Pastors and Staff

DR. STEVE WATTS

Pastor, Head of Staff

Steve believes that the best pastors follow the example of John the Baptist in John 1:19-36. Three times John says, “No,” when people try to lift him up. John continually points away from himself and focuses his ministry on Jesus. “Look!” he says, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Just as it was for John, all good ministers know that Jesus is before, after, and ahead of them. Steve’s goal as a pastor is to point only to Jesus Christ, uplift him, demonstrate his love of others, and share the good news that Christ forgives sin.

In Steve’s 28 years of professional ministry, he served as both Associate Pastor and Head of Staff at Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church and has served on the adjunct faculty at Whitworth University, teaching Ministry Leadership and New Testament. His background also includes ministry as Pastor of Spiritual Formation in Dinuba, CA, Family Ministries Director for La Crescenta Presbyterian church and a Ministry Program Coordinator and teacher for eight summers at Calvin Crest Conference Center in Oakhurst, CA. With a team of friends, he founded the Westminster House, an urban mission center in the West Central neighborhood of Spokane. He has been active in both the Presbytery and General Assembly and is an experienced speaker and teacher. He is a graduate of Fuller Seminary and Whitworth University.

Steve has two young adult children.

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Rev. Jennie Barber
Associate Pastor of Care and Outreach
Jennie is grateful to be back in the Pacific Northwest after spending almost a decade serving as an associate pastor in Tennessee. Jennie studied theology at Seattle Pacific University and sensed a call to ministry that was strengthened through leadership and educational experiences. Following college graduation, Jennie served as a church intern before heading to Princeton Theological Seminary where she earned a Master of Divinity degree. Jennie loves to watch the Spirit work to cultivate authentic community through Bible studies and small groups. She considers it a privilege to journey with people experiencing difficult circumstances. Good food, good books, and good company bring Jennie delight. She also enjoys yoga, long walks, short runs, and skiing. Jennie and her husband Drew have three beautiful young children who bring them joy and excitement every day.

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SCOTT DICKEN
Director of Worship Arts
Scott brings a deep faith in Christ and a lifelong sense of call to ministry. Scott has a Master of Music (Studio Music and Jazz) and a Bachelor of Music (Music Business and Industry) from the University of Miami. This included a minor in vocal performance, classical, theatre, and Jazz voice training, as well as conducting. Scott has a passion for contemporary and traditional worship music and is gifted at leading both. He plays the guitar, piano, and other instruments. His humble and affable personality makes music and ministry fun.

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Mitchel Pierce

Director of Next Gen Ministries

Originally from Renton, WA, Mitchel spent much of his time attending youth group during the school year and spent his summers volunteering at Camas Meadows Bible Camp, a small ministry near Leavenworth, WA. After Running Start at his local community college, Mitchel attended Whitworth University, where he got his degree in Theology. Mitchel has explored working in various types of ministry: camp counseling, Young Life, pastoral ministry, and of course youth ministry. Through it all, his passion for personal connection and relationships with young people has always been the driving force behind his call to ministry. He loves to play any and all sorts of games, whether youth group games with students, tabletop role-playing games, board games, or video games.

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HEATHER NOTSKE

Director of Operations

Heather grew up in Enumclaw, WA and spent her summers at Buck Creek, a Presbyterian camp just out of town. She received a degree in Psychology from Whitworth College (now University) and has over 25 years of administration experience. A member of HPPC since 1998, Heather has seen lots of changes and is excited to see where God is leading us next. She is a trained small group leader and loves to create safe spaces for people to talk about their faith and their questions. Heather is always up for a walk in the woods or a meal out. She and her husband, Rob, have two teenagers.

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SANDY RIEBE

Director of Financial Ministries

Sandy Riebe leads the financial ministries of the church by keeping financial records and by leading teams who not only resource ministries but also carry out ministries. Sandy's four decades of experience bring peace and effectiveness to our financial leadership. She also serves as a financial leadership consultant and resource for churches throughout our regional presbytery.

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