Our Leadership
As the church, we are called to follow Jesus and continue his work of spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth (Matt 28:18-20, Acts 1:8). For this to happen, the church needs healthy leaders to model and equip others in the work of making disciples. It’s been said, “As the leaders go, so goes the church.” We believe this is true. If our leaders are healthy and vibrant then our church will be healthy and vibrant.
The Church is not a building or a business. Rather, the church is a people (1 Peter 2:9-10) who are family (Eph 2:19). And like any family, leadership is needed and necessary for the health and wellbeing of the family. Within the church family, God has established two official offices of leadership — elders (overseers) and deacons — who lead the members (saints) in the mission of God (Philippians 1:1).
At Trinity, we love our leaders and love seeing new elders, deacons, and members being added to the family, raised up and developed!
Church Staff
Joel Brown | Elder | Lead Pastor
Joel was born in Jerusalem to missionary parents and raised in California. After spending years with one foot in the Seattle music scene and one in the church, it eventually became clear that God was calling him to pastor. Joel has been in vocational ministry for over 20 years. His heart is to serve the church in teaching the story of Jesus in the bible. Joel has been married to Emily for 22 years and they have 17 year old twin daughters, Blythe and Naomi, as well as a 13 year old son, Eli. He loves to cook, write and record music, hike, and build relationships, always seeking to explore and share the beauty that God has made in people and in the world.
David Lee | Elder | Executive Pastor
David grew up in downtown Los Angeles and attended the University of California, San Diego where he earned his BA in Economics. David later went on to earn his Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary while pursuing his call in ministry for 15 years, before moving up to Seattle in 2013. David and his wife, Christine, have three kids—Joseph, Nathan, and Karis. David enjoys watching football and basketball. One of his favorite books is D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ Sermon on the Mount.
Bill Clem | Deacon | Family Ministry Director
Bill was born in Portland, OR and has spent most of his life on the west coast. The son of a pastor, Bill swore he would never be in full time ministry but has dedicated his life to Jesus, and His words “not my will but yours be done” took on a special meaning when God called him to youth ministry in 2003. After several enrollments to various universities that were interrupted by life circumstances, he finished his BA in Business and Human Resource Management and is working on his MA in Applied Biblical Leadership from Western Seminary. Bill has been married to his wife Jenna for over 19 years and they have 4 children; Abby, Olivia, Mae, and Will. He likes to cook, watch movies, play board games, and is a collector of fine puns and dad jokes.
Nick Del Degan | Deacon | Worship Director
Nick is a pacific northwest native, who spent most of his life in Carnation, WA. He received his BA in Music Ministry from Northwest University and is currently working on his MA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Western Seminary. Nick and his wife, Kirsten, share a love for deep, meaningful community and gnocchi. Nick is passionate about seeing the western Church mature in biblical literacy and theology, and believes that music ministry is a vital part in seeing this vision come to fruition. When he’s not hanging out with his wife, or studying, or playing music, Nick loves a competitive game of pickleball, golf and or spikeball. One of his favorite books is St. Augustine's Confessions.
Tawni Miller | Administrative Assistant & Communications Director
Tawni was born in Los Angeles and raised in Yucaipa, CA. In 1995 she graduated from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA earning her M.Ed. in Speech Pathology and moved to the Seattle area. She owns a private practice, KidsTalk Therapy, in Puyallup and loves serving as a ministry lead alongside her husband, Spencer, at Celebrate Recovery in Sumner, WA. She has been married to Spencer for almost 14 years and they have 4 adult children and 1 son in law between the 2 of them. She’s been volunteering with communications at Trinity for about a year and felt called into coming on staff on a more consistent basis. She enjoys planning and organizing events, creating digital content, and discipling women and helping them grow in their walk with Christ. She loves cooking, traveling with her husband, exercising, and playing games (especially with their kids and Community Group!)
Elders, Deacons & Advisors
Shan Applin | Elder
Greg Magdsick | Elder
Christine Lee | Deacon | Advisor to the Elders
Brandy Langfitt | Deacon | Advisor to the Elders
Additional Leaders
In addition to those who we’ve had a chance to snap a photo of above, there are many leaders who help support the health and wellbeing of Trinity. We could not do ministry without them!
Board of Directors (role: Financial accountibility; Office: deacon)
Dan Blagovich
Brandy Langfitt
Denise Miller
Rick Grimes
Jim Thomas
other deacons (roles: group leadership, teachers, and service team leadership)
Aaron Luoma
Sarah Luoma
Debbie Blagovich
Fraser Ratzlaff
Holly Ratzlaff
Paula Thomas
Jan Oehlschlaeger-Browne
Stephen Dziadosz
Barney Giles
Barb Giles
Jen Gagne
Shauna Applin | Deacon
Melissa Magdsick | Deacon | Advisor to the Elders