MEET THE HIGHLINE STAFF


	Tim Knight Senior Pastor
	Tim knew from his early teenage years that God was calling him to be a preacher. Tim says, "God has continually opened doors and blessed my life far beyond what I deserve. That’s why it’s GRACE!" Tim did his undergraduate work at Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR. He received a BA in Pastoral Ministries with a minor in Christian Education. From there he went to Emmanuel School of Religion in the hills of East Tennessee. That’s where he received his Masters of Divinity. He came to preach at Highline Christian Church in 1995.
Tim says, "I simply want Highline to help people know Jesus in a personal, everyday—rubber meets the road kind of way. I want the Lord to be real to our people—not just a Sunday thing. Then as the Lord lives through us we will touch others lives with the grace He has given us—and the growth of the church will just continue."

	Bret Thorson Children's Pastor
Bret says, "Looking back, I can see where God was shaping me for ministry from a very young age. As a child I wanted to be a teacher and that desire has never left me. In the spring of 1994 I felt God calling me to full-time ministry with children. It was a very fast transition from a public school education to ministry, and God has been faithful every step of the way." Bret graduated from Highline Community College in 1994 with his Associates of Arts, with an emphasis in education. In 1997 he graduated from Puget Sound Christian College with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Christian Education/Youth Ministry.
Bret says, "I want to see our mission and purpose continue to be fulfilled. I want to see kids growing spiritually to their spiritual summit, getting involved in service, and sharing the Gospel with their friends. I want to see kids grow up and be sure of what they believe and why they believe it. I want to see kids grow up and return and get involved in the children’s ministry as sponsors and leaders to impact the lives of other kids." Being the Children’s Pastor at Highline has truly been a blessing to Bret. "I am thankful to God for His faithfulness and direction in the Children’s Ministry. I am also thankful for the wonderful loving wife God has blessed me with; she is a constant encouragement and support."

	Chad Schnathorst Youth Pastor
	Chad was in his mid-to-late twenties when the idea of being a Youth Pastor was purposed to him. "At that time I was a lay youth person, and I was encouraged by the Youth Pastor I was working under at that time to 'give it a shot'. It took quite a few years to get here, but that's all history now!" Chad has an AA from South Seattle Community College and a BA from Puget Sound Christian College.
Most of Chad's free time for the last decade has been spent in youth ministry or youth programs. In the past few years he has been attending school full time in order that he may be able to dedicate his life to ministering to young people. "I believe that the Lord has called me to this work, and so far He has blessed me immensely!" Chad began work at Highline in December of 2002. "The first thing I would like to see is the Youth at Highline Christian Church develop a faith that they can call their own. Young people need to understand that they are a part of the church as a whole. Being a part of a youth group is great, but those that are mature in Christ need to minister in ways that are appropriate for them, and in conjunction with the abilities they have been given. Therefore, I would like to see the youth ministry at HCC aid young people in strengthening or building new relationships with God, and encouraging them to use their spiritual gifts to help build the kingdom of Christ here on earth. Ya, we're going to have a lot of fun, but we need to always remember what makes us different than any other club or community gathering that youth enjoy, and that's Jesus, God's own Son. We need to come to the realization, that as Christians, we have the most important news story that anyone can tell, and that bit of information is the greatest gift that we can share with another person.

Katie Taylor Early Childhood Education
Katie grew up at West Seattle Christian Church. Throughout middle and high school, she was involved in helping with the children's ministry at WSCC. She went to a lot of camp events with other kids from Highline. Katie started at Puget Sound Christian College in 2000 and graduated in 2005 with her BA in Christian Ministry. She began attending Highline in 2001 to join the group on the Mexico Mission trips. Katie and her husband Richie were married in 2004.
Katie says, "I have a passion for teaching young children that church is a fun and safe place. Also, that God loves and knows each child. I am very excited about meeting in the new building. It is a blessing to be able to see so many wonderful children every Sunday. It is exciting to serve God by serving children."

	Teresa Barnes Minister of Music
	Teresa grew up loving music and loving the church, so it's a special blessing for her to be working with both. She did not train specifically to become a music minister but as she looks back on her life she sees many ways in which God was grooming her for such a work. Her mother tells her she was grooving to the beat before she was even born! Teresa says, "Music is a powerful tool and it's my favorite way to praise my Maker." Teresa began leading the music ministry at Highline in May of 1993 just a few weeks after getting married. Teresa, "Has it been more than 10 years already? Wow. Time flies when you're praising God!"
Teresa would love to see more people get plugged into the worship/music ministry including professional musicians who have a desire to share their talent with God's people. She also desires for all of us currently involved to become better at what we do -- to develop our skills, which is a pleasing sacrifice to God. "My passion is that people use the talents God has given them for his glory. I love to see people get their instrument out of the closet, get it tuned up and start practicing! I love to be in His presence, especially with the family of believers."

	Jane Knight Office Manager
Jane views her position at Highline as keeping the office running smoothly and ministering to the needs of the staff and members as required. Jane would like to see Highline continue to grow both numerically and spiritually, and to be open to whatever direction God is leading.

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