Who We Are
Our Mission:
Experiencing God, Building Community, Inspiring the City, Transforming Lives
We are committed to Jesus’ command to love God with all our . . .
Heart in authentic relationships that laugh, love, and play together.
Soul by using all art forms to inspire souls to worship God.
Mind by exploring God’s designs for each of us as revealed in the Bible.
Strength by using our resources and skills to create a more just and caring world.
As we Share his love with others by telling God’s story and living it out together.
Our Vision
As an Evangelical Covenant Church
Biblical: Standing on the Authority of Scripture
Devotional: Pursing New and Deeper Personal Life in Christ
Connectional: Committed to the Body of Christ
Missional: Supporting evangelism and Compassion.
“God wants lost people found and hurting people helped.”
Things you may hear us say . . .
“People accepted as they are – lives changed by encountering Jesus Christ.”
“Your starting point gets to be your starting point.”
“We take the Bible seriously – but we don’t take ourselves seriously.”
Founded in 1888 and still going strong!
In 1887, Spokane was already a good sized city for the territory of ‘Washington. That summer and fall a group of Swedish families and some single men came to Spokane from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They had all belonged to Swedish Mission Churches and quickly formed a small group for the purpose of worship, sharing testimonies, praises, and Bible Study. The house they met in on Post Street between third and fourth Avenue was occupied by several bachelor men (Nils P Peterson, John Nordstrom, Isak Lindberg, Gust Johnson, Axel Anderson and Jon Anderson). It affectionately became known as “The Bachelor House”. These were men who loved God and had a devotion to the Bible. In a very short time the group grew large enough to start a church.
Our Staff
We are a congregationally led church with both staff and elected lay leadersship
Rob Bryceson - Lead Pastor
Rob is fun, intense, plays guitar, sings, a song writer, and author. Rob loves teaching the Bible and is most known for that skill. He brings his undergraduate degree in history to the text, always revealing deeper levels of understanding. He and Tonia have five grown kids, and three grandkids, all of whom are outstanding in their own way.
Tonia Bryceson -
Event Coordinator
Pastor's wife (she hates being called that). Never wants to be in the limelight. A powerhouse behind the scenes making ministry and outreach happen on a colossally magnificent scale. Off the charts talents in decorating and organizing. Keeps Rob on task.
Sheena Smith - Office Admin.
The glue that holds the whole place together. Strong and independent, very skilled and efficient. Hates unfinished to do lists. Can probably outride you on a four wheeler.
Alisha Schulz -
Children's & Family
She has over the top talent in leadership, great with kids, fantastic storyteller with a background in theater. Don't even try to compete with her in board games - she's a master.
Key Lay Leaders
These volunteers lead and coordinate significant ministries in our church and are major voices of leadership.
Josh Bowles - Tech Team
Josh leads our tech team and manages our online YouTube channel. Make sure you check that out by clicking the link above.
He's also brews some outstanding homemade beverages, enjoys advanced role-playing games with other nerds and geeks, and writes science fiction in his spare time. Don't be fooled by his gentle demeanor he did a stint in the service.
Gerri Wright
Connections Coordinator
Gerri manages all the fun stuff for the church. She coordinates all our inner-church social activities and parties and events that connect our church to the community. She is a stellar planner, very fun, and does spoken-word poetry that will knock you out. Don't let her soft demeanor fool you, she's a powerhouse of ideas and execution. Make sure you don't confuse her role with Tonia's. You will want to contact the right person for correct information.
Jim Fischer -
Gathering Groups
Jim is one of the long-established leaders here and coordinates our home Bible study groups. He was instrumental in helping build out our current site . He's overly patient, hard to rattle, and is affectionately known as one of our three wise men - the three guys who fix stuff and get things done!
Elected Leadership Team Members
Our church board members. The each have duties in ministry activities in order to hold a position on this team.
Joshua Schulz - Chair
Josh's passion of theater is only exceeded by his love for Jesus. He is also a board game aficionado and will most likely overwhelm you with his knowledge of trivia and history. Don't even try to compete. He is the board member most likely tor break out into Broadway show tunes.
Denny Schlodfedlt -
Vice Chair
Denny spent his career as a family therapist. Although if told you he had been an ice road trucker in Alaska you wouldn't be surprised. Settle in with coffee with him sometime and ask him to tell you his story of how he met Jesus. It's a two cup story.
Alice Chapman -
Financial Officer
Alice spent her career as an educator. She's retired now and finds herself busy as ever. Although she is our current financial officer she has a great eye for other details and therefore is one of Tonia's super special assistants in pulling off grand events here at The Gathering House!
Katrina Bowles - Secretary
Katrina is quiet but mighty. Don't be fooled by her sweet smile. Since she is trained in law enforcement and works in juvey, she is the one most likely to take you down if need should arise. Don't let it arise. When she does speak, it's usually insightful or funny as all get out.
Christopher Wright - Member
Chris is on our teaching team too! He spent year's as a Moody Radio personality and we feel lucky to have him. He has great stories about his time sailing the world in the US Coast Guard. He's one of those guys who knows a bit about everything so he comes in handy when solving any problems.
733 West Garland Avenue, Spokane WA. 99205 Phone: 509-747-2818 Email: office@gatheringhouse.org
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