Meet Pastor Jake Medcalf
It is with great joy that the SPC congregation welcomes Pastor Jake Medcalf as our next Lead Pastor! Jake comes to us with 15 years of ordained ministry. His most recent positions were as Lead Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Hayward, and as Founder and Sr. Project Manager for Firm Foundation Community Housing in Castro Valley, CA.
Jake’s primary gift set is one of vision casting, strategic planning, and strategic execution. HeĀ believes that the faith community has a critical role to play within God’s ongoing work of bringing heaven to earth. It is not hard to imagine a heaven without systemic racism, homelessness, hunger, abuse, neglect, widows, orphans and the poor. He believes it is our collective work as the faith community to dream and imagine a world where those no longer exist and to do our best work as the church to bring forth that reality.
Jake has been married to the love of his life for over 24 years. They both are PNW natives. He and his partner Joan plus their 4 children (Addison, Sammy, Kimo, and Daisy) and new puppy (Koloa) spend an inordinate amount of time at soccer games and swim meets. He loves the outdoors, adventure, and pretty much any sport where you can keep score š
Pastor Jake will begin serving as Lead Pastor on Monday, February 12. He will lead the Ash Wednesday service, at 7:00pm, on February 14, and will begin residing at Sunday services on February 18.
What's Next?
Over the next few weeks, Pastor Tom Dabasinskas, SPC’s Interim Lead Pastor will continue to decrease his hours in the office, while wrapping up his work at SPC, making the transition for Jake as smooth as possible. The staff and HR Committee will prepare onboarding details for Jake and continue to lead SPC in their regular roles.
Sunday, February 11 will be Pastor Tom’s last day at SPC. We will honor his service to us, pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to lead him and Tori in their next life adventures and then celebrate them well at a reception after the worship service.
On Monday, February 12, Pastor Jake will begin his position at SPC. His first Sunday of leading and preaching in worship will be February 18. Sometime in the next few months, we will formally install Jake as Lead Pastor during worship.
Keep watch for updates and if you have questions, we invite you to ask a staff member after a worship service, or email Pastor Kelly at kelly@spconline.org.
Pastoral Nominating Committee
The PNC (Pastoral Nominating Committee) was voted to represent the SPC congregation and begin the process of interviewing and discerning who will be the next Lead Pastor for Sammamish Presbyterian Church.
The PNC includes: Heather Choco, JJ Borichewski, Pramukh Jeyathilak, Steve Kamm, Denise Knopp, Debbie Poulin, Erica Stephens, Clay Trushinsky, and Sara Winnick. You can read their bios HERE.
Sammamish Presbyterian Church's lead pastor must be gospel-centered and mission-minded. They must be an experienced leader, capable of casting a vision and leading into that vision, and have the skill and strength to help SPC chart a new path forward. They will enter a congregation eager to be fed and ready to grow as disciples of Jesus. SPC is a family that looks to know God better, serve him well, and grow in fellowship with one another.
TRANSITION BEGINS
Winter 21-22
COMPLETED
- Jeff ends his call at SPC
- Announcement of Interim Pastor
- Pastor Tom Dabasinskas begins at SPC as Interim Lead Pastor
INSIGHT GATHERINGS
Spring 2022
COMPLETED
- Staff/Session retreat to begin insight gathering
- Vital Church Survey
- Personal and group interviews
- Congregational Meeting
MISSION STUDY
Summer 2022
COMPLETED
- Survey results revealed
- Mission Study
- PNC: Pastor Nominating Committee formed
PNC WORK
Fall/Winter 2022-2023
COMPLETED
- MIF: Ministry Information Form (church resume) created
- Receive/review PIFs: Pastor Information Form
DECISION PROCESS
2023
COMPLETED
- PNC vets top candidates
- Finalists visit PNC in person
- Final candidate is chosen by PNC and preaches at SPC
- Congregation votes
- Approved candidate is installed