Our Pastors

Dr. Steve Walker Senior Pastor		In starting Canyon Hills, Tammi and I had no specific strategy - no five, ten or fifteen year plans.  We had only one mission:  to make more and better disciples of Christ.  Since then, God has turned Canyon Hills into a world-influencing ministry.  From homeless shelters to prisons, college campuses to strategic international missions, Canyon Hills is fulfilling its mission! Year Began at CHCC: I started the church in 1995 Family: My wife, Tammi, since 1985; Children: Whitney, Kelsey and Griffin Hobbies/Leisure Time: Golfing with my Life Group buddies, Coaching baseball, and any time hanging with my family. Favorites: Book(s) (other than the Bible): I am a reading fanatic. But in general, anything written by John Piper, RC Sproul, and John MacArthur Book of the Bible: Romans, but the Gospels come in a close second Food(s): All things Italian Snack(s): Peanut M&M’s, Hostess Snowballs Music/Musician: I love it all--but when I need a certain fix I’ll look for John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Nora Jones, or anything from the 70’s era Movie(s): I love all the baseball movies but the one I love the most is Sandlot. Others: The Rookie, the Natural, Field of Dreams, Angels in the Outfield TV show: The Office and 24 Sports Team(s): New York Yankees (blame it on my upbringing), the Lakers Northwest Get-away: Crescent Bar and downtown Seattle Local Restaurant: Nana Carmella’s in Monroe – best Italian on the Eastside.
Keith Batchelor Adminstrative & Missions Pastor		I am the Administration/Missions Pastor at Canyon Hills. I was born in Cheshire, England and was raised in a Christian family, many of my uncles being missionaries. After attending The University, I served in the British Army for two years during which time I married my beautiful wife, Pauline in 1961. I have a passion for World Missions and lead the Missions Council in serving CHCC’s worldwide group of Missionaries. I am also instrumental in maintaining the focus and direction of administrative functions of the Church. Year Began at CHCC: March 1996 Family: My wife- Pauline Children: 4 grown children Hobbies/Leisure Time: - Building decks and remodeling in the home; spending time with grandkids Favorites: Book(s) (other than the Bible): The Spiritual Man by Watchman Nee Book of the Bible: - First John, Romans and Nehemiah Food(s): Steak at The Keg Favorite Sport: soccer Northwest Get-away: Victoria and Vancouver Island Local Restaurant: The Keg
Jim Kress Worship Pastor		I am the Worship Pastor at Canyon Hills. I have a degree in music from the University of Washington, and am working on completing an M. Div. from Liberty University. I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and grew up in Bellevue and Redmond. I currently live in Canyon Park. I am honored and humbled to serve the Lord at Canyon Hills, and I love our church because I love our simple, common desire to preach hard, worship hard, pray hard, and trust God for everything else. I love the lavish and spontaneous generosity of our church, and how we get so passionate about things outside our own congregation. Years at CHCC – 1995-2003, 2006 to present. Family: My wife, Marquel;  Children: Trenton, McKenzie,  and Claire Hobbies/Leisure Time: being with my family, running, golf Favorites: Book(s) (other than the Bible): The Gospel According To Jesus – John MacArthur Book of the Bible: My favorite book is Genesis. First impressions are lasting impressions and, as the name of the book implies, Genesis gives us the first truths about God’s love and justice for all people for all time. Food: Prime rib Snacks: popcorn Music/Musician: I don’t really have any favorites. Right now, I am enjoying Bob Kauflin’s album ‘Upward’ as it is a gentle and contemporary treatment of many of my favorite hymns. Movie(s): Lord of the Rings, Narnia TV show: - The Weather Channel Sports team:  Anything from the University of Washington Northwest getaway:  Langley, Whidbey Island Local restaurant:  Daniel’s Broiler
Jim Sewell Executive Pastor		I am blessed to be in the position of Executive Pastor here at CHCC. I was born in Kansas City, but grew up in San Diego, where I lived until 1994. My seminary degree is from Liberty University, in addition to a MA in Management from National University in California. As the EP, my primary role is to try to make sure that each of the pastors have everything they need to do the ministry work that God has led them to do. My favorite part of ministry is seeing each of the pastors succeed in implementing their direct ministry to the people of CHCC. I came on staff in 2001 as an Intern and have been blessed as God has allowed me to progress through ministry positions to my current one as EP. Kathy is my wife of 39 years. We have two adult children (Christine and Jeff) and four grandkids who all live in the area. My favorite book of the Bible is Romans. I love Mexican food and will snack on PB&J whenever I get the chance. As a teen I was a big Beach Boys fan; today my favorite group is Casting Crowns. If I was trapped indoors with only one set of movies to watch, it would definitely be all three of the Indiana Jones episodes. I’m not a big sports enthusiast, so I don’t have a favorite team other than the Seahawks, but only if they’re having a winning season. Kathy and I enjoy camping and going to Levenworth. We enjoy just about any restaurant with a view of the water.
Jeff Geise Adult Ministries		I am the Pastor who oversees our LifeGroups (small groups) and I teach in our Sunday evening “Oasis” service.  I grew up here in Washington splitting my growing up years between the Tri-Cities (Pasco) and Kirkland.  I am a proud graduate of Lake Washington High School – GO KANGS and Puget Sound Christian College.  I have served here at Canyon Hills for 11 years and have enjoyed every year and every role I have served in.   I absolutely love seeing people in our church connected in LifeGroups and “doing life together” with a smaller group of people.  I also love teaching in our Sunday evening service.  It has a smaller, relaxed, community feel that I really enjoy. Year Began at CHCC: 1997 Family: My wife, Cindy; Children: I have 4 children.  The two oldest are married and the youngest is a sophomore in High School Hobbies/Leisure Time: I enjoy golfing, hiking, backpacking and I have a love-hate relationship with running. Favorites: Book(s) (other than the Bible): Mere Christianity by CS Lewis, Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus and God Is Closer Than You Think by John Ortberg.  There are so many others, but those are the first that come to mind today. Book of the Bible: Judges – it’s a man’s book!  The gospel of John and the book of James. Food(s): I love a good smoothie from Emerald City Smoothie – my favorite is their Chocolate Lean Out with some strawberry thrown in!  I also like good Mexican, and don’t forget Starbucks.  Coffee is an essential food group! Snack(s): can you say CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES? Music/Musicians: Country Music – NOT!!  Chris Tomlin and Lincoln Brewster are at the top of my list.  I also enjoy Third Day, Switchfoot, Jennifer Knapp, Rich Mullins, Keith Green, Robert Randolph and lots of mid-late 70s Rock.  Movie(s): Lord Of The Rings – Two Towers, Last Of The Mohicans, The Patriot, Second Hand Lions TV show: Seattle sports, “24” – Jack, where are you?, HEROES, Mythbusters, Get Smart and the original Jonny Quest Sports Team(s): UW Huskies!, the Seahawks and the Boston Red Socks Northwest Get-away:  Anywhere with my wife Cindy! Local Restaurant:  Chevy’s, Scotts, and Cold Stone - it’s kind of a restaurant.
Larry Williams Childrens Pastor		I'm the Children's Pastor here at CHCC and this year I'll start my 30th year of ministry to kids. What I enjoy most about this ministry is watching kids begin to connect the Word to their everyday lives and realize it works! I also enjoy seeing adults serving and being fulfilled in ministry. That's probably why I love training teachers internationally, because they get so excited to begin reaching and teaching the kids of their communities. Year Began at CHCC: I started here in January 2001 Family: My wife is very godly woman named Darlene and we've been married over 36 years! Children: We have 4 grown children and 9 grandchildren. Hobbies/Leisure Time: Golf I love to cook and eat and travel! Favorites: Book(s) (other than the Bible): A book I keep coming back to over the years is "A Tale of Three Kings" by Gene Edwards Book of the Bible: I enjoy the fast paced book of Mark and the great stories of the Old Testament. Food(s): We like to try new ethnic foods, especially love Thai food. Snack(s): Chocolate! Dark chocolate anything! Music/Musician: I'm drawn more toward the Hillsong style worship music Movie(s): We enjoy adventure/mystery movies and historical dramas. Of course with 9 grandchildren we've memorized a lot of animated features! TV show: Because we like people watching we're attracted to reality shows! Sports Team(s): Only the teams that include our grandkids! Northwest Get-away: Snooping through Snohomish antique stores or exploring NW backroads Local Restaurant: Outback Steakhouse
Matt Maas Middle School Pastor		I am the Middle School Pastor at Canyon Hills. I grew up in San Diego, CA. and am a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University. My greatest joy in ministry is watching students give their hearts to the Lord and becoming students that love and follow Jesus. Year Began at CHCC: October 2001 Family: My wife, Charity; Children: Emma and Ethan Hobbies/Leisure Time: Travel, family time Favorites: Book(s) (other than the Bible): Mere Christianity, CS Lewis; Our Sufficiency in Christ, MacAurthur Book of the Bible: James Food(s): Carne asada burrito, fish tacos, Yogurt Mill frozen yogurt Music/Musician: Lincoln Brewster, Aaron Shust, 80’s music Movie(s): Ocean’s Trilogy, Pixar Movies TV show: Food Network, A-Team Sports Team(s): San Diego Chargers & Padres Northwest Get-away: San Diego (getting away FROM the Northwest) Local Restaurant: Bottega Italiana (best gelato outside Italy!)
Bryan Bouma High School Pastor		I have served as our High School Student Ministries Pastor since 2005. I’ve attended Canyon Hills since its very first Sunday in 1995. At that time as a Jr. High Student! Since then I have developed a heart for serving God and leading students in our community to a relationship with Him. After attending Canyon Park Jr. High and Bothell High School, I felt a call to ministry and started attending Northwest University graduating with a degree in General Ministries. All through college I had worked here at CHCC in many different areas: as a youth leader, Ignite Manager, Student Ministries Intern, and finally hired on full time as our High School Student Ministries Pastor in 2005. My wife Shareen and I love ministering to High School students and have a desire to see students grow in every area of their walk Christ. I love being with people, enjoy a good laugh, summer, all sports including fishing, baseball, softball, football, and bocce ball with my life group guys. I love life and believe that God is always working through every one of our relationships. Year Began at CHCC: 2005 Family: Wife, Shareen Bouma; Children: One on the way! Hobbies/Leisure Time: Any sport including fishing, baseball, softball, football, bocce ball and lawn darts. Favorites: Book(s) (other than the Bible): Whatever I’m currently reading! Right now: Growing up Christian Book of the Bible: Romans Food(s): Steak, Crab, and anything on the BBQ Snack(s): Grande Americano Music/Musician: Warren Barfield, Movie(s): Bond movies, old and new TV show: Lost, Survivor, and Saved by the Bell Sports Team(s): Mariners and Seahawks. Northwest Get-away: Whidbey Island Local Restaurant: Jak’s Grill (University Village) Great Steak!
Ben Marshall Counseling Pastor		I am the Pastor of Counseling here at Canyon Hills. I grew up all over the place. My dad is a Navy Chaplain so I grew up moving every two or three years. Of all the places that I lived, North Carolina is the one I would move back to in a heartbeat. Right on the ocean, hot weather in the summer, laid back people all year around…but I will never be called to pastor there because I would never get any ministry done. I graduated from Saint Martin’s College in Lacy Washington with my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I also have my Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from The Master’s College and am a member of the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors. The thing that I enjoy the most about my area of ministry at the church is watching God’s Sovereign hand transform His people through the power of His Word and His Word alone. Year Began at CHCC: 2007 Family: (Wife’s name) Cory Marshall Children: Madison, Isabelle, Luke, and Baby 4 on or around June 18th, 2008 Hobbies/Leisure Time: Sports, Yard Work, and hanging out with my family…they’re a blast. Favorites: Book(s) (other than the Bible): The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter, Humility by CJ Mahaney, The Godly Man’s Portrait by Thomas Watson, and Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hand by Paul Tripp Book of the Bible: Genesis 1 – 3 and Romans (especially chapter 9) Heros of the Faith: John Huss, John Calvin, RC Sproul, CJ Mahaney, John Piper, John MacArthur, Steve Lawson, Mark Dever, and Paul Tripp Food(s): Steak and PizzaCoffee: Doppio Conpanna (2 shots of espresso with a bit of whipped cream on top mmmmm) Snack(s): Any cookie and/or ice cream Music/Musician: Indelible Grace, Sovereign Grace Music, Red Mountain Church, Derek Webb, Jacob’s Well, and most modern folk music Movie(s): The Village, Rocket Man, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory TV show: The Office and Seinfeld Sports Team(s): Ohio State Buckeyes and WSU Favorite Get-away: The Outerbanks in North Carolina Local Restaurant: P.F. Changs and Panera Bread