Our leadership staff would love the opportunity to get to know you. We strive to maintain a casual and friendly atmosphere within the church and make efforts to be flexible to meet your needs and answer any questions. From Christian counseling to scheduling a baptism, to including you in our prayers or much more, we are here to help. Please contact us and let us know how we can be of use to you. Below you will find pictures and some biographical information about our administrative staff.

Pastor: Timothy Wilkens

Early Childhood Director: Brigetta Guelker

I was born and raised just outside of Albuquerque, NM and love desert life (for the most part). I did a lot of my schooling in the Midwest and graduated from Martin Luther College with a Bachelor of Science and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary with a Master of Divinity.

I have been a pastor since 2010 and have been in Kennewick since Spring 2015. I enjoy worship and preaching & teaching the Bible to new or yet-to-be Christians.

God has blessed with me a loving & dedicated wife who works at home raising our three beautifully rambunctious daughters. They are the joys of our life. We love living in the Tri-Cities and we love our church. Besides being active in the church life, we also like to hike, camp, fish, cook and watch movies.

I was born in Australia and moved a lot during childhood, but eventually ended up in western WA. There I pursued two of my dreams, attending Chef’s School and taking sign language classes. After Chef’s School, I went to Dr. Martin Lutheran College, in MN and studied Early Childhood Education, graduating in 1999.
I have taught at and directed preschools in New Mexico and California. In 2019, I moved to Kennewick to help Southridge Church begin a brand new Preschool Ministry. I currently serve as a lead teacher and the director of Southridge Early Learning Center as well as the Early Childhood District Coordinator of our church body’s PNW District.
Some of my interests include cooking, teaching children ESL through the use of Sign Language, watching action movies, quilting, and Dr. Seuss (you have not met a bigger fan).