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’m the Connections Director here at Adventure of Faith Church. God has put biblical community and hospitality on my heart. I love to see and encourage people to connect with one another and grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Along with that, I enjoy feeding people good food.

God has blessed me with my husband, Robert, and my daughters, Emma and Lily. Our family loves to go explore the great outdoors and playing games together. We also enjoy spending quality time with our Lifegroup, friends and our extended families. Our whole family feels called to serving and be a part of the biblical community at Adventure. Thankful for the ability and opportunity for us to each serve how God has called us.

Callie Williamson

Next Generation Ministries Director

For as long as I can remember, working with kids has been a passion of mine. I worked as a special education teacher for 7 years before joining the staff team at Adventure of Faith. While teaching, I volunteered in Children's Ministries on Sundays, Wednesdays, and served as VBS Director, and was then asked to be an elder. God has stirred in my heart a desire to support families as they nurture their children's spiritual growth. In my role as Next Generation Ministries Director, I get to prayerfully consider how to minister to our tiniest babies, young children, teens, parents, and volunteer leaders.

The Navy brought my husband, Cory, and I from Indiana all the way to Washington in 2012, and we fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. Since moving here, our family has grown to include our sons, Silas and Isaac, and our daughter, Rosie. I would consider my family fun and adventurous, mostly due to my husband's love of spontaneity and exploring! You can often find us cheering our boys on at the baseball fields, hiking and camping, and connecting with our neighbors at our neighborhood playground.

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!

Cory Williamson

Director of Adult Ministries

Hello, I'm Cory. I grew up in Indiana but have grown very fond of the Pacific NorthWest. I love to be outdoors and in the woods exploring, both by myself or with my family. In addition to the woods, I love the water, and was a competitive swimmer until I graduated high school. On top of my volunteer position here at Adventure, I have a full-time job with the Tacoma School District in their technology department supporting students and staff with their technology needs.

Deciding to become the Adult Ministries director was a huge step in Faith for me. However, learning to take that first step into what God has called me to be, has transformed my life for the better. My hope is that I can encourage others to do the same, to take that step, by listening to and following what Jesus has truly called us to be.

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. 

Leslie Fetters

Financial Administrator

I’m the church’s Financial Administrator now and I’ve stepped into big (beautiful) shoes. This job is a perfect blend of mundane financial tasks combined with the overarching challenge of protecting & nurturing the incredible blessing our church is to its members, visitors and Port Orchard community.  Adventure is an amazing place and I feel blessed to serve on staff.  When not at church, I spend time with my young adult daughters, my hubby and our multitude of pets. I enjoy all types of organizing, eating my husband's kitchen creations, reading WWII historical fiction, watching Bella's equestrian vaulting and cuddling with our multitude of pets.

Jennifer Young

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, 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!

Tanya Hawkins

Cafe Lead

I've been a member of Adventure for 20 years, I have 4 children that are or have all attended Adventure, I have been involved in Mazatlan mission team for the last 4 years and took over leading the team 2 years ago. I'm also the sponsorship coordinator for both Senegal, Africa and Mazatlan, Mexico. This year the Mazatlan team has taken over running the Cafe/coffee, we look forward to serving our church community in this way.  I love gardening and hanging out with my friends as often as i can. My family enjoys kayaking and camping as much as we can. 

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. 

Leadership

Elders

Norm Ford

Class of 2024

Rebecka Greene

Class of 2024

Chris Kramer

Class of 2024, 2nd term

Debi Matheson

Class of 2024

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

Leadership

Deacons

Barbara Corcoran

Class of 2024

Carla Crawford

Class of 2024

Craig Henderson

Class of 2024

Mary Pugh

Class of 2025

Charles Greene

Class of 2025, 2nd term

Norma Gregory

Class of 2025

Karna Thorsby

Class of 2025

Shane Espersen

Class of 2026

Genevieve Donnelly

Class of 2026, 2nd term

McKenna Payne

Class of 2026

Tami Davenport

Class of 2026