David Johnson

David Johnson, Interim Senior Pastor

David finished serving Harbor Covenant Church on September 14, 2008, but he was not "just an Interim Pastor"!  We will miss him and his family dearly.

David began serving as the interim senior pastor at HCC in June 2007. An ordained Covenant pastor, he has been serving Covenant churches since 1990. His passion is to find fresh and creative ways to share the love of Jesus in a changing world. In addition to his pastoral ministry, David is also a professional musician, teaching and performing on clarinet & saxophone; he is a trained personal & professional life coach; and he is an actor who presents the letters of the Apostle Paul as dramatic monologues. He uses his artistic endeavors in conjunction with World Vision to enlist the sponsorship of needy children around the world, especially in the parts of Africa impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

David’s wife Cherlyn is a concert violinist, recording artist, and worship leader. Their ten-year-old son, Christian, loves to draw, play the piano, and create his own Lego masterpieces.

Mike Stelle

Mike Stelle, Associate Pastor for Student Ministries

Mike has been on staff at HCC since 1998. Prior to moving to the Pacific Northwest Mike and his family (his wife Jen, who is the brains in the operation, and daughters Kayla and Madison) lived in Southern California where Mike served on the staff at Ventura's Community Presbyterian Church.

When Mike is not at HCC he can be found playing basketball at the Gig Harbor Athletic Club, working on a puzzle, on a date with his wife playing cards, or coaching his daughters' (Kayla and Madison) various teams.

Mike's passion is to "See the light come on behind an individual's eye." That moment when a person, young or old, realizes that God loves them just the way they are and not how they should be ... that following Christ is not simply a "must" but is something I "want" to do.

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Blake Merwin

Blake Merwin, Director of High School Ministries

Blake and his wife Allison moved to Gig Harbor, WA in January of '06 in response to the call of God and Harbor Covenant Church to minister to High School students. Blake's previous ministry experience included two other Covenant Churches.

Blake has recently completed his Masters of Divinity (Fuller Theological Seminary).

Blake and Allison enjoy backpacking and fly fishing together as well as partnering together in High School Ministry. Blake is not passionate about fly fishing....he is addicted to it, and spends countless hours tying flies late into the night. In addition to outdoor activities, Blake also enjoys playing and listening to music.

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Jen Easton

Jen Easton, Director of Middle School Ministries

Jen has always been an active volunteer here at Harbor Covenant Church. When in high school, he was on the student leadership team while leading a small group of middle schoolers for three years. After earning his associates degree, he transferred to Central Washington University and graduated with a degree in Sociology. During the summer of 2004, Jen interned with First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma. Then in July of 2005, Jen was hired here at HCC as the Director of Middle School Ministries.

When not in his office, you can usually catch Jen spending time with his lovely wife Rachel, eating at Kinza, at home tinkering with his computer, or hanging out with Mark and Jory or with some cool middle schoolers! Also when the weather is cooperating, Jen can be seen playing Disc Golf around the make-shift course circling the church grounds!

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Jeanne Glazebrook

Jeanne Glazebrook, Director of Children's Ministries

Jeanne joined the HCC staff in Feb. 1996. She has more than 30 years experience in children's ministry.

Her encouragement comes from her husband of 35 years, Bill, as well as from her daughter Stefanie (Gig Harbor) and her son Jeff, his wife Stacy, and their daughters Lauren, Emma, and Kate (Tacoma). Away from the office, you might find Jeanne "walking the Harbor" with Bill or her granddaughters. "Tickling the ivories" (piano), reading, or quilting would be tops on her list for extracurricular enjoyment.

"I thank God for each child and the joy they bring to our church family, and for the privilege we have of providing a solid foundation of truth that will minister to their spirit so that they will know they are unconditionally loved and that they will desire to give their best for God."

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John Kiemele

John Kiemele, Director of Adult Christian Formation

John writes:

My wife, Marissa, and I have been a part of the Harbor Covenant family since 2002. Marissa is a physician in a solo practice in Family Medicine here in Gig Harbor. I completed my seminary studies at North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls, SD, and my doctoral studies at Talbot School of Theology in LaMirada, CA (the theological graduate school of Biola University). I am also completing a 2 year training program in spiritual direction with SoulStream in Abbotsford, BC, Canada.

These seasons of exploration and study, combined with the regular opportunities to walk alongside many who desire to consider their spiritual lives and especially grow deeper in Jesus, have forged my passion for blending Christian spiritual formation and educational processes, especially among adults. I appreciate the many invitations to give an active voice to and live the themes and practices of Christian formation whether here with the church family, during retreats, in more formal teaching opportunities, or wherever God directs. What a joy to see adults taking next steps in this life-long discovery of who God is, who they are, the purposes God has for them in God's kingdom, and where that purpose is best lived out.

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Jill Branham

Jill Branham, Administrator

Jill joined the HCC staff in May 2005 after serving at another area church part-time. Jill is very enthusiastic about working alongside the people at HCC, energized by their deep devotion to Christ and His purposes and for sharing ministry together in the Harbor.

She and her husband John (a Police Sergeant for the City of Tacoma) have two sons, John and Erik, and have made Gig Harbor home since 1999.

When not at HCC, Jill is usually juggling the activities of two active boys (karate, guitar lessons, youth group, soccer… what else?). Given her choice of things to do, Jill would pick scuba diving (doesn’t happen often these days!) or reading a great book in a quiet coffee shop. She enjoys volunteer/ministry opportunities with the Tacoma Police Family Association and Lighthouse Christian School (where Erik attends).

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Christine Erikson

Christine Erikson, Administrative Assistant

Christine Erikson prepares worship folders and PowerPoint song slides for Sunday morning worship, and also provides support for Adult Christian Formation. Christine moved to the States from her home country of Sweden in June 1995, and became a US citizen in 2006. She is married to Thor, and they have one son, Derek, who is 10 years old.

One of Christine's passions is caring for animals, as one can easily see when taking an inventory of the non-human members of her homestead: she has two horses, two dogs, one cat, one rabbit and two parakeets! She's shown here with her horse Midnite.

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Marsha Schiller

Marsha Schiller, Receptionist

Need a warm friendly voice to talk to? Call in and you'll get Marsha!

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