2025 Annual report

While I was only with Grace of Christ for one quarter of 2025, already I am happy to report a vibrant welcome to the community. Every pastoral transition involves some changes, some loss, some gain, some trepidation, and some excitement. New things are coming in 2026. But I have been regularly impressed with the people of Grace. This is a community that is dedicated to the mission of Jesus Christ in our wider Yakima Valley, and that is very evident throughout this report.

I am thankful for Curt McFarland's shepherding of this congregation into this season of transition. He has clearly done much to prepare you all to welcome a new season, and our brief overlap provided some much-needed transfer of trust not only with the staff, but with the congregation, and with other pastors and ministries in the community.

While now is not quite the time to present a new vision from 2026 into the future--that will come after the Session works through a thorough process, I am confident that the future of Grace is bright because the faithfulness of so many here is so evident. We will be looking into how to coordinate our efforts and resources, how to reach the community around the church building, and how we can create a community of reconciliation that spans age, culture, and socioeconomics. All of these things already fill our building every week, thanks to you all.

I began my work here preaching about the church as:
   The people of God
   On the mission of God who is reconciling all things to himself
   Becoming the Image of God in Christ
   Through the Power of the Holy Spirit
   For the glory of God

This definition of the church notably helps us understand that our building, our staff, our rich heritage are all gifts and resources we bring to the feet of Jesus, to sow them as seeds to produce a rich harvest of a new generation of believers here in Yakima. That means I'm aiming to equip you to be ambassadors of Christ that can see Grace of Christ as an embassy of the kingdom of God. In a time of low trust in national institutions, in media and social media, in the norms of the late 20th century, what better opportunity is there to rebuild a local community built on the love and trust of Jesus Christ right here and now?

I'm excited about our future together!
Rev. Dr. Gregory Wagenfuhr


Our mission at Grace is to love Jesus, love our city, and grow together in community.
We are a JESUS Church, JESUS people | The Bible is our ultimate authority for life and faith | In Prayer we listen to, and seek to live in tune with, the Holy Spirit | We Pursue Community by intentional and honest relationships | We sacrificially serve Our City and Valley
Vision Statement ~ Every person transformed by God’s Power and Love

ELDER BOARD 2025
Doug Bernd*, Aaron Dalan, Michele Elledge, Larry Hasen, Ana Lucas Garcia, Shane Merrill*, Joe Park, Robin Stuber*, Dennis Whitcher*, Curt McFarland (Moderator through August 2025), Gregory Wagenfuhr (Moderator beginning September 2025)
Jeff Arkills** Clerk of Session, and Ericka Clark Scribe

*Term ended in December 2025; **Jeff stepped down as Clerk (11 years) in November 2025. The church and elder board appreciate their service, leading our church, listening for the Lord’s direction, and sharing the love of Jesus with our church family and community.
 
New Elders in 2026: John Adkison, Bruce Drollinger, Eric Gustafson, Janet Krieger, and Rich Millet. Rich is serving as the Clerk of Session.

2024 BOARD OF DEACONS:
Moderator Peggy Steere; Brian and Stephanie Ahlgren, Patty Arkills, Jeanne Breeding, Todd and Terri Buchanan, Janet Doty, Edith Figueroa-Gonzalez, Dave Geho, Larry Handy, Todd Hunziker, Cal Jansen, Randy & Robbie Johnson, Ginger McIlvanie, Jean McKitrick, Jim and Marily Noel, Deb Russell, Jean Schiewe, Becky St. John, Bruce Whitmore, Diane Williams, and Kathy Zeigler.

2025 NOMINATING COMMITTEE BOARD:
Chair - Linda Mathews, Ellen Bartelli, Janet Doty (Deacon Rep), Carla Kupp, Jake Weber (deceased Sept 2025), and Cathy Campbell.

“Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 

Deacon Moderator - Peggy Steere, Deacon Reps for Communion Set Up - Randy & Robbie Johnson, and Deacon Reps for Serving Communion - Ginger McIlvanie and Todd Hunziker

Deacon Board 2025 - Brian and Stephanie Ahlgren, Patty Arkills, Jeanne Breeding, Todd and Terri Buchanan, Janet Doty, Edith Figueroa-Gonzalez, Dave Geho, Larry Handy, Todd Hunziker, Cal Jansen, Randy & Robbie Johnson, Ginger McIlvanie, Jean McKitrick, Jim and Marily Noel, Deb Russell, Jean Schiewe, Becky St. John, Peggy Steere, Bruce Whitmore, Diane Williams, and Kathy Zeigler.

2025 was a season of preparation and transition to ensure that as individuals move in and out of the ministry, the core functions of the ministry are not interrupted. We identified key tasks, wrote a job description and assigned a deacon to take leadership of that task. In the end, a diverse and robust Deacon Leadership Team was formed.

We continued serving the people of Grace through our three pillars of service.

1. Celebration of Life and Special Events – We hosted 14 Celebration of Life Events and three Grace of Christ Wednesday Dinners.

2.  Communion - Deacons continued to serve alongside the elders in serving communion.  Communion was offered to many of our Home Centered members.

3.  Encouragement Ministry-34 people of Grace were visited, sent cards or received a phone call monthly. In December we delivered 14 Amaryllis live bulbs to families who had lost a loved one this year in their memory, and 48 Christmas gifts to shut ins.

We are grateful that Dorothy Stotz, Mike Ojanen, Matt Miles, Kathy Mathison, Siege Daniel, and Nancy Gustafson accepted the call of being a Deacon. The 2026, 24-member Deacon Ministry will be led by Stephanie Ahlgren as the Deacon Moderator.  

~  Submitted by Peggy Steere

Personnel Committee: Larry Hasen, Joe Park, Robin Stuber, Peggy Schaffer, and Pastors Curt McFarland and Gregory Wagenfuhr

Meetings held first Monday of the month - 10:00 – Library.

As a committee, we continue to emphasize the importance of confidentiality and the encouraging, affirming, and honoring each staff member while supporting and communicating with the pastor.

• Duncan McRayde stepped down from Personnel and Larry Hasen was welcomed to the team. Larry also served as liaison to Session.
• We continued with our staff guest interviews each month, giving them an opportunity to share their challenges and successes.
• We continued reviewing staff evaluations.
• Held ongoing discussions of staffing situations, review of projected model financial chart and reserve funds.
• With Session’s approval, dismissed an employee based upon concerns for a healthy environment in the workplace.
• Accepted the resignation letter from Dr. Jon Waite (effective June 30, 2025). Anne Schilperoort agreed to step into the organist/pianist position.
• Continued working with Business Manager Tammy Nunley on staff projection possibilities, future transitions, and possible salary projections.
• Attended quarterly joint meetings with BMT to discuss staffing and Grace of Christ’s financial status.
• Discussed Personnel Committee’s role, purpose and responsibility of the committee, how we will recruit new members and how we might serve the new pastor.
• Expressed our appreciation to Pastor Curt for his years of working so closely with Personnel. Personnel completed his evaluation and completed an exit interview.

• Robin Stuber and Joe Park joined the committee in August. We welcomed our new pastor Gregory Wagenfuhr. First official meeting was held in September.
• With Session’s approval, we finalized a Voluntary Leave Donation and Paid Time Off (PTO) program to be included in the Personnel handbook. Tammy created a form to be used for this purpose.
• A custodial employee requested a meeting with Personnel. After the discussion, he stated his decision to turn in his two-week notice, which was accepted. Joe and Tammy worked on restructuring the position before rehiring.
• Staff job descriptions continue to be reviewed by Robin and Larry.
• Joe Park stepped down from Personnel at the end of December.
• Pastor Gregory discussed plans for yearly staff performance reviews. Goal is to review within one month of hire date.

We continue to “be devoted to one another in love.”
~ Peggy Schaffer, Personnel Committee Chair

Full Time
Dan Barela - Landscaping/Custodian (Retired December 2025)
Marcus Barela – Custodian (Service concluded September 2025)
Kara Candid – Student Ministries Director
Ericka Clark – Pastor’s Administrative Assistant
Sarah Huck – Family and Children’s Ministry Director
Curt McFarland – Lead Pastor (through September 2025)
Debbie Meyers – Director of Worship and Technology
Tammy Nunley – Business Manager
Gregory Wagenfuhr – Lead Pastor (Began August 2025)
John Yolo – Facilities Manager

Part Time
Ryan Albertson – Custodian (Began September 2025)
Amaya Aparicio – Preschool Teacher
Jennifer Brice – Childcare/Wedding Coordinator
Aaron Brown – (Service concluded April 2025)
Elise Bukowiec – Childcare
Stephen Dalton – Custodian (Began September 2025)
Jahzeel Garcia-Figueroa – Student Ministry Assistant
Nathan Gross – Contemporary Worship Director
Grace Johnson – Childcare
Becca Mailand – Preschool Directory / Front Office Admin
Amber Miller – Preschool Teacher
Gracie Miller – Childcare
Maddie Miller - Childcare
Monte Schilperoort – Custodian (Began September 2025)
Anne Schilperoort – Organist/Pianist (Began March 2025)
Jon Waite – Organist/Pianist (Retired June 2025)
Jason Wickson – Traditional Worship Director

Mark Baldwin, Janet Krieger, Tammy Nunley, Joe Park, Dennis Witcher, Curt McFarland, and Gregory Wagenfuhr

As 2025 ended we gave thanks to our God for the generous response of His people to support the mission and ministry of Grace and for the staff and ministry teams of Grace who served in love and with thoughtful stewardship.

Pledges and year end gifts received this year were generous and allowed us to close the year with a positive bottom line.  Other contributions, which include unpledged amounts, were at 85% of our budgeted goal.

As Pastor Curt stepped down from his pastoral role at Grace, with the provision of a nine-month severance package to support his transition, we welcomed Pastor Gregory and his family to our faith community.  Monies from our Reserve Account, or savings, are used to pay out the severance.

This past year again found Grace with significant expenses for building maintenance. Maintenance projects included:

• Upgrade of the choir loft lighting was accomplished for $15,000.00 with the cost being paid using Reserve/Savings dollars and Foundation support.
• Installation of an auto start system for the furnace at a cost of $20.00.
• Replacement of the boiler tank was completed at a cost of $47,924.00.
• Replacement of the AC compressors and duct work in the Sanctuary and Garden Room at a cost of $170,470.00; Foundation will support $50,000 of this cost. This work has begun and will be completed during the spring of 2026; an initial payment of $45,000.00 has been made with final billing to be received upon project completion.
• Establishment of a maintenance agreement with MacDonald-Miller to provide semi-annual mechanical systems maintenance for an annual fee of $9,504.00 + tax. There are eighteen mechanical units/systems in the church including air handling units, condensing units and boilers. Business Ministry concluded this arrangement to be beneficial to Grace by maintaining our systems on a regular basis rather than waiting for catastrophic failures. 
• A comprehensive electrical facility walk-thru, to assess existing conditions and potential repairs/upgrades, was completed. Business Ministry reviewed the repairs recommended and approved moving forward with the Thermal Image Report, Emergency Exit Lighting, and Replacement of Disconnect in switchboard at a cost of $4,500.
• Replacement of the sanctuary ceiling fans was identified as a needed facility upgrade. Cost was $4,824.00 + tax.

The sanctuary speaker system required repair; estimated cost of repairs $1,00.00-1,500.00. In the interim speakers were rented at a cost of $360.00 per week for a total of $780.

During this past year the Business Ministry approved use of budgeted dollars as follows:

• $6,000.00 financial support of Grace’s Preschool.
• $5,000.00 financial support to Camp Ghormley.

Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. Ephesians 3:20

~ Janet Krieger BMT and Tammy Nunley Business Manager

The Foundation, with the help of its board, has been privileged to assist in providing help through your financial gifts.

Education: Scholarship funding to students enrolled in Christian colleges.

Ghormley: We continue to provide funding to assist in maintaining the camp facilities.

Grace Facilities: The present church building will be celebrating its 100th birthday this year. The building of the present church was started in 1925. While it took several years to complete, it has continued to provide a viable facility. Over the years the Foundation has been able to provide the resources needed to maintain and upgrade the building. This year we are replacing the heating and air conditioning systems in the sanctuary and garden room. These systems have reached the end of their lives and with the new equipment we anticipate being better able to provide efficient comfortable environment. We have also purchased a snow blade for the tractor to do our own snow removal in the future. We helped with the completion of the new Administration building at Ghormley Meadow with a fire alarm monitoring system.

2025 Board Members: Marshall Grove, Linda Drumhiller, Sue Stolzenbach, Dottie Hildebrand, Jake Kupp, Rich Millet, Mark Baldwin, Tim Drumhiller, Bruce Drollinger, Eric Gustafson, and Joe Park.

The continued support by you, congregation members, help provide the resources needed to provide the funding requested. If you would like more information on how you can help these ministries grow, please contact the Church office, or one of the board members can respond to your questions.
The Foundation plays a significant role in maintaining the church facilities and would appreciate your continued support.

~ Joe Park, Chairman

Guiding Principles for the Great Commission Fund - An Endowment for Perpetuity

Purpose – The purpose of the fund is 3-fold:

1. Produce young missionaries from Yakima
2. Partially Fund Grace of Christ Members to the mission field
3. Support Local and Global Missions

The Great Commission Fund is based on Matthew 28:19-20 “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Distribution of Gifts:  The Mission Ministry Team receives applications from April 1 to March 30. The MMT decides on which applications meet our criteria, and by June 1 decide how much of last year’s interest gained should be given and to whom.

Recent Giving:  In Spring 2025, we gave grants of $3500 to Jahzeel Garcia-Figueroa for her mission with Young Life at Davis High School. We sent $3500 to Ann Marie Hausler from Sacred Road for their mission in and around White Swan. The final gift was for $1000 to Jasmine Barriga for her mission work at the Madison House.

On-going discussion on what amount to give. The amount of money given each year will be 5% of the amount in the fund on 12.31.2025.

Financial Perspective:  There is $240,000 invested with Morgan Stanley through the Church Foundation. There is also a Legacy Fund of $275,000 in people’s wills.

History of Giving:
2021       $5,000 given
2022       None given
2023       $1,400
2024       None given
2025       $8000 given.
2026       about $12,000 will be given this spring.

Warmly ~ Don Stuber

The Children’s and Family Ministry exists to nurture the spiritual growth of our youngest members and support families in building Christ-centered homes. Every dollar invested in this ministry goes directly toward creating safe, engaging, and spiritually enriching environments for children and their families. Our budget supports curriculum materials, supplies for Sunday school and midweek programs, snacks, outreach events, volunteer training, and safety resources such as background checks and classroom equipment.

One of the most exciting aspects of this ministry is the potential for long-term impact. We are not just teaching Bible stories; we are planting seeds of faith that will grow for a lifetime. Looking ahead, I’m thrilled about the possibilities of expanding our programming to include family discipleship opportunities, parent workshops, and intergenerational service opportunities. These initiatives will help bridge the gap between church and home, empowering parents to be the primary spiritual leaders in their children’s lives. I envision the ministry growing in both depth and reach. I would love to see more small group opportunities for kids, where they can build deeper relationships with peers and mentors. I also hope to develop a stronger partnership with parents through regular communication, resources, and events that equip them to disciple their children throughout the week. Additionally, expanding our special needs ministry is a priority, ensuring every child feels welcomed and valued.

We’ve already seen beautiful fruit from this ministry. One recent encouraging moment came from a second grader in our Sunday school program. During our prayer time, we encouraged the kids to pray for one another out loud in a small group. A few Sundays ago, the child shared that they had started praying for a classmate at school who was going through a hard time. Not only that, they had asked their friend if they could pray with them right there during recess. When I asked this child how she was able to be so brave, she said, ‘I knew I could do it because I practiced praying for my friends at church.’ This is the heart of our ministry: equipping children not just with knowledge, but with the confidence and faith to live it out. It’s a beautiful reminder that what happens in our classrooms on Sunday mornings is preparing kids to be light in their everyday lives.

These stories remind us that God is at work in powerful ways through even the smallest moments.

However, to continue growing and deepening our impact, we need more volunteers. We are currently seeking help in the following areas:

• Sunday School Teachers and Assistants (especially for elementary)
• Check-in and Welcome Team to greet families and ensure a smooth start to their morning
• Midweek Program Leaders for Bible clubs and discipleship groups
• Event Helpers for seasonal outreach and family nights
• Prayer Partners to cover our children, families, and volunteers in prayer

At the heart of everything we do is a focus on relationship formation. We believe that discipleship happens best in the context of trusted relationships—between children and leaders, between families and the church, and ultimately between each person and Jesus. Our goal is not just to teach information but to cultivate transformation through connection, consistency, and care. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. Together, we are raising up a generation that knows, loves, and follows Jesus.

~ Sarah Huck, Director of Family & Children’s Ministries

God mysteriously and miraculously used all of my personal struggles in 2025 to continue to bring health, connection, growth, healing and freedom to our youth and young adult communities.

My need for sabbatical in February resulted in an opportunity for our Interns to rise to the occasion and demonstrate just how capable and strong their abilities to lead and connect with our students have become.

My emotional tank being low resulted in less special events this past Spring and Summer, but in its stead, there arose more vulnerability in connections with the youth and young adults; which in turn created a more relaxed and trusting atmosphere among the group. Some of the fruits of this were the Spring term “High School Club” that experienced about 8-10 weeks of connection, bonding, growth and cohesion in Christ as we received from God’s truth and love and from what each other had to offer.  Also, it opened the door to begin talks with Young Life about a more intentional effort to embrace Davis Highschool as our neighbor, beginning to spend regular time in outreach to those students.

The need to continue to focus more of my energies on personal areas in the Fall meant a forced growth into empowerment and delegation. This has meant our Middle School community has become a powerful entity all its own; with Jahzeel and the interns excelling in ownership and creativity and problem-solving skills to adapt and nurture the explosion in numbers on Sunday mornings. Our interns have also received more authority and expanded their impact as I’ve leaned into them with increasing trust. We now have regular involvement from our School of Ministry and Leadership (Intern program) in the 9am service through Ushers and Greeters, on the Tech team with Debbie assisting with visual, video and sound engineering, as well as consistent co-leaders in the middle school room with Jahzeel.

While I am omitting many more praiseworthy details for the sake of succinctness, the summation of 2025 has generally taken the shape of: “Doing less, Trusting more and Connecting at a deeper level”. We have allowed the “extra stuff” to fall away and have found we enjoy more quality connections when we can spend our time investing more in the relationships than in the logistics. We have also experienced more life and diversity through expanding our trust in our leadership rather than Jahzeel and I doing so much ourselves. We are trusting more in God’s being at work in our youth and young adults lives, lessening the pressure on us to do things “just so” in order to be “successful”. We are focusing more on quality connections and care for our parents in the process; inviting our high schoolers to become involved in directing our community; as well as putting more time into training and guiding our interns and adult leaders.
 
Grace Youth and Young Adults continue to focus on “Connection with God and Connection with Each Other”; but 2025 has seen this shift much more from the “how” of this to the “who” of this; and we are grateful for God’s push in a more trusting, compassionate and sustainable direction.

~ Kara Candid

Self-Supported: The Grace of Christ Intern Program supports students in multiple meaningful ways:

• Tuition Assistance: We cover nearly half of each student’s tuition at Northwest University, providing $4,500 per year toward their education.
• Personalized Mentorship: Larissa Belknap, our Program Director, guides students through their studies, reading assignments, and available assistance programs at Northwest. She builds deep, personal relationships by meeting weekly with each student.
• School of Ministry and Leadership (SML): Students attend SML on Tuesdays, where ministry experts from across Yakima teach practical tools for lifelong ministry.
• Ministry Leadership: Interns take leadership roles in our student ministries under the guidance of Kara Candid, our Director of Student Ministries.

Future Plans: We are expanding the program to collaborate with other churches that have interns. These students will be invited to join our SML (School of Ministry and Leadership) experience, gaining the same ministry tools to use in their communities.

Impact and Fruit of the Ministry: Since the program’s inception two years ago, four students have served as interns. Two of them have completed their degrees at Northwest University and are actively serving the Yakima community by providing aid to those in need. For the 2025–2026 school year, three new interns have joined, and two returning interns are in their third year of ministry with our youth group. All interns serve as ushers and greeters, fostering meaningful connections with church members. Our vision is for interns to remain in Yakima, using their ministry hearts to positively impact the community.

Kara Candid’s role has grown exponentially thanks to the combined strength of our interns. She disciples students through hands-on ministry during Tuesday and Wednesday nights, as well as Sunday Club. Kara provides gentle correction and guidance to support their growth into responsible, ministry-minded adults. Along with Larissa, she takes interns on retreats several times a year for spiritual and personal development.

Funding: The Intern Program operates independently of the church’s general budget. Funding is raised by the Intern Board, which began the year with a $40,000 surplus. Contributions from the Stewardship Campaign are not required and will not be used to support this program in 2025–2026.

Larissa Belknap – Director; Linda Camarillo (Graduated in Dec 2025), Alexandria Moran (Graduated in Dec 2025), Elias Westfall, Belen Vazquez, and Jazmine Barriga

~ Submitted by Don Stuber, Intern Committee Chair

Registration for 2026-27 is right around the corner and I continue to stand in awe of how God draws families to our preschool. The community we have made with the students who come year after year is encouraging.

Currently, our preschool is serving 16 families. This group is made up of families who attend Grace of Christ, families who have had students here previously, or were students themselves so many years ago. We have several families that walked in off the street or came to use through word-of-mouth.
 
Even though we are only here on the weekdays, we work in tandem with a lot of other ministries at Grace of Christ. Many of our families attend other activities here, like Starry Starry Nights, Trunk or Treat, and Christmas Eve services. One of my goals is to continue to find ways to connect families to what is happening in our Church community.

Each year we pray for our little school and wisdom for moving it forward. It is easy to get caught up in nostalgia of the past, when we had students tucked in every nook and cranny. We look at the lower enrollment and can feel downhearted. But with each new year and new group of students, we remember that Jesus came for the least of these. That we are called to serve and to teach, whether our enrollment is 80 kids or eight.  

So, with light hearts and hopeful plans, we prepare for this coming year, and all God is doing and prepared to do in our ministry.

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.  Isaiah 43:18-19

Preschool Staff: Becca Mailand (Director); Amber Miller (Lead Teacher); Amiya Aparicio (Assistant Teacher)  

Preschool Board: Robin Stuber (Board Chair); Darlene Fairbrook, Jean Schiewe, and Carla Kupp.  

~ Becca Mailand, Director of Preschool

Mission Ministry Team 2025: Rosanne Bacon, Michele Elledge, Pat Erickson, Donnie Ide, Curt McFarland, Joyce Sagare, Don Stuber, and Rebecca Whitmore.

The Missions Ministry Team of Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church proudly represents the missions we support to you, the Body of Christ. Two questions we frequently ask are: 1) Is our support of this mission or missionary directly elevating the passion for and personal involvement in Christian mission? 2) Is our support of this mission or missionary helping people know and follow Jesus? We believe that Grace of Christ’s missions meet these criteria.

Mission support begins at home, so with the resources God provides through you, we are able in turn to help fund numerous ministries in Yakima and the Valley. The Yakima Union Gospel Mission, which was founded by this church, is helping people move from homelessness to wholeness, giving them the opportunity to have their lives transformed in Jesus Christ. We also have a longstanding relationship with the Trailseekers program, which focuses on the Bible and its teachings, and builds relationships with underserved children and their families. Madison House, staffed by our own Gerardo Mendoza and assisted by intern Jasmine Barriga and others, helps kids after school with homework, fun activities, food, and a safe place to just be kids. Our Adams Elementary School ministry, led by Tom Oliva and Jake Kupp, maintain connections with staff, students, and families, building relationships week by week through reading mentors and special events, including the Adams Giving Tree. We also support Sacred Road Ministries in the White Swan area as they minister to families in need on the Yakama Reservation, providing tangible help along with spiritual encouragement and hope as they teach about Jesus through their youth programs and church on Sundays. These are just some of the local missions we support.

Each mission we support globally has roots in our church or in the Yakima Valley. The funds we provide directly to global missions supports their ability to share the Gospel and carry out the mission to which God has called them. You saw their testimonies on Missions Sunday, October 12th. If you missed those videos, go back and watch them online!

Every mission we support invites you to visit and get involved. This year we have taken groups on tours of YUGM, Sacred Road, and Madison House. Many of you have helped at Adams Elementary events. Most every year, some travel to our global partners, and the welcome door is always open, if you would like to go! Our motto is “Find your mission! Find your passion!” What excites us about future possibilities in missions is seeing every single person in our church personally connected to and praying regularly for at least one local mission and one international mission. We envision every person eager to learn more and growing in their understanding of God’s heart for the nations.

The fruit of our Missions Ministry Team is in those we support, as well as in our own hearts as we are drawn closer to Jesus Christ because we are involved in His mission for His glory.

~ The Missions Ministry Team

Hospitality Ministry Team 2025: Linda Mathews, Cathy Campbell, Joann Benson, Linda Drumhiller, Donnie Ide, Debbie Meyers, Diane Smith, and David Whiteside.

The Hospitality team engaged in several activities this late summer and fall season. We celebrated Pastor Curt and Kathaleen’s love and service to the Grace of Christ Family. We welcomed the Wagenfuhr family in September and celebrated the Installation of Pastor Gregory with an appetizer and dessert buffet.

The team participated in Trunk or Treat serving hot cocoa to the attendees. In November we brought pumpkins, gourds and plants to the sanctuary steps. We celebrated baptisms that Sunday as well! Many volunteers prepared for the church Thanksgiving Potluck with wonderful turkey and side dishes. It is always a joy to bring the family together. We had a wonderful crew unpack and set out the Christmas/Advent decorations. Everything sparkled with expectation and joy to celebrate the Birth of Jesus.

Our dear friend Dave Whiteside would like to step away from being the lead on refreshments. We need someone to take his place. Please add to your prayers renewed energy and volunteers to participate in this valuable ministry.

~ Linda Mathews and Cathy Campbell

Rosebuds (six) in honor of the birth of a child, or grandchild: Sadie Whitehead, Camilo Kreiger, Every Whitmore, Grant Rosenkranz, Andrew Mannin and Karizmah Mata. Two children received a Blessing (formerly known as dedication) - Ezequiel Blanco and Azelyah Garcia. Six Baptisms by Sprinkling: Kennedy Bacon, Sieghild Daniel, Hailey Auve, Adelia Wagenfuhr Prieto, Amy Brownlee, and Danny Lowman. Two Baptisms by Immersion: Damien Santos and Sofia Rivera

We had a total of four new Covenant Partners: Amy Brownlee, Chuck Davis, Joy Davis, and Carol Gunzel. We have an active quilting team who cut and sew the quilts for our infants, consisting of Joyce Young, Sharon Chard, Donna Fuhlman and myself. Our hostesses and photographers who work on our committee include Diane Smith, Pat Ehls, Sheryl Graham, Linda Mathews, Sharon Chard, Ericka Clark and John Benson. It has been our pleasure and privilege to serve these 20 families this year.

~ Joann Benson, Committee Chair  

At Grace of Christ, we believe the Church is not a building but a living community of believers — people transformed and continually being transformed by the love of Jesus. The Technology Ministry plays a vital role in helping that transformation reach far beyond the sanctuary and into homes, hospitals, workplaces, and hearts throughout Yakima and beyond.

In today’s world, technology is a powerful tool for connection, clarity, and communication. Our Technology Ministry ensures that every worship service is accessible, engaging, and distraction-free, allowing people to fully participate in worship and encounter Christ. Through sound reinforcement, projection, lighting, livestream broadcasting, and digital support, our team works behind the scenes to create an environment where the message of Jesus can be heard and experienced with excellence and reliability.

For those who cannot attend in person — homebound, traveling members, families with sick children, and new seekers exploring faith — our livestream can provide a lifeline. It carries the warmth, authenticity, and Spirit-filled worship of Grace directly into their homes, reminding them that they remain part of the body of Christ. Every camera angle, audio mix, and slide is prepared with the belief that even one moment of clarity can open the door to God’s transforming love. Technology also supports discipleship during the week. Through digital communication, online resources, sermon archives, online giving and event registration and social media, we extend the ministry of Grace beyond Sunday mornings. These platforms help people stay connected to Scripture, to one another, and to the mission God has given us. The Technology Ministry is more than equipment and cables — it is a ministry of service, hospitality, and stewardship.

Our volunteers and staff embody the vision of the Church as a living people, generously using their gifts to help others see, hear, and respond to Jesus. When technology is executed with excellence and humility, it disappears into the background, allowing the message of the Gospel to shine with clarity. In all these ways, the Technology Ministry supports the vision of Grace of Christ Yakima by helping every person — near or far — encounter the transforming love of Jesus through His Church.

Join Us! Now is a great time to connect with our Tech Team. Won’t you consider joining the team? Please connect with Debbie Meyers at 248-7940 x109.

~ Debbie Meyers

Our Core Values at Grace of Christ state, “In Prayer we listen to, and seek to live in tune with, the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus tells us in His word that he wants His church (the body of Christ) to be a House of Prayer (Isaiah 56:7 & Mark 11:17). This has been the vision of the Grace Prayer Ministry for many years. This ministry is currently without a leader or an active committee, but prayer continues to be a high priority within each facet of this church. Ministry team meetings, staff meetings, Sunday worship, with our leadership teams, our finance department, in our children’s and youth programs, prayer is at the core.

The weekly Prayer Letter is full of praises and prayer requests shared by our church family each week. In addition, a Prayer Chain is available for urgent prayer requests. We are so grateful for the dedicated group of Prayer Partners who are available after Sunday services and for the intercessors who pray faithfully and intercede during the church services. Pray Yakima 24/7 gives us the opportunity to lift up the Yakima Valley in prayer on the second Sunday of each month. When more extensive individual prayer is requested, trained Sozo prayer partners are available. There are women who meet each Tuesday to pray and intercede for the staff and leadership at Grace. Our student ministry has a vibrant group of people who pray and intercede each Sunday morning and Wednesday evening while youth events are happening.

This past year has been one of gratitude, transition, and continued faithfulness in the life of the Temple Choir. I am deeply thankful for the commitment, flexibility, and spirit of worship shown by our members week after week.

Leadership Transitions and Gratitude:
This year marked an important transition in our music ministry with the retirement of Dr. Jon Waites from his long-standing role as organist after many years of faithful service. We celebrated Jon’s ministry with a dedicated service and a joyful choir party, giving thanks for his leadership, musicianship, and pastoral presence among us. We are especially grateful that Jon continues to sing in the choir, and his ongoing participation remains a gift to our ensemble.

We also welcomed Anne Schilperoort as our new organist. Anne has stepped into this role with grace, insight, and musical sensitivity, and we are thankful for her leadership and collaboration as we continue to grow together as a music ministry.

Choir Growth and Resources:
Over the course of the year, we welcomed several new members into the Temple Choir. Their presence has strengthened both our sound and our sense of community. It has been encouraging to see continued interest in choral singing and worship leadership within the congregation.

We were also blessed with tangible support for our ministry. This year we received:

• New choir stoles, helping present a unified and reverent visual presence in worship
• New hymnals, made possible through the generosity of a donor
• Several new choral works added to our repertoire, expanding both our musical and theological expression

These resources help support excellence in worship while honoring the traditions of our church.

Worship Through the Church Year:
The Temple Choir continued to play a vital role throughout the liturgical year. The Christmas Eve service was once again a meaningful and beautiful offering of worship, and the choir’s leadership during the Lenten season provided depth, reflection, and spiritual grounding during a solemn time in the church calendar.
Regular Sunday services, festival Sundays, and seasonal music continued to be approached with care, preparation, and prayer, with an emphasis on music that serves the text, the liturgy, and the congregation’s participation in worship.

Pastoral and Community Life:
This year also included a significant pastoral transition as we said goodbye to Pastor Curt McFarland. We celebrated our shared ministry and expressed gratitude for his leadership and care during his time with Grace of Christ. The choir was honored to help support worship during this season of farewell and transition for the congregation.

Beyond music-making, a key part of shepherding the choir has been fostering community—supporting one another through joys and challenges, encouraging faithfulness when attendance is difficult, and maintaining a rehearsal environment rooted in respect, humor, and shared purpose.

Looking Ahead:
As we move forward, my hope is to continue:

• Nurturing a welcoming and spiritually grounded choir community
• Supporting congregational singing and worship leadership
• Balancing musical growth with pastoral care
• Honoring tradition while remaining open to thoughtful expansion of our repertoire

I am deeply thankful for our members of the Temple Choir, for the trust placed in me as director, and for the ongoing work God is doing through music at Grace of Christ.

With gratitude ~ Jason Wickson, Director of Traditional Worship

Greetings from Nathan Gross, Director of Contemporary Worship Ministries at Grace of Christ, and our whole worship team. 2025 was a year of stretching, growing friendships, and following God’s lead in many new and different ways. We are continuing in our hope to grow in our understanding of what it means to truly worship our Lord, and we pray that our church family is able to draw closer to Him through the ministry we provide.

We are constantly reminded of the many blessings and the responsibility that come with this calling, and we don’t want to take that lightly. We have an amazing team, and their sacrificial willingness to serve the Lord is invaluable and greatly appreciated. We are always hopeful and ready to connect with new members, so if you know anyone who should or would like to join us, please let us know!

With the arrival of our new Lead Pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Wagenfuhr, new thoughts and ideas have sprung up, leading to great discussions, deep conversations, and even some new music. We have loved connecting with him at our continued monthly worship team hangouts, being stretched to incorporate more music and language from the culture of our Gracia de Cristo friends and family, and his support to continue leading Grace of Christ in ways that we’ve come to know and love, as well as trying new things that might lead to new things to know and love. It has been wonderful to connect with him, and we are excited to see how he leads us in God’s direction for our Church family.

As we look forward to 2026, we will continue following God’s lead in praise and worship, and we hope it is a blessing to many. We pray that God’s grace, love, peace, kindness and mercy continue to fill your lives throughout this upcoming year. Thank you for being a part of our wonderful Grace family!

~ Nathan Gross

DEEPER ROOTS: Sunday Mornings, Adults
Our class has steadily grown from about six regular attendees to 9, with peak attendance of over 14 a couple of times. We have three new Christians, and one who decided to take membership classes with the Church before December, and some health issues hit. We're currently working in Matthew, around chapter 20.

Everyone is asked at the beginning of class if they have a question arising from their own study or something they encountered recently. If nothing is offered, we go ahead with wherever the Spirit has led me in discussion or study.

Here are some comments from the members of the class regarding what they like best:

"I love the dialogue." "It’s fun to listen to the verbal wrestling matches, everyone still smiles when they talk!" "I love going verse by verse, word by word, but never losing the historical or cultural context." "I have found that some of the verses I thought I knew I really didn't know until I read the surrounding stories. NOW I think I understand quite a bit more."
"Some of the verses have a much more profound impact when they aren't separated or broken down out of their story."
"I ran because I didn't want to miss class because I know how it makes me feel at the end."
"New Christians are arriving in our class all the time, and it’s so refreshing to hear their questions from their perspective."
"Everyone walks away learning something they didn't know before. Everyone contributes."

If only you had known the meaning of 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. Matthew 12:7
Submitted by ~ Todd Lincoln


WOW: WOMEN OF THE WORD – Tuesday Mornings, Women
The WOW (Women of the Word) Bible studies began meeting approximately 50 years ago. Women of Grace Presbyterian Church and friends come together for fall and spring sessions to study God’s word, enjoy fellowship and support one another with prayer.  This year the spring session’s Life Guide study was “Elijah, Living Securely in an Insecure World.” The fall session was a Life Guide study of the gospel of Mark, “Follow Me”. The class meets on Tuesday mornings from 9:45-11:00 AM in the Lounge and is blessed by a variety of teaching leaders-- Grace members, staff and pastors. For questions or more information about WOW, the planning team members are John Stolzenbach, Dorothy Stotz and Donna Fuhlman.

2025 was a great year of ministry and growth at Camp Ghormley! We are grateful to have served 4,081 guests over the course of the year. Our summer season was a great success with 64 kids reporting that they accepted Christ for the first time in their life, and many hundreds more sharing that they grew in their faith during their time at camp. 97% of our campers shared that they had a positive experience at camp! We thank God for the great staff team we had that made a great summer possible.

Outdoor School was also a major highlight of 2025. Thanks to state funding, we were able to serve over 400 local elementary students for 3-5 day outdoor science camps. Students studied many topics including fire science, water studies, bird studies, astronomy, nocturnal animal night hikes, and so much more!

Perhaps the biggest highlight was the growth of our retreat ministry to outside groups. Churches, schools, and many other new groups continue to make Ghormley their camp home, and because of this we are projecting 20% growth in this area in 2026. This is in large part thanks to our amazing staff serving groups well.

We also accomplished many important projects in 2025, including the completion of a new office building, a new cooler unit at our Dining Hall, as well as several cabin remodels. These enhancements allow us to serve campers well, while preparing camp for many years of ministry to come!

We are grateful for the many hundreds of staff, volunteers, and donors who make the ministry of Camp Ghormley possible and are praising God for each and every life changed!

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Respectfully submitted ~ Joel Whitehead, Executive Director Camp Ghormley

In 1972 members of First Presbyterian Church of Yakima recognized the need for housing for Seniors and using funds provided by the estate of Mabel Swan began the process which has resulted in what is now two low-income senior residences across the street from Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church. They are Mabel Swan Manor (95 units) and Mabel Swan North (50 units). A separate board was established to manage the 501c3 corporations.

Over time the present MS Board recognized that to continue to provide the quality of care they would need resources and skills which the current board felt they were not able to provide.  With the approval of the Session the Board reviewed several options and selected YHA as the best solution.

The Mabel Swan Board continues to work with the Yakima Housing Authority (YHA) to turn over full operations to YHA. YHA intends to continue to operate the facility as a low income 55 and older residence. This process is expected to be ongoing through 2026.

Mabel Swan Board Members: Chair Doug Bernd, Vice Chair Debbi Baldwin, Treasurer Linda Drumhiller, Secretary Joe Park, Ben Antonio, Bruce Bacon, Jay Sentz, Tammy Nunley (Finance.)