WCC Staff & Elders
Our Team
The staff and leadership here at WCC is comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for every single person in the church. If you have any questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them or call our church office to speak with them.
You can contact the church office at wcc@wccalbany.com
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Jake Bates - Student Ministries
Jake joined the WCC staff as interim Student Ministries Director in September of 2024. He has been attending WCC since September of 2013. He met his beautiful wife Sarah at WCC in 2017 while playing church softball. They now have 4 amazing children - 3 girls and a boy - Jowelle, Charlie, Adah, and Ezra. Jake has a passion for working with youth and has demonstrated that through being a volunteer leader in the youth group for 8 years and head coaching varsity baseball at East Linn Christian Academy from 2017-2023. In his free time he loves to read theology books, play sports, do anything outdoors, or spend time with his family.
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Scott Braten - Men's Ministry
Scott joined the WCC staff team in June of 2023. Scott and his family came to WCC in 2008. Scott exemplifies our value of service as you can often find him playing on the drums on a Sunday morning, cooking up some amazing food for our Men's breakfast, or leading our evening times of prayer. Scot and his wife Stacey have two wonderful children. Scott also enjoys fishing and rooting for South Albany High School.
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Ashley Dubois - Ministry Support
Ashley moved to Albany in 2022. She and her son Maverick made WCC their church home after visiting with her attending parents, Vince and Joanne White. She joined the staff in February of 2024. Ashley enjoys helping people with their goals, passions, and visions in various forms. She has a degree in graphic communications as well as a certificate in UI/ UX design. She has been able to utilize her graphic design skills on many platforms from community outreach to fun t-shirt designs. In her free time you may find Ashley exploring the PNW with camera in hand, game playing with family, or simply just embracing motherhood.
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Laura Elliott - ACS Principal
Laura has been part of the Albany Christian School staff since 2005 and an official member of WCC since 2019. She and her husband, Dan, have been married for 35 years and have lived in Albany since 1999, where they raised their two children, Nick and Jessie. Both are now married and have blessed Laura and Dan with three wonderful grandchildren.
Laura began her journey at ACS as a kindergarten aide, later becoming the kindergarten teacher, then Vice Principal, before stepping into the role of Principal. She brings a unique perspective as a former ACS parent, classroom teacher, and school leader, which shapes her heart for partnering with families to "educate with excellence from a Christian perspective."
Laura is passionate about discipleship, academic coaching, and parenting education. She loves walking alongside parents as they navigate the challenges of raising children in today’s world, offering support and biblical wisdom with grace and empathy.
Outside of school, you’ll often find Laura playing with her grandchildren, hiking, traveling, or planning a fun get-together.
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Megan Haile- Ministry Support
Megan, an attender of WCC for her entire life, began her work at the church through an internship in the office the summer before her last year of college. As she returned to school after her internship, Megan transitioned into a part-time position to help with the hospitality and coffee bar teams. After graduating from Corban University in May of 2023, Megan began in her current role full-time. She completed her Masters in Christian Leadership from Corban University in May of 2024.
Megan enjoys spending time with her friends, working with her houseplants, and making people laugh. She has traveled to Mexico and Uganda multiple times and is sensitive to the global family of God.
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Jennifer Hutsell- Ministry Support
Jennifer joined the WCC staff in June 2025 after dreaming of becoming a part of this team since she first started attending and serving at WCC in 2011. Jennifer has a servant's heart and has served in Women's, Children, Student, and Worship ministries over the years. Inspired by the transformation God has done in her own life, Jennifer currently serves on our Soul Care team and is actively pursuing additional certification in biblical counseling. She is passionate about her relationship with Jesus and finds great joy in helping others along the way.
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Scott has been our Lead Pastor since July of 2008. Prior to that, he served at WCC as Albany Christian School's Principal for seven years. He and his wife Angela have three children: Adam, Madison, and Ashley. Scott received his undergraduate degree from Corban University and his Masters degree from the University of Portland. Scott is a big baseball fan, loves to spend time with his family, and occasionally plays pickleball or golf. Scott has been to Sierra Leone West Africa 5 times, and loves the community of Albany.
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Lindsay Renfro- Children's Ministry
Lindsay joined the WCC Staff in April 2022. She is married to Chris and they have two energetic girls, Reagan and Reese. Lindsay and her family have attended WCC since August 2019. Lindsay is a native Oregonian who enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling and gardening. She also likes playing the piano and taking pictures, mostly of her two daughters! Lindsay has always enjoyed working with children. She is excited to support Willamette Kids and provide a safe and nurturing place for kids to learn about Jesus and hopes to be a blessing to the families at WCC.
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Cyrus has been our Executive Pastor since August 2017. Prior to that, he served as Youth and Associate Pastor in Keizer, OR for over ten years. He grew up in the Willamette Valley. Met his sweet wife, Kimberly, at Western Baptist College (now Corban University). They married in December of 2003 and now have five children. Cyrus went on to receive his Masters of Divinity from Corban University School of Ministry. He enjoys all kinds of missions, travel, outdoor activities, sports, food, and hot sauce.
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Kim Rettmann - Soul Care
Kim attended Corban University and graduated in 2004 with a degree in English Humanities. She taught High School English for a few years before she and Cyrus began their family in 2007. They now have kids - three girls and two boys - who keep life full and entertaining! Kim has had the joy of being involved in many different types of church ministry over the last twenty years. In 2017, she became a certified biblical counselor through the Association of Biblical Counselors. Since then, she has had the privilege of providing soul care to many women, as well as training other believers in the ministry of biblical counseling. She joined WCC staff in 2023 as the WCC Soul Care ministry director. Kim enjoys music, literature, CrossFit and powerlifting.
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Brian Rowson - Business Manager
After working in management positions for several “for profit” companies around the Albany area, Brian decided to join the staff at WCC in 2024 as the Business Manager. Brian and his wife Katherine met as new members of WCC in 2000 and married in 2002. They have two adult children, Nicholas and Jessica, and are blessed with four grandchildren that take up a lot of their spare time. A graduate of Oregon State University, he enjoys following Beaver baseball, playing for the WCC softball team, and playing pickleball.
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Chris joined WCC's staff in August 2011. He grew up in the Willamette Valley and has been involved in music ministry for over 15 years. Chris has a Bachelor's degree from Corban University in music. As a songwriter and instrumentalist, Chris has a heart for growing worshipers in spirit and truth. He and his wife, Tosha, have five children (Caden, Trynt, Paxton, Kyndall and Isaac). Chris loves to spend time with his family, play guitar, watch movies, and write music.
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Sandi Taylor- Women's Ministry
Sandi and her husband Jon have attended WCC since 2015. She has served on the Women’s Ministry team since 2021 and became it’s director July 1, 2025. Sandi is part of the Soul Care Ministry team, having taken and completing the Equipped to Counsel training in 2021 when the ministry first launched, and going each year to more Equipped to Counsel conferences to further her training. She loves serving and helping God’s children through those difficult times in their lives. She also leads a women’s prayer team every Thursday morning at 6:30, (all ladies welcome)! Sandi and Jon have been married 57 years and have three children, one daughter and two sons, eight grandchildren, five boys, 3 girls and one adorable great grandson! All of the names of the boys in the family begin with J, our son-in-law is the one exception! Sandi loves reading, with the Bible being her favorite book, spending time with her family and friends, walking her dog and doing jigsaw puzzles.
WCC ELders
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Scott & Stacey Braten
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Larry & Leona Crawford
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Lee & Vicki Eick
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Dylan & Katherine Ferguson
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David & Diane Lesmeister
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Scott & Angela Miller
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Larry & Sharon Penner
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Greg & Pat Pierce
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Dustin & Amy Withee
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Cyrus & Kim Rettmann
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Brian & Katherine Rowson
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