Seth Gatchell:
Ministry: Senior Pastor (a.k.a. “Skittleman”)
Why are you passionate about this ministry? (1) Seeing people’s (and my own) lives change (2) Our lives really can make a difference that we will enjoy in this life and through eternity (3) God has wisdom and power to help us deal with our struggles.
Favorite place to talk to God: My back patio
Born: Naval Hospital, Newport, Rhode Island on June 4
Seminary: Master of Divinity, 1977, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Family: Married to Mindy for 31 years, We have three kids in their twenties: Brittany, Cole, and Christiana.
Hobbies / Interests: Sprint triathlons; American history (especially the Civil War); coaching girls’ soccer/boy’s baseball; acoustic guitar; fantasy sports.
First job: “Soda jerk” (ran a small kitchen at the drug store). I was the “chief cook” (scary thought) from 3:30-6:00pm, as well as cashier, waiter, bus boy, dishwasher, etc. All for 35 cents/hour.
Favorite author or movie: Authors: Larry Crabb, Tom Clancy, John Grisham. Movies: Shadowlands, Braveheart, Gettysburg, Chronicles of Narnia, and most of the Grisham movies.
Favorite music artists/bands: Modern praise music, Doyle Dykes (solo guitar)
Lance Brown:
Ministry: Associate Pastor / Administrative Pastor / Worship Pastor…take your pick.
Why are you passionate about this ministry? I love to see people grow spiritually, and love to meet new people!!
Favorite place to talk to God: Hmm…I suppose that would have to be Yosemite National Park. I could just sit under those trees and stare at the beautiful creation of God all day long. I feel close to God anywhere I can see the beauty of creation.
Born: Bend, Oregon on July 31
Seminary: Master of Divinity, 2009, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary
Family: Married Carol in 1993. Our son Nathan is 14, and our daughter Megan is 11.
Hobbies / Interests: I like outdoorsey stuff; water skiing, SCUBA diving, biking, and camping in general. I’m also pretty into Guitar Hero I, II, and III and going to the movies.
First job: I had a newspaper route in Oregon with some massive hills when I was 10-11.
Favorite author or movie: I think overall I like almost any Michael Crichton Book I’ve ever read, and I’m pretty fond of Tolkien as well, but my all time favorite author would have to be C. S. Lewis. In the movie genre, I like The Bodyguard and The Count of Monte Cristo. If you’re including musicals, add on Les Miserables.
Favorite music artists/bands: I’m a long time Third Day fan, but I’ve been listening to (and singing) a ton of Casting Crowns stuff these days. Other current favorites include Tommy Walker, Chris Tomlin, Mercy Me, Point of Grace, Josh Groben, Andrea Bocelli, and Whitney Houston. Back in the day, add: Journey, Chicago, Genesis, and a hodgepodge of heavy metal bands. :) Yes, really.
Kevin E. Alexander
Ministry: Youth Pastor
Why are you passionate about this ministry? Well, first off, because youth are AWESOME! But I think the biggest one is that youth have such great potential to be used by God. Teenagers, because of their age, have not been told enough times that something “can’t be done.” In my life, I have seen God do amazing things through young people, things that others would’ve thought impossible, or unlikely at best, and I absolutely love seeing a group of teenagers with willing hearts accomplish big things for the Kingdom!
What is your favorite place to talk to God? I really love to talk to God any place where I am surrounded by the magnificence and beauty of His creation… but my all time favorites are: 1) On top of the snow covered mountains. 2) At the beach on the east coast at sunrise. (I am, however, really looking forward to experiencing west coast sunsets on the beach!)
Born: Plantation, FL on Oct. 2nd
Describe your family: I come from Italian and Scotch-Irish backgrounds. My parents are divorced, I have 2 sisters (1 older and 1 younger), and there are a group of about 10 guys from college & high school, who I also consider family, that are closer than brothers to me.
Hobbies/ Interests: I LOVE MUSIC! …Making music or listening to music. I play bass, a little guitar, and I am almost always singing when I’m driving. In fact, there’s almost never a time when I don’t have a song in my head. I also love movies! Particularly 80′s or early 90′s movies. I love playing/watching sports including ice hockey, roller hockey, soccer, snow boarding, aggressive skating, ultimate Fribee, disc golf, volleyball, kickball, wiffle ball, sky diving, and anything else that seems like fun at the time. I also have a thing for muscle cars and riding Harleys.
First job: Lifeguard & Swim Coach
Favorite author or movie: Author – John Eldredge (Wild at Heart) / Movie – Back To The Future
Favorite music artists / bands: This is a really difficult one for me, but here are a few of my favorites… Dogwood, MxPx, The Ataris, Cadence, The Gallery, Emery, Journey, Billy Joel, Anberlin, Hey Monday, Thousand Foot Krutch, The O.C. Supertones, Paramore, Trans-Siberian Ochestra, 10th Ave. North, Hillsong United, Chuck Berry… and that’s just the beginning.
Debra Wallace
Ministry: Children’s Ministry
Why are you passionate about this ministry? Being part of a child’s walk with Jesus is a privelege. Teaching children about the love of God and His way is a passion and a responsibility. Fostering kids’ relationship with Jesus…I love it!!
Favorite place to talk to God: I love that God meets me where I am. I like to talk to Him everyone I can. I love His splendor at the beach and in nature. The helicopter ride in Alaska made me cry in appreciation of His creation.
Born: Van Neys, CA
Family: Married to Mike Wallace. My daughter Sabreena is 20.
Hobbies / Interests: Horses, Hiking, Design, Crafts, Puzzles and one of my favorites is two-stepping with my husband.
First Job: I worked in an office as a file clerk and phone receptionist.
Favorite author/movies: Tony Hillerman, Jane Austin, Agatha Christie. For movies, I like Tombstone, Lord of the Rings, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
Favorite music artists/bands: Third Day, Tobey Keith, Emmylou Harris, Mozart — It’s a mixed bag!
Bart G. Broadnax
Ministry: Music Director
Why are you passionate about this ministry? I feel God has blessed me with the love of music, along with special talents in music–perfect pitch, good rhythm, and He has directed me to spread His word through my musical talents. It’s my blessing to share His word through my music, and to see people open up to receive His grace and blessing as a result of listening.
Favorite place to talk to God: Beside my bed, after waking up, thanking Him for this day and asking Him to guide me through
Born: Portsmouth, VA on April 18
Family: Single. Widowed.
Hobbies / Interests: Sports, cars, motorcycles (particularly Harley-Davidson), concerts
First job: Bagboy/stocker, Colonial Grocery Stores
Favorite author or movie: Author: Donald Miller (for now); Movie: Casablanca
Favorite music artists/bands: It depends on the genre. My taste is so “all over the map,” I can’t choose just one band. I like DC talk, Level 42, Rush, Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter (jazz bassist), Stephen Curtis Chapman, Paul Baloche, Chris Tomlin, Twila Paris, Rascal Flatts, Alan Jackson, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Foo Fighters, Tower of Power (shall I go on?)
Judith Richards
Ministries: Supreme Shopper (office, youth group, church building, kitchen, etc); Head Monitor (tenant usage, our outside vendors, and whatever else has to be done, etc.)
Why are you passionate about this ministry? Through the volunteers, I am able to serve not only the church staff but also the members of our church—some of whom I only see once or twice a month. Is it any wonder they are so high on my “VIP” list?
Favorite Place to talk to God: Morning: shower; evening: walking my dog Milo and admiring our gorgeous sunsets (and complimenting Him on His choice of colors); night: just before I fall asleep.
Born: Chicago, IL, June 6th
Family: Twin sons: Mark & Warren who chose wonderful women, Kelly & Susan, to share their lives. Thanks to their lovely choices, I now have seven beautiful, brilliant grandchildren (I have pictures if you want to stop by the office and see).
Hobbies: Really none—most of them require some level of creativity of which I severely lack. I usually just go home, walk the dog.
First job: I was 14 when I started working at a shoe store where I checked, boxed, and bagged purchases (for the holidays I learned how to do the gift wrapping). I worked everyday after school plus 2 evenings a week (‘til 10) plus all day Saturday and my pay was 50 cents an hour.
Favorite author or movie: “Gone with the Wind”
Favorite music: Actually I’ve really become hooked on most Christian music—maybe because of singing on Sunday. No non-Christian music (except for some country/western) interests me these days, I’m more from the 60’s.
