The fireworks over Anthem signaled the start of something special between a younger Scott and Lydia Ingegneri on July 3rd of 2001. The sparks that ignited were undeniable, and three weeks later, they were an official “couple.”

Family has always been a very important aspect in both Scott and Lydia’s lives, but perhaps never more important than it was on the fateful night when Lydia’s parents met Scott’s parents (Joe and Marion) through a mutual friend and began attending the same church in North Phoenix. Joe and Marion then invited Lydia and her parents to their home for dinner, and she told Scott, “I’m bringing home your wife!”

Lydia recalls, “I knocked on the door and Scott opened it and literally stood there in an awkward silence!” After what seemed like an eternity, Lydia extended her hand and introduced herself to Scott. The rest, as they say, is history. Scott and Lydia were engaged in July of 2002. Scott recalls, “I had chosen a proposal spot on Coronado Island in San Diego, California. We got into a small fender bender while pulling out of a parking spot on our way to the proposal, which Lydia knew nothing about, of course. The timing had to be perfect, because I wanted to propose at sunset on the beach. Unfortunately, the gentleman who hit us wasn’t too obliging, even after I tried to explain what my plans were for the evening. He held us up longer than I had hoped, but I kept my cool and never gave away clues of the events that were about to unfold! The sunset proposal on the beach was perfect!”

Scott, a native of Tucson, Arizona, graduated from high school in Chandler and then graduated from Life Pacific College in San Dimas, California in 2002, with a B.A. in Bible. He received his International pastoral license in 2002 through International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. He was ordained in 2006.

Lydia, born in Moses Lake, Washington, graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1999. She attended Yakima Valley Community College with a specific focus on Music. She served and graduated from Street Rock, Inc., a youth discipleship program focused on evangelism and ministry training in Houston, Texas from 2000-2001. She received her Pastoral License in 2008 through International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.

Ministry has always held a special place in the lives of Scott and Lydia, as well as their families. Both grew up in pastors’ homes, and Lydia’s parents also served as missionaries with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and pioneered the movement in Norway where Lydia was raised, in the early 1980s. Both Scott and Lydia have a passion for music and have also served as worship leaders since their teen years. Together, they have served in pastoral ministry since they were married in 2003 and recently became Senior Pastors at Grace North Church in Anthem.

God has been good to the Ingegneri Family, and has given them the “gifts” of their children, Dominic (5), James (3), and twin girls, Kelly Joy and Mia (6 months).

Dominic is in Kindergarten at North Valley Christian Academy. He loves his school and his teacher very much. Some of his favorite things are church, music, sports, cars, trains, and people. According to mom, “He is an awesome helper and willingly assists with projects and chores. He gets very excited about trips to Home Depot with Dad, and is always asking us, “So, what are we doing today?” He is very loving and able to engage with pretty much everybody, no matter what their age!”

James love to play with his big brother, go to the park, and ride the Anthem train. Mom shares, “He loves to give hugs and blow kisses and can melt anyone with his smile and chubby cheeks! He enjoys playing with his little playmates from Grace North Church and is always excited to find out about unexpected playdates. He is a lover of milk and cookies and knows where Starbucks is because that is his special ‘dateplace’ with Mommy!”

Kelly Joy and Mia are identical twins and are always content, happy, and peaceful. They were born only four minutes apart and it is obvious that they share a very special bond. They love to hold hands and will automatically reach for each other when they are placed side-by-side. Mom shares, “Their smiles light up a room! Kelly Joy loves to laugh and let everyone know she is in the room with her playful giggles and squeals. Mia loves to smile, roll over, and engage with others one-on-one. Both girls have distinct personalities, but both possess immeasurable amounts of joy and love.

The Ingegneri family truly values the time that they spend together, and they love nothing more than to spend time at home around the dinner table and enjoy a homemade meal. They also spend time watching family movies, playing outside, going to the park, and playing music and singing together. During their last vacation in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, they spent a lot of time in their pajamas, playing in the snow, drinking hot cocoa, and simply enjoying each other’s company.

The Ingegneris are thrilled to have found a community like Anthem that has a “small town feel, with access to nice shopping areas and good restaurants.” They share, “We love this area because we feel called to serve the people of this community and the people of the North Corridor. We often pray for the families of Anthem and the families living in the North Corridor. Our desire is to be a blessing to everyone we meet and come into contact with, whether through the church or personally.

While the Ingegneri Family feels blessed and honored to serve as pastors in this community, we are also blessed and honored to have them as part of this community. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the Ingegneris, and to all of our wonderful families!