leading at PVC

Pastor Kessia Reyne began following Jesus one teenaged summer. What started out as a two-week visit with some acquaintances turned into a surprising religious encounter and a spiritual transformation. Theology and Scripture immediately became her passions, and her service in ministry started right away. She began serving on local church teams, teaching Sabbath school, and preaching in her local church and at regional meetings. At age 19 her local church sent her to Southern Adventist University to study for the ministry, funding all four years of her ministerial education there. That's where she met her husband, Joshua. They were married in 2005 and now have two daughters.

Kessia Reyne has served as a college campus chaplain, an adjunct professor, a social media consultant, an evangelist, and as a pastor in churches large and small. She has undergraduate degrees in theology and communication, a Masters of Divinity from Andrews University, and a PhD in Theology from Trinity International University.

"KRB," as she is often called, enjoys the arts (like dance and poetry and photography), enjoys her family, and enjoys her work. There's more KRB over at moves-removes.com.

Pastor Greg spent the first years of his professional life as an ER nurse. He’s been a pastor since 1999, focusing on ministry to high school students and young adults. Ministry has been an incredible adventure, taking him to amazing locations like Ethiopia, Peru, Fiji, and Nicaragua. He has a taste for travel, wilderness, and adventure!

Born and raised in a Christian family, Greg was baptized at the age of 12. In high school, though, he made choices that put him on a different path––a path of sinful selfishness and pain. "As a junior in high school, I was doing a pretty good job of messing up my life. God met me right where I was and showed me how much I needed His forgiveness, grace, and mercy. I’m so thankful that He didn’t give up on me! Now I’m living for Him––forgiven and free!"

Greg and his wife, Sandi, have been part of the PVC family since February of 2013. They have have two beautiful daughters.

Greg loves skiing, whitewater adventures, and fly fishing, believing that spending time in creation helps to connect humans to their Creator. He's also a great cook and hot-drink specialist!

Pastor Tyler grew up all over the Midwest until he landed in Lincoln, Nebraska from 2010 to 2020. There he met his wife, Morgan Huffman, and received his degree in religious education. "Interestingly, I wanted to teach the Bible but I had yet to experience true freedom in Jesus! Praise the Lord that a few years later, He absolutely and completely changed me, changed my wife, and transformed our marriage."
 
Since that remarkable transformation, it has been the joy of their lives to share the gospel and build communities of faith with anyone who wants it, everywhere they go: from Lincoln, Nebraska to Ohau, Hawaii and now to Pleasant Valley Church!

Tyler brings a lot to the team, including positivity, sincerity, and passion for discipleship.

On a personal note, Tyler lists his interests as: Jesus; relationships and reconciliation; the NBA and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves; surfing; aaaaaaaaaaaand Taco Bell.

Miranda always dreamed of using her professional skills to serve in Christian ministry. That dream became a reality when she joined the PVC staff in 2013, overseeing various schedules, communication channels, and campus needs. Miranda brings her keen attention and compassionate heart to her ministry.

Hannah was born and raised in Washington D.C. in a Presbyterian home. Hannah grew up in the church, and though her dad was a lead elder in the church, he was also abusive. Because of the abuse and Hannah’s church hurt, she walked away from the church during her college years. However, the Lord never stopped pursuing her. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in Religious Studies, the Lord continued to come alongside Hannah in gentleness and love. Hannah moved to the West Coast in a last ditch effort to reconnect with her faith. Arriving in the PNW in 2007, Hannah connected with a body of believers in Milwaukie, and was reunited with her first love, Jesus. Shortly thereafter, Hannah’s heart became set on becoming a Worship Pastor. To better equip herself for that calling, Hannah enrolled at Multnomah Biblical Seminary. She attended from 2010-2013, before taking a break to focus on her mental and emotional health. During her pause from seminary, Hannah met and married her husband Glenn Wachter, who grew up Adventist.

In 2016, Glenn brought Hannah to PVC and she instantly felt at home. They decided to make PVC their church family. Since then Hannah has volunteered on the worship team and found tremendous joy leading the PVC family in praise. Still feeling called to be a Worship Pastor, Hannah resumed her studies again in 2019 and graduated with honors and a Master of Christian Leadership. But it still wasn’t her time to step into leadership.

From seminarian turned makeup artist turned coach, Hannah would wait four more years before her calling could be fulfilled. With the arrival of Kessia Reyne Bennett as PVC’s new Lead Pastor in 2022, and the confirmation of the Spirit in both of their hearts, Hannah finally stepped into her long-desired dream. She currently serves her PVC Fam as the Minister of Music. In addition to her role at church, Hannah is an Advanced Grief Recovery Coach with The Grief Recovery Method. Hannah loves encouraging and building others up. With kindness and clarity, Hannah helps others turn their pain into purpose, cultivate healthy growth, and better navigate change. She is a gifted writer, speaker, and singer, and is determined to use her voice to help others know and believe in their own value and worth.

Bev grew up in a fourth generation Adventist home in a small central California farm town, on her family’s walnut orchard. After college at Pacific Union College, she followed a family tradition of pursuing a medical-based career at Loma Linda University where she met her husband David, graduated with her RN degree and worked as a nurse manager post-op recovery. She and David married in 1995.

“Living in the Blue Zone of Loma Linda and being surrounded by so many inspiring lifestyle
heroes, I quickly fell in love with encouraging others to enjoy a healthy, balanced life; making
the paradigm shift from a disease-managed life to a preventive and quality-driven lifestyle.” Bev
combined her RN medical knowledge and went back to school graduating with a Doctorate of
Public Health in preventive care and nutrition, launching years of dedicated promotion and
passion for lifestyle change. She has taught medical professionals how to lead health and
wellness workshops as well as authoring a weight management workbook.

Bev and David moved to Happy Valley Oregon with their two young children in 2005. As home
church for David’s family, Pleasant Valley Church became an integral part of their family and
ministry service. Bev enjoyed homeschooling multiple years and actively supporting Adventist
education. After years of valuable service as a lay member, school board member and an elder, she was nominated into the position of Lead Elder in the fall of 2023. She has brought her characteristic wisdom and hospitality to the role, leading the elder team meetings, sitting with the staff weekly, and leading many ministry events.

Nearing their "empty-nest years," she and David love learning, devouring Audible books, hearing
others' life journey experiences, cycling and running together, and opening their home for
scrumptious meals and table-gathered conversations.

Bev enjoys moments of quiet, getting hands dirty gardening, music, secret acts of kindness,
creating recipes that feed the soul and body, never long enough moments with her family, and of course… a delicious half-sweet iced lavender soy latte.