Pastors

		Senior Pastor Ryan Jensema Pastor Ryan is committed to preaching Biblical sermons that are fun, applicable to life, and a challenge to our continuing journey following Jesus. We as a church are committed to following God’s lead and mission for us in our corner of the world and beyond.
	Education March 1999 – Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, WWU May 2003 – Masters of Divinity, Trinity Western Seminary Pastoral Experience June 1997 – January 1999, NWBC Youth Ministry Intern January 1999 – March 2000: NWBC Director of Jr. High Ministries March 2000 – November 2004: NWBC Youth Pastor November 2004 – October 2005: Co-Interim Lead Pastor/Youth Pastor January 2006 to present NWBC Senior Pastor Personal Pastor Ryan and his wife Heather have two children; Lauren (4), and Kaden (2). Ryan is committed to preaching Biblical sermons that are fun, applicable to life, and a challenge to our continuing journey following Jesus. He is committed to following God’s lead and mission for us as a church as we minister in our corner of Bellingham.

		Associate Pastor Jon Aldrich Jon wants to be God’s man in any situation in which he ministers, controlled by God, sensitive to His guidance in his life and ministry, to study God’s Word and see it work, to share it with others in such a way that their lives are changed. As a pastor Jon wants to develop fully his gift of pastor/teacher and deepen his knowledge of God and His Word and minister in such a way that people without Christ will see their need and the reasonableness of God’s solution. Jon desires to serve God in some capacity for as long as he is mentally and physically capable.
	Education 1957-1960 Multnomah School of the Bible. Diploma in Bible and Theology. 1960-1964 Western Washington State University. BA in Sociology-Anthropology and minors in both Psychology and Philosophy. 1964-1968 Master of Theology degree in Christian Education. Pastoral Experience 1959-1960. While at Multnomah I led the Fort Vancouver Young Life Club in Vancouver, Wa. Linda was the club pianist. 1962-1964. While at Western I was the pastor of the Deming Presbyterian Church in Deming Washington. Linda taught Sunday school. We both worked with the youth at the Deming church. At the same time we were in charge of the youth program at Geneva Community Church. 1968-1973. We both served on The Firs staff following seminary. I was the Program Director, directing conferences at both the Conference Center and the Chalet. During the summer I also directed Camp Firwood. During the winter months I often spoke at the evening service at Geneva Community Church. Linda was active in the Conference Center Dining Room in addition to raising our two children and taking care of me. 1974. While at The Firs Linda and I felt God was calling us into full time pastoral work. I was ordained by Geneva Community Church in the winter of 1974. 1974-1982. Linda and I moved to Nacogdoches, Texas, where we served Grace Bible Church as Senior Pastor and wife. The church was located directly across the street from Stephen F. Austin State University and thus our ministry involved a large number of university students as well as faculty and staff. We still have many dear friends at Grace. 1982-1987. I served as Senior Pastor at Brush Prairie Baptist Church in Vancouver, Washington. My ministry there followed a major conflict and split. My role appears to have been to bring peace and maturity to the church and to prepare the ground for the next pastor. 1988- 2008. Senior pastor at Sunrise Baptist Church in Custer, Washington. Personal I was born into what became a large, active and happy family on a small farm in Vancouver, Washington. Our two adopted children are now married with families of their own. My hobbies and interests include gardening, woodworking, fishing, cooking and reading.