SENIOR PASTOR

Christie Love holds a Master’s Degree in Practical Theology from Regent Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry from Eden Theological Seminary. She specializes in the research and study of the intersections of faith and religious trauma. She also holds a certificate in Religious Trauma Studies from the Global Center for Religious Research and is a certified Enneagram trainer.

Christie founded and ran an International Women’s Ministry called LeadHer from 2011-2018, where she was named one of John Maxwell’s Top 100 leaders. In 2018, she founded and has pastored The Connecting Grounds Church in Springfield, Missouri, a Disciples of Christ church with a heart for outreach and advocacy. Christie is an ordained minister through The Disciples of Christ. She published her first book, God of the Gaps, through Morgan James Publishing in April 2021.

She co-hosts Flipped Table Theology, our weekly podcast on progressive faith, deconstruction, and religious trauma. In early 2024, she co-founded The Flipped Table Collective, where she volunteers as the Executive Director. Through this platform, she teaches classes, workshops, and certificate programs, develops resources, coaches clergy, and builds relationships with others who are passionate about bringing change to The Church.

She has a deep passion for the church's potential and a pastoral heart for guiding local churches to become safe spaces for those who have experienced trauma.

She is married to Bob, and together, they have four adult children and two spoiled dogs. They relocated to the Yakima Valley from SW Missouri to serve at Englewood Christian Church.

CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR

Dawn Gaulke is currently the Church Administrator at Englewood Christian Church. Her administrative journey began at Community Living, where she served as the Office Manager. Prior to this, she was a Staff Supervisor and Client Coordinator at Community Living, guiding a team of 30 staff members, clients, and their families to ensure their needs and goals were met. Before joining Englewood Christian Church, Dawn served as the Parish Administrator at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Yakima. Her experience in administration and community service spans over 30 years.

Dawn and her husband Tom have enjoyed 34 years of marriage. They've raised three sons who are all now adults, and have welcomed two daughters-in-law into their family. They are proud grandparents to six grandchildren, with another on the way. Their family also includes two German Shepherds, Princess Leia and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Dawn's hobbies include cake decorating, Bible journaling, and hiking.

YOUTH AND YOUNG FAMILIES PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Karissa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Seattle Pacific University and a certificate in the Art of Spiritual from Stillpoint. Originally from Yakima, Karissa's journey has taken her to various corners of the country, including Seattle, Ann Arbor, MI, and New York, before returning home to start her family. Professionally, Karissa brings over ten years of experience in the tech industry, where she worked at Google and Airbnb. As a user experience researcher, she was focused on uncovering the underlying needs and motivations of users as the foundation for building effective product solutions. Her entrepreneurial spirit also led her to own a small cafe and retail business in Tieton, WA. 

Karissa’s training in spiritual direction through the Stillpoint program at Ghost Ranch has equipped her in the practice of sacred listening – a way of being present with others on their personal spiritual journeys. While rooted in the Christian tradition, Karissa holds a broad and inclusive perspective, valuing the wisdom found in diverse spiritual streams and extending a warm welcome to all. She is optimistic about the role the church can play in our communities as a refuge for rest in a chaotic world, a nurturing place for spiritual growth, and a catalyst for social change.

Her personal passions include the creativity of interior design, travelling the globe any chance she gets, and getting lost in a good book. Karissa and her husband Alex are parents to two young sons and one fluffy pup. Their family life abounds in both the chaos and the incredible joy of raising tiny humans. It’s from this place that Karissa is passionate about supporting young families in cultivating thriving spiritual lives in our modern and busy world. 

ORGANIST/PIANIST

Kaeren began piano studies at the age of 4 in Yakima, WA, under the guidance of her grandparents and other wonderful teachers.  Inspired by her grandfather who was organist at First Presbyterian Church for 28 years, she also began organ studies when she was finally “tall enough to reach all the pedals” in 7th grade under the coaching of one of the nuns and Monseigneur John Ecker of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Yakima where she became the organist during her middle, high school, and some post-college years.  She received a music scholarship to WSU in Pullman and was a double performance major in both piano and pipe organ.  Kaeren was also offered scholarships at Whitman in Walla Walla and San Francisco State University in conjunction with San Francisco Conservatory. 

Kaeren married James Fouts of Yakima and they moved to Hawaii in1969 where she turned toward using her piano abilities to perform mostly classical music in formal dining rooms.  She continued nonstop in that career for over 21 years in both Hawaii and the Puget Sound Region where they moved with their baby son, Christopher, in 1989.  During her time in Seattle, she was granted private study with Bela Siki, chair of the piano department at UW for 2 years.  In 2008 she pursued her lifelong dream of studying violin and has been a violinist with Thalia Symphony Orchestra for 16 years.  In 2019 she performed a U.S. Premiere of the Erzsebet Szonyi organ concerto with the symphony deeming the 79 pages of organ music to be the most difficult piece she has ever played.  She still commutes weekly for rehearsals in early fall and spring. A former passion of dancing (ballet, jazz, hip hop, and mostly tap, and Irish hard shoe – Riverdance) had to be abandoned after 25 years when several back surgeries forced the decision.   

Kaeren and James moved back to Yakima in early January 2023 and live happily in West Valley. She finds returning to playing the organ and classical music on the piano again a dream and is joyful to share her love of music at Englewood Christian Church.