MINISTRY VISION

Luke 14:12-14

12Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

1. To restore dignity and relieve hunger through SHARED MEALS.

2. To intentionally LISTEN TO THE STORIES of those who are experiencing homelessness, while looking for opportunities to affirm assets and motivation.

3. To ASK those who are homeless about current goals and PRAY FOR EVERY NEED we can.

4. To meet critical needs of shelter and clothing through RELATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS.

5. To increase our ADVOCACY, AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING, and LOVE for the homeless in Salem.

6. To invite all who join us to SERVANTHOOD and leadership.

7. To say NO to VIOLENCE, and YES to making PEACE as a COMMUNITY.

OUR TEAM

DJ

Founding Pastor &

Chief Executive Officer

Overseer of a beautiful mess.  Champion for the vision, partnerships and training of leaders who seek mutual transformations.  DJ seeks to develop new leaders, partnerships and resources to free those experiencing homelessness from the bondage of scarcity and invite everyone into a community of abundance.

Josh

Pastor & Chief

Operations Officer

Josh has served youth and families through providing after school opportunities, workforce development and safe family environments across the state.  Seeing the unsheltered individuals in our city has motivated him to develop new dignifying, low barrier jobs, and shelters. Reach out to Josh for more about our shelter sites and job opportunities.

(971) 375-7491

Sam

Housing & Chief

Development Officer

After growing up in Salem and obtaining her MSW at Eastern Washington University, Sam spent 10 years in Spokane developing programs to support people experiencing homelessness. She recently moved back to Oregon with her family and is supporting the case management, outreach, grants and business management teams at Church at the Park. 

John

Pastor &

Program Director

John is a graduate of Whitworth University, where he earned a degree in Peace Studies, and is currently working on a Masters of Divinity at Portland Seminary. Captivated by the theme of Shalom, John works with our staff and volunteers to design services that are relevant, dignifying, and restorative for our community.

Cheyenne

Communications

Director

Cheyenne is a graduate of the University of Oregon, where she earned her bachelor’s of education in Family and Human Services. She is passionate about inviting our unhoused neighbors into meaningful relationships of inclusion and mutual transformation by welcoming all guests and partners of Church@thePark to the banquet of belonging.

Elene

Shelter Manager

With a background in advocacy and previously working for CASA, Elene is the Shelter Manager for Church at the Park. She continues her passion in social services through being a listening ear and helping to create a safe environment for our guests to shelter and feel accepted.

Emma

Chelsea

Matt

Juanita

Volunteer Coordinator

Business Manager

Garden Coordinator

Navigation Services Manager

Emma is a graduate of Whitworth University and serves as our Volunteer and Donations coordinator. She is the best point of contact for ways to get involved. Emma has a heart for people, their stories, and is not afraid to sit in the messiness of life. Interested in volunteering or donating tangible items, Emma is your best point of contact.

Chelsea is an Arizona to Salem transplant by way of Wilsonville. She brings a wealth of experience in medicine and business administration, and her deep desire to meet the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors guides her in her role with Church@thePark.

Matt graduated from Western Oregon University with a Bachelor's in Psychology. He has experience in both case management and program development. Matt is committed to supporting and strengthening the outreach, case management, and health navigation teams at Church at the Park in order to effectively serve those who are most vulnerable in our community. 

Juanita is a retired nurse and master gardener.  She lives out of her van by choice and has seven years of training from Bob Wells (Cheap RV Living).  She has helped move several people in our community from survival to a thriving and purposeful life.