What does Ethnos mean by "Elder-led"?

Ethnos follows a Biblical (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) model of leadership based on a plurality of elders. This means that we have a collective of elders who are equals in authority offering leadership and oversight to our community. In carrying out this great honor and responsibility, these men are committed to leading Ethnos with scripture as their primary guide.




Personal History: I'm an Alaskan native of the Tlingit tribe, and was born and raised in Ketchikan, AK. The life of an outdoorsman was a significant part of my childhood, and I grew up hunting and fishing for food. My native culture is very important to me, and although the western influence on our people caused a lot of it to be lost, we are regaining it.

Family: I have been blessed with a wonderful wife of 16 years, Brenda, a son, Andrew, and a daughter, Abigail. These three are my highest value in this world. We are an active outdoor family who also enjoy a good 'movie night' regularly.

Story of Faith: I grew up going to church, and embraced faith as a young boy. In my late adolescence/early teens, I became disillusioned with church, and turned my back on it. I didn't return to active relationship with God or fellowship with the church until I was 26. I'm amazed at how God has, in just barely a decade, shaped me to be a leader in His kingdom!

Hobbies, Interests, Activities: As I mentioned, I like the outdoors! Hiking, mountaineering, backpacking, camping, cycling, snowshoeing, boating, all of it! Photography has always captured me. I also very much enjoy remodeling my home.

Music, Film, Television Favorites: I like pretty much every flavor of rock music, especially blues-influenced guitar heavy stuff like Jonny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. My favorite films include The Shawshank Redemption, Memento, The Matrix, and Star Wars. On the tube, I am pretty into Battlestar Galactica, Lost, The Office, and Chuck.





Personal History: I'm a native Oregonian, born and raised in Portland. I went to Grant High School, and then to Oregon State University, where I met my wife of 27 years, Anne, while pursuing a mechanical engineering degree. I've always been an inventor, starting with perpetual motion machines when I was young (never quite worked) to at least 30 patent pending inventions today, mostly involving light - God's first creation! I'm a serial entrepreneur, that is, I thrive on the risks and rewards of starting companies from scratch.

Family: Anne and I have three wonderful adult children - Daniel, Ciara, and Rebecca. Ciara married Matt last year, and are expecting our first grandchild in the fall! Together we love a good hike, camping, eating together, playing board games, and watching Sci-Fi movies and shows. Ok, we're nerds. Both Anne and I are also part of large extended families who get together to celebrate and enjoy one another. I have like 32 nieces and nephews (this week).

Story of Faith: I grew up going to church, but didn't really make a decision of my own until high school. I became fascinated with the compelling truth and wisdom of the Bible, and read it through the first time in high school, studied Greek in college, and have continued to study ever since. Our journey of faith has taken us to serve with the Navigators in Ireland and nearly 30 years of service in His church.

Hobbies, Interests, Activities: Love hiking, skiing, camping, golf, and woodworking, between inventions and personal bible study. If you are in our home, a strategy game may spontaneously erupt, and any one of us can beat you at your favorite...

Music, Film, Television Favorites: Nerd tendencies show up with mostly escapist sci-fi TV and movies - space, time travel - Battlestar Galactica is a current family favorite we watch together. If I get a chance to pick the music, U2 or the Beatles may be heard.





Personal History: I grew up in the small town of Philomath, Oregon, just outside Corvallis. After spending my Junior year of high school in Ireland, I graduated from Philomath High and headed off to Oregon State University. I got my degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering and moved to Portland after graduation in 2005. Since graduation I met and married my wife, Sarah. I work for A-dec, a dental equipment manufacturer in Newberg, and live in North Portland.

Family: I met my beautiful wife, Sarah, while she lived in Seattle and I lived in Portland. While we both attended OSU at the same time we did not know each other. We were set-up by a mutual friend and gradually discovered that a) we could do the I-5 drive with our eyes closed and b) we really kinda liked each other! After nearly a year of a doing the long distance relationship, Sarah joined me in Portland and we were married in April of 2008. Though we do not yet have kids of our own, we take great joy in watching my sisters kids grow up. We enjoy doing just about anything together; cooking, going to OSU football games, hiking, playing cribbage, traveling, volunteering, working on the house, and just spending time with people. We also enjoy leading the people of Ethnos in musical worship together.

Story of Faith: I grew up going to a small Lutheran Church in Philomath. I really began to find my faith in 1998 when my family moved to Ireland for what ended up being quite a transformational year. I began to discover the wonders of our Lord for myself. Upon returning to Philomath I found myself starting and leading a middle school youth group at our Church. At OSU I was very involved in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and developed a heart for leading worship and issues of social justice in the world. This is what ultimately led me to be a part of Ethnos and make my home in North Portland.

Hobbies, Interests, Activities: Lately I have taken great joy in remodeling my home. I am definitely a nerdy engineer and want to make things better. I also enjoy playing guitar, disc golf, and woodworking. Over the last few years I have gotten into carving Djembes (African Hand Drums), and have enjoyed doing this to raise money for different organizations. I really enjoy trying to make things or learn skills that either are (or maybe just seem!) very challenging.

Music, Film, Television Favorites: I definitely enjoy most rock music, particularly like acoustic rock. Among my favorites are Ben Harper, Tyrone Wells, and U2. Some movies I enjoy are Office Space, Crash, and Shawshank Redemption. I don't watch much TV (I don't have one), but when I get a chance, I like Criminal Minds.