Staff & Elders

Our Staff

Dedicated to Loving God & Loving People

Pastoral Staff

Bear Dawg 2022 Spring

Barry Lind

Senior Pastor

Hired in 1995, Barry provides preaching and leadership while casting vision for the Northwood church. He is a Seattle native and a Husky fan, he has also ran two marathons in one day, though it was his first and last.

pastor@northwoodchristian.org

Aaron 2022 Spring

Aaron Dilla

Associate Pastor

Hired in 2021, Aaron loves camping with family and friends, reading a good book, connecting with people on a deep level, and eating pizza from track town — and if you throw in a coffee you have his perfect day!

aaron.dilla@northwoodchristian.org

Worship Ministry and Media Staff

Adan 2022 Spring

Adam Rasmussen

Director of Worship Ministry

Hired in 2018, Adam is the musical heart of the church, singing songs all day and the designer of our worship services. He also enjoys obscure and artsy movies and indulges in WWE wrestling.

adam.rasmussen@northwoodchristian.org

Joel 2022 Spring

Joel Brock

MEDIA supervisor

Hired in 2022, Joel oversees all our technology and media for the church. He manages video and audio for sermons, podcasts, and creative projects. 

joel.brock@northwoodchristian.org

Connections Staff

Riley 2022 Spring

Riley Bell

Connections Min. Leader

Hired in 2021, Riley is an outdoor enthusiast, with a passion for experiencing nature at its best- backpacking for days in the wilderness and challenging herself to summit the tallest mountain are some of her greatest joys. Walking her dogs, sipping coffee and playing board games make the casual weekend complete.

riley.bell@northwoodchristian.org

Marcia 2022 Spring

Marcia Doughan

Volunteer Coordinator

Hired in 2016, Marcia is capable of fixing any case of boredom by setting folks up with several volunteer and service opportunities. She also is one who loves to go camping and geocaching.

marcia.doughan@northwoodchristian.org

Young Adult & Youth Ministry Staff

John B 2022 Spring

John Bowling

Young Adult Pastor

Hired in 2011, John is a veteran in youth ministry and has been encouraging and sharing Jesus with kids for nearly 20 years. He was formally ordained as a pastor in 2020. He is a devoted Dodgers fan and a lover of Cuban food.

john.bowling@northwoodchristian.org

Brian Erdmann

Brian Erdmann

Youth Ministry Leader

Recently hired in 2024, Brian is excited to lead the charge integrating youth into the life of the church. 

brian.erdmann@northwoodchristian.org

Joe 2022 Spring

Joe Dyer

Dir. middle school ministry

Hired in 2020, Joe has spent several years already serving in church ministry as well as Young Life.

joe.dyer@northwoodchristian.org

Children's Ministry Staff

Julie 2022 Spring

Julie Lipp

Dir. children's ministry

Hired in 2011, Julie shares Jesus’ love with children and teaches the message that they have great value in the kingdom of God. She has a passion for music & worship and loves being a mom & grandma.

julie.lipp@northwoodchristian.org

Jessie 2022 Spring

Jessie Duncan

Children's Ministry Assistant

Jessie is a long-time servant of the Children’s Ministry.

jessie.duncan@northwoodchristian.org

Titus Fox

Titus Fox

Children's Ministry Assistant

Titus joined the Northwood team in 2022 and assists with our Kids church.

titus.fox@northwoodchristian.org

Deliene Miller

Deliene Miller

Children's Ministry Assistant

Deliene officially joined the Northwood team in 2022 and assists with our Kids church, but she has been teaching Sunday school for years!

deliene.miller@northwoodchristian.org

Rachel 2022 Spring

Rachel Wininger

Dir. Preschool

Previously a Northwood Preschool Teacher, now director as of 2021.

info@ncp.school

Administrative and Support Staff

Barb 2022 Spring

Barbara Utt

Administrator

Hired in 2012, Barb oversees day-to-day business and facility operations. She is well-traveled, having gone to South Africa for her honeymoon and also lived in New Jersey for three years!

barbara.utt@northwoodchristian.org

Jill 2022 Spring

Jill Noble

Administrative Assistant

Hired in 2006, Jill is basically the secretary and team mom. She has attended Northwood since 1980. Her kids and now grandkids continue in the line of five generations of Noble’s to attend Northwood.

jill.noble@northwoodchristian.org

Wendy 2022 Spring

Wendy Raz

Finance & HR Manager

Hired in 2020, Wendy has been a long-time servant and leader in the Northwood community.

wendy.raz@northwoodchristian.org

Katie 2022 Spring

Katie Lind

Web Content Specialist

Katie was hired in 2022 to maintain Northwood’s website and online presence and assist in church communications.

katie.lind@northwoodchristian.org

Paul 2022 Spring

Paul Bastinelli

Custodian

Hired in 2019, Paul helps keep the Northwood campus looking great so everyone feels welcome and a place that they could call home. Paul found himself trying to retire but got bored, so here he is!

paul.bastinelli@northwoodchristian.org

John C 2022 Spring

John Carlile

Custodian

Hired in 2019, John helps keep the Northwood campus looking great so everyone feels welcome and a place that they could call home. John is the resident jokester, always looking to inspire joy in those he is around.

john.carlile@northwoodchristian.org

Our Elders

Spiritual leaders of our community

JOCELYN_STRAM

Jocelyn Stram

Elder CHAIR

Jocelyn is a retired schoolteacher, married with two grown children, and has been a member of Northwood since 2013. She enjoys reading and lazy days at the Oregon coast. Her favorite book in the Bible is the Gospel of John.

BRUCE_CUMMINGS

Bruce Cummings

Elder

Bruce and his wife Pat and I have been married 49 yrs and have been attending Northwood Christian since roughly 2015. He enjoys volunteering for and with the church in a variety of different ways and is excited to join the elders.

RON_DAVIS

Ron Davis

Elder

Ron has been at Northwood since roughly 2015 and is an active weekly volunteer at the Eugene Mission. He finds relaxation in his shop building, sharing the journey of the build, and during the summer months, gardening and tending the harvest.

IMG_6051

Karen LaFluer

Elder

Karen has been married to her husband, Dave, for 49 years. Mother to two grown daughters: Nicole, married with a son, Gavin; and Megan, married with a daughter, Kendall. Retirement finds Karen happily spending time enjoying growing/working with flowers and starting mornings early, drinking coffee while watching the sunrise during her quiet time. Karen also enjoys volunteering at church, delivering food for “Meals on Wheels” weekly, and especially spending time being Grandma to her two grandchildren.

IMG_6045

Chip Lindsey

Elder

Chip and his wife, Heidi, joined Northwood in 2018 after moving to the Cedar Flat area. After beginning his walk with Christ at age 17, he soon discovered his favorite Bible verse to be Matthew 28:18-20. Chip enjoys building engines, water/snow skiing, hunting/fishing, camping, and spending time with family!

John Matthews

John Matthews

Elder

John was born and raised in Springfield. He has two grown children from a previous marriage. John met his wife Vicki at church in 2000, got married in 2007, and legally adopted Kassidy as their daughter in 2013. John has believed in God his whole life, but never thought God believed in him until he experienced God’s full power, love, and care when John began his recovery from drug and alcohol abuse 25 years ago.  John believes his experiences (both good and bad) have afforded him a practical perspective about Christianity: he wants to follow Jesus’s example each day.

MIKE_MERCER

Mike Mercer

Elder

Elder since 2020, Mike has spent 35 years in the financial industry and has led Financial Peace University classes for 20 years. He enjoys helping people overcome financial challenges, loves to use his gift of hospitality, and travels with his two daughters.

John Sargeant

John Sargeant

Elder

John began regularly attending Northwood in 1988. He met his wife Stephanie at Northwood and they raised their four children here. John has served as an Elder at Northwood for 15 years. John and Stephanie are big Oregon Duck fans and love going to Duck games together.

John Schmidt

John Schmidt

Elder

John and Katherine have been married for over 50 years with two daughters. They have been at Northwood since 2016, after retiring from pastoral ministry. John is particularly interested in walking with younger men in the development of their faith and service.

Richard Smith

Richard Smith

Elder

Richard began serving as an Elder in July 2022. Richard and his wife of 37 years, Wanda, have been a member of the Northwood family since 1997. Richard began service at Northwood by running the PowerPoint for services many years ago. Previously, Richard has been Stewardship Chair and Vice Chair of our Board. He introduced Financial Peace University to Northwood in 2009. Richard’s interests include walking every day, doing Duolingo Spanish and traveling with Wanda as much as they can!

IMG_6053

Sue Smith

Elder

Sue has been a member of Northwood since 1997, has served as a diaconate, and is currently serving as an Elder. Sue’s spare time is often filled with traveling alongside her husband Russ of nearly 50 years, especially to see the 4 grandkids in Southern California, baking and cooking for others while tending to our large yard.

Charlene Snow

Charlene Snow

Elder

Charlene has been attending Northwood since 2017. Charlene and Ed have been married 54 years and are blessed with two daughters, a son and 7 grandchildren. They moved to Springfield from Issaquah, Washington after retiring. They love living near their youngest grandchildren and closer to their oldest in Albany. Charlene and Ed visited Northwood many times before moving, and each time felt so welcomed, knowing it would someday be their new church home! Charlene loves to volunteer and looks forward to serving this amazing church family!

IMG_6058

Deena Swartout

Elder

Deena has been a member of Northwood since 2006. Deena has spent nearly 40 years enjoying working in Children, Youth, Young Adult, and Small Group Ministries. Deena has a passion for loving God’s people and encouraging them in their daily walk with Jesus.