A mosaic of churches working interdependently together to transform lives and communities
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Superintendent Greg Yee shares highlights from his experience at the west coast youth event, Unite West in San Diego this month. He and Jill Riley also talk about opportunities to connect with colleagues at upcoming fall events.
For more information about the CIY journal
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
We are so pleased to welcome Spencer Wallace to Life Church in Helena, Montana. Here is a little bit about him.
I was born in 1998 and grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma. My entire immediate family has always lived in the Oklahoma City metro area. I have one slightly younger brother, Bryce, and my parents are Mark and Lisa. As a kid there was never a time where Jesus wasn’t real to me, although sports took up most of my time. When I was 14 I intentionally gave my life to Christ and God revealed himself to me in a picture I took shortly after that.
I played many sports, but baseball is ingrained in my DNA and I was blessed to play all through college. Starting in my first year of college Jesus became very close to me. This is when I began really living out my faith and was being built up in Christian community. After a couple years of college and a spiritual foundation was laid, I started helping Jesus be real to others.
My path to youth ministry all started by volunteering at VBS and the Lord showed me I had a gift speaking Jesus into the life of kids. A proud moment of mine was graduating from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2021 with a business degree knowingly seeking a career in youth ministry. I’ve served on Young Life staff in Oregon, helped lead Fellowship of Christian Athletes in college, and have been involved serving kiddos through a couple churches in my life up to this point. Now I am serving as Pastor of Student Ministries with Life Covenant Church here in Helena, Montana living my dream in the mountains leading MS and HS kids to Christ.
Evangelism is my wheelhouse and reaching lost kids with the Gospel propels me forward every day. I know what it’s like to navigate the social chaos of grade school and I want to help empower kids in their faith, all while pointing to the ultimate guide, Jesus. I want to show kids that following Christ is the best decision they can make if they want to live life to the fullest and turn away from worldly living. I want every kid to have a place where they know they belong and can be themselves, knowing who they are in Christ. Kids amaze me and I love celebrating life with them as we all dance our way into eternity.
How can we pray for you? Pray that I faithfully follow the Lord’s agenda for ministry here in Helena, and that I have many opportunities to help kids and those around me know Jesus.
1. What three traits define you? Everything I do flows from my faith in Jesus. I would also summarize myself as a versatile person who is always seeking an adventure.
2. Where is your favorite place to be? On top of any mountain with God!
3. What is your favorite thing to do? Hiking expeditions and playing disc golf.
4. What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had? I was cast as an extra for the blockbuster movie Twisters and my scene was to run away from a tornado coming through a marketplace.
5. If you could do another job for just one day what would it be? I would be the starting pitcher for the STL. Cardinals at a Major League Baseball game.
Spencer Wallace
Welcome Spencer to the PacNWC and to the land of the Seattle Mariners!
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
It is our joy to introduce Rev. Nancy Sugikawa to you. Nancy is the Discipleship coach for the Pacific Northwest Conference. Listen in as we talk about Nancy’s journey of faith, mushrooms, rain, and of course, discipleship.
Take a minute and welcome Nancy to her new role in the conference or have a conversation about how she can help your church with her skills, talents and passion.
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Pastor Ted Yuen and founding member, Nancy Jo Hoover, share with Erik Cave their excitement surrounding the 50th anniversary of McMinnville Covenant Church. Yuen, Lead pastor and former co-lead and staff pastor has been there for 20 years and speaks of God’s faithfulness throughout their history. Their celebration events are open to the conference and you are all invited!
Check out the schedule of celebration events at McMinnville Covenant Church
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Greg Yee talks to us about the value of a strong leadership team and the fruitful outcomes a positive team can make. He commendsthe PACNWC leadership team and shares the value each one brings to the conference. We finished off by talking about leadership on the larger, conference and denominational, level.
Greg would love to hear from you!
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Pastor Andrew Kruse talks about resources and tips on helping students to talk about mental health. He shares ideas for both churches and parents that are valuable and insightful.
Give Andrew a shout out. Contact him if you want to know more about this topic. Check out NAMI.
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Jo Wolfe, Chairman of the Women’s Retreat 2024 team, shares with us the exciting activities, dynamic speakers, and wonderful workshops that will be happening at Women’s Retreat 2024 September 20-22. You don’t want to miss this year. It looks to be exciting. The theme is “Immeasurably more”.
For more information check out the Women’s Ministry Retreat Website
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
David Flippen, Children’s Ministry director at Selah Covenant Church shares his heart for children, ministry and family. He talks about being a barista for 15 years and about his family business. His energy and and passion is infectious and inspiring. Take a minute to get to know him. Welcome David Flippen!
Welcome David to the conference and check out their sweet, fun family business.
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Jill Riley talks with pastors Nick Pringle and George Bedlion about the movement of their respective churches from temporary to permanent space. What affect does this have on their people, the vision and the finances? What resources were available to them to help navigate the changes?
Connect with either Nick or George if you want to know more!
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By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Our pastor, Greg Yee, returned from a trip to China with a renewed and reaffirmed conviction that discipleship is essential to growth in churches locally and around the world. He shares the impact of his time there learning, worshipping and eating good food.