By Jill Riley, Communications Assistant, PacNWC
Jill Riley, Communications Assistant for the PacNWC, interviews Michael Lee about the recent Merger of Encounter Church, Mercer Island, WA
Category: Support Pastors
A Quiet Place: Contemplative Retreat with Benedictines
by David Robinson, Lead Pastor, Cannon Beach Community Church
On March 28-30, twelve Covenant pastors and ministry leaders from the Pacific Northwest Conference got away “to a quiet place” on a three day contemplative retreat just before Holy Week. A Quiet Place, sponsored by the PacNWC Ministerium, was held at Mount Angel Abbey, in Mount Angel, Oregon. Pastors came from Oregon and all over Washington to attend this retreat, including some who drove six or seven hours to attend.
The retreat sessions explored ways to pray the Psalms, practice lectio divina, and live by a Rule of Life. I offered a picture of a vineyard trellis system as an image of how a Rule of Life provides the structure our lives need to bear much fruit, as Jesus promises in John 15. Retreatants affirmed the importance of reviewing, revising, or refreshing their Rule, and seeking new ways of living daily according to a Rule of Life. Retreatants were invited to attend any of the monastic worship services each day, known as Liturgy of the Hours, including Vigils, Lauds, Midday, Vespers, and Compline.
We enjoyed sharing life together over excellent meals at the beautiful, newly renovated Abbey Guesthouse, and stayed in elegant Guesthouse private retreat rooms. We also enjoyed time together basking in the sun over craft beverages at Benedictine Brewery, a short walking distance from the Abbey.
Those who came to A Quiet Place Retreat expressed gratitude for having time. We were grateful to join with others who shared a common interest in contemplative life. Retreatants enjoyed getting to know Benedictine monk, Brother Cyril, who offered rich insights into spiritual contemplative disciplines from forty years in the monastery. We also celebrated ecumenical dialogue and unity in Christ, as we explored shared spiritual vision and practices between Catholics and Covenanters during informal conversations with our Benedictine brother.
A Quiet Place Retreat provided sweet time for quiet prayer, study, reading, taking walks, spending time in the beautiful monastic library, naps, enjoying a cup of coffee at the Abbey Coffeeshop, browsing the Abbey bookstore, or walking stations of the cross on the Abbey grounds. We hope you’ll consider joining us in 2024 on A Quiet Place retreat.
Introducing Rollie Persson, National Covenant Properties
By Jill Riley, Communications Assistant, PacNWC
Rollie spends some time with Jill Riley explaining how National Covenant Properties can be of benefit and great help to churches in our conference. Contact Rollie for more information. He would love to talk with you. You can also email him. For more information on National Covenant Properties.
Exploring Call Retreat
By Rev. Sharon Anderson, retired Covenant Pastor and Spiritual Director
“What is God inviting me into this next season?” “How might my gifts and experiences intersect with God’s kingdom work?” “Am I really being called to serve as a pastor?”
These were some of the questions raised as a group of twelve women gathered for the Exploring Call Retreat at Dumas Bay Center this past November. We came from eight different conference churches and represented a wide range of ages, all gathered to discern possible steps forward in vocational ministry. While the ECC has ordained women for ministry since 1976, there haven’t always been spaces where women can seriously consider the Spirit’s leading toward pastoral ministry. Our 44-hour retreat provided a rich opportunity to learn, worship, pray, and laugh together as we listened to the Spirit and to one another.
“I loved hearing the clergy ‘call’ stories and being surrounded by a diverse group of women loving Jesus in all kinds of ways,” expressed one participant. We engaged in teaching sessions, creative activities, listening prayer, and small groups that opened hearts and explored possibilities for vocational ministry. Another woman described how helpful it was to “have community…assist in validating your call or giving insight to your concerns.” The retreat provided open time for walks, crafting, spiritual direction and just resting, all in a beautiful retreat setting overlooking the Puget Sound.
This is the third time the Exploring Call Retreat has been hosted in our conference, and the first time we were able to gather in person after online options during the pandemic. I am grateful for the leadership of our associate superintendent, Rev. Dawn Taloyo, as she champions this experience for women in the Pacific Northwest Conference. The retreat team leaders – Rev. Amy Muia, Rev. Sharon Anderson, and Rev. Nancy Sugikawa –blessed us by walking alongside women who are paying attention to God’s call on their lives. We are already planning the next Exploring Call retreat for November 2023. What women might you invite to consider a call to ministry?
Introducing Brad Gates
By Erik Cave, Director of NextGen Ministries, PacNWC
Enjoy this interview with Brad Gates, the new lead pastor of Hillsview Covenant Church
What is your personal and ministry background?
My wife and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary this March. We have a daughter who just turned 18, and she is looking forward to graduation this Summer. I have been in some form of ministry for about 12 years. 8 years ago, I went back to school to get my Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry with the goal of becoming a Lead Pastor. I’ve been an Associate Pastor, and Outreach Pastor, and in November of 2021, I was hired as the Lead Pastor here at Hillsview. It’s been a wild year just following Jesus’ lead. We’ve seen some great growth with new families coming. It’s exciting to see what God is doing at Hillsview and I’m just excited to be part of it.
What are you passionate about in ministry right now?
One of my biggest passions in ministry has always been outreach. I didn’t come to Jesus until I was 18. Some of my co-workers invited me to church and helped lead me to Jesus, and I want to do that for as many people as I can. There are so many people who are missing out on the joy and peace that Jesus brings, and I want to let them know about a guy that can help them with all that and more!
How can we pray for you?
Prayers for me would be for busyness. I am a bi-vocational pastor, so I work at the church for 3 days and I have a secular job for 3 days and have one day off. When we get into busy seasons like Christmas, sometimes it’s hard to keep up. Pray that I will have the wisdom and courage needed to ask for help and that help will come.
Where is your favorite place to be?
Disneyland! It is both my wife’s and my favorite place. All the smiles and magic are awesome! We try to go every other year. We look forward to planning trips and we have one planned for our 20th anniversary in March.
What’s the best book you have ever read?
The Cure by John Lynch. It asks, “What if you had to choose between trusting God and pleasing God?” It’s a great story. The other one would be Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley. One of the best books I have read about public speaking.
What is your favorite thing to do?
I’m a big football fan. One of my favorite things to do is just sit and watch either of my favorite teams the Oregon Ducks or San Francisco 49ers play. And yes…I do cheer at the TV. LOL
If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
I would love to be a sports commentator. To be able to watch a game and give color commentary one time would be awesome. It’s not nearly as meaningful as proclaiming Jesus and leading people to Him, but it would be fun to do for one game.
What would you most like to tell yourself at 13?
The thing I would most like to say would be, “Listen to the whisper.” Before I went back to school, I heard a whisper asking, “Wouldnt it be cool to be a pastor?” I ignored that whisper for two years. I wish I would have listened and gotten a jump on this awesome ministry journey a couple of years earlier.
Email Brad at hillsviewpastorbrad@gmail.com
Visit Brad’s Facebook Profile
Visit the Hillsview Covenant Church Webpage
PacNWC Co-Pastors Featured in Christ and Cascadia
By Erik Cave, Director of NextGen Ministries, PacNWC
Enjoy this 10-minute interview with Co-Pastors Michelle Huskamp and Rachel Gough from Monroe Covenant Church. Michelle and Rachel were recently featured in the Christ and Cascadia Journal with an article they wrote about their co-pastoring relationship called, “All We Share: The Benefits of Co-Pastoring. In this interview, they share their ministry context, how their relationship came about, additional benefits to shared leadership not in the article, and encouragement for church leaders interested in shared leadership. For their article, contact info for Michelle and Rachel, and more information about Monroe Covenant Church follow the links below the video.
Read All We Share: The Benefits of Co-Pastoring at the Christ in Cascadia Journal Website
Visit Michelle’s Facebook Profile or email her at michelle@monroecov.org
Visit Rachel’s Facebook Profile or email her at rachel@monroecov.org
Visit the Monroe Covenant Church Website
Introducing Bob Do
By Erik Cave, Director of NextGen Ministries, PacNWC
Enjoy this 9-minute interview with Bob Do, the Lead Pastor of our new church plant, The Table Covenant Church. Listen to hear about the new church, Bob’s passion for ministry, and the weirdest job he has ever had. Follow the links below to contact Bob and learn more about The Table.
Visit Bob’s Facebook Profile
Contact bob at bob@thetableseattle.org
Learn more about The Table at thetableseattle.org
Introducing Gustavo and Abigail Sandrigo
By Erik Cave, Director of NextGen Ministries, PacNWC
Enjoy this 9-minute interview with Gustavo and Abigail Sandrigo, the new Co-Pastors at Iglesia Latinoamericana. In this interview, you will learn about their personal and ministry history, what they are passionate about today, and how we can be praying for them. You will also learn about their sense of humor and love for their family.
Visit the Iglesia Latinoamericana Facebook Group for more information on the church
Contact Gustavo at gusa98@gmail.com
Contact Abigail at dasandrigo@gmail.com
Introducing J.D. Tuell
By Erik Cave, Director of NextGen Ministries, PacNWC
Enjoy this written or 10-minute video interview with J.D. Tuell, the new Youth Pastor at Crossroads Community Church in Yelm, WA. J.D. went above and beyond to do both a written and video interview. Read or watch on to learn about how he was a miracle baby, his ministry background, his old and new personal philosophies, and why he is passionate about board games.
Follow J.D. on his Facebook Profile
Reach out to J.D. at jdtuell@gmail.com to encourage him or to get on his encouraging text list
What is your personal and ministry background?
My personal background was that I grew up in a non-denominational Christian home of two parents that are awesome. I am the youngest of three kids. I am very close to my family in which we have amazing vacations as well as the tough conversations that are needed. I have always been loud and excited about life. My biggest personal background is that I was born a miracle baby, I have been diagnosed with Congenital- Adrenal Hypo Plasia. I rely on Jesus and medication every day for energy and life. I give glory to God for all that I do and recognize I need Jesus more and more each day.
My ministry background begins way back in High School, My Senior Year in which I was involved in two Youth Groups during High School. But I believe ministry started this year because in these two churches there were two brand new Youth Pastors that occurred at the same time. Because I was the oldest male the only Senior Male in both Youth Groups, I was beginning to be asked the hard questions of faith by peers and younger. I was a leader and helper in the Youth Group for worship at times as well as whatever was needed. I am 2 on the enneagram and so I just love to help wherever I was needed and this mentality along with Now I believe I am called to be a part of the ministry and particularly Youth Ministry. I have done a YWAM DTS. I love missions and outreach to the world. I have done ministry in 3 other countries. And now I am working slowly on my master’s degree in ministry.
What are you passionate about in ministry right now?
I am passionate about ministry right now to be in the word and devoted to Jesus in all I do. With that, I am passionate about Youth and their lives and where God is taking them today. I am passionate about public speaking/ giving sermons, and messages, and preparing the Word for Students. I am passionate about meeting students where they are at. I am passionate about meeting families where they are at and encouraging people. Overall, I am excited and love serving the church and encouraging all people where they are at in life and encouraging them with scripture, and praying for them to continue to have Jesus in their life.
How can we be praying for you?
You can pray for my schooling. I am really having an exhausting time with this class this summer. I would also ask for prayers for overall energy and new excitement for the students. Along with Grace for myself.
5 Things You Didn’t Know about J.D.:
1. What is your personal philosophy? I chose this question to share with you how my philosophy so life has changed and adapted over time. My first personal philosophy was “Life Sucks! Then you die!” What I meant by this was, that life on this earth is temporary, it does not mean anything, it is pointless like a broken pencil, then you die and get to be with Jesus forever… It was a term to recognize that I am small as a human and God is Big. God is all we need. But over time I have found a lot of flaws in this philosophy so I have changed it.
My new personal philosophy is: Faith is the driving force of identity which gives me my direction and assurance of what God is doing in my life for the sake of the Kingdom of God. My Philosophy now is: Be strong and courageous for the Lord your God is with you, So step out in faith that will lead me and the people around me into the promised land. Be bold, confident, and strong in Jesus who will carry my life into completion we day.
2. How do you define success? The definition of success I was taught growing up comes from John Wooden’s Definition of Success. If you do not know John Wooden He holds the record for most wins in any sport throughout all history of college for sure and beyond I believe. His definition is that success=peace of mind, which can be attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you’re capable. Which I agree with but have tweaked a little bit now later in life.
I would define success as: Peace and discernment knowing you made the best effort to allow God to work in your life and through surrender, knowing that you are living your full potential through the power of Jesus to make you into your full capability.
3. Tell us something that might surprise us about you. I love “deep” conversations about life and hard real conversations while playing board games and amidst the fun of life. I believe they are good for the soul, good for the community, and encouraging. Hard conversations about race and faith. The conversations about Sin occur throughout life. And Conversations about Salvation are all topic ideas of what I enjoy talking about daily if possible.
4. What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far? The greatest challenge I have had in life so far is School, as well as recognizing churches can be harmful and dangerous, and knowing that being faithful to Jesus is all that matters not “the Church”.
5. What is the one thing you cannot resist? The invitation to play board games. haha. I love competition and thriving for my best for the community and games. My favorite games are Settlers of Catan as well as Chess. But really any game I will learn and play. I simply just love the thrill and excitement! I love how the game brings people together and the joy that is found in life.
Introducing Nick Pringle
By Erik Cave, Director of NextGen Ministries, PacNWC
Enjoy this 8-minute video interview with Nick Pringle, the new Lead Pastor at Cedarcreek Covenant Church. You will learn about the adventure that led him to Cedarcreek, his passion for knife making, and his church’s Holy Rollers.
Follow Nick on his Facebook Profile
Email Nick at pastornick@cedarcreekcovenant.org
Visit Cedarcreek Covenant Church’s Web Page
Visit Npknives to learn more about Nick’s knife making business