Our Staff and Leaders

Our church is lead by a team of elders and deacons. They are responsible for overseeing worship, and ministry in the congregation.

The elders, with the minister, oversee the doctrine and life of the members of the
congregation and fellow office bearers, they exercise admonition and discipline along with
pastoral care in the congregation, they participate in and promote evangelism, and they defend
the faith.

Deacons are chosen to give leadership to diaconal ministry. In this ministry, deacons empower
members of their own congregation and partner with neighboring churches, Christian services,
and local social agencies. The goal of Diaconal Ministry is to touch people’s lives as Christ’s hands and feet.

Specialized Transitional Minister: Vance Hays

At age 37, I finished my seminary education and accepted the call to be pastor of
Parklane Christian Reformed Church in east Portland. I was blessed to able to
stay there until I retired in 2016. Since then I have received training to be a Specialized Transitional Minister. So far, I have served 4 interim pastorates: in
Churchill, MT; San Jose, Yakima and Chandler, AZ (near Phoenix). My wife,
Connie, and I have enjoyed each assignment and have learned first-hand how
important interim ministry can be.

I’ve also been blessed with a big, loving family. Connie and I met at an Inter-
Varsity retreat near Spokane in 1976. We married a year later. Along the way we
(somehow!) found ourselves with 5 kids and 4 grand-kids. Three of our children
(Julia, Graham and Fiona) live in Portland. Alison lives in Virginia. Andrew
resides in Seattle. We have a wonderfully close relationship with each one and
they are precious to us.

Gratefully,

Pastor Vance Hays