DIRECTOR
AND MEMBER OF THE BOARD

“Pastor Matt” has been in ministry for over four decades. Early on, he served with a campus discipleship ministry, the Princeton Christian Fellowship. There he learned firsthand the strategic power of mentorship. He then began what became a thirty-five year tenure as Senior Pastor of Stone Hill Church of Princeton, NJ.

Matt loves pastoring; he loves God’s people; he loves the Church. He also loves mentoring, something he has been doing formally since the 1990s. In July 2020 Matt retired from his position at Stone Hill, became Pastor Emeritus, and now focuses entirely on mentorship. His aim in this next phase of ministry is to mentor younger pastors and church leaders with his years of experience.

CO-DIRECTOR

“Teacher” and “learner” are the words that best describe Karen Ristuccia, Associate Mentor and Director of Curriculum Development. Whether in the Sunday school or middle school classroom, home school or YMCA pool, one-on-ones with Princeton students, or community Bible study, Karen loves to help others to learn. As she retires this summer from over forty years of Christian school teaching and administration, she will commit more of her time to Linden Grove.

Karen understands pioneer work: she was on the founding board of two Christian schools. She has taught Sunday school in every grade (from two year-olds through adults). She has led youth groups, Women’s Bible studies, retreats, and small groups. Karen particularly loves to teach about women in church history, hymn histories, communication, study skills, and habits. 

As a child Karen learned to swim in the Santa Barbara ocean, and she still loves water. Her other hobbies include reading, lettering, walking with friends, and playing with five grandchildren. She graduated from Princeton University with an English Literature degree and meandered her way through four seminaries to a DMin from Gordon Conwell. Her dissertation (a worldview curriculum for Junior High) continues to be used in the classroom, and her book Joyful Rigor describes the delights of truly Christian education.

ADMINISTRATOR OF OPERATIONS

Morgan joined Linden Grove Ministries in February 2023 and plays a primary role in carrying out the administrative tasks of LGM. Her experience in piano teaching, non-profit work, and subscriber support for a national piano publication have given Morgan a versatile skill set that she is delighted to use at Linden Grove. Morgan has been deeply blessed by Christian mentors, counselors, and pastors in her own life, and she is grateful to belong to a work environment centered on building the body of Christ through discipleship, servant leadership, and mentorship. She is involved in her local church, where she finds joy in serving the Lord and those around her.

In her free time, Morgan might be found running by the ocean, hiking in the mountains, writing poetry and short essays, cooking, reading, and discovering ways to visit new places. She maintains an active piano teaching and performance schedule, and enjoys sharing the gift of music with those God has placed in her life. Morgan loves going home to southeast Alaska in the summers and spending time with her family there. Morgan holds an A.A. from New Saint Andrews College, a B.Mus. from the University of Idaho, and a M.Mus. from Samford University.

WOMEN’S CURRICULUM COORDINATOR

Alice joined Linden Grove Ministries in October 2024 as the Women’s Curriculum Coordinator.  She has lived in Princeton, NJ, since 2016 with her husband and three young daughters.  She is a member of Stone Hill Church of Princeton, and is grateful to be working alongside Pastor Matt and Karen, who have both played key mentorship roles in her life.

Prior to her time in Princeton, Alice worked with visual artists in various roles at museums and contemporary art galleries.  She also worked as a financial analyst for JP Morgan in Hong Kong and for EMI Music in New York.  Outside of her professional pursuits, Alice has served on the Parent Council of University League Nursery School, Princeton, and the Executive Board of The 101: Fund (formerly the Princeton Regional Scholarship Foundation).

Alice graduated from Dartmouth College where she studied English and Art History.  She also holds a master’s degree in Art History from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University.  In her free time, Alice enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, and being outdoors and enjoying God’s creation with her family.