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Our Leadership

Canyon Hills is an Elder-led church

THE SERVANT LEADERS OF CANYON HILLS Community Church is the Eldership. This team of co-equal pastors and elders is made up of men who are spiritually qualified (I Timothy 3, Titus 1), and equally responsible (1 Peter 5). At Canyon Hills, the title of Pastor is used to describe the elders who are in full-time paid ministry, and the title of Lay Elder describes the elders who still work in the marketplace. The Eldership is responsible for guarding (Titus 1:9), guiding (1 Timothy 5:17), and growing (1 Timothy 4:12-13) the church in fulfilling its mission.

Meet Our Pastors:

  • Dave Morgan

    Executive Pastor

  • Koby Orr

  • Dustin Slezak

  • Andy Soemo

    Worship Pastor

  • Dr. Graydon Cress

    School of Discipleship | Marrieds Pastor

  • Jon Walker

    Residency | Executive Family Ministry Pastor

  • Jeff Geise

  • John Dabeck

    Young Adults Pastor

  • Alex Croutworst

  • Edgar Galdámez

    Hispanic Ministry Pastor

  • Matt Maas

    Middle School Pastor

  • Conner Renstrom

Dave Morgan

Executive Pastor

It’s a privilege to be serving as the Executive Pastor and working alongside the amazing team here at Canyon Hills!   I love my family and friends.   I love sunshine and summers.  I love running, boating and water sports.  But most of all, I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.  It’s an honor to worship him and serve him in the local church.

 

Year Began at CHCC: 2008

 

Education:
BA from Pacific Christian College
Masters from Indiana Wesleyan University

Family:
I married “up” to my beautiful and talented wife, Diane.    We have two great kids, who have wonderful spouses, and have blessed us with five amazing grandkids, who we can’t get enough of.  I am a blessed man!

Top 5 Books:

Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
Instruments in the Redeemers Hand by Paul David Tripp
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Vertical Church by James MacDonald
Amplified Leadership by Dan Reiland

Life Verse:
1 Corinthians 15:58

Koby Orr

I have had the privilege of serving on the Canyon Hills staff since 2009! My wife and I moved up here a year after graduating college down in southern California. Since moving up here, our family has grown to the chaotic number of 7, and we are loving this season of life and are looking forward to the one to come. I am passionate about the Word of God. I am passionate about the sufficiency of Scripture. I believe that the Bible contains all we need for life and godliness (2 Timothy 3:16). Halley and I consider it an honor to be a part of this church, and are looking forward to leading this church forward in the future.

Year Began at CHCC: 2009

Education:

Bachelor of Arts (Major in Music, Minor in Bible) From San Diego Christian College in 2008.
Master of Arts in Theological Studies From Faith Seminary in 2016

Certifications:
The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors

Family:
My beautiful wife Halley, our daughters Dallas, Piper, Paisley, and Raelyn, and our son Declan

Top 5 Books:
The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W Tozer
A Praying Life by Paul Miller
The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges
Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
The Holiness of God by R.C Sproul

Life Verse:
Philippians 2:3-4

 

Dustin Slezak

I was born and raised in the midwest, near Chicago. I graduated from Moody Bible Institute and then spent the next 14 years serving in various pastoral roles within student and adult ministry at two churches in the Chicago suburbs. It was during these years that the Lord really solidified my conviction that small groups are the primary discipleship vehicle within the local church. It’s a blessing to be here at Canyon Hills, ministering alongside others who share that same conviction. To Him be the Glory as we make more and better disciples in our Life Group ministry.

 

Year Began at CHCC: 2013

Education:
Bachelors Degree in Theology and Educational Ministries, Moody Bible Institute 2000

Family:
My amazing wife Rachel and I have 5 children: four boys and our beautiful daughter who is adopted from China.

Top 5 Books:
Knowledge of the Holy by AW Tozer
The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman
Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges

Life Verse:
My life verse tends to change depending up the day, but currently it is Proverbs 3:5-6.

Andy Soemo

Worship Pastor

 

I am blessed to be the Worship Pastor here at Canyon Hills, and I am humbled that the Lord would use me in this capacity to serve His people. A little background on me…I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago and went to school at Greenville University in southern Illinois. God brought me to the Seattle area six months after I got married, and my wife and I love the milder weather compared to Chicago! I have always had a passion for music, but didn’t know exactly how God would use me. I am so thankful that He led me into church ministry. In my downtime you can find me hanging out with my family, taking a solid nap on a day off, watching some Batman cartoons with my kids or working on music projects.

Year Began at CHCC: 2020

Education:
Greenville University, Contemporary Christian Music major and emphasis in Studio Recording

Family:
I am married to my high school sweetheart, Sarah, and we have four kids that we love doing life with and homeschooling.

Top 5 Books:
Bible
Start with Why (Simon Sinek)
Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds (Michael Knowles)
Lead (Paul Tripp)
Humble Inquiry (Edgar Schein)
Whatever I’m currently reading!

Life Verse:
I don’t know that this is a life verse but fixing my eyes on Jesus is what I’m trying to do right now! Hebrews 12:2

Dr. Graydon Cress

School of Discipleship | Marrieds Pastor

It is a privilege to serve as the pastor for both the School of Discipleship and the Marriage ministries at Canyon Hills. My wife and I grew up in the Seattle area, then lived in California and Scotland before moving back home to the Pacific Northwest. I have always had a passion for loving God with all my mind and heart, and I am so excited that I get to lead others in pursuing Christ in those ways here at Canyon Hills.

Year Began at CHCC: 2019

Education:
PhD in Systematic Theology, University of St. Andrews (2019)
MA in Theology, Talbot School of Theology (2015)
BA in Christian Education, Minor in Biblical & Theological Studies, Biola University (2011)

Family:
I am so blessed to be married to my childhood sweetheart, Erin, and together we have a son named Levi, a daughter named Ella, and a golden retriever, Caffrey.

Top 5 Books:
The Knowledge of the Holy, by A.W. Tozer
The Quest for the Trinity, by Stephen Holmes
The Deep Things of God, by Fred Sanders
How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth, by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
Knowing God by J.I. Packer

Life Verse:
Proverbs 3:5-6

Jon Walker

Residency | Executive Family Ministry Pastor

I am the Residency & Executive Family Ministry Pastor at Canyon Hills and consider myself incredibly blessed to serve students and their families at this church. I enjoy being a part of the process as God takes a student and forms them into a spiritual leader among their peers, church and community. I believe wholeheartedly in the power of a student ministry as I myself came to Christ in a High school ministry that met in a converted liquor store that saw countless students find Jesus in it. It was there that I was invited by a friend in High School to meet Jesus and his people. My life was never the same. I grew up in the Bay Area in California which means my favorite football team wears Red and Gold (sorry, can’t help it). I went to school at Simpson University in Redding, CA where I got my education towards ministry and met my wife. Apart from God and Family my closest loves are soccer (the real football), The San Francisco Giants (even years!), tacos (especially out of a truck) and playing the drums (not as good as most). I also won’t give up the dream that one day I’ll have my own wood-working shop in my house. One day!

 

Year Began at CHCC: 2015

Education:
Bachelor, Youth Ministry –Simpson University, 2005 Minor, Bible and Theology

Family:
I am married to Becki and we have two sons.

Top 5 Books:
Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
Shaping the Spiritual Life of Students by Richard R. Dunn
Gospel Treason by Brad Bigney
Whatever I’m reading right now!

Life Verse:
Ephesians 2:8-9

Jeff Geise

I was born in Seattle then moved to Eastern Washington, to Pasco, for most of my childhood and then I lived in the Kirkland area for my teen years. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior in High School, through Young Life, at Lake Washington High School – Go Kangs! I love sports, coffee, and all kinds of music… except country. That’s not really music. I met my wife Cindy in Bible college and after graduation I served at Overlake Christian Church for 14 years as a student ministries pastor. In the middle of that time we moved to Lancaster, California and pastored at Central Christian Church for 3 ½ years. I first moved to serve at Canyon Hills when the church was 6 months old. I pastored here in many various roles for the next 15 years. I then moved to Bellingham where I served as the lead pastor at Northlake Community Church for nearly 9 ½ years. I now serve at Canyon Hills as the pastor to Senior Adults. I am so excited to be “back home” and I’m looking forward to what God will do in and through our ministry to senior adults. I love Canyon Hills and I love my new role.

Year Began at CHCC: 2021

Education:
Bachelor of arts in Pastoral Ministries Puget Sound Christian College

Family:
My wife Cindy and I have been married since 1978 and we have 4 children and 6 grandkids. I am blessed!

Top 5 Books:
Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper
The Reason For God by Tim Keller
Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill
Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus
The Resolution Man by Stephen and Alex Kendrick and Randy Alcorn

Life Verse:
Isaiah 41:10

John Dabeck

Young Adults Pastor

My wife Claire and I moved here from South Carolina in April of 2023. I have the joy of getting to lead our Young Adults (18-24) and Young Professionals (25-35) Ministries here at Canyon Hills. I grew up in an Army family moving across the country until I landed at Columbia International University in South Carolina. It was there that I met the love of my life Claire and where I discovered my passion for ministry. After serving a short stint in the Army Reserve Chaplaincy and founding a Young Adult Ministry in SC, Claire and I knew the Lord was leading us to plant more permanent roots in ministry…and he led us here to the Evergreen State! I love talking about my savior, my family, and Army Football (Beat navy)!

Year Began at CHCC: 2023

Education:
B.A. in Advanced Biblical & Theological Studies (CIU 2018), Masters of Divinity (CBS 2020)

Family:
My incredible wife Claire (married since 2019), my son Levi (born 2 months after we moved here in 2023!), and our German Shepherd Ruby!

Top 5 Books:
Crazy Love – Francis Chan
Overcoming Sin & Temptation – John Owen
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry – John Mark Comer
Mere Christianity – CS Lewis
The Screwtape Letter – CS Lewis

Life Verse:
Colossians 1:9-14

Alex Croutworst

I am the Children’s Ministry Pastor here at Canyon Hills. I have lived in Washington my entire life. I enjoy running, drinking coffee, working in my yard, and spending quality time with my family and friends. I have a passion to make more and better disciples of the next generation through discipling kids and equipping parents and volunteers to do the same!

Year Began at CHCC: 2014

Education:
BA in Business Administration from Northwest University in Kirkland, WA, 2009.
Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Faith Seminary in Tacoma, WA, 2017.

Certifications:
The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors

Family:
I’m married to my wife Stephanie. We have 2 kids: Xander and Amos.

Top 5 Books:
Dangerous Calling by Paul Tripp
Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
Kidology’s Ultimate Toolbox for Children’s Ministry by Karl Bastian
Parenting by Paul Tripp
Pleasing People by Lou Priolo

Life Verse:
1 Corinthians 15:10

Edgar Galdámez

Hispanic Ministry Pastor

I was born and raised in El Salvador, where I lived until the age of ten and then moved to the United States. I began attending a new Hispanic Baptist church in Santa Ana California and not too long after at the age of 13, the Lord called me to salvation at an evangelistic meeting. There, I served in ministry as a teen and young adult and was called by the Lord to full time ministry. Besides working for many years as a public and private school teacher, I’ve served in full time ministry as a church planter and campus pastor in several states. I enjoy running, books, hiking, beans, tortillas and coffee.

Year Began at CHCC: 2023

Education:
B.A. in Biblical Studies from Arizona Christian University, M. Div. from Gateway Seminary.

Family:
At church, I met and married my wife Patricia who was born in Mexico. We have four children, including two we adopted after raising our first set. Our youngest, joyful daughter remains at home with us and gets all the attention. We have three grandkids who live in California.

Top 5 Books:
I have too many. But on my top 5 would probably be:
Pilgrims Progress
Through Gates of Splendor
Les Miserables
Rejoicing in Christ
The Knowledge of the Holy

Life Verse:
Too many to narrow to one. But my aim is found in Acts 20:24

Matt Maas

Middle School Pastor

I am so blessed to serve as the Middle School Pastor here at Canyon Hills.  I grew up in San Diego, CA and I am a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University where I studied Pastoral Ministries and Youth Ministry. The passion I have for our middle school ministry is to reach students with the gospel and train followers of Jesus in the Word while connecting them in meaningful relationships with peers and adult leaders.  On a personal note,  I root for the San Diego Padres, love traveling, eating carne asada burritos, nachos, tots and gummi bears….oh and Chick-fil-A.

 

Year Began at CHCC:
October 2001

Education:
Indiana Wesleyan University, Bachelor Degree in Pastoral Ministries with a Minor in Youth Ministries, 1999

Family:
My wife Charity (who is gorgeous and loves Jesus first) is a perfect partner in ministry as we invest in MSM here at Canyon Hills and our raise our two kids Emma and Ethan (and our dog Lando…yes named after Lando Calrissian in Star Wars). Our family loves all things Disney and we love going to the Happiest Places on Earth (Disneyland and Walt Disney World).

Top 5 Books:
Our Sufficiency in Christ by John MacAurthur
Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper
Radical by David Platt
The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler
Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer

Life Verse:
Proverbs 3:5-6

Conner Renstrom


Hi! It is a joy and privilege to serve the families of Canyon Hills as the High School Pastor. I love my Savior, Jesus and love seeing students find hope and joy in Him. My vision is for all High Schoolers in the greater community to find belonging at Canyon Hills where they are known and loved. My amazing wife (Emily) and I both grew up in Washington. She serves as a High School life group leader and works as a dental hygienist across the street from the church. We love beach volleyball, time with friends/family, and most anything adventurous.

 

Year Began at CHCC: 2021

Education:
BA in Religion from Faith Evangelical Seminary in Tacoma, WA, 2021.

Family:
Married to my amazing wife Emily!

Top 5 Books:
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney
Side by Side by Ed Welch
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman
Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper
The Gospel by Ray Ortlund

Life Verse:
Phil 3:20-21

*Global Outreach pastors at Canyon Hills are not listed or shown due to security reasons.

Meet Our Elders:
Meet Our Deacons:

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