alaska that Jon developed and facilitated which included extended trips into the Alaskan wilderness with groups of teenagers via white water rafts, skis, or hiking. These experiences taught Jon to slow down, be mindful of his surroundings, to adapt to the demands of the situation, to be more aware of the needs of those around me, and to keep things in perspective. Jon value these lessons; and they continue to influence how he relates to people today.
Since living in Texas, Jon began working with adults in a residential counseling program as well as children. Working with this wide variety of clients helped develop a well-rounded understanding of the issues that people face in all stages of life. Whether he is the wilderness of Alaska or in hospital/correctional facilities in Texas, effective counseling requires that he works to be mindful, adaptable, and aware, and that he keeps things in perspective. Jon encourages others to develop and maintain life balance through a lifestyle that supports physical, emotional, social, and spiritual growth. Jon has been married to Janet for 36 years and has three adult children. A significant verse in Jon’s life is John 13:34-35, “I will give you a new command: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Director, Licensed Counselor
Jon Briery has a heart for ministering to people in a counseling setting. Jon is a licensed counselor and spent seven years of his early career working as an adolescent abuse counselor in Alaska, an experience that taught him invaluable lessons that continue to influence his counseling style today. Working with adolescents and their families taught him to listen – not only to what is being spoken, but also to the unspoken messages that parents and children want or need to communicate. There was also a wilderness component to the program there in Alaska that Jon developed and facilitated which included extended trips into the Alaskan wilderness with groups of teenagers via white water rafts, skis, or hiking. These experiences taught Jon to slow down, be mindful of his surroundings, to adapt to the demands of the situation, to be more aware of the needs of those around me, and to keep things in perspective. Jon value these lessons; and they continue to influence how he relates to people today.
Since living in Texas, Jon began working with adults in a residential counseling program as well as children. Working with this wide variety of clients helped develop a well-rounded understanding of the issues that people face in all stages of life. Whether he is the wilderness of Alaska or in hospital/correctional facilities in Texas, effective counseling requires that he works to be mindful, adaptable, and aware, and that he keeps things in perspective. Jon encourages others to develop and maintain life balance through a lifestyle that supports physical, emotional, social, and spiritual growth. Jon has been married to Janet for 36 years and has three adult children. A significant verse in Jon’s life is John 13:34-35, “I will give you a new command: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Pat Conner
Director, Church Consultant
With over 40 years of experience in church leadership and in ministry to children and parents, Pat Conner has impacted the lives of thousands of families. She has a deep wealth of knowledge to share. Prior to retirement from full-time ministry in 2017, Pat served as Director of Children’s Ministry in two of the Houston area’s largest churches, and now finds her ministry expanding in exciting ways.
Pat has an unwavering passion for the church and for the hearts of children of all backgrounds; and God has opened the doors for Pat to serve as a church consultant, as well as ministry coach, writer, and speaker. In these troubled times, Pat still believes the church in America can be a very tangible vehicle to impact young lives when ministry is carried out with excellence. “I want parents to know God has purposefully chosen them to be the parents of their children. He will give them what they need. We live in an uncertain and sometimes scary world where parents, now more than ever, want to give their kids a firm foundation so their children can be all they were created to be.”
Pat currently lives in Georgetown, Texas, with “the nicest man in the world” — her husband of 50 years, Larry. Together, Pat and Larry raised to adulthood three uniquely different children. She now counts her children as close friends and loves being “Nana” to her nine grandchildren. A significant verse in Pat’s life is Jude 24-25, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen” as well as 2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
Director, Church Consultant
With over 40 years of experience in church leadership and in ministry to children and parents, Pat Conner has impacted the lives of thousands of families. She has a deep wealth of knowledge to share. Prior to retirement from full-time ministry in 2017, Pat served as Director of Children’s Ministry in two of the Houston area’s largest churches, and now finds her ministry expanding in exciting ways.
Pat has an unwavering passion for the church and for the hearts of children of all backgrounds; and God has opened the doors for Pat to serve as a church consultant, as well as ministry coach, writer, and speaker. In these troubled times, Pat still believes the church in America can be a very tangible vehicle to impact young lives when ministry is carried out with excellence. “I want parents to know God has purposefully chosen them to be the parents of their children. He will give them what they need. We live in an uncertain and sometimes scary world where parents, now more than ever, want to give their kids a firm foundation so their children can be all they were created to be.”
Pat currently lives in Georgetown, Texas, with “the nicest man in the world” — her husband of 50 years, Larry. Together, Pat and Larry raised to adulthood three uniquely different children. She now counts her children as close friends and loves being “Nana” to her nine grandchildren. A significant verse in Pat’s life is Jude 24-25, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen” as well as 2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
Philip Newman
Director, Treasurer, Businessman
Philip Newman has served in lay leadership within the local church for over twenty-five years. He has a passion for mentoring others and has a heart to serve the church in practical—and often invisible but impactful ways—from using his finance background to assist church leadership in stewardship efforts, to serving in student ministry, or preparing meals for men’s ministry events. Philip is a true renaissance man with interests ranging from hunting elk in the mountains of Colorado, fly fishing along the San Juan River, or building an airplane in his garage side by side with his wife, Robin. Philip has a heart to see churches planted as well as leaders trained and equipped to serve their communities. He is one of the first to step up whenever there is a need in the community. Philip has been married to Robin for thirty years, and they have three adult children. A significant verse in Philip’s life is Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to the God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Director, Treasurer, Businessman
Philip Newman has served in lay leadership within the local church for over twenty-five years. He has a passion for mentoring others and has a heart to serve the church in practical—and often invisible but impactful ways—from using his finance background to assist church leadership in stewardship efforts, to serving in student ministry, or preparing meals for men’s ministry events. Philip is a true renaissance man with interests ranging from hunting elk in the mountains of Colorado, fly fishing along the San Juan River, or building an airplane in his garage side by side with his wife, Robin. Philip has a heart to see churches planted as well as leaders trained and equipped to serve their communities. He is one of the first to step up whenever there is a need in the community. Philip has been married to Robin for thirty years, and they have three adult children. A significant verse in Philip’s life is Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to the God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Michael Rainey
Director, Decision Science Leader
Michael Rainey is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in decision science, data analytics, and geospatial analysis underpinned by a strong academic and military background. As an educator and former Assistant Professor at the United States Military Academy, West Point, Michael honed expertise in Systems Engineering, Decision Analysis, Project Management, and Innovative Engineering while directly contributing to the development of future leaders and inspiring each to a lifetime of service.
In the military sector, Michael showcased exceptional leadership and strategic acumen notably during Operation Iraqi Freedom, first as a Commander with area of responsibility in Baghdad, Iraq and then as Aide de Camp to the Commanding General the US Army Corps of Engineers spearheading major reconstruction projects in Iraq and Afghanistan. These roles emphasized his strengths in decision making in uncertainty and ambiguity, operational leadership, resource management, and resilience in high-pressure environments.
Michael excels in converting complex data into strategic insights for high-stakes decision-making. His unique blend of academic rigor, military discipline, and analytical proficiency makes him a valuable asset to any organization seeking expert guidance in decision analysis and strategic operations.
Michael has a heart for the local church and regularly serves the church through his leadership and teaching of God’s Word. Michael has been married to Lisa for twenty-two years and has two young adult children. A significant verse in Michael’s life is Exodus 14:13-14, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today…The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.”
Director, Decision Science Leader
Michael Rainey is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in decision science, data analytics, and geospatial analysis underpinned by a strong academic and military background. As an educator and former Assistant Professor at the United States Military Academy, West Point, Michael honed expertise in Systems Engineering, Decision Analysis, Project Management, and Innovative Engineering while directly contributing to the development of future leaders and inspiring each to a lifetime of service.
In the military sector, Michael showcased exceptional leadership and strategic acumen notably during Operation Iraqi Freedom, first as a Commander with area of responsibility in Baghdad, Iraq and then as Aide de Camp to the Commanding General the US Army Corps of Engineers spearheading major reconstruction projects in Iraq and Afghanistan. These roles emphasized his strengths in decision making in uncertainty and ambiguity, operational leadership, resource management, and resilience in high-pressure environments.
Michael excels in converting complex data into strategic insights for high-stakes decision-making. His unique blend of academic rigor, military discipline, and analytical proficiency makes him a valuable asset to any organization seeking expert guidance in decision analysis and strategic operations.
Michael has a heart for the local church and regularly serves the church through his leadership and teaching of God’s Word. Michael has been married to Lisa for twenty-two years and has two young adult children. A significant verse in Michael’s life is Exodus 14:13-14, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today…The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.”
Michele Sparkman
Director, Nonprofit Attorney
Michele Sparkman has a passion for God’s Word, desiring to know God and make Him known by helping others connect the goodness of God and His Word to the practical realities of everyday life.
Michele is a practicing attorney who, for over seventeen years, has been providing legal services to nonprofits, churches, and other faith-based organizations. She also serves alongside her husband, Curt, in his vocational ministry as a pastor, giving her a unique perspective in pairing the best legal practices for the operations of a faith-based organization while also understanding the practical issues when serving the church. She is a partner at Anthony & Sparkman, PLLC.
Michele has been married to Curt for twenty-one years, and they have four lovely (and very active) kids. In her spare time, Michele loves to trail run, hike as many tall mountains as she can, read, write, garden, and study and teach the Bible. A significant verse in Michele’s life is Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Director, Nonprofit Attorney
Michele Sparkman has a passion for God’s Word, desiring to know God and make Him known by helping others connect the goodness of God and His Word to the practical realities of everyday life.
Michele is a practicing attorney who, for over seventeen years, has been providing legal services to nonprofits, churches, and other faith-based organizations. She also serves alongside her husband, Curt, in his vocational ministry as a pastor, giving her a unique perspective in pairing the best legal practices for the operations of a faith-based organization while also understanding the practical issues when serving the church. She is a partner at Anthony & Sparkman, PLLC.
Michele has been married to Curt for twenty-one years, and they have four lovely (and very active) kids. In her spare time, Michele loves to trail run, hike as many tall mountains as she can, read, write, garden, and study and teach the Bible. A significant verse in Michele’s life is Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”