Emmanuel Bible Fellowship

CURRENT ELDER BOARD (in alphabetical order)

Dan Fisher
Dan Fisher graduated from The California Lutheran Bible School (Lutheran Bible Institute) in 1975, where he met his wife Candra. His ministry began shortly thereafter with Youth With A Mission, serving in Cadiz Spain, where a burden for missions was birthed. As newlyweds, the Fisher’s served in Youth Ministry, at Santa Rosa, CA. It was an opportunity to develop Discipleship Teams, Drama Teams and Outreach Ministries. Working with youth teams, provided the basis for establishing Home Study Groups, Discipleship and Mentoring; comprised of single adults and married couples. Sensing a call to move to the Pacific Northwest in 1989, Dan and Candra continued working in ministries for both missions and family/marriage. Currently they both serve in Family Matters; a ministry team devoted to the enrichment of family life and covenant marriage. Dan and Candra have two daughters, (Nichole and Laura) and five grandchildren. Dan’s profession in the Building Products industry includes business ownership, regional management and sales for installation and manufacturers of tile and stone. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Tim Griffith
A former youth pastor, Tim is a graduate of the Lutheran Bible Institute, located in Issaquah, Washington (LBI has since been renamed Trinity Lutheran College and moved to Everett, Washington).  Tim met his wife, Lindy, while they served together as volunteers with the youth at their church in Bothell.  Their relationship developed while they worked together at a Christian camp in Montana.  They were married in 1986 and have four children.  As a teenager, Tim had been challenged by his youth pastor to pursue the truth of God wholeheartedly.  Since then, his desire has been to continue that pursuit while challenging others to join him.  This dovetails into the vision of EBF to Transfer Truth to the Next Generation.   Tim’s personal interests include reading, particularly regarding the history of the “old west.”

John Mason
John was born and raised on the East coast. After graduating high school he worked in a motorcycle shop for a year and then joined the Air Force. He met his wife Darlene in Southern California and in 1969 they were married and had two daughters: Amy and Emily. They settled in Northern California where John worked for Santa Fe Pacific Pipelines for 34 years as a terminal supervisor. John and Darlene both came to Christ in 1989 after the prayers and examples of their teenage daughters. They have four grandchildren and enjoy living close to and being with both daughters and families. When they have some spare time, they like to ride dirt bikes and look forward to the day when all the family might go camping and riding together. They came to EBF in 2003 when they moved to Olympia to be near their family. They enjoy serving the church where John has been the deacon chairman and presently an elder. John and Darlene serve together on Sunday mornings in the Welcoming and Hospitality Ministry, and are helping to plan and execute EBF's daughter church, The GraceWorks.

Russ McMillan
Russ grew up in Bellingham, Washington where he graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Marine Biology, and later received his graduate degree from the UW in Fisheries Biology. His love of the intricacies of creation led him to seek out a relationship with the Creator as a young adult. He met his wife Judy while hosting a Bible study on his sailboat which he chartered to The Firs Bible and Missionary Conference in Bellingham. Later they spent a year sailing Mexico and the South Pacific. Russ and Judy have three children: Annika, Brad, and Andrea. Russ and Judy have attended Emmanuel for over 20 years and are committed to the growing ministry with both the youth and families.

Stephen Rennie
Stephen was born in Portland, Oregon and raised in the thriving metropolis of Elma, Washington. After matriculating from Washington State University with a degree in Communications, Stephen went on to a short-lived stint in public relations, followed by a Masters Degree in Teaching, then on to his present career as Mr. Rennie, 8th grade math teacher. He met his beautiful wife, Jennifer, after she came to know Christ through the ministry of Emmanuel Bible Fellowship in 2004. They were married a year later and have three precocious children—Cooper, Parker and Silas. Stephen has been following Christ since childhood, in large part due to the discipleship of his parents—Brian and Becky. Stephen came to EBF in 2001, and has served the body in youth, worship, teaching, welcoming and preaching ministries. He and Jennifer are eager to play an integral role in launching EBF’s daughter church—The GraceWorks—in 2010.

Pat Sokoloski
Pat and his wife Janis came to know the Lord while living in Seattle, Washington. He rightly defines Gods’ gift of eternal life as “the unmerited gift of Jesus, extended to all, but possessed only by those who believe Him for it;” and the Lord on one November day in 1978 quickened his spirit and likewise brought his wife into the fold two short weeks later. Pat and Janis have known each other since they were teenagers and got married shortly after he got out of the US Army in 1970. They have two married children and five grandchildren.  For the past 40 years he has worked in various phases of the printing and publishing industry.  He currently holds the position of General Manager - Great Western Ink Company - located in Seattle, WA.  Janis works as a Para educator for Public Schools Co-operative in the Olympia/Tumwater school districts. Janis and Pat love to travel to historic places, as Pat is somewhat of a history buff.

Blythe Stanton
Blythe has been attending Emmanuel since 1986. He has been in construction since 1967 and owns a successful business, which is devoted to the Lord. Blythe has a passion for native missionaries and serves on Emmanuel’s Missions Commission. Blythe’s wife, Joyce, also has a passion for missions and has a very fruitful ministry to our local Vietnamese community. Blythe and Joyce met at St. Paul Bible College in Minneapolis (now called Crown College) and married in 1961. Blythe and Joyce love boating, walking, and relaxing together. They have five married children and 14 grandchildren.

Chris Woodside
Chris has lived in Thurston County most all of his life.  He was raised in a Christian home, but it was not until the early 90’s that his relationship with the Lord became personal.  He was married in 1988 to his wife Rhonda; they have two older children, Heather and Carlie, and were later blessed to adopt James in 2005 and Julia in 2008. Chris loves spending time with his family and watching them grow in the Lord.  He has been attending EBF since 2007. He is excited to be involved in what God is doing at EBF and has a great appreciation and love for the Pastors, staff and congregation. 

ELDER EMERITUS

Brian Rennie
Brian was raised on the Long Beach Peninsula in southwest Washington and graduated from Ilwaco High School in 1970. Brian went on to Western Washington University graduating with a degree in Business Administration. On Easter Sunday 1971, Brian believed in Jesus Christ as his Savior. In March 1973 he married his high school sweetheart, Becky. Brian began his career in banking in 1974, and has worked nearly thirty years in smaller community banks. Brian and Becky have three married children: Stephen, Elisabeth, and Andrew. Becky has worked in the Elma School District for a number of years and enjoys a great relationship with her fellow teachers. Brian and Becky moved to Olympia in 2000, and started attending Emmanuel that fall. Brian enjoys music and helping people understand finances from a biblical perspective. Becky and Brian enjoy traveling and camping together with friends and family.