Elders & Staff

Pastor Pete Rusaw & Amy

Pete Rusaw is the teaching pastor at Wapato Valley church. He is one of the original planters of the church in 1999. He's joyfully married to his wife, Amy, of 15 years and has four children: Annika (10), Linnaea (8), Noah (6) and Moira (2). He also teaches math at Forest Grove High School. His interests include reading, sports and music, and he loves to "exercise" these interests by running, singing, playing guitar, coaching and managing his fantasy baseball teams :-)

Kevin and Janet George

Kevin and Janet George reside a few miles outside of Gaston and have been attending WVC a year after it's beginning. They have three wonderful children and two amazing son in laws, all of them also attend Wapato.

The George's like to travel, be it a jaunt to the coast or a week of exploring Oregon's back roads.

Kevin heads up the finacial team at Wapato as well as assisting John Ashcraft with keeping the building together. Janet loves the little ones and helps in Childrens Church and AWANA, she also assists on the Women's Ministry team. Together they head up Care Connection, Wapato's benevolence ministry that helps meet the church families needs in difficult times.

John and Sherrie Ashcraft

John and Sherrie Ashcraft have been the Commanders of the AWANA program since its inception two years ago. These vibrant grandparents of seven love working with kids each week. The many volunteer leaders who work alongside them are what makes the program run smoothly, drawing around sixty kids to be part of the excitement every Sunday evening.

The Ashcrafts bring a lot of experience to their position. John was a pastor for several decades. When their children were young, the family moved to Nigeria, West Africa, where they served as missionaries for three years. They even lived to tell about it!

John is a teacher at VeritasSchool in Newberg, as well as a piano technician. He plays violin and serves as the Concertmaster for the Hillsboro Symphony. He enjoys improving his golf game every chance he gets.

Sherrie is a writer of Christian fiction and devotionals and is a speaker for women's groups. She's heavily involved in Oregon Christian Writers and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she's not out enjoying the peacefulness of her porch swing, she can be found working in her flower garden. Sherrie has a heart for women and the issues facing them.
Find out more about her writing life by going to www.ashberrylane.net

Greg and Karen Fordyce

They began at Wapato when it was but an idea. Greg is an elder who enjoys being on the worship team, helping with missions at Wapato, dreaming with the young adults, building things and extending his knowledge of the Word and computers. Karen trys to keep up with him and assists where needed. She helps on the Women's Ministry Team (WOW). Both are still in the work force. Greg is a pilot for American Airlines and Karen is a nurse with Allergy Associates. Greg and Karen live in Gaston.

They have 4 children. Karissa, their daughter, and her husband, John, are teachers in South Korea. Casey, their son, and his wife, Laura live a stones throw away. Kaitlyn and Joel are still at home while working at school and jobs. They are all a part of Wapato.

Rob and Susan Dixon

Rob & Susan came to Wapato in the fall of 2006, but had friendships here that go back many years. Rob enjoys his general duties as an elder and particularly his role overseeing the Men’s Ministry and the Greeters & Ushers. Rob’s passion is the practical application of the Word and encouraging others develop and use their God-given talents. Susan supports Rob, keeps the family fires burning, and is on the women’s ministry team. They have lived near Gaston in rural Washington County going on 15 years. Rob works in administration for the City of Hillsboro, and Susan commutes to Sherwood to work part-time for an audiologist.

They have three wonderful daughters. Linnea is a recent Seattle Pacific University graduate with a degree in Visual Communication (graphic design) and has returned to live at home after several years away. Annika is a sophomore at Gordon College, near Boston. Kristina is a senior at Forest Grove high school, and occasionally sings with the worship band.