Earlier this year, we shared the outline of a plan to be responsible financial stewards of the tithes given to the church.
As we approach the mid-point of 2020, we want to update our Oregon Conference family on the changes that have taken place. Change is rarely easy. Yet the Spirit of God has been evident in pastors and local leaders as we’ve processed through the transitions together.
From the start, the goal was to effectively meet the needs of local congregations, while finding ways to become more efficient in how we work together, “Strategic efficiency for missional effectiveness.”
In the list below, you’ll see some districts that have been redrawn, many pastors who have accepted new responsibilities within the conference, and a few who are choosing this time to retire.
In the coming weeks, there will be additional announcements regarding changes at the Oregon Conference office and in other church districts. We invite you to join us in lifting up each pastor and church member in prayer as they undertake this new chapter in their journeys.
New Districts in the Oregon Conference
Prineville Church will become a single-church district thanks to donor financing of a full-time pastor for the next five years.
Madras and Redmond churches, beginning September 1, 2020, will be in the same district.
Bend and Sisters churches, beginning June 1, 2020, will be in the same district.
Tabernacle and Tualatin churches, beginning July 1, 2020, will be in the same district.
Canyonville, Glide, and Turning Point churches, effective May 2020, will be in the same district.
Myrtle Creek and Roseburg churches, effective May 2020, will be in the same district.
Yoncalla, Sutherlin, and Winston Churches, effective May 2020, will be in the same district.
Hopewell and McMinnville Churches, effective June 2020, will be in the same district.
Pastoral Transitions
John Redlich, will become the pastor of Prineville church, start date still to be determined.
Randy Folkenberg will become pastor of Madras and Redmond church district, starting September 1, 2020.
Brent Brussett will assume responsibilities for Sisters, effective June 1, while continuing pastorate of the Bend Church.
Juan Fresse will become Lead Pastor of Tabernacle and Tualatin Churches, beginning July 1, 2020.
Lonnie Wibberding assumed responsibility for Canyonville Church, effective May 2020, while continuing to pastor Glide and Turning Point churches.
Tony Rodriguez assumed responsibility for Myrtle Creek Church, effective May 2020, while continuing to pastor the Roseburg Church.
Andre Scalfani assumed responsibility for Yoncalla Church in May 2020, while continuing to pastor the Sutherlin and Winston churches.
Jerry Joubert will assume responsibility for Hopewell church in June 2020, while continuing to pastor the McMinnville Church.
Jackie James became Lead Pastor at Meadow Glade Church in May 2020.
Alex Portillo will be coming from Seminary to be Assistant Pastor at Meadow Glade Church, July 1, 2020. (David Smith has accepted a call to pastor at Georgia Cumberland Academy Church.)
Jonny Moor moved from Healing Hope Church to be Associate Pastor at Meadow Glade Church on June 1, 2020.
Kara Johnsson will become pastor of Oasis Church in July 2020.
Moe Stiles has made the difficult decision to return home to Australia.
Ashok Willmott will transition from Pleasant Valley Church to Seminary, August 2020.
Emily Ellis will be coming from Walla Walla University to be Assistant Pastor at Pleasant Valley Church, July 2020
Nick Gosney will be transitioning from Journey Church to Seminary, August 2020.
Jared Frost will be coming from Walla Walla University to be Assistant Pastor at Journey Church, August 2020.
Blake Engelhart is returning from Seminary and will pastor the Newberg Church, beginning July 1, 2020.
Nick Jones will become pastor of Grand Ronde, River’s Edge, and Sheridan churches, beginning August 1, 2020.
Jeff Kimmel is resigning to pursue chaplaincy ministry.
Brian Simmons will transition from Associate Pastor to Lead Pastor of Hood View Church, effective August 1, 2020.
Gemedi Geleto became pastor of Oromo Church, June 1, 2020.
Steve Moor to become pastor at Milo Academy Church, July 1, 2020.
Paddy McCoy became pastor of the Crosswalk PDX Church in May 2020.
Reginald Richardson Jr. came from Oakwood University to be Interim Assistant Pastor at Sharon Church, and Intern Pastor of Your Bible Speaks and University Park Churches in May 2020.
Retirements
Jim McMurry retires from lead pastor at Hood View and Estacada churches, effective August 1, 2020
Steve Behrmann retires from interim pastor of Hood River and White Salmon churches, effective July 1, 2020
Robert (Bob) Mix retires from pastor of Forest Grove and Gaston churches, effective August 1, 2020
Steve Madsen retires from pastor of Lents and Village churches, effective August 1, 2020
F. Ben Moor retires from pastor of Castle Rock and Woodland churches, effective August 1, 2020
Lary Brown retires from pastor of Dallas and Falls City churches, effective August 1, 2020
