faith lutheran staff
Lead Pastor
“Hello, my name is Doug, and I work here…”
I began serving Faith in 2018, and my wife, Brenda, joined the pastoral team in 2020. She and I have done life and pastoral ministry together since 1993. We have lived and served in congregations in Montana and Washington. I also served as a Hospice Chaplain for several years. In 2019 I completed a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Seminary. Our kids are grown and out of the house, saving the world. We enjoy hiking and the outdoors; cooking and reading; and cheering on the Seahawks and Mariners.
Pastor of Spiritual Formation
Greetings, friends! I’m a native of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where my family still farms hazelnuts (yum!). I was raised in the steady love of Immanuel Lutheran Church (Silverton), then challenged by an expanding world at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA, and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Faith Shelton is the third congregation in which I’ve worked beside my husband and senior pastor, Doug Peterson.
My favorite part of pastoring has always been pursuing Jesus with others, and here at Faith I’m privileged to focus on exactly that. Small groups, book studies, exploring spiritual practices of prayer, sacred reading, neighbor love, self-examination, and celebration among others lie ahead for me and all who’d like to encounter the One who created us, loves us, and empowers our lives with beauty and purpose. I especially hope to extend this invitation into the Shelton community and out into the online world.
brenda@faithshelton.org
Minister of Pastoral Care and Grief Support
I was born and raised in Glendive, MT, graduated from PLU in 1967, attended 1 year at Princeton Theo. Seminary and then graduated from Luther Theo. Seminary in 1971. I’ve served Lutheran congregations in Sacramento, CA, Omaha, NE, Des Moines, IA, and Puyallup, WA. Most recently, I developed an ecumenical congregation in Union, WA. I’m married to Doris Oliver, and together with her, I have 6 children, 2 step children, and 13 grandchildren. We’ve resided at our home in Shelton since 2019.
terryro@hcc.net
Parish Administrator and Youth Ministry
I was born and raised in Shelton, Washington, and my passion for ministry began after graduation when I had the incredible opportunity to study forgiveness and reconciliation in both Northern Ireland and Lebanon.
I started volunteering at Faith in the spring of 2023 and was stoked to officially join the staff in March of 2024. On Sunday mornings, you’ll often find me in the sound booth with my husband Christopher. At home, you can find me wrangling our three dogs—Mishka, Bailey, and Peaches—and our cat Goose.
Marissa@faithshelton.org
XENa
Parish Pup
Faith+ Outreach Coordinator: Arleen Sandifer
Worship Leaders: Janna Wood, Pete and Jana Gedde, Alice Johannsen, Deb Hartley, Darcy Eliason
choir/bell Choir: Barbie Nesmith
Sunday School: Connie Payne
Bookkeeper: Karyn Challender
Church Office/Newsletter
every member of faith is a member of the ministry team.
way to go, team!
Faith council 2023
Executive Committee:
Jan Ray, President
Kathie Olson, Vice President
Richard Ross, Treasurer
Robyn Naval, Secretary
At Large council members:
Pete Gedde, Chris Frost, Cindy Vernon, Dan Partridge
the evangelical lutheran church in america (ELCA)
Faith Lutheran Church is one of over 9000 congregations in the United States that make up the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the 8th largest Christian denomination in the country, with over 3.3 million members. Learn more about the ELCA…
ELCA Vision, Mission, and Values
ELCA congregations in this area are part of a regional district known as the Southwestern Washington Synod. The synod office, located in Tacoma, helps coordinate area ministries and partnerships.