JOHN LEFFLER, SENIOR PASTOR, grew up in the Pacific Northwest as a native Washingtonian, so coming to Castle Rock in 2000 was like coming home again.  John and Ruth were married in his home congregation in Puyallup in 1982.  He grew up in the church and became a Believer at 11 years of age.  By 7th grade, he was convinced that pastoral ministry (preaching the Word and connecting with people) was the direction God was leading and has never changed courses.  His wife, Ruth gives much of her time to the work of Women’s Ministries, teaching children and mentoring other women.  Their daughter, Amanda, is a student at the University of Montana (Missoula).  As a family, they love camping and going to the beach, taking drives, and spending time together.  It has been said that “you can always tell where John is because you can hear him laughing.”  Laughter is a good medicine!

JOEL ROYCE, WORSHIP ARTS & YOUTH PASTOR, was born in Portland, OR and moved to the beautiful Columbia River Gorge before going to college in Eastern Oregon.  He met the wife of his youth while in college and moved back to Portland to go to seminary.  While at seminary his family became full of children!  His wife, Leslie, truly is a fruitful vine.  While a fruitful vine, she is also a busy vine, helping to raise five wonderful children as well as working nights as a nurse at St. John Medical Center in Longview, Washington.  Nickole (1999), William (2001), Gabriel (2004), Elijah (2006) and Felicity (2007) are the names of the little ones along with their birth year.  Family time is a favorite time in their household.

KEN DAVIS, VISITATION PASTOR, grew up near Castle Rock, attended Castle Rock schools, and was saved in the Christian Church.  After Bible College training, Ken was a pastor in northeast Oregon for three years before beginning a 43-year ministry with Wycliffe Bible Translators.  At the time of retirement Ken and his wife, Donna jean, moved back to a property just east of Castle Rock and have once again become a part of the Christian Church family.  In the ministry of visitation, the focus is on follow-up of first-time visitors, those who have missed a few Sundays of attendance, shut-ins and others, as well as coordinating the servant-keeper program.  Our desire is that no members quietly slip out the backdoor without us noticing and ensuring that they know we love and miss them, and want their continued fellowship within the congregation.

APRIL ERDELBROCK, CHURCH SECRETARY, grew up in University Place, WA a suburb of Tacoma in a Christian home and attended the First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma.  She and her husband, Harold, married in 1986 and moved to Castle Rock the next year.  They have three children, Shaylee, Cameron. & Kris.  April began attending Castle Rock Christian after visiting on a Mother’s Day Sunday where she received a carnation from Les Greene as they honored all the mothers that day.  She began working as secretary 3 days a week in 2000 and then in 2005 she began working 5 days a week.  If there is ever anything you need, give her a call at the office and she will do her best to help you out.

ANGELA FINKAS, DIRECTOR LITTLE CHRISTIANS DAYCARE, grew up in a small town across the river called Goble, Ore. There she lived with her 2 older brothers, Mom and Dad.  Later, she moved to Castle Rock in 1986 where she began her family, one son Matthew and daughter Jennifer  and began attending Castle Rock Christian Church  in 1987.  Angela started at the daycare in January 2005 as a sub-teacher, then assistant director, and finally as Director in October 2007.  She loves watching her daughter play softball, as a pitcher, and her son’s stand-up comedy acts.  Angela married Greg Finkas who has lived in Castle Rock all his life.  She has been a foster parent since 2002 because of the love for children, especially the babies.  She finds being the director very challenging but believes this is where the Lord wants her.