Leadership

As a Freshman in college God shook me out of pursuing a career in Chemistry and into following His call to minister to people.  I embarked on a journey that took me from volunteering in Phoenix, to youth and associate ministry in Northern California and now to here in Evanston as lead pastor.
I met Stephanie when she moved to Scott Valley in 2008 and talked her into marrying me ten months later.  Our boys have added joy and spice to our lives.  Our now grown foster daughter has helped fill our cup even more.  My prayer for my family remains that God would show how amazing He is through us.
Favorite Pastime: white water rafting/kayaking or reading a good book
Culinary Delight: Hot wings, steak or any dessert that involves peanut butter and chocolate
Favorite Band: Ever Stays Red (I know, you’ve never heard of them)

John Thomas is a retired family law attorney who practiced for 44 years in rural Wyoming where he has served in various lay positions with the Evanston Alliance Church for the past 26 years. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the C&MA, and is a member of the District Executive Committee of the Rocky Mountain District of the C&MA.  He has a heart for families and has led various Sunday School classes, Bible studies and seminars covering financial management, marriage support, church membership, peacemaking and living the Christian life.  He became a certified Christian conciliator with Peacemaker Ministries in 2006.  He is a mediator and trainer with Alliance Peacemaking of the C&MA. He and his wife, Kimberly, continue to meet couples in various ways and serve to bring reconciliation to marriages and families.  He is the father of two children, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6). My father loved my mother, loved his children and always shared the love of God, the salvation of Christ with his family. Because of the culture of my family, I knew that I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart when I was five years of age.
I was raised in an Air Force family (having lived in Japan and graduating from high school in Türkiye) where Bible devotions with the entire family occurred every evening until I left for Wheaton College and Arizona State University. Thereafter I had many life-affecting experiences in working in mental health with The Salvation Army and other programs as a therapist and program manager.
My testimony is that I know that God loves me, redeemed me, and continues to provide daily guidance and support through the presence of the Holy Spirit, through His words, and through the remembered faith demonstrated and practiced in the home of my earthly birth, continued in my marriage to Joyce, of unfailing love and support. I am confident of His will and love. I am confident of eternal life to be shared in the God-created new heaven and new earth.

The corn fields of rural Nebraska,  where I was raised,  will always feel like home.  But, I fell in love with the mountains while attending college and haven’t lived far from them since.  Work brought me to Evanston in 2012, where my family and I attended the Evanston Alliance Church on a recommendation from a friend who used to live here.  Wise friends are indeed a blessing.  
Being academically minded with a diverse denominational background I believe in majoring in the majors, but enjoy discussing the minors.  I love studying and teaching, but am much more comfortable helping put away tables and chairs after a potluck.
If you run across me deep in the woods you are probably lost.  Whether I am as well, would be up for debate.

The Lord saved me as a young child of 6 and has been growing me in faith since then. I work as an electrician, serve Evanston Alliance Church on the worship team and as an elder, and enjoy spending time with my family, studying theology, and proclaiming the gospel. I am married to the world's most wonderful woman, Cherith, and we have a sweet daughter, Berea. The most important thing to know about me is that I am a wretched sinner that Jesus Christ saved by his amazing grace. "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost."  (1 Timothy 1:15, ESV)

I had an interesting childhood growing up all over the world in a military family. My parents believed in God and Jesus as cultural church-goers, teaching good morals but without Christ. Several college friendships showed me the truth of Jesus Christ and my missing connection with God. Since placing my faith in Jesus I have served Him and His Church as a SS teacher, treasurer, youth leader, deacon, janitor, secretary, sound tech…wherever there seems to be a need. My loving wife Lynda and I were blessed to raise our daughter and son to follow Christ, and they are now raising a third generation of Christ-following grandchildren. A broad interest heavily powers any outdoor and food-related activities.   

I’m completing my 25th year as a Church Treasurer.  I have a passion for finances, mentoring, marriage support, and peacemaking.  I have been blessed to serve in various ways in the Rocky Mountain District and throughout the world with The Alliance.  My favorite titles are Friend and Grandma.  My happy place is in my kitchen.

I am a 5th generation Californian who is thrilled to be in Evanston, Wyoming. My previous church (and The Lord of course) helped me overcome a serious tragedy in my life, and I was able to experience a lot of growth in my faith (still a long way to go). The Lord also developed a strong urge in me to serve. I have truly enjoyed Pastor Marc getting me started on taking care of our House of Worship. I especially have enjoyed all the landscape projects, and the numerous church family members who have joyfully jumped in to help. “This is the day The Lord hath created, let us rejoice and be glad in it” from Psalm 118:24 is one of my favorite verses. I encourage you to pray each day for The Lord to guide you to service opportunities, recognize them, and follow through.
God Bless,
Woods

Growing up as the daughter of a cattleman and working and training horses , helped me to prepare for the many avenues of life that I have journeyed down. I was blessed to work many different types of jobs that have enriched my life. I have been blessed to have three wonderful children and three adorning grandchildren. God and I have walked together through many ups, downs, and valleys in my 83 years. For many years TBN was my main source of worship until God started telling me that I needed to find a a church to worship in. I asked God to please show me where I was to go and sure enough, He woke me up at 3AM in the morning and Evanston Alliance Church was there in living color in my room. Attending and joining the church has been a large blessing in my life and I have been blessed to serve as a deaconess and now Head Deaconess.
I love to cook and bake and work in my beautiful yard. I love sitting on my back deck and read. I am now finding time to learn to do some crafting in my she-shed that I had built last year. My sweet dog Sadie is a joy and wonderful companion. 

 My faith journey has been profoundly shaped by discipleship and mentoring, fueling my passion to connect people of all ages with small group Bible studies and mentoring relationships. I believe these connections are key to fostering spiritual growth.     I'm married to Brett, our lead pastor, and our home is a lively place due to raising four boys with unique personalities. Outside of ministry and family, I love outdoor adventures—count me in for a hike, horseback ride, swim, or ski!

I have been blessed with a christian heritage. Both of my grandparents attended the same Baptist church as I was growing up and would trade grandkids after Sunday or Wednesday services.  My parents raised their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, encouraging me to a relationship with Christ at a young age. At one point my Dad pastored a small Southern Baptist church in West Michigan. That's right, I was a PK. I moved to Evanston where I taught elementary school for two years, and God gifted me the most wonderful husband and daughter. I have the privilege to work as EAC's Administrative Assistant part time.  Prayer and Grace are essential in my daily life as a christian and young mom.