Elders & Deacons

With Jesus Christ and His Word as the head of the church, the following men work together to serve and lead our church family. Enjoy getting to know them and their families a little better...

Featured

Chris & Ruth Rogers

Elder - Senior Pastor

Both Chris and Ruth had the privilege of coming to a personal understanding of their need for a Savior (Rom 3:10) at an early age, and soon accepted God's free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8-9). The impact of that decision has... more

Enriko & Alisa Stigter

Elder - Associate Pastor (Young Adults, Youth), Administrator

Enriko was born in the Netherlands. His family attended the Dutch Reformed Church, but it wasn’t until he was 18 that he realized he was a sinner and needed to believe in and... more

Mark & Nancy Suko

Elder/Retired Senior Pastor

Mark grew up on a wheat ranch near Warden, Washington. He worked on the farm and had an interest in rock music, had a band and went to church occasionally. Until that time he assumed he was good enough for heaven... more

Paul & Tammy Hayes

Elder - Music Director

Paul’s passion is to help bring the congregation into the presence of God in worship through music that honors Him and accurately reflects His Word. Paul wants the church to vertically worship God in song and horizontally learn... more

Loren Beckner

Deacon - Finances, Young Adult Assist

Loren has lived in Gig Harbor his whole life. From an early age, Loren accepted Jesus as Lord and believed the Gospel. During his teen years, God was really moving in his heart. A passion for Jesus became more infused in… more

Michael & Sally Helland

Deacon - IT, Audio/Visual

Michael was saved by grace at an early age after being convicted of his sin and need for a Savior while attending VBS and was baptized in his early teens. Sally was raised in a pastor's home and at 19, by the grace of God's effectual call… more

Daniel & Emily Hunt

Deacon - Facilities, Care Ministries

Daniel was saved at an early age when he heard the gospel at VBS. He and his wife Emily met when they were thirteen in Kansas, where both of their fathers were pastoring local churches. In 2007, Daniel joined the USMC at… more.

Zachary & Liesl Travis

Deacon - IT

Zac was born and raised in the Port Orchard area. He believed in and accepted Christ into his heart at a young age, but didn't begin to pursue a relationship with the Lord until his late teenage years at a youth camp where he was… more.

Bob & Cindy Renckly

Elder - Prayer, Adult Christian Education, Evangelism

Pic and bio coming soon.

Christian & Sarah Guidry

Deacon - Children’s Ministries, Softball

Pic and bio coming soon.

David & Jane Mayer

Deacon - Awana, Custodial

Born and raised in Tacoma, WA, David's life has been a journey filled with grace, faith, and the love of our Lord. From an early age, David was immersed in a Christian home where the values of discipline, obedience, and the gospel of Jesus Christ were instilled in… more

Aaron & Jen Frizzell

Deacon - Exterior Facilities

Pic and bio coming soon.

Willie & Hannah Clark

Deacon - VBS, Ushers

Willie was born and raised his first 12 years in southern California. In 1987 when Willie was in the 6th grade his family moved to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Only through Devine intervention his parents enrolled him into a… more

Mac & Ashly Davis

Deacon - Young Men’s Bible Study, Seniors’ Outreach, Family Camp

Pic and bio coming soon.

Eric & Ryka Rogers

Deacon - Usher Assist, Safety Team Assist

Pic and bio coming soon.

Our Pastoral Transition...

By the grace of God, Pastor Mark faithfully served as our lead pastor since the church’s birth in 1980. In more recent years, he and our church leadership recognized that there is wisdom in actively preparing now for the “passing of the baton” when that time comes. Should God lead and provide, we saw great value in “raising one of our own” to be mentored under Pastor Mark for the high calling of Senior Pastor. God indeed led and provided in this way. In August of 2013, a 7-year transition plan was implemented, during which time Pastor Mark gradually passed the preaching and leadership responsibilities to Pastor Chris. In January 2020 a pulpit committee was formed to evaluate Pastor Chris and Ruth, and based on their recommendation, in July 2020 the church membership voted unanimously to approve Chris for the role of Senior Pastor. Mark retired (“redeployed”) in September 2020 on his 40th anniversary as Senior Pastor of Discovery, and the baton was passed to Chris. Praise God for His goodness and grace in this chapter of our church family’s life!

Click here to watch Pastor Mark’s “redeployment” service, “Reflections of a Lightkeeper.”

Click here to watch Pastor Chris’s installation service, “Vision: Heaven.”

Thank you for your prayers, input, and support as we leaned on God for the wisdom, timing, and blessing that only He could provide through this transition. Should the Lord tarry, we look forward to proclaiming the gospel at Discovery for many generations to come. May God be glorified as He continues to build His church!