Get to know your nominees. Below are the individuals submitted by TRC’s Nominating Committee for our open committee positions for the 2025-2026 Conference Year. All terms are for three years, unless stated differently.
Board of Directors
Dan Bonney (Elder)
After growing up in the Dominican Republic, Pastor Dan attended college and seminary in the States. Following marriage to Paula, he returned to the Dominican Republic and lived there for 14 years. With their sons, Christopher and Jordan, they came to Spokane Valley in August of 2003. Pastor Dan writes, “One of my strongest convictions is that the church should be a loving and caring family; a safe place where we are encouraged to grow in our Christian faith. Church should be a healthy connection; not only to God, but also to each other and to our community.
Jordan Kaufman (Lay Leader)
Jordan Kaufman serves as the Executive Director of Shelter from the Storm, a domestic and sexual violence advocacy center in La Grande, Oregon. Jordan and her husband Chris also planted Hub City Church, a community rooted in grace, hospitality, and justice for those who have often felt overlooked or hurt by the church. With over a decade of ministry experience, Jordan is passionate about creating spaces where people encounter the love of Christ through authenticity, service, and belonging.
Bryan Kida (Lay Leader)
Bryan has been married to his wife, Porshe since April 2011. They have four children – three on this side of Heaven ages 9, 11, and 13. Bryan has been part of next gen ministry since 2011 either as a volunteer or kids/youth pastor. Currently he works in the mayor’s office for the City of Caldwell doing community outreach. They attend and lead Caldwell FMC in Idaho. In his free time, he likes to play softball, pickleball, guitar, and ukulele.
John McGee (Lay Leader)
John serves in several positions in the River Conference including as a General Conference Delegate, the Assistant Superintendent of the Boise Region, a Member of the Board of Directors, a Member of the Ministerial & Educational Guidance (MEG) Board and a member of the Nominations Committee. John served in the Idaho State Senate from 2005 to 2012 and serves his local community in several capacities. John and his wife, Hanna, have been married for 20 years and have a daughter, Madalyn and son, Maxwell.
Dieudonné Mushishi Imaniragaba (Elder)
Pastor Mushishi is a life-long learner holding a undergraduate and masters degree in Philosophy. He is currently working on his PhD. Mushishi is a pastor at Light & Life Church in Chandler, Arizona. He was the co-founder of Eben-Ezer Ministry International and currently serves at the CEO: Executive Director.
Calia Rodriguez (Elder)
Calia is originally from the Seattle area and began candidacy in the Free Methodist denomination following graduation from Seattle Pacific University (BA Christian Theology, 2001). As a CMC, she spent a year in Santiago, Chile as a FM VISA missionary, and then moved to Texas to begin seminary at Perkins School of Theology (MDiv, 2008), and was ordained June 2018. Calia is married to Ricardo, who is a mathematician and administrator for Dallas College, and they have two daughters, Xaris and Ixy. Calia is a Critical Care Staff Chaplain at Children’s Medical Center, Dallas, and serves the River Conference by overseeing a church building that houses two TRC Church plants, an additional house church, and a non-profit organization. In her free time she enjoys reading, sewing and knitting, and making all sorts of liturgical art projects for church, ministry and the hospital. She likes to play games with her family, and watch her daughters dance!
Ministerial Appointments Committee (MAC)
Talena Greenawalt (Lay Leader)
Talena and her husband, Tim, have been in ministry in the Free Methodist Church for 40 years. She led Youth and Children’s ministries throughout the years. They are presently at Rockwall Free Methodist Church. Talena works with children at Rockwall FMC and is director of their weekday preschool. They have three adult children, a son-in-law, two daughters-in-law, and eight grandchildren. They are all active in Rockwall. The Free Methodist Church is an important part of Talena’s life. She has followed God’s leading as she works, prays, and plays alongside those in their local church, friends around the country, and missionaries around the world.
Hanna McGee (Lay Leader)
Hanna lives in Caldwell, Idaho and attends Deer Flat Church. She serves on their local Board of Administration. Hanna and her husband, John, have been married for 20 years and have a daughter, Madalyn and son, Maxwell.
Ministerial Education & Guidance Board (MEG)
Tedi Gonzalez (Lay Leader)
Tedi Gonzalez attends the Light & Life Chandler Free Methodist Church in Chandler, Arizona, and is married to Senior Pastor David Gonzalez. David and Tedi have one son, David Isaac. He too is actively involved in the community and serves as a worship leader at Chandler Light and Life. Tedi is a Re-Engagement Manager and Specialist at Grad Solutions where she brings her many years of experience working with young people. She is passionate about helping students succeed and is blessed to support students all over the world to obtain their High School Diploma.
Jose Segura, Chair (Elder)
Jose Segura is currently serving as Pastor to Grace and Truth church in San Antonio. He has been serving faithfully since 2013 and has been part of the MEG since that time as well. During all this time, he has seen both the blessings and challenges that pastors and their families face. He grew up as the son of a pastor and has always had a passion to serve those who serve. Together with his wife Natalia, and daughters, Elizabeth and Rebecca, they try to radically follow the call of the Master and lead others to discover that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. There truly is no greater joy than to walk with the King.
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Marlene Thomas (Lay Leader)
A member of Timberview Church in Spokane, Marlene Thomas has served in local church, conference and denominational leadership several times over the years of partnering with husband Matt (pastor, superintendent, bishop). She served as a MEG board member in the early 2000s. Marlene has been married to Bishop Emeritus Matt Thomas for 49 years.
Finance Team
Rick Day
Rick is the Executive Administrator of Deer Flat Church, where he has served for over 24 years. He oversees finances, human resources, facilities, media and technology, as well as Camp Cascade Christian Camp in Donnelly, Idaho. Rick began a retail career at the age of 16 and over the next 20 years worked in retail management for Macys, Mervins, Office Depot & others. He then spent several years self-employed in construction and a delivery business prior to coming to Deer Flat. He has been married to Anita for 44 years and has two sons and five grandchildren.
Dick Winters
Richard (Dick) Winters graduated from college in 1973 with a degree in Mathematics and started his career as an Industrial Engineer with Boeing and was then selected to transfer to Boeing Computer Services to computerize the area he worked in. Dick spent the next 18 years in data processing with several companies holding several positions before landing a job as data analyst within the gas supply department of the local utility. Within the Gas Supply Department he held several positions, data analyst, main contact with state and federal officials on governmental filings, and the last 10 years of his career he was a commodities trader/buyer of natural gas. Dick retired in 2011 as the Manager of Natural Gas Acquisition. He has been a member of Spokane First Free Methodist church since moving to Spokane in 1978, being a member of or chair of the finance committee for a good majority of the past 40 years. Dick and his wife Lois have three grown children and nine grandchildren. In our spare time they enjoy thieir motorhome, grandkids, and learning about the world through cruising.
Bob Terrell
Originally from the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, Bob has been a local church pastor for more than 38 years. Before that, Bob was in Southern Gospel Music, singing with numerous gospel quartets. A former Oasis Conference Assistant Superintendent, Bob is currently the Camp Pastor at Emmanuel Pines Camp in Prescott, AZ. Bob has been married to his wife Kathi for about 20 years. They have a blended family and have six children ages 15 to 35. Bob enjoys a diverse group of activities. From driving side-by-sides to NASCAR, Bob is an avid fan of motorsports of all kinds. He also enjoys living at Emmanuel Pines Camp where his wife, Kathi, is the Executive Director. Headed for a total of 54 years in ministry, Bob loves what he does. After all, what’s not to like? Life is great!
Nominating Committee (1-Year Term)
Ebenezer Appiagyei (Elder)
Ebenezer Appiagyei is a dynamic leader who is dedicated to serving others. As an ordained Elder in the Free Methodist Church USA and a Trial Lawyer, he has combined his skills to make a difference. His previous leadership roles in the Ohio Conference and current position as Lead Pastor of Living Tower Free Methodist Church in Aurora, Colorado, and District Leader of the Colorado Region of The River Conference, highlight his ability to inspire and empower others. He is married to Angelina and they have three children. He enjoys reading, and quality family. He is a beacon of hope, a testament, and a strong advocate of “ The Beloved Community.”
Tedi Gonzalez (Lay Leader)
Tedi Gonzalez attends the Light & Life Chandler Free Methodist Church in Chandler, Arizona, and is married to Senior Pastor David Gonzalez. David and Tedi have one son, David Isaac. He too is actively involved in the community and serves as a worship leader at Chandler Light and Life. Tedi is a Re-Engagement Manager and Specialist at Grad Solutions where she brings her many years of experience working with young people. She is passionate about helping students succeed and is blessed to support students all over the world to obtain their High School Diploma.
Julie Gray (Elder)
Julie Gray has a life-long love for the Church, and a passion for the Bride of Christ to be a healthy instrument of transformation in the world. Her 30+ years of ministry in diverse and multi-cultural churches have expanded that passion to include people of every language, nation, tribe and race that will be gathered around the throne of God. Her education includes time at Central Christian College of Kansas, Seattle Pacific University, Fuller Theological Seminary, Free Methodist Ordination coursework, and a Certificate in Spiritual Transformation from the Transforming Center, in Wheaton, IL. Julie is currently Sr. Pastor at Phoenix Life Church, married to Marvin for 32 years, and loves to spend time visiting her kids and grandkids scattered across the country.
Tim Greenawalt (Elder)
Timothy Greenawalt, has been in ministry for 44 years. He served as pastor in San Antonio, Texas for 15 years before moving to Rockwall in 1996. He is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary and enjoys coaching soccer and playing his guitar. Pastor Tim has been married to his ministry partner and wife, Talena, for 47 years. They have three adult children and eight grandchildren.
Mike Kreuch (Lay Leader)
Mike Kreuch is a retired school teacher born and raised in Spokane, Washington. He has attended First Free Methodist Church for 50 years, holding numerous leadership positions within the church. He has also been active in Columbia River Conference programs. He has served as lay delegate in both the CRC and River Conference. His history with the northern churches and knowledge of its members will be useful in finding qualified persons to fill upcoming conference leadership positions. Mike has been married to his wife, Debbie, for 48 years. He has two children and four grandchildren.
James Leman (Elder)
James grew up a missionary kid on a Indian Reservation in eastern Montana. This childhood helped shape his worldview and his desire to see people come to a life-changing knowledge of Jesus. He felt called into full-time pastoral ministry as a freshman in college, but it took another eight years for him to end up in a church setting. He is excited about pushing and challenging people to order their entire lives around Jesus Christ. His heartbeat is connecting those who currently know and passionately worship Christ, and those who are willing to live in authentic community, with those who have not yet had their lives transformed by Jesus. James is also passionate about his family. He’s been married to Abby since 1999. They are blessed with two sons, Sam and JJ.
John McGee (Lay Leader)
John is a marketing and public relations professional He serves as a Board Member of Deer Flat Church, Love Caldwell and served as the Chairman of the Downtown Caldwell Organization. He served as the Chairman of the Canyon County Republican Party Central Committee and on the Board of Directors of the 2009 International Special Olympics. John served his alma mater, the College of Idaho, as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. McGee was elected to the Idaho State Legis-lature from 2005 to 2011. As the youngest member of the Senate, McGee was consid-ered a strong advocate for improving Idaho’s infra-structure and growing a strong economy. John was the Majority Caucus Chair-man, the 4th-ranked leadership position in the Idaho Senate, and spent two terms as Chairman of the Senate Transportation Com-mittee. A life-long resident of Caldwell, he and his wife, Hanna, have a daughter, Madalyn and son, Maxwell.
Marianne Pena (Elder)
Marianne grew up in Miami in a pastoral home, where her discipleship began. Throughout her younger years she served her home church in many capacities including youth pastor and worship leader. In 2014, she and her husband, William, became lead pastors of New Vision Church in Hialeah, FL. Over their eight years as lead pastors, they helped develop leaders and a thriving bilingual ministry. In 2022, she moved to Spring, Texas with Will and their three boys to plant Essential Life Church. Marianne’s heart is to encourage others to grow in discipleship and reach their God potential. Marianne holds an MA in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University and a Graduate Certificate in Discipleship & Spiritual Formation from Wesley Biblical Seminary. She also serves as the Co-Director of the Conexion Latina.
William Pena (Elder)
William Peña, originally from Santiago, Dominican Republic, holds a BA in Physical Therapy from PUCMM. After relocating to Miami, Florida in 2006, he immersed himself in various roles within the church, serving as a worship leader, youth pastor, and eventually becoming a senior pastor. In 2022 he ventured to Houston, TX to plant Essential Life Church alongside his wife Marianne and their three boys. Today, William dedicates his time to coaching younger pastors and church planters while also contributing to Conexión Latina of the FMC.
Heather Utley (Elder)
Rev. Heather Baker Utley has served in church and non-profit ministry for over 20 years. Born in the Buckeye state (O-H), she’s a graduate of Taylor University and Seattle Pacific Seminary (MDiv), which included a semester at Daystar University (Kenya). Previous ministry positions include Communications Director at Youth Dynamics, Family Ministries Pastor at Arlington Free Methodist Church and Seattle’s First Free Methodist Church in Washington, and Church Planter/Pastor at Tapestry Church in San Antonio. She’s also worked in communications at the Free Methodist Church USA and Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy. In addition to serving as Assistant Superintendent, she also serves on the Teaching and Communications Team at The Park Community Church in San Antonio. Heather is married to Clay, our conference youth ministry network coordinator, and they have two middle school boys.
Secretary/Treasurer (1-Year Term)
Deb Baggett (Lay Leader)
Deb serves as Conference Administrator & Secretary/Treasurer. She graduated from the University of Wyoming with a B.S. degree in Management Information Systems in 1986 and began working in the financial industry. She held several security licenses and eventually became the Director of Marketing of a Denver-based financial advisory firm. After over a decade in that industry, Deb resigned help her boys navigate their way through middle and high school. She became a career volunteer at that point serving as the President of the Green Mountain High School Football Boosters then shifted her efforts to Denver School of the Arts in their theater program. Deb also served as Treasurer of River Church in Lakewood, CO for eight years. She grew up in the church and gave her life to Jesus as a young person and loves to serve the Lord. Deb and her husband John enjoy living in Wyoming and all that it has to offer. They love to hike the mountains with their dog and are avid travelers. Their oldest son, Joseph, is an Army Airborne Ranger and their youngest son, Alex, is an actor and lives in The Hague, Netherlands with his beautiful wife Sophie.