Centralia First
Christian Church
1215 W Main Street
Centralia, WA 98531
Phone: 360-736-7655
• Shane Thompson
Pastor
• Martin Flaherty
Youth Pastor
• Chris Christenson
Senior's Director |
Staff & Leadership
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Shane Thompson (Pastor) - I’m excited to be here in Centralia! I grew up in Northwest Ohio and I’m a 1997 graduate of Cincinnati Christian University with a degree in Christian Ministries. I have more than 14 years of full time ministry experience having held ministries in Viroqua, Wisconsin; McComb, Ohio, and most recently Lancaster, Ohio. I’m married to my best friend, Emily and together we have two incredible boys, Ethan and Caden. We enjoy outdoor activities, sports, and family activities. My bucket list includes learning to surf, skydiving, bungee jumping, and standing on the top of Mt. Rainier. I’m an avid reader, a Detroit Lions fan, and an even bigger fan of Jesus Christ. What I love most about the church is the sense of family togetherness that we share.
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Martin Flaherty (Youth Pastor) - I love Jesus and my family and ministry. I lived 8 years in Massachusetts, 10 years in Sandpoint, ID (it was in God's country that I found Him). And with the exception of 1 year in China I lived 11 years in Boise, ID four of them spent studying at Boise Bible College. God led my family to Centralia, WA to minister to youth and their families and we are just trying to keep up with Him. My wife, Paula, and I enjoy board games. My son, Marty, and I enjoy playing ball, my daughter, Madeline, and I enjoy digging in the dirt (though sometimes she eats it), and we all love to travel, eat delicious food, read books, and spend time with friends. What I love most about the church is the youth and their potential to change the world.
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Lori Spencer - I was born and raised right here in Washington. I come from a large family, there are 8 kids. We all live within 20 miles of each other. I have a daughter her name is Ryan. She’s married to a wonderful Christian man named Bob and they have given me two beautiful grandsons.
I thought kids were great, but this grandma thing is the best. I love spending time playing with and reading to them. They just amaze me every time I see them. I also like to do a little gardening, sewing and some reading. I also dabble in ceramics and needlework.
I started working at the church in July 2000. I think my favorite thing about the church is the people. They have such a heart for God and I have always felt they are part of my extended family.
godspeople@comcast.net
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| Elders |
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Leon Basey has lived in the Chehalis/Centralia area for 18 years and has served the church as an elder for 17 years. He and his wife Ann have four children and 8 grandchildren. He works as a service manager in a John Deere dealership. His favorite aspect of our church is the commitment we have to meeting one another's needs through small groups. This is why he enjoys teaching Sunday School and leading a Bible study in their home on Wednesday evenings.
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Matt Patten - I am a recently married man (10/04/08) after being a bachelor for most of my life. My beautiful wife, Paige, brought with her three great kids, Justin, Kailey, and Sydney, so my life changed from being a bachelor to being a family of 5. I grew up in Cottage Grove, OR before moving on to go to college at Puget Sound Christian College. After graduating from PSCC, I went to graduate school at Western Oregon University to study counseling. I moved to the Lewis County area in September 2002, where I currently work as an Administrator in a mental health center. Hobbies include reading, movies, games, all kinds of sports, and as most people know, my beloved Oregon Ducks. One of my favorite things about CFCC is the way people reach out to and support one another.
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Dave Wahl - I have lived in Lewis County my whole life. I have been married to my wife, Stefanie, For 18 years. We have two wonderful children, Ally,11 and Joe, 9. I have attended First Christian Church for most of my life. I have been a Timber Appraiser for about 20 years. I enjoy spending time with my kids and coaching their different sports teams. I think of my friends at First Christian as my family. I am truly blessed and humbled to be an elder at this church.
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| Deacons |
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Jay Ernest - I moved to this area from Renton nearly ten years ago. My wife, Mary and I were married in Renton and raised two daughters and a son there. We are very blessed to have four beautiful granddaughters. Since my retirement from an insurance company sales manager position, my spare time has included woodcarving, traveling, training my Golden Retriever, and shotgun shooting. My greatest joys are that of walking with God and spending time with family and friends. I accepted Jesus as my Savior at a Nazarene tent meeting when I was eleven years old. In my adult years I have served in a number of different capacities in several different churches. I am now looking forward to serving as an CFCC deacon.
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Jim Holding - My folks moved from Wenatchee, WA. to Bellingham in 1942, where I grew up and met my wife, Gail, and together raised four children. I served two years in the Army (1958 - 1960), stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. In 1974 our family moved to Lewis County were I sold logging equipment for a few years prior to retiring in the Fall of 2000 after selling advertising for a logging publication for almost 20 years. CFCC let us in the church door in January of 2001 and in March of that year I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior and have served as a Deacon the past four years. I enjoy serving others and feel that God has called me to serve our church membership in that capacity and wherever else He should lead me.
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Dave Painter - I married Wanda Jean Kover in 1982 at CFCC. Served 20 years in the US Air Force and retired as a Major in 2002. Wanda and I were baptized in 1990 at Cocoa Beach, FL, First Christian Church. Have two daughters, Tricia Lee (now Ryland) 21, and Rebecca Ann 14, and one son Travis Evin 11. I am now employed by Washington Truck Rebuilders in Toledo and Wanda works for the Chehalis School District while also attending classes at Centralia College. I have also served in multiple lay volunteer positions throughout my Christian life.
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