Leadership
What is the distinctive of a Presbyterian church? The answer is our leadership culture, the clue of which is found in the name itself.
In the New Testament, appointed leaders were called presbeuteroi, or in English, elders. Each Presbyterian congregation is governed and led by a group of men and women, chosen by and representative of the congregation, called ruling elders. Together they serve on and comprise the leadership group, called the Session. The pastor of a Presbyterian church is called a teaching elder, and serves as the moderator of the Session.
Mark Mary
Elder for Personnel
Mark was born and raised in Boise, is the youngest of eight children and has been in the Wood River Valley since 1994. He has been married to his wife Lisa for 25+ years. They have two daughters, Jordyn (22) and Adisyn (17). They have been attending CBW for the last ten years. Mark worked for POWER Engineers for 28+ years in Human Resources and recently retired so he can spend time with his family, serve the Lord, give back to his community and enjoy life.
Richard Brown
Elder for Missions
Richard and his wife Rhonda moved from Houston to Sun Valley full time in 2012. Richard currently runs an oil and gas exploration company and was educated at the University of Texas as a Petroleum Landman. Richards passions are kids and grandkids in Houston. Hunting with his birddogs Axl, Rose, and Slash; racquet sports, skiing, fishing, scuba diving, and flying. Richard is active at CBW and loves Sunday sermons and his men’s Bible study on Wednesdays. He is a big proponent of our FOR THE VALLEY CAMPAIGN. Richard also runs the Salvation Army of Blaine County.
Andy Allen
Elder for Administration and Finance Committee
John Dimant
Elder for Deacons Ministry
Deb and I moved to Hailey from Gig Harbor, WA in 2014. We started attending the Church of the Big Wood seven years ago, shortly after meeting Pastor Mark for coffee. For us the church has been a wonderful opportunity to grow in our faith, make some amazing friends and gradually get involved in various ministries. It truly is the first church we have been a part of that really feels like family to us. In my former life I spent 28 years as a partner in a large Pediatric practice in the Tacoma-Gig Harbor area. Deb and I ski, both downhill and Nordic, and snowshoe in the winter. In the warmer weather months, we like to mountain bike and hike and love to explore the western US and Canada in our truck camper. I look forward to joining the other session members in a concerted effort to help serve our church.
Wendy Eckland
Clerk of Session
Brian Kotara
Elder for Adult Ministry
Ed Northen
Elder for Worship
Greg Eslinger
Elder for Youth Ministry
Erika Shane
Elder for Family and Children’s Ministry
Shannon Anderson
Elder for Big Wood School
Pete Stephenson
Elder for Building and Grounds
Leona Anthony
Elder for Affiliates Ministry