P.T. Barnum and his wife wife Karen have 2 grown children. They have been in Vancouver since 1982. He works in security for the U.S. military. He will be serving as deacon of benevolence.

P.T., what has God meant in your life?

He's been with me since I was born and he's been in every part of my life. I don't know what is like to not know him since I grew up with him. The one time I tried to walk away from the church, he pulled me back real quick.

Michael, what does Christ mean to you?

Christ provides me the perfect example how to live my life, grace when I fail, and the assurance that I will spend eternity with Him.

Mark, how have you seen God at work in your life?

God has allowed our business to grow through tough times. We’ve seen things that have happened that there’s no other explanation than that God simply gave us those things. We feel very blessed, very fortunate.

Scott Corley and his wife Kara have three children. Scott works as an engineer for Underwriters Laboratories. He is deacon in charge of missions. Scott expresses the fact that we are a sending congregation to missions all around the world that teach the love of Jesus Christ. He sees his responsibility as that of bringing requests before the missions committee that are most relevant to our church and to the teaching of Jesus.

Scott, what does Jesus mean to you?

He has set me free. I am undone. God has blessed me with a wonderful family that I cherish with all my heart. I pray each day for his protection of my children and thank him for the wisdom of my wife. My life goal is to be a father whom my children, my wife and my God are proud of.

Kirk Davis and his wife Lori have 3 children, Kayla, Colton and Levi. Kirk works as a property manager in the family business. He’s been part of Vancouver Church of Christ all his life. As a deacon, he’ll be in charge of Special Projects. These will be major projects assigned by the Administration cluster. In the past, Kirk helped secure a large loan for the building project and coordinated the new landscaping. Future projects will be in the same vein, large efforts that need administration. If you have questions about this ministry, email Kirk .

Kirk, what has God done in your life?

If I told you how much God has blessed me it would just sound like I was bragging.

Mike Dobbs and his wife Brenda celebrated their 25th anniversary in November 2006. They met at a Church of Christ while attending Purdue University. They have two kids. Mike works for Hewlett-Packard as a manager of inkjet printer research and development. He manages teams both in Vancouver and San Diego. For the past couple years his work has required signification international travel to many countries in Asia. Mike will be serving as a deacon in the Missions cluster. He will be helping with the mission and humanitarian outreach in Zorrillo, Mexico that culminates each July with building homes there for families that can't put much of a roof over their head. Mike has been making multiple trips to Zorrillo every year to keep the relationship in that village thriving.

Mike, How does being a Christian affect your day to day life?
I have learned that for life to have real meaning we must serve one another. God created us to do good works and in so doing we demonstrate our love for Him and one another.

Don Foster and his wife Cheryl married in 1968. The have three grown children, 2 sons and a daughter. Don works as Project Manager for TEAM Construction, Vancouver. His service as deacons of Worship Ministry includes the planning and implementation of worship services on Sunday mornings. This ministry engages different participants to lead the congregation in Prayers, Lord's Supper, Scripture Reading and Singing. Don works with Ministry Staff to coordinate songs around sermon topics. Together, Don & Cheryl Foster plan and direct the Worship Team whose function is to supplement the singing in the Worship Assemblies, teaching new music to the congregation and sing at various events funerals, wedding, anniversaries, etc. Dedicated members are sought for this ministry. The team holds each other accountable for actions and non-actions as Christians.

Don, How does being a Christian affect your day to day life?
I can't see myself without God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in my life. I believe very strongly that Vancouver Church of Christ is exactly where God wants me and Cheryl to serve and lead. My working life has always been around Christians wheither it was working at Pepperdine University, Columbia Christian College or building new Church Worship spaces in California, Oregon and Washington.

Tony Graham and his wife Pam have four children, Jeremy, Jessica, Jillian and Jenna. He's an engineer at a silicon wafer manufacturing plant. His family has been in Vancouver since 1992. He will be working with the teens and youth along with Lewis Skiles and Tim Sibley.

Tony, what has Jesus meant in your life? He's a grounding in my life. Everything else surrounds him.

Josh Gonzales and his wife Jamie have two sons, Kyle and Cayden. He has been with Vancouver Church of Christ since 2000, though his wife has been here much longer. He works for the Department of Corrections as a corrections officer. He is deacon of Assembly Management, which involves setting up for baptisms and coordinating worship services.

Josh, what has God taught you?
God has shown me that being faithful really pays off. I've been trying to get into law enforcement for about 7 years and I've taken tests and done everything I could think of to be where I wanted to be… and I'm almost there. It's been a long journey, but I'm being faithful to him and not giving up.

Phil Hess and Connie have two grown children, Julian and Alexander. Phil works in College Administration. He is serving as deacon of Adult Education.

Phil, how does being a Christian affect your day to day life?
Being a Christian is every day, every hour. I long for righteousness and to please the Father of light. Though there are lapses at times, I know each day that His will is being done in my life. Reading scripture has been one of my devotions with power.

Rich Kolb is married to Jane. Their two grown children and all three of their grandchildren attend Vancouver Church of Christ. Rich retired from the Department of Fish and Wildlife and now works two days a week as a carpenter for Clark College. Rich serves as deacon of Family and Marriage in the Family Life cluster. If you've got suggestions or would like to help build this ministry, email Rich .

Rich, what is one thing God has done for you?

He brought me my wife when I needed her most.

Sam Kolb and his wife Melissa have two girls, Samantha and Amber. Sam works as a forest and fish biologist with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. He serves as deacon of Buildings in the Administration cluster. This ministry includes future building projects, maintenance of existing building, facility rental and use, and janitorial. As you can see, Sam is going to need a lot of help to keep up with all his projects. If you are an experienced builder or would like to help with any of the other aspects of this ministry, you can email him .

Sam, what has God done in your life?

It’s a changing thing. I have a lot different attitude than 10 years ago, a lot different perspective on life. And I imagine in another 10 years He will have changed my perspective and attitude even more.

Ben Martin and his wife Linda have three children. Ben works as an electric meter technician for Pacific Power. He is serving as deacon of New Member Involvement. This ministry focuses on getting people involved in the church. It also focuses on visitors, those individuals that walk in through our doors searching for answers in their lives. We want to show them Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

What does Jesus mean to you?
ONLY because of Him can I call God, Father….He is The WORD.  An example of Life to model my own life after as a Husband, Father, Son, Brother and Friend.

Jim Mitts and his wife Debbie have three grown daughters. He works as a Computer Network Administrator for a local company with manufacturing plants world-wide. As deacon of Equipment and Media ministry, Jim is the guy who makes sure people are seen, heard, and connected at the church building. This includes sound, audio, video, computer, Internet, and phone systems. He and his hard working crew put together and project all that you see and hear during assemblies.

Jim, How does being a Christian affect your day to day life?
God blessed me with a wonderful wife and great adult children. From these blessings I draw great comfort and strength. One thing I do each day is listen to Christian music on the radio. Some of my favorite artists are Casting Crowns, Third Day, and Mercy Me.

John Nissen and Ardis, his wife of more than 40 years, have 2 grown sons and four grandchildren. John is serving as deacon of Finance. This ministry involves development of the church budget, monitoring the budget throughout the year, and issuing the annual financial statements for the church. It also involves developing policy and procedures for financial applications.

John, What has God done in your life?
God has drawn me to him through baptism. He has drawn me into ministries over the years and now he has drawn me into this deacon ministry. In submitting to him, I am a better person and the servant that I want to be.

Lewis Skiles and his wife Susan have four children. They have worshipped with Vancouver Church of Christ since 1999. Lewis works as an AutoCAD Draftsman both for a company and out of his home. Lewis works with our Youth. He works alongside Tim Sibley and the rest of the youth staff to show students from sixth through twelfth grade who God is, what he is like and how he views them and their world.

Lewis, what does Jesus mean to you?
When I realize the spiritual riches and physical security Jesus has brought into my life I am awed. He brings me joy. Because I have Jesus I can live a life contrary to the culture of greed and selfishness unashamed and triumphant.

Mike Spivy and his wife Meredith have two sons, Mason and Max. Mike works as Treasury Management Consultant for Wells Fargo Bank. His area of service is in finance. He gets the dubious honor of paying the bills.

Mike, what has God done in your life?
I firmly believe God placed my family and I in this part of the country for a reason. Meredith and I moved to this area 15 years ago without jobs in place and without knowing more than a couple of people in the area. We've been blessed with employment that allowed us to stay put, and the development of countless close friends. My relationship with Christ has blossomed since moving to the Northwest - I'm sure God had that planned for us all along.

Bryan, what is something God has given you? 

The greatest thing I can think of is the love we have within our family. It’s pretty awesome how Judy and I have been together with each other and been able to raise 3 wonderful children.