Our Team
Our church is led and cared for by our elders (Session), staff, and deacons.
Connect with any of us for coffee to get to know us or our church better.
Staff
Nate Walker -
Lead Pastor
Nate has been the pastor of Christ Church since it first began in 2009. The Lord saved him by sheer grace when he was 16 years old in a behavioral modification program on the island of Western Samoa. After returning home, he met his wife Shannon and they have five children Lucy, Will, Ada, Molly, and Henry—and one son-in-law Chase. Nate helped found Trinity Classical School and is the author of The Deep Deep Love of Jesus: 50 Reasons for the Cross of Christ, a daily devotion on the theology of the cross. He has degrees in Mathematics from Western Washington University (BS, MS) and went to seminary at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis (MDiv). He was ordained in the PCA in November 2009. Nate also loves any sport with a ball, reading, the outdoors, writing music, and the Lord Jesus who has never failed him.
Matthew Boffey -
Pastor of Discipleship
Matt is a homegrown Pacific Northwesterner thrilled to be ministering in Bellingham. He has a BA in Bible and Communications from Moody Bible Institute and an MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Prior to joining Christ Church, Matt was a book editor and youth pastor in Chicago. His passion is to see Christ formed in hearts and minds. He is married to Alex and enjoys reading, running, songwriting, and walking their golden retriever, Wrigley.
Jon Brodhagen -
Director of Operations
Jon serves as the Director of Operations of Christ Church Bellingham where he has the privilege of using his gifts to bless the church and help everything run smoothly. He has a Bachelors degree in Biblical Studies and Business from Liberty University and a MA in Pastoral Ministry from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to joining Christ Church he served in various ministry contexts in large and small churches and in the US Army. He is currently working towards finishing his MDiv with Knox Theological Seminary. Jon and his wife, Anah, love exploring all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer with their children and serving the church together as a family. He loves reading, listening to podcasts, bonfires, hunting and hiking all over Washington and Idaho and spending time with his giant of a dog, Preacher.
Diana Lim -
Head of School
Diana serves as the Head of School at Trinity Classical School, a discipleship ministry of Christ Church Bellingham. She is married to her husband Arthur and they have three children- two daughters, Lily and Julianna, and a son Ryder. Diana is passionate about classical Christian education and the fruit it produces in the lives of children and the impact it can have on a community. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, skiing, and traveling with her family.
Avah Vroom -
Music Ministry Director
Avah was born in Bellingham and has lived in Whatcom county ever since. As a classically based vocalist and musician, she is passionate about equipping and encouraging God’s people to worship Him through song. Avah earned her Bachelor’s of Science in History through Liberty University and has completed training as a Kodaly method music instructor. She has spent five joyful years leading as a musician for Christ Church and teaching at Trinity Classical school. Avah married her husband Joel in 2020, and together they love raising their sweet baby girl Dorothy, spending time with church friends and family, and caring for their goats and giant farm dog.
Tabithah Schwandt - Children’s Ministry Director
Tabithah Schwandt moved to Bellingham in August of 2014 and began attending Christ Church shortly thereafter. She is loving coastal living and has enjoyed exploring the beautiful beaches, mountains and lakes in Western Washington. Tabithah is married to John Schwandt and they have four amazing kids. Tabithah loves to cook people good food, run/hike in the woods, practice yoga, grow beautiful plants, do interior design and sew. She enjoys serving the little saints at our church.
Cari Duffy -
Admin Assistant
Cari has been working at Christ Church Bellingham since 2022. She grew up in Snohomish County and moved to Bellingham for college. Cari met her husband, Ryan, at a badminton tournament. They have two teenage daughters, Clare and Molly. Previously Cari worked in both retail and resort management, was a certified teacher in Whatcom County public school districts, ran a one-room schoolhouse private school, and has been homeschooling her daughters since preschool. The entire Duffy family enjoy serving the Body of Christ by tending the church inside and outside. For Cari, working with the office staff team is a cherished blessing.
Jen Moline -
Women’s Ministry Lead
Jen was born and raised in northwest Washington in a home that valued Christ, family, sports, and music. She moved to coastal California for college and pursued a BA in Theology with an emphasis in missions. She met her husband, Jesse, through their local church and together they led worship, community groups, and she audited a Biblical Counseling program Jesse attended. Jen and her husband have two children and are passionate about people and hospitality. She loves anything outdoors: hiking, biking, gardening, moss, trees, camping, floral design, and more. When the weather gets cool Jen especially loves a good cup of tea, indoor games and puzzles!
John Matta -
Pastoral Intern
John Matta is Christ Church Bellingham's pastoral intern, working primarily with youth grades 7 to 12. He was born and raised in Chicago, IL, and is currently finishing his final year at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He enjoys evangelism, reading good literature, and brazilian jiu jitsu.
Brielle Christensen -
Bookkeeper
Brielle joined our staff in 2021 and helps us to keep all of our finances in order. She grew up in Lynden and moved back to the area after graduating with an Accounting Degree from Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa in 2016. While attending Dordt, she met her husband, Micah, and they have 2 boys, Beckham and Brooks, and another little one on the way. Brielle loves using her gifts to serve the church as well as being a stay at home mom. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outside, and adventuring with her boys.
Session
Keith Bode - Elder, Clerk of Session
Keith has been an Elder (and Clerk) at Christ Church since its
inception, and even then was chronologically challenged. He and Jayne, his bride of 47 years (and of noble character!), have reared three
faithful children, who in turn have blessed them with ten wonderful
grandchildren. Keith's favored pronoun is "grandpa." He works at being a faithful believer while he labors as a small town attorney. His
sporting pursuits have changed from participation to spectating, mostly
in rooting at grandchildren's games and artistic events. It is his fervent prayer that Christ Church Bellingham effectively equips its members, nurtures its young, and evangelizes its community.
Art Lim - Elder
Art has been an Elder at Christ Church since March 2012. Art met his wife Diana at Malibu Young Life camp where they served as leaders together. He is blessed with two beautiful girls, Lily and Julianna and a son named Ryder. Art works as a Firefighter for the city of Kirkland. He is excited to serve as an Elder for Christ Church and hopes to continue to see our congregation live gospel centered lives together with much grace and joy.
Chris Van Hofwegen - Elder
Chris has been an Elder at Christ Church since March 2012. Chris met his wife Lisa at Northwestern College in Iowa. He is blessed with three children, Gabe, Calvin and Anna. Chris also works as a Orthopedic Surgeon. As an elder he hopes to see the Lord's grace more clearly in all our lives as we build Christ Church and serve one another.
Ryan Wynne- Elder
Ryan has been an elder at Christ Church since 2022. Prior to that, he served on the diaconate for many years. Ryan met his wife, Meagan, through Young Life at Newport High School. This happens to be the same high school that Pastor Nate attended. Ryan and Meagan have four children: Dylan, Evan, Grayson and Morgan. A graduate of University of Washington, Ryan has been a practicing endodontist for over 20 years in Bellingham. When not drilling on teeth, he enjoys competing in triathlons, cooking up something savory, or sailing out on the bay. His desire is to extend Christ’s love through hospitality, meet people in their struggles, and offer the hope of the gospel.
Shawn Morton - Elder
Shawn has been a member of Christ Church since 2016 and an elder since 2023. Shawn and his wife, Greta, married after college and have 5 children. Shawn lives in Ferndale and works as a Financial Advisor in Bellingham. Shawn enjoys the outdoors, a good book, and Sunday afternoon walks with Greta. As an elder his desire is to see prayer flourish at Christ Church for the salvation of every person in Whatcom County.
Jessy Smit - Elder
Jessy Smit has been married to his lovely wife Shelly since 2012. They have four children, Claire, Canaan, Annie, and Jude. They make their home in Ferndale where Jessy works as a steel fabricator. The simple pleasures of Church life and service, time with family, hiking, physical work around the farm, fishing and reading appeal the most to him. His highest joy is found in his Savior who has shown His amazing grace in saving a wretch like him. He loves Christ Church and his brothers and sisters there and seeks to lead them faithfully as an elder. Love God and enjoy Him forever.
Mitch Rosenburg - Elder
Mitch was born and raised in and around Bellingham. After marrying his wife, Théa, he graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in computer science, which has kept him gainfully employed ever since. He and his wife have been married for 20+ years; together, they’re raising four delightful daughters and have been members of Christ Church Bellingham since 2019. Mitch enjoys bouldering, Rubik’s cubing, collecting pointy-eared animals (current count: one cattle dog and three kittens), and making his daughters laugh.
Diaconate
Josh Perry - Deacon, Chair of Diaconate
Josh and Kristi Perry have worshipped at Christ Church since 2017. Josh is a Bellingham native, a USMC vet, and a general contractor. He and Kristi greatly enjoy coffee and family life with their two sons and daughter. Josh is excited to help the diverse resources of the body of Christ meet the needs of our church and broader community.
Tyson Smith- Deacon
Tyson and his wife Tracy became members of CCB in 2013. They have been blessed with three wonderful children, Kai, Grady and Isabel, which they can be found trailing most days. He works around the Northwest with Armor Industrial. Tyson has a heart for participating and witnessing the impact of Christ felt throughout the world.
James Van Noord - Deacon
James Van Noord joined Christ Church in 2012. He is a transplant to the PNW and resides in the Birchwood neighborhood with his wife, Rebecca, and three children, Penelope, Henry, and Bonnie. He has a heart for welcoming visitors and caring for the needs of the CCB community. He is a software developer by day, and a baby entertainer and backyard project enthusiast by night.
J-P Oneschak - Deacon
J-P and his wife, Andrea, have worshipped with their three sons at Christ Church since 2015 and live in Ferndale. He holds BAs in Christian Studies (Briercrest College) and History (Arizona State) as well as a MA in Interdisciplinary Studies (Arizona State). Some favorite things he enjoys are reading, photographs, the outdoors, music, and doing things as a family. As a deacon, J-P enjoys bringing people together to eat, connect, and play, whether it's welcoming new people and connecting them with other members of the church or organizing events for large gatherings. His hope is to see the faith of each person that attends Christ Church deepened and relationships with each other forged and strengthened.
Paul Joostens - Deacon
Paul and his wife Becca have been attending Christ Church since 2018. They have two adult sons and one daughter-in-law. Noah (Jess) and Ian. Paul is a roofing contractor by trade. He has a heart after seeing people grow in their gifts and using them in service to Christs kingdom.
Paul Hanaoka - Deacon
Paul and Christina moved to Bellingham in 2022, primarily to join CCB. Both originally from the PNW, they spent time in Iowa and Southern California before coming to their senses. They have been greatly blessed with four children and no dogs. Paul is a designer at a software company and is passionate about making the not yet, already.