Congregational Meeting Nominees
These are the nominees for Elders and Deacons to be approved at the Chapel Hill congregational meeting March 13, 2022.
Elders
Steve Maxwell
I grew up in Portland, Oregon, and was raised in a home where both my parents were followers of Christ. I came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior at a young age. After graduating from high school, I enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University where I studied Business Administration and played basketball. It was also at PLU where I met Kim, my wife of 30 years.
Kim and I are blessed to have two children, Nate and Brynna. You have probably seen Nate up on-stage at Chapel Hill leading worship and might have seen Brynna on the basketball court. Kim and I are now enjoying life as empty nesters as Nate and Brynna are attending University of Washington and University of Utah, respectively. I have served on Session in the past, and I was Chair of the Beyond These Walls Campaign. I love God’s Word and seek to obediently serve him. I believe that God has called me to use my leadership, business, and financial experience for his kingdom, and I am humbled and honored to be asked to serve on Session once again.
Serena Blair
Saved by Grace, Wife to John, Mother to Audrey and Esther (both in 8th grade). I live in Gig Harbor and we are members of CHPC.
Currently serving in Worship ministry and Middle School Ministry as a leader. I have served in many ministries in the church including local mission (Tacoma Rescue Mission), Alpha, and teaching in Women’s Life.
I love studying the Bible and have been in Precept Ministries since becoming a believer 21 years ago. I love God’s Word. What it has to say is always better than what I have to say. I am an encourager and a supporter. I love our church. It has been home to me for most of my Christian walk. My life has forever been changed because of Jesus and I try to reflect that in all I do.
Kristen Tayet
Kristen was born and raised in Longview, Washington. She came to faith in Jesus at a summer youth camp she had been invited to by a friend. She grew in her faith and involvement in the church through high school. She then attended Seattle Pacific University where she studied International Affairs and Business. After college Kristen worked as a Paralegal for a number of years before staying home to raise children.
Kristen is married to Brent, her husband of 17 years. They have three children: Oliver (12), Evangeline (10), and Gwendolyn (6). Kristen enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, baking, reading, boating, and spending time in nature. She feels very blessed to live and serve in such a beautiful community. Kristen has served in various leadership roles at Chapel Hill including MOPS, Festival of HOPE, and VBS.
Stephanie Bowlds
Stephanie and her husband Drew have been married for five years. She is the mother of four kids including twin 9-year-old boys (bonus boys), a 3-year-old boy and a 10-month-old girl.
This is Stephanie’s second year as co-coordinator of MOPS Chapel Hill and her previous involvement includes other MOPS Leadership, a table leader for Alpha and involvement with LifeGroups. She is a full-time mom and active volunteer at Chapel Hill.
Stephanie has an inherited faith and comes from a family who builds everything on the foundation of faith in Jesus. She asked the Lord into her heart at church camp in 5th grade and was baptized as a teen. She loves the Lord, fears him, and with the exception of turning her back on him a couple of short stints in her life, she feels very close to him and is sensitive to his voice. She feels a deep peace and understanding that becoming an Elder is what God has placed before her to step into next.
Deacons
Marvin Cleair
My wife Carolyn and I moved to Gig Harbor from Iowa in June of 2017 to be closer to our daughter, Merri Jo, who lives in Tacoma. She was attending Chapel Hill, so it was an easy decision to attend with her. Carolyn and I later became members.
I accepted Christ as my savior as a teen. Several years later, and after 10 years of marriage, our relationship was struggling. As a part of some counseling, our pastor encouraged us to make Christ Lord of our lives, and our marriage. Of course, doing so made a huge difference.
I received a call to pastoral ministry as a college Freshman. However, I was slow to respond. After several years of teaching high school chemistry and physics, I “gave in” to the call and enrolled in seminary in 1979. I served churches in Iowa until 2014.
Life Groups have played an important role in my life. I currently lead a Life Group, am a part of the Saturday Morning Panera Men’s Group, Maintenance Dudes and have participated in various other volunteer opportunities. I pray, that if I have the opportunity to serve as a Deacon, I will do so in a way that will honor the Lord.
Mary Colgate
My husband and I joined Chapel Hill in 2016 after moving to Gig Harbor from Santa Ynez, California, to be nearer to our daughters and grandsons. The pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Solvang where we were members for 27 years knew Pastor Mark and heartily recommended we go and listen. We felt at home right away. I had grown up in the Catholic Church always knowing who Jesus is, but did not know him as my personal savior. As an adult, God was drawing me back through friends who invited me to Bible study. I love Bible study and asked Jesus into my heart. As a member of our church in Solvang, I was involved with Children’s Ministry, Vacation Bible School, and our church preschool. After being a stay-at-home-mom for eight years, I returned to work as a speech therapist in the schools our daughters attended. As they grew, I was led to be a Deacon and served two terms helping in the Prayer Ministry, Children’s Ministry, the Preschool Board, and MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers).
Here at Chapel Hill, I have been part of a Women’s Life small group and a couples’ small group with my husband. Our “Beyond these Walls” Ministry has included taking turns leading our group, serving in the community by helping Coffee Oasis, the Food Bank, and in helping my sister who was disabled and lived in a group home. Our ministry entailed helping her and her housemates. She passed away in 2019. I am honored to be asked to be a Deacon and will depend on our Lord for strength and wisdom.
Tanner Stepp
From the time I was in the womb, I have been attending this “sweetheart church”. Like so many others, I was baptized here by Pastor Mark, grew up running the halls with my friends, and after my years away at college I find myself back home at Chapel Hill. This church has helped shape me into who I am today, which is why I am humbled, and honored, to be called to serve as a Deacon.
Since coming home, I’ve graciously been involved in Chapel Hill’s Prayer Team, Easter choir, the Children’s Ministry as a Sunday School teacher, the High School Ministry as a Student Leader Mentor, and as an HSM small group leader. I am also involved in our local community by coaching girls’ soccer at Gig Harbor High, and various networking groups for small business owners.
I believe God has placed me in this role to serve his Church, during this stage of my life. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to a church that gives so much to me. I ask God for wisdom and the gifts to serve this congregation. And I ask you to pray for all our Elders and Deacons who have answered God’s call to serve.
Curtis Fries
My wife Jeanne and I are transplants from central California. Our first goal after moving to Washington was to find a Bible-teaching church, which led us here to Chapel Hill. We began attending and became members in 2017.
Since childhood, I have considered myself a Christian. However, I didn’t walk the walk until 2009. Our life group leaders in California had sponsored us on a three-and-a-half-day weekend called “Walk to Emmaus.” God changed my heart and life that weekend. It was a springboard for me to see others differently and to step out in faith to serve others.
My passion is Kairos Prison Ministry, in which I have been active since 2009. I currently serve on the Advisory council for Stafford Creek Correctional Center. The Lord has enabled me to travel overseas on two mission trips so far. Before moving to WA, my wife and I traveled to The Democratic Republic of the Congo. I have also gone to Thailand, where I had the blessing of speaking in several prisons. Currently, I am serving as a 4th and 5th grade small group leader in Sunday School, and I am involved with MOPS. My prayer is for God to use my hands, feet, eyes, and mouth as his tools. Please continue to pray for all who have answered his call to service.
Denise Parrish
I consider myself fortunate to have been born into a Christian family of regular church goers. Being a Christian and attending church was just a way of life for us. In high school I dedicated my life to Jesus at a Young Life gathering. My husband of 47 years was my college sweetheart at WSU where I majored in education. Six years ago I retired as a teacher and an instructional coach from Tacoma Public Schools.
Over the years my husband and I have belonged to many churches (mainly Lutheran) throughout the US. I have taught Sunday School, sung in choirs, directed children’s choirs, served in leadership positions, and attended and led LifeGroups. We have attended Chapel Hill for the last six years. Currently I am in two LifeGroups and serve as a greeter.
In 2019 my husband, Ron, and I went with Pastor Mark and Cyndi on a pilgrimage to Israel. At that time we were baptized in the Jordan River! I am looking forward to continuing my spiritual journey at Chapel Hill as a deacon. I feel called to serve by following in Christ’s footsteps.