The leadership of Labish follows the Evangelical Church of North America Discipline and desires to be obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading.
Leadership of Labish
Head Trustee Bruce Chapin
Bruce Chapin has served as Labish Church’s head trustee since 2014. He grew up in a Christian home. After graduating from OSU he married Velan and became a full time Orchardist. They have four adult married children. Their son and son-in-law work with them in the family business raising cherries and hazelnuts (called “filberts” by us old Oregonians). It is Bruce’s desire to see people become equipped to build better relationships with God, their families and all they meet.
Member at Large Austin Chapin
Austin Chapin grew up in a Christian home that attended Labish Center Community Church. He is married to his beautiful wife, Leanna, and together they have one daughter and three rambunctious boys. Being a fourth generation farmer, he is blessed to see Gods glory in nature every day on their cherry and hazelnut farm in the local Mission Bottom area. Nothing builds faith like relying on God to grow your crop, protect during harvest, and provide markets to sell. After much prayer Austin felt lead to serve on the church council and started in early 2020. He will be the first to tell you he is a sinner and relies on Jesus Christ, his savior, for forgiveness, continual spiritual growth, and personal improvement.
Spiritual Elders
Our church is prayed for and discipled by our Spiritual Elders.
Pastor Gary Englert
“No words can describe the way Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit
alive in me, profoundly changes my life day by day. (In a very good
way!) What a privilege to serve Him as a pastor. Sheila and I
have been married over 20 years, each passing year growing deeper in love and
honor for each other. We are blessed to be the parents of Korey,
Kasey, and Gabriel, three fabulous sons."
Bob Peacock
Bob has been attending Labish since 1974. Bob has served in the area of Christian Education for several years and has been a member of the Pastor Parish Committee for 12 years. "As an Elder I seek the Holy Spirit to help me grow to spiritual maturity and desire this also for our congregation." Bob and Mary have been married for 56 years and have four married children and seven grandchildren.
Velan Chapin
Velan has been a member of the Pastor Parish Committee since 2009 and church treasurer since 2012. She grew up in a Christian home, was baptized and confirmed as a child. Her steepest spiritual growth began in 2011 when she began meeting weekly with the Pastor Parish group for spiritual study and to pray for the congregation. Velan and her husband have been farming since they got married in 1973. They have four children and soon will have 20 grandchildren. It is Velan's desire to see others experience the joy of spiritual growth.
Rachel Sanford
Newest member to the Spiritual Elders. However she is no stranger to being involved in the church. She has served in various capacities from Sunday School teacher to Council Member. See her profile on the "Staff Page"
