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Senior Pastor Jon and Candy Brandstetter
Youth Pastor Chris and Audra Thurman
Michael Angel, Children’s Director

PASTOR

Pastor Jon and Candy Brandstetter

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Jon A. Brandstetter is the senior pastor of Columbia Foursquare Church. He and his wife, Candy, and their two children came to CFC in the Fall of 1993. Two months later, the church building burned to the ground! The congregation moved into the current $2.2 million facility in 1996.

Pastor Jon was born and raised in Colorado, the oldest of five children. He graduated from Yale in 1970 with a B.A., from Oral Roberts University in 1981 with an M.Div., and from Fuller Seminary in 1999 with a D.Min. He served as a United Methodist associate pastor at Central United Protestant Church in Richland and at the UMC in Silverdale. He joined the Foursquare denomination in 1987 and pastored for six years in Gresham, Oregon before coming to Richland.

His passion is for the kingdom of God to triumph in every way over the kingdom of darkness so as to see the heavenly Father’s will done on earth as it is in heaven. He desires to see mature, fruitful, reproducing disciples of Jesus Christ raised up for end-time ministry. His vision is for the church to love God, love believers, and love the lost. This vision is accomplished through worship and prayer (Exaltation), small groups and training (Edification), and one-on-one witnessing and missions (Evangelism). The vision utilizes a cell church model focusing on the Principle of 12, a plan to make every believer a disciple and every disciple a discipler.

PASTOR JON'S TESTIMONY
I was born into a happy family in Colorado, the oldest of five children. Mom took us to church, but my dad did not go. Religion was a stressful topic for my family.

I excelled at academics, was accepted at Yale and graduated in 1970, but not before getting into drugs, rock music, and sexual immorality. After college, I headed back to Colorado where I became a “ski bum,” not working but skiing and partying through the winter. With hair down to my shoulders, I adopted a play now, work later philosophy. I considered myself to be nice guy, a benevolent egotist, and a pleasure seeker, a hedonist, who was into whatever felt good. But I had one problem: my world was empty and without meaning.

I met a girl I had known in high school and I was attracted to her because she had a personal peace, joy, and purpose to her life that I did not possess. She talked a lot about God, especially Jesus. I felt lost, empty, depressed, and at times, suicidal. The difference between us seemed to be God.

I began to pray, read the Bible, and attend church meetings. One night I came to understand that when I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, my sins are forgiven. He paid the price and died in my place. God accepts me because of Jesus, not because of me. I asked God to forgive me and I was spiritually born again with a new eternal perspective on life. Jesus rose from the dead and His Spirit now lives in me as He does in all true Christians.

That encounter with the living God inspired me to turn all my energies to serving Him. I have a master’s degree and a doctorate degree studying the things of God and I now work as a pastor in a church. I help others find their way to a new life of love, joy, peace, and purpose in God, with God, and with others.

Perhaps I can help you. I would be happy to talk with you and pray with you anytime. Just call or email me and ask for Jon.

YOUTH PASTORS:

PASTOR CHRIS and AUDRA THURMAN
Pastor Chris began ministering as a team leader in 1998 to hundreds of youth in a move of God that transformed the Tri Cities called the River. Pastor Audra began ministering in 1995 to the inner-city of Detroit, MI and Auburn, WA as a youth pastor. In the summer of 2002, the Lord brought Chris and Audra together as Chris was interviewing for a youth pastor position that Audra had just resigned. Chris likes to joke and say that he took Audra over the job… and that’s just what happened. Wedding bells were heard 7 ½ months later for these two. Chris and Audra joined CFC’s staff as youth pastors after having  journeyed through Western Washington and Central Idaho as youth pastors.

Chris and Audra’s objective is to minister to this generation the love, power and deliverance of Jesus Christ. They desire to give them a vision that offers hope and to see the power of God touch His people. They  currently reside in Pasco, WA with their children, Justus, and Judah, and Isabella.

CHILDREN'S PASTORS


MICHAEL AND CANDIS ANGEL
After being introduced to Jesus to 1986, my wife, Candis, and I became very involved in our church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There, we both served on staff for several years in many different capacities, until we were asked to help begin another Church in a different part of the city. The transition from a large, well established church to helping start a church was a wonderful experience. We were blessed to be involved in every aspect of it. After spending 19 years in Albuquerque, now with 3 young boys, we sold our home and moved to the Tri-Cities.

From our first visit in 2004, it was clear to us that Columbia Foursquare Church was to be our home. We began pastoring the children of CFC in 2005 and are blessed to be a part of such a great children’s ministry and serve with all of the people involved in Bustin’ Out Kidz. We also began overseeing the Connection ministry with a desire to connect every visitor with the Church and a cell group. Our 3 wonderful sons are also a vital part of the ministry, Vance is our oldest son who hosts a youth (Cell) group, and teaches a children’s cell group in our home. He also serves on the Bustin’Out Kidz dance team and leads small group discussions. His genuine love for others and continual sacrifice to help any way he can is so vital and appreciated. Vincent, our second son, is also on the dance team and very involved with the ministry. With a heart to please and strong determination, he is a tremendous part of everything we do. Varick, our youngest son is the fun loving comic of the ministry, often being silly to make anyone laugh yet being quick to introduce others to Jesus.

We are excited for our family to be a part of the vision at CFC both with Bustin’ Out Kidz Church and Cell Groups. It is our desire for all children to bust out of every man-made limit by running to the cross.