Virgil Askren - Senior Pastor

I am from a family of five children.  Needless to say, I am the oldest.  I was born in Jacksonville Florida, where my dad was stationed in the Navy. Our family started on the East Coast and ended up on Whidbey Island in the state of Washington. I graduated from Northwest Nazarene College in 1981 with a B.A. in history and in religion. In 1986 I graduated with my M. Div. from Nazarene Theological Seminary.  In the spring of 2006 I completed my D. Min from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.  I like to learn new things and want to find ways to keep my mind fresh.

I met my wife Judy while attending NNC. We were married in March of 1981.  We have two incredible girls, Arielle and Abbey, who are both in college.  I am sooooo proud of both of them.  One of my hobbies is telling others how great they are and all that they are doing to make life exciting. 

My wife, Judy and I have been serving full-time in pastor ministry since 1986.  We have pastored and served on staff in Portland, Klamath Falls, and now Bend.  I have had the privilege of serving as pastor of Bend Naz since August of 2003.  We love the people, this place and all that God is doing here.  The greatest challenge is continually keeping up with a staff and congregation who love to keep growing in their relationship in Christ and finding ways to meet the needs of our community. I absolutely love new ideas.  I am afraid I get bored easily.   I love to be able to tell other pastors what a great church I serve.

When I am not working I love to ski, watch mindless reality T.V. shows (The Biggest Loser), and eat good food. I am always looking for someplace new to go and try out the lunch special.  Judy and I also love to travel and try to find the “good deal” to get there and have fun.  

Favorite Movie There are way too many movies to have a favorite, but I really like the Count of Monte Cristo.  I like movies with action, adventure, danger and happy endings!

Favorite Quote “The best of us is a Christian in the making.” 

~E. Stanley Jones

This is a constant reminder to give grace and to look for the places where God is working in other people.

You can email pastor Virgil at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by clicking here

Ryan Emerick - Worship Arts Pastor

I was born in Oroville California, a town unknown by most, but known by some as the Gold City.  I lived in Sacramento, California during my childhood, and moved to Yuba City to attend Faith Christian High School; where I met my better half, Holly.  In 2001, Holly and I were married.  We now live in Bend (ironically), with our 3 beautiful kids.

I received a call into ministry in high school playing for a youth group.  Shortly before marrying, Holly and I helped plant a Wesleyan Church in Yuba City.  Soon, we found ourselves at Yuba City Nazarene, where I was asked to join the staff in full-time ministry as a worship leader.  In October of 2007, we felt that God was preparing us for something big in our lives.  That big something turned out to be Bend Nazarene!

In February of 2008, we packed up our stuff, our kids, and our dog, Chloe, and left California for the unknown.  Well, technically it was known.  We knew we were coming to Bend, but it was still unknown in the spiritual, emotional sense; you know what I mean?  Anyway, life has been a rollercoaster for us, but through it all, we have learned the value of knowing, hearing, trusting, and following God’s voice.

Favorite Movie:  Braveheart…no wait…We Were Soldiers…no wait…

                               Napoleon Dynamite…Aw!  I can’t choose!

Favorite Book: Hidden in Plain Sight – Mark Buchanan

Favorite Quote: “When I discovered YouTube, I didn't work for five days. I did nothing. I watched Cookie Monster sing Chocolate Rain about a thousand times.” ~ Michael Scott

 You can email pastor Ryan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by clicking here

Cathy Parnell - Children's Ministry Pastor

Bio coming soon...

You can email pastor Cathy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by clicking here

 Matt Bissonnette - Student Ministries Pastor

I was born in Astoria, Oregon, but spent most of my life in the Olympia, Washington area.  I came to Christ as a senior in high school and, soon after, felt God’s calling to ministry. Callie and I were married in August of 1999 and moved to Portland where I attended Multnomah Bible College. I graduated in December of 2002 with a BS in Bible Theology and Youth Ministry. During my time at Multnomah, I served as the volunteer youth pastor for Southeast Community Church of the Nazarene in Portland.

In June 2004, I accepted my first full-time youth ministry position at Kent Nazarene Church in Kent, WA. While at Kent, I enrolled in the online Masters program through Northwest Nazarene University and graduated in December 2008 with a Masters in Christian Education.

Callie and I have two children: Silas, who recently turned 3, and Lindsay, who is 18 months. We also have a Beagle named Jessie. I am a huge fan of baseball and the OSU Beavers. My family and I also enjoy the Oregon coast, attending sporting events, watching NASCAR, and being with family and friends.

Favorite Movie: It's a tie between Field of Dreams and Goonies

Favorite Book: Searching For God Knows What - Donald Miller

Favorite Quote: “Guess what? I have flaws. What are they? Oh I dunno, I sing in the shower. Sometimes I spend too much time volunteering. Occasionally I'll hit somebody with my car. So sue me-- no, don't sue me. That is opposite the point I'm trying to make.”

~ Michael Scott

You can email pastor Matt at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by clicking here

Chuck Robinson - 50+ Ministries Director

My wife, Judy, and I have been married for 40 years (It seems like it was just yesterday).  We have three children: Heather, Tessa, and Will.  we have three grandchildren: Emma, Blake, and Lauren; all children of Brent and Heather Hofen.  My career has been that as a public shcool teacher and coach.  I had the honor of teaching and coaching for twenty-four of my twenty-nine years at one school: Hudson's Bay Hich School in Vancouver, Washington.  Our family worshipped at Vancouver Central Church of the Nazarene during those years.

We moved to Bend ten years ago when Judy got a job as manager of Bend Villa.  We consider ourselves as ten year-old "native" Oregonians.  Judy and I are both preacher's kids.  My dad was an army chaplain and I grew up primarily in the area around Ft. Lewis, Washington.  Both of us are Northwest people, and are very much at home in the Great Pacific Northwest.

The greatest thing of our lives is the redeemed lives we live because of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  It is because of that reconciled relationship with God that we serve Him.

Favorite Movie: "Dr. Zhivago"

Faovrite Book: The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Favorite Quote: "An ill-educated person behaves with arrogant impatience, whereas truly profound education breeds humilty."

                                                                                                                                   ~Alexandr Solzhenitsyn

 You can email Chuck at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by clicking here

Mindy Foster - Bookkeeper

Bio coming soon...

You can email Mindy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by clicking here

Bob Folkstead - Custodian

Bio coming soon...