Wes Hanson is a Northwest native- born in Oregon and raised in Washington State. Wes grew up as a “preacher’s kid,” so he was well-acquainted with the Scriptures from an early age. As a teenager in Port Townsend, Washington, he also lived in a culture that was very open to diversity in philosophy and religion. Wes did a bit of religious exploration and investigation in his teen years. When he committed himself to Jesus as Lord through the confession and appeal of baptism at age 16, it was not a decision based on an inherited faith or sheltered ignorance. Wes was ultimately persuaded and convicted by Christianity’s basis in investigable historical events surrounding the actual historical person of Jesus of Nazareth. Wes loves to talk with anyone about his reasons for hope in Jesus Christ. He makes it his ambition to do so with gentleness and respect.

Although Wes was a preacher’s kid, he had no desire to become a preacher himself. After high school, he attended York College (Now York University) in York, Nebraska where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Middle and Secondary Education. While at York, Wes met and married Rachel Forehand, a Texan; also a “preacher’s kid” with no desire to marry a preacher. Rachel graduated York with a Bachelor’s degree in English. Wes considers his background in pedagogy an essential aspect of his preparation for preaching.

Wes taught for three years for Westbury Christian School in Houston, Texas. It was there that the “call to ministry” became too loud to ignore. Wes and Rachel were active members of Westbury Church of Christ and it was there that their minister, Bill Yasko strongly encouraged Wes to transfer his gift for teaching toward the work of preaching. Through Bill and his wife, Dot, Wes and Rachel began to realize and embrace God’s call to full-time ministry. With the prayers and support of many friends, Wes and Rachel decided to attend Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, Texas where he completed a course of study in Preaching and Congregational Ministry. Wes is passionate about enhancing the “one another” fellowship of the local church.

After graduating from SIBI, Wes returned to the Northwest and served as the Preaching Minister for the Scappoose Church of Christ in Scappoose, Oregon from 2003-2023. He has served as Minister of the Word for Circle Church of Christ since July 2023. Over the years, Wes has been a keynote speaker at youth camps, rallies, Christian school chapels, lectureships, and other events throughout the Northwest. He currently works with Camp Yamhill as Director of its annual Teen Winter Retreat and also as Vice President on Camp Yamhill’s Board of Directors.

Wes is excited by any and every opportunity to equip younger generations with a Christian worldview.  

Wes and Rachel have been married for nearly 30 years. They have 4 children together- Eric, Andrew, Stephen, and Elizabeth. Eric lives in Albany, OR. Andrew lives with his wife, Helen in Wasilla, AK. Stephen is studying Chemistry at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR. Elizabeth attends Summit Learning Charter online. Wes is thankful to God to have children who have decided for themselves to follow Jesus as Lord.

Wes is a bit of a nerd. He regularly consumes books and media related to Christian apolgetics, Biblical commentaries, linguistic etymology, historical trivia, archaeology, sci-fi, fantasy, superheroes, and whatever else sounds interesting. He enjoys building with Lego bricks and assembling Gundam models. When he has time, he plays video games on the Switch. He has been known to don full Jedi robes and wield a light saber. Wes is convinced that physical life is meant to be a joyful experience with others as we encourage each other toward the greater joy of eternal spiritual life in Jesus Christ.

Josh Stutzman was born and raised in Newberg, Oregon, where he grew up in a loving and joyful Christian home. His parents, Don and Nancy Stutzman, raised Josh alongside his brother Ben and sister Mary, instilling in him a strong faith in God that would guide him throughout his life.

After graduating from high school, Josh attended Pepperdine University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion. He then went on to complete his Masters of Divinity at both Harding Graduate School of Religion (now Harding School of Theology) and Lipscomb University.

Throughout his academic career, Josh had the opportunity to gain practical experience in ministry through a variety of internships and practicums. He worked as a youth ministry intern in Santa Rosa, CA, Malibu, CA, and Franklin, TN, as well as serving as a Children’s Ministry intern in Hendersonville, TN, and Franklin, TN. He also completed a homeless ministry practicum in Memphis, TN.

In addition to his domestic ministry experience, Josh has also had the opportunity to engage in international mission work in Africa and Asia. These experiences helped to broaden his perspective and deepen his understanding of the global church.

Today, Josh serves as the Campus Minister at Circle Church of Christ, where he focuses on working with college students to help them grow in their faith and leadership abilities. He loves watching students discover their passions for ministry and is particularly fond of studying the Bible with those who have never read the story of Jesus before.

Through his work at Circle Church of Christ, Josh is able to live out his passion for training the next generation of church leaders. His goal is to help students not only grow in their faith but also become equipped to serve as elders, deacons, ministers, and ministry leaders within the church.

Josh feels blessed to be working in campus ministry and is excited to continue serving the Lord in this capacity for many years to come.

Favorite Verse: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Cor.5:14-15