Our Staff

Rev. Dr. Chris Montovino, Pastor

chrisChris has served in ministry as a Navy lay chaplain, a youth ministry volunteer, a Young Life Area Director in Sammamish Washington, and as pastor of Cascades. He is married to Karen and they have four children, Maddy, Rhyan, Jordan Ann, and Sofia.

Chris received his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University School of Engineering, his Masters of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry degree in Missional Church Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.

Chris is passionate about fly fishing, outback hiking in the great Pacific NW, serving as a Young Life volunteer leader at Camas High School, and sharing God's love with neighbors and friends through Jesus Christ. He loves living in Clark County with its proximity to the mountains, ocean, great food in Portland, and beautiful rivers to fish. His life verses are Colossians 3:12-17 and his goals for ministry are framed by Acts 2:42-47.

Erik Sutten, Worship Leader

Erik, his wife Erin and two son's live in Ridgefield, WA. Erik has had over 10 years experience playing music for kids, students, peers, and adults. He recently released a crowd funded worship CD. In his spare time he also enjoys entertaining small groups, home cooked meals, wildlife sightings, and quality family time.

Erik is passionate about connecting people with God's presence through music. His life verse is 1 Peter 1:13 which says, "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Sarah Grace Shewbert, Accompanist

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The daughter of career missionaries, Sarah was born in Portland and raised in China and Nigeria. She returned to Portland to attend Concordia University, where she earned degrees in Theater and English and participated in every musical ensemble available—as accompanist, singer, horn player, or bell ringer. From there, she went on to earn a BA in Music from Portland State University, an MA in Music from the University of Portland, and a PhD in Music History from the University of Washington. Her day job involves working with Concordia’s online education department as an instructional designer. Since 2004, Sarah has also been the director of MADE (Music, Art, and Drama Education) for Kids at Concordia—a program that involves area youth in musical theater camps during school breaks.

Sarah has always known music to be her language of worship, and she is grateful to be a part of the Cascades family. In her free time, Sarah enjoys photography, volunteering in her daughter’s Spanish immersion class, and being out in nature with her husband and two small children.

 

Michelle Drexler,Office Administrator

micheeleMichelle was born and raised in Idaho. She and her husband and daughter moved to the Vancouver area in 1997. She loves the Pacific Northwest and its milder climates compared to southeast Idaho. She especially enjoys spending time on the Washington and Oregon coast. She began working in the church office in 2003 and is a member of the worship team playing drums.

God is ever present in her life and she has been blessed with a loving family, close friends and a caring church family; all of which continue to support her and help her grow stronger in her faith.

Sarah Foster, Youth Director

micheeleI am a graduate student and in the process of obtaining a Master’s in Divinity to become a chaplain. Before this, I studied at Concordia University Portland. I love to read, connect with people, and listen to music. I live with my two cats, Angie, and Onyx. When I’m not working, I spend time with my boyfriend, my siblings, or my five nieces and nephews!

 

 

 

 

Nancy Bisbee, Choir Director

NancyBisbeeNancy was born in the Yamhill, Oregon area and has lived in the Northwest all her life. A graduate of Western Oregon University for her Bachelor's degree and Portland State University for her Master's, she taught middle-school and high-school English for eleven years and has been teaching at Clark College for twenty-two years. She is also involved in tutoring, substitute teaching, and coaching competitive high-school speech and debate.

Since third grade she has enjoyed singing in church choirs, and has been a member of Cascades' choir since she joined the church in February of 1987. With a theatre minor and a fair amount of directing experience, Nancy was happy to step into the role of choir director when the opportunity arose, and she loves this ministry! Nancy and her husband Ken have five children (of whom she is very proud) and one granddaughter; her youngest daughter, Josette, is a senior at Ridgefield High School.

Some of her favorite activities here at Cascades have included participating in productions of Godspell and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, teaching in the LOGOS program and assisting with the Mission and Peace ministry. For recreation, she enjoys traveling (great opportunities appear when your children go to college at some distance), reading, gardening, and cooking. The choir is truly Nancy's passion, and she loves being a part of this beautiful aspect of God's work.