Encounter’s staff, board and volunteers are here to do three things: Love God. Love People. Make Disciples. Together we want to make a difference in our community and the lives of everyone living in the community.
Pam Washburn
Interim Lead Pastor
Pastor Pam Washburn has joined Encounter as the Interim Lead Pastor. She has been serving as a Pastor since 2012. She and her husband Doug have been married for 28 years and have 4 children, Abbey, Lizzie, Colton and Sydney, and a dog named Myles. Pastor Pam also has a lot of training in special education and life coaching. She says, 'God has proven faithful through the many seasons of our lives, as we are no stranger to difficult times, seasons of suffering as well as great blessings.' Her desire for Encounter Church is that we pursue wholeness in Jesus as we stay curious about our individual life stories and how those stories can release hope to others along the way.
Kevin Kline
Associate Pastor
Pastor Kevin oversees family ministries, small groups and prayer ministry. For years, Kevin attended church with his mother, but didn't commit to following Christ until he was influenced by the faith of his wife Anna. These two were the greatest witnesses in Kevin's life. Kevin and Anna have three children: Sofia, Suzanna, and Joshua. After completing a Masters in Divinity at Northeastern Seminary in April of 2021, Kevin joined Encounter Church in June 2021 as the Executive Pastor. Outside of leading ministry teams, some of Kevin’s passions are found in preaching, care and counsel, and small groups.
Michele Johnston
Associate Pastor
Pastor Michele oversees worship and creative arts and guest experience. Michele joined the Encounter Church family in 2015 as the Worship and Creative Arts Pastor. Michele is joined by her husband Steve, and their five kids, Joey, Maddie, Noah, Seth, and Micah. Her heart’s desire is to see people see the heart of Jesus in all that is done here, and experience the fullness of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
Joy Wandell-Darrow
Office Manager
Joy began attending Encounter Church in 2015 and found it to be the church home she and her husband Joe had been looking for as a couple. Joy's grandmother was one of her biggest encouragers and examples of what faith and making Jesus a priority in your life looks like. After her grandmother's passing in 2020, Joy felt called to serve in a different way and was blessed to join the Encounter staff in 2021 as the Administrative Assistant to Pastor Dan and Encounter Church Office Manager. Joy enjoys serving both behind the scenes and as part of the Worship and Tech team.
Laura Smith
Financial Director
Laura has been part of Encounter as the Financial Director since March of 2013. When she is not crunching numbers she loves spending time with her husband Randy, their children Courtney, Meghan and Myles the yellow lab. Laura also enjoys leading VBS with Katie Behm and creating a fun experience for the congregation and community children.
