Let us introduce you to the elders at The Chapel Church. These are men called of God to humbly shepherd the Lord's church according to 1 Peter 5:2-3, 1 Timothy 3, and Titus 1. If you would to like to contact the eldership you can email eldership@thechapel.church.
Senior Pastor/Elder
Stephen was born and raised in Spokane, WA. Though he heard the gospel growing up in his home, it wasn't until his sophomore year in college that he was converted. A few years later, Stephen went on a short-term mission trip to Sierra Leone and it was there that he felt a desire and calling to ministry.
Upon graduating from Seattle Pacific University, Stephen moved down to Portland, OR, married Lisa whom he met in college, and attended Western Seminary, where he received a Masters of Divinity. Four years later, he and his wife moved to Corvallis to minister to college students at Oregon State University with the Navigators.
Stephen then went on to plant a church as an Associate Pastor in Corvallis, OR, called The Branch. During those years, he oversaw small groups, local/global missions, an internship program, and gained invaluable experiences in pastoral ministry. After 5 years, he and his family moved back to Portland for a 5 month pastoral residency at Hinson Baptist Church. Shortly after, in June 2018, the Chapel Church called Stephen to be their next Senior Pastor.
Stephen and his wife, Lisa, live in Puyallup with their four children, Sadie, Calvin, Graham, and Whitaker.
Elder
Mark was born into a Christian family and raised as a preacher's kid. He doesn't remember having much of a personal spiritual life during his childhood years; however, there were moments when he thought God was real but distant. His family did not have much money, and he blamed God and the church for that.
At the age of 16, he got a job on Sundays and stopped attending church. He went to college and dabbled in Buddhaism and Hinduism. God brought several strong Christians into his life during those years, and he had to admit they had something that he didn't. Mark entered into a "modern" marriage knowing that it might not last because their careers might take first place. They went to graduate school, and it was there the marriage ended.
At this point, he realized how empty he was and became desperate to change his life. A strong Christian man witnessed to Mark and brought him to a Calvary Chapel meeting. Mark was amazed and began to believe that God had his hand on him. He surrendered to Jesus in 1982 at Calvary Fellowship in Seattle. His life made a complete "U" turn. He was entirely broken, and Jesus began a good work in him.
Mark met his wife Rene at a Bible study, and they were married in 1986. They had two daughters, Emily and Jennifer. Mark is now retired, but he is always working and desiring to glorify God in everything he does.
Elder
From the time he was a young child, Jonathan remembers his Christian mother reading the Bible and Christian books to him, consistently bringing him to church, and joyfully singing hymns and Bible songs. One of those books was The Pilgrim’s Progress, which the Lord used to awaken his heart to the gospel. He wanted to go to the Celestial City, and he responded by repenting of his sins and trusting in Jesus. Jonathan was baptized in Grand Rapids, Michigan in May 1980.
Many other believers throughout his life have discipled Jonathan, helping him to see where his life falls short of his doctrine and spurring him on in the faith. It is at The Chapel Church where he has grown the most in understanding of and love for the local church. He and his wife Ellie joined the church in 2010; Jonathan has served as an elder since 2016.
Jonathan and Ellie met at his sister’s wedding where Ellie was a bridesmaid. They married in October 2003 and have six children. Jonathan works at Milgard Windows and Doors as an Accounting Manager and is a licensed CPA.
Elder
Jason was raised in a family that attended the Presberayran church his grandparents were part of founding and his parents were married at. He grew up knowing God and the importance of prayer. When Jason was a young school age boy he had inner ear complications that required many surgerys. His mom tells of how adamant Jason was to have the elders pray over him before each surgery.
At age 13 Jason acknowledged Christ as his savior and prayed the prayer of repentance in his youth pastor's office. Due to his ear problems, Jason was not medically cleared to be baptised. However, despite Dr. recommendations, Jason was baptised. Jason praises God for this mini miracle. Jason continued attending church throughout his youth.
Jason met his wife, Bekah, while both were attending his church's youth group. They were married shortly after high school and moved to WA, from CA, and had their first son. Jason and Bekah were young parents (20 and 19) and struggled to grow in their faith. They found being young parents exceptionally challenging as they could not find peers in their same situation. This struggle continued in their church experience, and they never really connected with a church in WA.
In 2004 Jason and Bekah began attending our church. Jason found his spiritual life was missing something, and God had placed a hunger for His word in him. At the time, Jason and Bekah had not yet found a church since moving to Pierce county. A friend shared a cassette tape (yep that's aging him) of a God's word being preached out of the book of Daniel. Jason was never taught expositionaly, but he loved what he believed to be a series in the book of Daniel. While traveling for work, Jason searched for a similar style of church in that area, and they were also teaching expositionaly. It was then Jason saw what God was revealing to him about how there was more to the Christian life than just being a good person. Upon returning home, Jason searched for this style of church and found ours. Jason has grown as a disciple of Christ at our church, and has continued to grow in his faith and love for God's word.
Jason and Bekah raised their two sons into adulthood here at our church. Jason and Bekah began to serve in the youth ministry and Jason faithfully served as leader of the youth for nearly 15 years. Both of his sons attended the youth groups Jason was leader of, and have both gone on to serve the youth as well.
Jason and Bekah love to host people in their homes, in both fellowship gatherings (bible study groups or having people over for dinner) as well as having foster kids stay in their home. Jason and Bekah have served the community in Foster Care for many years and have come to know the provisions of God in deeper ways through this ministry.
Jason calls it a blessing to be an Elder at the Chapel Church, and is so thankful and honored to be part of the body at the Chapel Church.
Associate Pastor/Elder
Phil was born in Pasadena, CA, and spent his childhood and teenage years in a loving family in Grants Pass, OR. Phil was raised in the Catholic Church, and he first gave his life to Christ at a Youth for Christ convention in high school. During his studies of electrical engineering at Gonzaga University, Phil struggled with his faith and was lost and confused by his graduation.
After college (1999), Phil's life was changed forever when he became a servant of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Just prior to that point, he had a wonderful girlfriend, great friends, and good education, but he was still missing the central purpose of life. Then, an old high school friend invited him to study Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell. This started him on a deep study of God's Word. As a result, Phil repented of his sins, gave himself fully to Jesus, and began to be fed the Word at Calvary Chapel churches.Following his complete surrender to the Lord, Phil earned his master's degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington, and he married that wonderful girlfriend, Heather, on July 1, 2000. They now have two daughters, Anna and Rose, and a son, Seth. The Spagnolo Family lives in Puyallup.
Phil has served in various roles at The Chapel Chapel since its inception. In July of 2008, he left his job with Boeing Research and Design to become a full time pastor. Phil currently serves as an associate pastor and elder.
The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
Associate Pastor/Elder
Ben was born and raised just outside of Philadelphia, PA and came to faith in Christ during his sophomore year of High School. Early on, Ben felt a strong desire and call to be in ministry, specifically cross-cultural missions.
Following his graduation from High School, Ben met his future wife, Emily at Calvary Chapel Bible College Europe, in Hungary, where he completed their Missions Training Program. Following his graduation, he and Emily were married and they moved to Croatia as missionaries in 2011.
Once in Croatia, Ben and Emily spent their first few years becoming fluent in the Croatian language while working with a national church. During this time, Ben revitalized and led the church’s youth group, was involved in music ministry, and public preaching. These experiences greatly helped in understanding how to minister in the Croatian culture.
In 2015, the Spectors moved to Croatia’s capital city, Zagreb, to plant a church named Raskrižje kršćanska zajednica. During this time, Ben had the privilege of seeing multiple Croatians come to faith in Christ, pastoring the church, and was heavily involved in developing various evangelistic outreach programs. In 2020, the Spectors felt the Lord was moving them back to the US and handed off their congregants to multiple national churches in Zagreb where they continue to flourish. It was during this time that The Chapel Church asked Ben to be their next Pastoral Assistant while he completes his Masters in Ministry and Leadership at Western Seminary.
Ben and his wife Emily currently reside in Puyallup with their three children: Lily, Liam, and Jack.
