Senior Pastor

Pastor Jeff Ballard

I have been thrilled to call Gardiner my home since March of 2017. I love this place and the people of
this church! Here’s just a little bit about me…
I earned a bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry from Nebraska Christian College, and then graduated
from Emmanuel Christian Seminary in East Tennessee with a Master of Divinity degree.
I have spent 30+ years in ministry, working with youth, college students, and single adults. I spent some
of those years serving in very large churches, working primarily in the area of discipleship. But this is
HOME now and I hope to be here a very long time.
I enjoy fly fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, golf, and coffee roasting.
In March of 2021 I married Valerie who shares my love of Gardiner and this church! She has worked for
the American Red Cross for 20 years and is happiest when she is serving people in need.
She loves exploring Yellowstone, riding in the combine with her dad back on the farm in Illinois, and
drinking coffee.
We are both grateful to God for the privilege of doing ministry in the name of Jesus with a church family
that exhibits His love and grace!

~ Jeff &Valerie

 

Worship/Youth Pastor

Rebecca Bankert

I was born and raised in Canton, Ohio and also attended a small Bible college in Canton, called Malone University. I completed a degree in music education and music therapy, becoming a Board Certified Music Therapist in February of 2017. I worked as a music therapist in Cleveland (Go Browns!) for four years and loved getting involved at my local church with worship, young adults, and teen ministry during that time. In the summer of 2018, I came out to Yellowstone with ACMNP and worked at Lake Lodge. I loved it so much and have never looked back. I spent my summers in Yellowstone and worked as a music therapist during the school year. I moved to Gardiner full time in May of 2021, accepting a job as the Mammoth Employee Recreation Supervisor. I am also very excited to be leading the worship team, youth group, and helping with children’s Sunday school here at GCC. In my spare time, I love to travel, read as much as I can, write songs on my guitar, hike and explore in the Park, and ski in the winter!

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Church Secretary

Leslie-Ann Young

Financial Secretary

Nancy Tyson

Church Board

Justin Kingma

Kelly Vroman

Lloyd Krueger

Joy Perius

David Bent

Eleanor Stone

Noel Mayes

Linda Miller