Organization Contact Info Community of Christ GPNW Mission Center c/o 17349 SE 134th Street Renton, WA 98059 Attn: Kathy Sharp Fax: 206-339-6550 Financial Contact Info Community of Christ GPNW Mission Center Financial Office 2721 NW 117th Cir. Vancouver, WA 98685 Attn: William (Bill) McFarlin Fax: 206-339-6550 MISSION CENTER ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF President Kathy Sharp 425-488-8202 Kathy's bio Financial Officer Bill McFarlin 360-574-2758 Bill's bio Communications Coordinator Karen Short 425-572-0167 Karen's bio Membership Services: Records Kim Naten 360-748-3562 Kim's bio Membership Services: Financial Dianne Webberley 360-834-9664 Dianne's bio Pastor Support Minister Steve Pomeroy 425-641-8876 Steve's bio Mission Coordinator John Smallwood 541-504-2692 John's bio Learning Officer Christian Skoorsmith 206-938-6173 Christian's bio Volunteer Priesthood Coordinator Elva Eliason 360-574-2433 Elva's bio Special Projects Shari Amos 503-674-8996 Shari's bio Volunteer Webmaster Todd Sargeant   Todd's bio CONGREGATIONAL SUPPORT MINISTERS Anchorage Church Plantor-Pastor Kate Steinel 907-322-7783 Kate's bio CSM: Bend, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Medford, Redmond, Southridge Mike Bessonette 541-923-3660 Mike's bio CSM: Cedarcrest, Crystal Springs, Samish, Woodland Park Francine Inslee 360-654-0178 Francine's bio CSM: Ellensburg, Garden Grove, Selah, Yakima, Christie Ostendorp 503-287-7373 Christie's bio PSM: Auburn, Highland Park, Mossyrock, Puyallup, Rainier Valley, University Place Steve Pomeroy 425-228-5975 Steve's bio CSM: Eugene John Smallwood 541-504-2692 John's bio CSM: Cottage Grove, Lincoln City, Roseburg, Salem, Woodburn Debbie Sullivan 541-687-1633 Debbie's bio VOLUNTEER CONGREGATIONAL SUPPORT MINISTERS CSM: Bremerton Stan & Bev Corrington 253-564-5663 Stan & Bev bios CSM: Myrtle Point Bob Dobkins 541-895-3820 Bob's bio CSM: Bremerton, Olympia, Sequim Liza de Guzman 206-824-6518 Liza's bio CSM: Tuality John Mills 503-361-7959 John's bio CSM: Renton Tore Nilsen 253-833-2982 Tore's bio CSM: East Wenatchee Blake Puckett 206-849-1162 Blake's bio CSM: Albany Dave Polly 503-362-7466   CSM: Lacamas Heights Gloria & Joe Rasmussen 360-695-1152   CSM: Bridgeport Steve Sauve 509-697-8350   CSM: Neilton Michele Torrey 360-875-9974 Michele's bio CSM: Cowlitz Valley Susan & Tom Webber 253-840-0350   Shari Amos Special Projects Mike Bessonette Congregational Support Minister Mike grew up in Baker, OR and earned a B.A. from Graceland College, an M.S. from Southern Oregon State College, and did administrative course work through the University of Oregon. Mike retired after 33 years in education - 11 teaching, 22 as an administrator at all levels. He coached for 20 of those years. Over the years he has served the church in numerous roles, including pastor, district president, and on the staff of camps and Spectacular. He is married to Eleanor, and they have two sons, Michael and Chris. Mike is a High Priest. Stan and Bev Corrington Congregational Support Ministers Bob Dobkins Congregational Support Minister Liza de Guzman Congregational Support Minister Elva Eliason Volunteer Priesthood Coordinator Francine Inslee Congregational Support Minister Francine spent the first ten years of her life in the Seattle/Everett area, before moving to Lamoni, Iowa. She graduated from Graceland College with a B.A. in English and Education, and in 1988 she graduated with a MDiv from what is now the Institute for Ecumenical Theological Studies at Seattle University. Her ministries include preaching, teaching, and consulting on outreach and congregational ministry. She and her husband, Steve, live in Marysville, WA. Francine has three daughters and eight grandchildren. Francine is an Evangelist. Bill McFarlin Mission Center Financial Officer Bill's undergraduate education was done at Graceland College, and he received a doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic. Over the past 25 years, Bill has served as pastor and just about every other congregational leadership role. Bill's ministerial passions include health: relational, individual, congregational and denominational, understanding contemporary culture, providing ministry to older adults, and seeing the big picture yet managing the details. He is married to Beth and they have two children. Bill is a Bishop. John Mills Congregational Support Minister Kim Naten Membership Services Administrator: Records Kim Naten is a lifelong member of Community of Christ. She grew up in the Seattle area and has been an active participant in the Woodland Park Congregation for many years. Kim has served as a camp counselor, camp director and cook at various camps and reunions over the years. Kim attended Graceland College and Edmonds Community College, receiving her Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies. Her professional background includes 15 years as a legal assistant and the past 11 years as Administrative Assistant for the Seattle Police Department. Kim and her husband, Rick, reside in Chehalis, WA with their daughter, Katherine. Their son, Taylor, is a student at Washington State University. Tore Nilsen Congregational Support Minister Tore received a B.A. from Graceland College, and an M.S.W. from the University of Michigan. He worked as a clinical social worker, public school social worker, and Executive Director of Community Mental Health Clinic in Huron County, Michigan. He also taught one semester at Maryhurst University. Tore has served as pastor, counselor to district president, district president, and regional pastoral care commission leader, in addition to numerous other roles. He loves reading, crabbing and wood carving. Tore is an Evangelist. Christie Ostendorp Congregational Support Minister Christie was raised in Lincoln City, Oregon. Christie has Bachelor degrees in Psychology and Sociology, as well as a Masters degree in Social Work. She has been a practicing psychotherapist for over 29 years. She is a field specialist with a focus on youth ministry, and has served as the chair for the bi-district youth commission. She has directed Jr. High and Sr. High camps and retreats and has been involved in various roles in youth ministry over 33 years. Christie has two daughters, Leah and stepdaughter, Roxanne. Her grandchildren are Max and Madelyn. She and her husband, Kent Wheeler, reside in Portland. Christie serves in the priesthood office of Elder. Steve Pomeroy Puget Sound Pastor Support Minister Steve graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.A in Education and began a teaching career in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1968. He moved to the Seattle area in 1978, and began working for Northwest Inspection Engineers, Inc. He received his M.B.A. degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1982, and has served as business manager of the corporation since that time. A life-long member of Community of Christ, Steve served for seven years in the Presidency of the Seattle Stake Elders’ Quorum and has served the past 13 years as pastor, and now co-pastor, of the church’s Renton, Washington congregation. Other areas of service have included the former Seattle Stake High Council, the Greater Pacific Northwest Mission Center Design Team, and a variety of local planning and advisory committees within the church. Steve holds the office of High Priest and is a member of the Greater Pacific Northwest Mission Center Council. He and his wife, Mary Ann, live in Bellevue, Washington. Blake Puckett Congregational Support Minister Todd Sargeant Volunteer Webmaster Todd is an architect working for Wattenbarger Architects, a firm in Bellevue, WA that specializes in senior housing. Todd founded the Hike of the Month Club, "a group of people dedicated to explore the spiritual journey of life. Our vision is to celebrate the wonder, beauty, and mystery of the Creator as we hike through the beautiful Pacific Northwest." Web site design is one of his many interests. Todd is married to Nan and they have a son, Finley, and a daughter, Evelyn. Todd is a Priest. Kathy Sharp Mission Center President Kathy is deeply rooted in the Pacific Northwest and the mission of the Community of Christ here. She grew up in Port Angeles, Washington. She earned her B.A. degree from Graceland University (Iowa) and her M.A. from Inter American University (Puerto Rico). Originally an English teacher, Kathy shifted to public affairs and human resource positions in academia and business. Prior to becoming a full-time minister, Kathy was a business consultant working with clients to communicate and manage change. She was an active volunteer in her professional association, the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Kathy was lay pastor of Crystal Springs Congregation and a member of the World Church's Investment Committee for four years. She enjoys visiting and preaching throughout the Mission Center, and is now enrolled in Graceland University Seminary. Kathy became President of the GPNW Mission Center in 2007. Since moving back to the West Coast in 1982, Kathy and her family have been members of Crystal Springs Congregation in Bothell, Washington. Kathy and her husband, Lynn, love to spend time with their three grown children and two grandchildren. Kathy is a High Priest. Karen Short Mission Center Communications Coordinator As a lifelong member of Community of Christ in the Renton Congregation, Karen has been active as a youth leader and congregational Communications Coordinator. Karen has a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management from the University of Washington. Previously, Karen was President of a real estate seminar company for more than 15 years, while also freelancing in communications design and production. Karen has won three prestigious newsletter awards, and has designed and published more than 10 websites. As a former member of Meeting Planners International, Karen also has extensive experience in multimedia presentations, as well as the design and production of a variety of print media. Karen and her husband, Troy, have two children, Nick and Lauren. Christian Skoorsmith Learning Officer Christian graduated from Graceland University with a B.A. in Philosophy and Religion, and has had a rich work history that includes Peace Corps service in Ukraine, labor union advocacy in Seattle, Mission Center Mission Coordinator and Congregational Support Minister in our own GPNW, and more recently President of the Europe Mission Center. Christian is currently working “harder than ever” as a full-time father. Christian will be graduating this spring from the Graceland Seminary with a Master’s of Arts in Religion. A life-long member of Community of Christ, Christian grew up in Arizona, and served the church in varying capacities there, as well as in Iowa, Washington, and Europe. Christian holds the office of Elder and attends Highland Park Congregation in Seattle with his partner Christie Skoorsmith and their eight-month-old daughter Evanelia. John Smallwood Mission Center Mission Coordinator John lives in Crooked River Ranch in Central Oregon with his wife Ruth. They attend Redmond, OR congregation. After 27 years with Intel Corporation in various engineering management positions, John took early retirement to do volunteer work. John is on the Board of Directors for Crooked River Ranch and on the Board of Directors for Jericho Road. John is currently a CPI pastor (Co-pastor Initiative) for Redmond Congregation, focusing on community outreach. He was the church planter for two congregations in the GPNW Mission Center (Tuality and Redmond) and has been the pastor for three congregations. John served as a Seventy for 21 years and in 2004, requested release from the Quorum of Seventy and functions as a missionary Elder. John has been an active presence in the Bend Development Project, representing Community of Christ with many organizations, to help this team advance its vision for a Signal Community. John and Ruth are avid golfers. Kate Steinel Anchorage Church Plantor-Pastor Kate grew up in the Anchorage Community of Christ Congregation. She graduated from Graceland University in 2004 with a Bachelors degree in Religion and a minor in Church Leadership. After graduating and getting married, she moved to Fairbanks, Alaska with her husband Chris Steinel. During their time in Fairbanks, they had many wilderness adventures and acted in various leadership roles in the Fairbanks congregation. They were both ordained to the office of Elder during those years. Kate graduated from University of Alaska Fairbanks with a Masters of Education, then worked as a teacher for three years. Their daughter, Julie, was born in April 2009. Debbie Sullivan Congregational Support Minister Debbie has served in a variety of roles including pastor, youth camp director, committees, and singles ministries. Her strengths are in organization, administration, speaking and facilitation. She currently has an accounting and tax practice and lectures on tax law around the state of Oregon. Debbie serves in the priesthood office of Elder. Michele Torrey Congregational Support Minister Dianne Webberley Membership Services Administrator: Financial Dianne Webberley is a Northwest native. She lives in Camas, WA with her husband Brett of 22 years and son Austin (a sophomore in high school). Their daughter, Paige, is a freshman at Graceland University. Although Dianne trained and worked full-time for 10 years as a Veterinary Technician, she has spent the last nine years working in her home office part-time as an administrator for a company that provides continuing education to hearing professionals. Dianne is also the personal bookkeeper for her previous boss, and is now the bookkeeper for the Portland Congregation as well. Dianne is Co-Pastor with Kari Garman at the Lacamas Heights Congregation and is involved with a local Boy Scout troop.

Our Faith  •   Congregations  •   Staff  •   News  •   Camps & Events  •   Ministries  •   Links  •   Home