Damascus Road Church, a Marysville, WA Church

our leaders

Damascus Road is an elder-led church. Elders at Damascus Road are called by God to shepherd and lead the local church. They meet regularly to establish direction of the church, discuss theology, and lovingly disclipline people at Damascus Road. According to the Bible, an elder is a man who has been called by God to this role.

This is a lifelong position, so it is not taken lightly. Each elder goes through an extensive period of study, prayer, and meetings with the present elders. At the end of that time, he is brought before the church, allowing any concerns to be voiced to the present elders before the elder-in-training is ordained. Ordination at Damascus follows the Biblical norm: the present elders lay hands on him and pray, stating to the church that God has called this person to be an elder at Damascus Road, and we are coming alongside him in ministry and life. The qualifications for an elder are taken from 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.

Jesus, Our Senior Pastor

We believe that Jesus is the one who starts churches (Matthew 16.18) and He is also the one who ends them (Rev. 2,4-5) We not lean on our own understanding when making decisions, rather, we commit all our ways to the Lord and seek His wisdom. Click here to read more

Our Leaders

	Pastor-Elder Sam Ford - Lead Preaching/Teaching I'm relaxed, ready to give my opinion as I laugh at myself. These days I have a full plate as a part time teacher/preacher and a full time husband and father. I'm madly in love with my bride of 12 years who was crazy enough to follow me on this ride. I spend my free time battling my two future jedi-pirate-UFC-fighter sons, teaching them how to live like their manly Savior all while saving my princess daughter from their assaults and certain peril. I dream the impossible, drink man-coffee, wear shorts in the winter, eat red meat, and read stuff with big words. My story
	Pastor-Elder Aaron Wartes -Kid's Road/Children For the time being, I live in Monroe, WA, and have a high classed wife named Kandice, a piano teacher and skin care consultant, who gave me 4 kids: Carmen 14, David 12, Harrison 12, and Alex 8. We only admit in public they are ours--when they're good like all parents do. Other days, we want to do a "reverse-adoption" program (a new ministry idea for our church plant!)...My story
	Pastor-Elder Mark Hakso - Facilities/Preaching Mark has lived in Lake Stevens for 4 and 1/2 years. He has a degree in psychology which he has never used professionally, but uses all the time at home. A tree-trimmer turned lineman, Mark divides his time between work and family which mostly involves fussing over Cheryl, his lovely wife of 16 years, and breaking up fights between his four charming kids. When he has the time you might find him backpacking, golfing, watching "the office" or even flintknapping.
	Brad Loomis - Music Lead (elder candidate) If you happen to run into Brad, it is quite possible to be mistake him for an Anglo-Saxon Viking Pirate. Don't be alarmed though, since he's really not scary at all, but a big, hairy, ear-ring wearing, bearded teddy bear. He's laid back, easy going and a great mediator. You're likely to come upon this gentle giant in his natural habitat holding either a guitar, one of his children, a cup of coffee or all three. My story