Elders

We are led by the session, not any one person. The session is made up of our elected pastors (teaching elders) and ruling elders. A Presbyterian form of church government stresses accountability and pluraily. To learn more about a Presbyterian form of government check out this article.

Jon Stoddard – Pastor

Hi there! I grew up in Colorado, but discovered Utah has all the stuff that makes Colorado great–I can ski in the winter and ride my bike and hike in the summer. I started out my career by studying Computer Science in college, but joined the Marines full-time when I graduated. While the Marines initially sent me to Hawaii, I soon found myself in much hotter and challenging places like Iraq. But it was through those dark times that God showed he would hold me fast, even when I couldn’t hold much together.

As I was getting out of the Marines, I got married to my wonderful wife Lisa, a nurse. After settling down in Denver, I realized God had used my time in Iraq to call me to full-time ministry. So we packed up and moved to Philadelphia so I could go back to school and learn fun things like Greek grammar and Hebrew verbs and how to be a pastor.

Lisa and I have four young kids that keep our arms full and life from ever being dull.

We moved to Utah in 2013 and I can’t think of a better place to serve as a Pastor. We’ve been blessed by having our parents move close by and Utah is our home. One of my favorite things is sitting down with people and wrestling with tough questions about faith and God. In fact, I wrote a book that tries to answer some of the common questions I get about church. I always enjoy meeting new people and would love to connect with you!

Feel free to contact me at: jon@jordanvalleychurch.org

 

Wes Holmes – Pastor of discipleship 

Wes is originally from Southern California. He grew up not going to church and never really knowing Jesus until the Lord broke into his life at age 19 and rescued him from self-destructive substance abuse and apathy.

Wanting to grow in the knowledge of God, he pursued a Bible-based education at Biola University and Westminster Seminary in CA. During his time in seminary he met his wife, Julia, and they were married in 2014. God called Wes into full-time ministry in 2015. Since then he has served churches in Flagstaff, AZ and Billings, MT.

Wes and Julia moved to Utah in 2021 and are so glad to be serving here in fulfillment of their long-standing desire to make Christ known in this state.

Wes and Julia have two children, Titus and Zoey.

Email: wes@jordanvalleychurch.org

 

Ruling Elders

Our elders serve the spiritual needs of the people and help to lead the church.

 

Walt Lynch

I became a Christian at age 5 at our family's church camp in West Virginia, where I also developed a love for the outdoors. On my way home from my time in the Army, I went to a wilderness mountain area. There I saw beauty, that I thought I would only see in heaven. I started my engineering career in Pittsburgh, PA, where I met my wife at a work Bible study. But I desired to share God's truth with a backdrop of the mountains. So when the opportunity came, we moved to the Inland North West, raised a family, and served God's church there. When our last child graduated, my engineering job transferred me here to Salt Lake City. Now I am retired and trying out some new activities as we serve God here.

A.T. Stoddard

I was raised as the son of a pastor, but really came to know and trust the Lord when I left home and went to college. I met my wife Susan while I was in school in Colorado and we were married a year after I graduated. We started life together in Florida, moved to Alaska, to New York, back to Alaska, to Colorado, and now we are in Utah. Susan and I have been married 46 years and have three children, six grandchildren, and another expected in 2023. After arriving in Utah in the fall of 2018, we became members of Jordan Valley Church and began to serve in various ministries. My career was in engineering and included time in the Air Force, teaching at the University of Alaska, and being a partner in a small transportation engineering and planning consulting firm. My desire is to serve the church through teaching and helping everyone to grow in their knowledge of God and the Bible toward having a deeper faith. I have a real heart for the children at JVC and want to encourage and support parents as they raise their children to know the Lord.

 

Deacons

Our deacons serve by helping with the physical care of the congregation and the church building. 

David Sunwall

David was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana. With the help of his family and church community, he came to know Jesus early in life and is thankful for God’s unfailing love over the years. He enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife Shaina and his energetic boys, Samuel and Caleb. He is blessed to be a part of a loving community of people at Jordan Valley Church. David enjoys working as a Data Analyst but likes to escape to the outdoors whenever possible.

Jake Hehr

Hi, I’m Jake! I moved to Utah from Southern California in 2017. I attended church off and on as a kid, but it was during my college years that God began moving in my heart to show me how deeply He loves us and wants us to know Him. I’m so thankful that, as Paul says in Romans, “…while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I work as an electrician and live in West Jordan with my sweet wife Amanda and two (soon to be three) kids! I also enjoy serving as a deacon where I get to work with others to help meet the needs of the church.

Kerry Jorgensen

My name is Kerry Jorgensen, and I have lived in Utah my whole life except for a year and a half which was spent in Arkansas. I have been married to my wife Heather for 13 years and have two kids Charlie (8) and Avery (5). Spending time with my family is a top priority of mine and when time allows I enjoy camping, golfing, and playing pool.

I was not raised in a family that believed in God, or a family that even talked about the idea of going to church. In March of 2019 however, that all changed after the sudden passing of a close family member. Shortly after that my family and I found ourselves walking into the doors of Jordan Valley Church. That day God sent our lives in a direction that would forever change us. In August 2019 we asked Christ into our lives and were baptized. Since that day I have seen the transforming work of God in myself, my wife and my kids. I sometimes wonder why God waited so long to break in to my life, but I do know and trust that His timing was perfect.

Chuck Jongert (Emeritus)

Our family moved to Utah from Phoenix almost 30 years ago for a job opportunity. Pam and I have four adult married children giving us 11 grandchildren. We have been married for 41 blessed years. We owned a business here for over 25 years which we sold 2 years ago giving us the opportunity to retire. We found JVC and became members about 4 years ago. Pam and I enjoy traveling, hiking and exploring God's wonderful creation.


Saúl Feria - Music Director

I was born in Ventura California but lived in Mexico my whole life.  I grew up in a Christian Family, at the age of 17 I started knowing more about Jesus and starting serving in the music ministry in Mexico. I moved to Utah 2 years ago where I got married to my wife Cipatly. I pray that the Lord can guide me and my family so we can keep serving him.

Naomi Winebrenner – Office Administrator

I'm from South Dakota but grew up in Wisconsin, where I met Jeremy, and where we had our two girls. His job brought us to Utah in 2011, and I'm so thankful for this beautiful place, this church, and the friends we've made here. The move out here was definitely a gift from God! I love anything involving the outdoors and hot weather and can't understand why anyone would endure more than one Midwest winter while places like Utah exist. I also enjoy cooking, reading, gardening, and acquiring new hobbies.

 

Children’s Ministry Coordinators

  • Shaina Sunwall

  • Lacey Nash

Please Contact Pastor Wes if you have any questions about our Children’s Ministry.