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Sunday Service and Children's Church at 10:00 am

360.573-3111

Meet Our Staff

John Hiestand
Pastor

Rev. Hiestand grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. After years of serving as a church musician, Rev. Hiestand finally heard the call of God when sacred music awakened a spiritual calling. He and his wife Vivian eventually both earned their Master of Divinity degrees and served as ministers in Colorado for ten years. They moved to the Northwest in 2018 to be closer to their grandchildren. Pastor John has served at Salmon Creek Church for four years.

Vivian Hiestand
Children's Ministry

Rev. Vivian Hiestand is an ordained elder with a rich background working with children’s ministry. Originally trained in music and theater, Vivian helped found two youth theater companies in California and Washington. She has created for Salmon Creek Church a ministry of life-long faith formation, firmed in the belief that children can have the same seriousness and joy in discovering their walk with God as adults do. She raised two boys with her husband, Rev. John Hiestand, and now enjoys two grandchildren as well.

Matthew Compton
Music Director

A published composer since the age of 14, Matthew oversees all music ministry and is director of our Chancel Choir and handbell choirs. He continues to compose and be a sought-after handbell director and tours regularly for national and international engagements, particularly as director of Bells of the Cascades. Matthew is also a valued member of Portland’s Choral Arts Ensemble.

Josh Billings
Accompanist

Josh Billings moved to Vancouver from the Twin Cities in January 2021. He has been involved in music since second grade when he started taking piano lessons. He played in the handbell ensemble and sang in choir at Concordia St. Paul where he got his degree in K-12 Vocal Music Education. Josh is currently a ringing member of Bells of the Cascades.
Outside of playing the piano, Josh recently found a job working for Loomis in Portland. He always enjoys being active in multiple music ensembles, going for hikes, or just hanging out with friends. He is looking forward to everything that the Portland/Vancouver area has to offer.

Sue Wiltsey
Administrative Assistant

Sue has the unique honor of serving Jesus at Salmon Creek Church for over 30 years. Her family has grown up in this church, and Sue and her husband continue to worship here. Sue’s tenacity, organization, keen insight, compassion, and commitment to this church and congregation has kept it thriving over the decades. Her husband, Ron, is a staple in the musical community as well.

Gayle Horwitz
Day School Director

Gayle has been directing our nonprofit faith-based preschool and daycare center for over nine years now. She pursues collaborative relationships that connect resources, ideas, curricula, learning opportunities and innovative art materials with instructors (and parents!).  Gayle oversees the charter and direction of the dayschool and assists in the community-lauded Vocation Bible School held each summer. 

Jessica Santillan
Youth Ministry

Ashley Skelton
Office Coordinator