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Robert Bayley, Pastor

Robert was born and raised, baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian Church, he is a graduate of Vanguard University of Southern California, Alaska Pacific University, Princeton Theological Seminary and United Theological Seminary (Ohio). He has served as an installed pastor from 1973 until 2002 when he left North Carolina after 10 ½ years and became the interim pastor of churches in Alaska, New Hampshire, and New Zealand.

Robert’s wife, Ruth, is a state (Missouri) licensed professional counselor (LPC) and board certified and a diplomat with the American Psychotherapy Association. She went to seminary and graduated from New York Theological Seminary in New York City and is ordained with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 

Only married a few months, they moved to the isolated village of Kake in southeastern Alaska as public school teachers, and then taught in Anchorage before going to seminary in New Jersey. Years later they were back when Robert served as an interim and Ruth served as clinical supervisor of a large counseling clinic.

Robert completed both weeks one and two of intensive interim ministry training in 2002 and 2003 in Issaquah through the Synod of Alaska-Northwest of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and belong to the Interim Ministry Network (IMN) and the Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists (APIMS). He has watched the Holy Spirit work in and through interim time in ways specific to chapters in a church’s life, and is convinced that John Knox is embarking on a journey of discovery and growth, as interim time is not a holding pattern – our God is not a static God – He will continue to be active in the life of John Knox.

Dan Hammer, Director of Music, Worship & the Arts

Dan joined the staff in the beginning of 2011 is excited to be a part of what God is doing in and through worship ministry at JKPC.  He is grateful to be serving a church that highly values music and the arts and is eager to include the gifts and perspectives of local artists and musicians in worship.  Dan graduated from Nyack College (Nyack, NY) with a music degree and served as director of worship at Living Christ Church in Nyack before coming to John Knox.  He also graduated from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies (Orange Park, FL) with a master’s degree in worship studies and is currently enrolled in their doctoral program.  Dan and his wife Alana were married in 2003, and they welcomed their son Isaac in 2009.

Dave Roberts, Director of Student & Family Ministries

Dave wanted his bio to read "Mr. Roberts is a man of mystery and intrigue", but was told that wasn’t sufficient so instead he gave us this: Dave was born in Philadelphia. At the time of his birth, he was the largest baby ever born at Abbington Memorial Hospital. His family moved near Chicago when Dave was a large little boy, this is where Dave grew up as the youngest of three children. He spent many hours as a kid playing basketball, baseball, and tormenting the neighbors.
During Dave’s sophomore year in college, he sensed the clear call of God in his life to go into full time ministry. It was also during this time that he met and married (not in the same day) his wife Rachel. Dave has spent nine years as a junior high director at two different churches in Minneapolis and Spokane before coming to John Knox.
Dave continues to serve John Knox with a passion for seeing students come to know Christ, to grow in that faith, and to make a difference in this world. He also enjoys many things which are too numerous to list here, which really is another way of saying "Mr. Roberts is a man of mystery and intrigue."

Sue-Ann Hohimer, Director of Children & Family Ministries

What a privilege to be able to serve my Heavenly Father by ministering to the children and families of John Knox Church and this community. I began full-time work in January of 2009 as the Director of Children and Family Ministries.
My husband and I are high school sweethearts, married over seventeen years. We have four sons. We've been active members of this community for the past eleven years involved in everything from politics, to Little League, Marvista Elementary School PTSA , Highline Hospital, and the John Knox preschool, JAM program and VBS. I've enjoyed being a part of our Thursday morning Women's Bible Study for the past five years and our family has just completed its first year of belonging to a Life Group. Our boys love it!
For most of my life, I've been a "pastor's kid". My father, originally a public school teacher, recently retired after 35 years of pastoring churches in Oregon, Chicago and most recently, Church by the Side of the Road in SeaTac. My Master's Degree is in Elementary Education. I taught public school in Chicago before moving here in 1995 to join the staff of Church by the Side of the Road as Director of Children's Ministries. After nearly 5 years there and with a third baby on the way, I resigned to the full-time job of wife and mother. While thoroughly enjoying the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom, I began, over the summer, to feel God's prompting to ministry here.
God's plans are often different from ours. I've learned to fully trust that His ways are indeed BEST! No doubt, God is at work in this community and here in this precious congregation. I look forward to being used by Him to serve amongst you and in partnership with you. Please keep me in your prayers as I seek to discern and further communicate to you God's plan for directing the ministry to the children and families of our church. Thank you for making me feel welcomed.  

Susan Snyder, Director of John Knox Community Preschool

I feel so blessed that God has led me to serve at John Knox Church.  Born and raised in the Seattle area, I accepted Jesus as my Savior at the age of six.  I’ve trusted Him with all my heart ever since, as He has lovingly and faithfully directed my life’s path.  My degrees are in Psychology, Sociology, Biblical Studies, and Education, which I put to use in South Africa as a missionary for ten years.  I’m a mother of two girls and two boys; my youngest daughter still living at home.  Teaching at the preschool for four years before becoming the director has given me a broader perspective as to the needs of our students, their families, and teachers.  I am so honored and excited about this opportunity to serve our wonderful Lord in this community.