EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH - Key Persons
My wife Diedre and I knew about Evangelical Reformed Church because we both used to work with Pastor Hamlin at Youth for Christ, a para-church organization. We were looking for a church body with a reformed understanding of Scripture, a reverent and joyful approach to worship, and opportunities for growth and fellowship. We visited Evangelical Reformed Church and decided that it was the place where we wanted to grow in our faith and to raise our family.
God has providentially prepared me for becoming a deacon (in 2007) by placing many people in my life that have knowingly and unknowingly shown me how to love and serve others in practical ways. He has also given me opportunities to grow in His grace by serving Him on mission trips, leading Bible studies, and teaching Sunday school classes.
My hope for our church body is a loose paraphrase of Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church in Ephesians 3:18: "I hope that as a church, ERC will be grounded in love, and have the strength with other believers to know the amazing love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge."
I have lots of activities that I enjoy doing, many with my family, such as: camping (once the tent trailer is set up), listening to my daughter sing "Praise Ye the Lord," laughing with my wife, talking theology with my little brother, hitting the sweet spot on the golf club, assisting a teammate on the basketball court, watching "March Madness," teaching a lesson where my students "got it," reading a book that I continue to think about after I've read it, playing board games with family and friends.
My wife Nancy and I came to ERC for the same reasons that most do… a church that preaches and teaches the whole counsel of God from a reformed perspective…that holds to scripture as the sole source of divine revelation. And that grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone is the sole source of salvation and sanctification for God's glory alone.
I have served as a deacon at ERC since 2017 to carry out the meaning of the word "to render humble, menial service for the benefit of others." And to follow Jesus' calling "…not to be served but to serve." I'll never forget my first duty as a deacon…unclog a toilet in one of the restrooms! It continues to be a deep joy to love and serve God's people!
My wife Evelyn and I began attending Evangelical Reformed Church in the middle of 2020. We quickly fell in love with the worship and the people of ERC.
Evelyn and I were married in 1981 and we have four children - Leanne, Jennifer, Heather, and Benjamin. After college I taught first grade for five years and then transitioned to my job as a truck driver for a local company where I have been for over thirty five years. We also have been blessed with eleven grandchildren - ten boys and one girl. They are a constant delight to us.
I have served as a church officer for over thirty years in our previous church - twelve as deacon and eighteen as an elder. I enjoy serving with other people, whether it is with our own church body, or for Sacred Road Ministries - a ministry on the Yakama Reservation in White Swan, Washington where I have been privileged to serve on several short-term mission trips.
I can be contacted by email or phone listed in the church directory. Copies of the directory are available in the church office.
Job Titles:
- Deacon
- Pastor
- Senior Pastor
My wife Joann and I attend Evangelical Reformed Church because our core beliefs are aligned with doctrine taught and preached at ERC. My son, Rich is the pastor.
I became a deacon in 2002. I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and the only way for my salvation. I believe in the Triune God- God the Father, Jesus Christ his Son and the Holy Spirit. I have served on church councils, taught Sunday school and Bible studies in each community we lived over the past 50 years all which has prepared me to serve as a deacon.