Leadership

Pastor & Staff

C.J. Young

Senior Pastor

I grew up in Port Orchard, and my family attended Adventure (then South Kitsap Presbyterian Church) since the mid-’80’s. After high school, I was hired by Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and went through their apprenticeship program learning how to become a Nuclear Marine Electrician. While working, I continued going to school nights and weekends and eventually graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in Education. My wife and I moved to San Jose, CA, and I taught at an inner-city school for several years before being called back to serve at the church I grew up in, where I eventually became a staff member. I went to seminary at Multnomah Biblical Seminary and received a Masters in Divinity, and was ordained a few years after graduating.  

I’m a passionate Bible nerd who loves being outdoors, hiking, reading, writing, and camping with my family. I’ve been blessed with a beautiful wife, Jennifer, three rambunctious boys Jack, Henry, and Calvin, and our daughter Joanna Grace (plus we have two bonus daughters, Haley(and her husband, Max) and Allyson). At my core, I’m a dime-a-dozen disciple trying desperately to pay attention to God’s divine work in the everyday moments of our lives because I believe that knowing Christ’s character and seeing His movements in our daily lives draws us all into organic worship of Him.

Candice Brady

Church Operations Director & Connections Director

Hi my name is Candice Brady. I am the Church Operations Director at Adventure of Faith. I love that I get to follow Jesus with others and help provide support, encouragement, and guidance to our biblical community at Adventure as we all follow the mission God has called us on.

My whole family, my husband, Robert and my two teenage daughters, Emma and Lily, love to serve at Adventure. This is our biblical community and church family. We also enjoy playing games, spending time with friends and family, and enjoying the beautiful place we live by getting outdoors. We are grateful that God has called us to Adventure and we get to serve alongside one another and our biblical community where God is calling.

Jennifer Young

Next Generation Ministries Co-Director & Outreach Director

I’m the outreach director at Adventure because I believe that we are all called to mission as Christ-followers. Our missions all look different; for some, that means going overseas. For others, it means going across the street. My mission field (and yours) lies between our own two feet, wherever they may land. As the director, my passion and calling are to help equip and encourage people to pursue this mission to make disciples. Global, local, in their own families- I am passionate about helping people prioritize mission and live as people who make disciples as they go about their day-to-day lives.

On a personal level, I am a wife (to my high school sweetheart, CJ), a mom to a total of three daughters, three sons and a son-in-law, grandparent of a lovely little girl, a chiropractor, and an average foodie. I love to spend time entertaining and celebrating with people. I also love the outdoors and traveling. If there is an adventure to be had, I’m down for it!

Janice Ford

Next Generation Ministries Co-Director

Bio Coming Soon!

Tara Haag

Next Generation Ministries Coordinator

Born in California but raised in Colorado, my family and I moved to Washington to be closer to extended family. My husband Darren and I, and our two girls, Penelope and Daisy, love to spend time adventuring around and exploring the PNW in our 1978 Volkswagen bus. We love camping, boating around the Puget Sound, fishing, mushroom hunting, and rock climbing.  I have been attending church since I was in the womb, and I am glad that my family and I found a home church that helps us continue to grow closer to Jesus. I look forward to serving the church and assisting those in our Children’s Ministry as they help teach the next generation of Jesus followers. 

Tami Davenport

Next Generation Ministries Admin Assistant

Bio Coming Soon!

Marita Lawrence

Adventure Preschool Director

I am a born and raised Kitsap County girl, who has a deep love for pickles, diet coke and Jesus. I felt God’s calling as a young child and have devoted much of my life to His ministry and service, in adult and children’s ministry. I love working with kids the most!

I love being the Adventure Preschool Director here at Adventure of Faith. I am very passionate about the teaching and education process. I enjoy being a part of the preschool level of learning, watching them grow academically and spiritually.

My family and I have been in the Port Orchard area for over 20 years, and we love our home community! My Husband, Shawn, our three boys Tanner, Travis and Westlee and I love to go camping and do anything outdoors!

Sam Wilkinson

Creative & Communications Director

It’s appropriate that the word Creative is in my job title, as I think that’s how a lot of people would describe me.  I love the entire creative process from long-winded brainstorming to perfecting the intricate final details as projects come together.  This applies to the smallest endeavors at home like making good food and cakes, to big projects in spaces that use my architectural background.  I love thinking through spaces and creative design with a heart toward serving all who might use it. Specifically at church, in everything from what’s included in our worship services to how we experience the building, I’m invested in being mindful of creating things that point us to God, or are a reflection of where He is calling us as this joyful, messy, Adventure family.  In the same way, you can find me crafting words that aim to communicate well not just what’s going on at Adventure, but how what we are doing stems from the heart of who we are in God and the values he is calling our church toward.

If I’m not working or creating you can find me in the mountains hiking, camping or mountain biking with my husband and our two girls, curled up in a corner somewhere reading a book, dancing and singing in the kitchen to really loud music, watching alltheshows, or spending time with friends and family as much as possible!

Andrea Siedlecki

Worship Lead

My family moved to Port Orchard in 2001, and Adventure of Faith has been an important community for my faith journey ever since. I am blessed to be able to work with an awesome team leading musical worship and praising God on Sunday mornings. During the week I am a middle school band and choir teacher. I love spending time with my husband Zac and our two kids, being outside, going to concerts, reading, and learning new board games. 

Leah Espersen

Worship Technology Lead  & Pastoral Care Coordinator

Hi, I’m Leah Espersen and I am the lead of technology. I love working at Adventure because we are more than coworkers, we are a loving family.   Outside of church I play Pokémon GO with my family.  It takes us on many outdoor adventures.  I also love movies, Funko POPs, bunnies and coffee. 

Mark Jones

Campus Manager

Hello, I’m Mark Jones the campus manager.  I have been part of Adventure’s history for some time and have probably been involved in just about every aspect of ministry work around here in one way or another.  
 
Most people describe me as someone who can’t sit still and that’s pretty true, I like to keep busy.  When I’m not maintaining the campus, you might see me playing games with the kids, just look for the tall guy with a big smile on his face.  I like coming up with fun games to play, sharing them with the kids, and watching them have fun.
 
When I’m not hanging out at the church, you’ll find me spending time with my family, riding my motorcycle, bowling, or camping. 

Alex Espersen

Facilities Assistant

Bio Coming Soon!

Leadership

Elders

Judy Munger

Class of 2025, 2nd term

Spencer Swanberg

Class of 2025

Connie Womack

Class of 2025

Richard Binnington

Class of 2026, 2nd term

Eric Kruse

Class of 2026

Amanda Burns

Class of 2026, 2nd term

Alona Halvorson

Class of 2026

Matt Brown

Class of 2027

Don Van Doornik

Class of 2027

Debi Matheson

Class of 2027, 2nd term

Leadership

Deacons

Mary Pugh

Class of 2025

Norma Gregory

Class of 2025

Karna Thorsby

Class of 2025

Shane Espersen

Class of 2026

Tami Davenport

Class of 2026

Brandon Burns

Class of 2027

Carla Crawford

Class of 2027, 2nd term

Bev Harrell

Susan Rice

Class of 2027
Class of 2027