bobjohnson@gfcconline.com
cindyjohnson@gfcconline.com

Bob Johnson was raised in a Christian home, saved at the age of 4, and walked with Jesus until his late teen years. He lived in a backslidden state throughout college and four years in the US Navy. In 1972, while attending the University of Montana, he married his wife, Cindy, and began his journey back to God. In 1976 their lives were dramatically changed when they were baptized with the Holy Spirit at North Kenai Chapel in Alaska. Bob was ordained a pastor in July 1981 and immediately moved to Great Falls, Montana, to pioneer Great Falls Christian Center. Beginning with four adults, five children and a dog, they have since grown to a healthy church with a weekend attendance of over 450 and a midweek “Generation Church” involving 150 young people.

Bob’s life message focuses on the grace of God and His unique purpose for every believer. This has found its outworking through over twenty years of ministry dedicated to building and strengthening churches, equipping leaders and loving the body of Christ. GFCC has established three outreach churches (in Gardnerville, NV, Billings, MT and Santa Maria, CA) and has “adopted” seven others. The church has also planted a mission team in war-torn Kosova where they are involved in an ongoing mission to communicate God’s love, hope and healing.

In April of 2001, Cindy Johnson was brought on staff to coordinate the Prayer and Intercession Ministry at GFCC. Cindy has a unique burden for prayer and a grace for instilling that burden in others. Through her encouragement and direction, GFCC has become more intentional and strategic in the ways we address the needs for prayer in our lives, our ministry and our city.

Bob and Cindy have four children: Amy, Abby, Rachel, and Ryan; all of whom are serving faithfully in their respective local churches. They have been blessed with seven grandchildren with a vision for many more - both spiritual and natural.
 

nateswanson@gfcconline.com

Nate Swanson was raised in a Christian home and came to know the Lord at an early age. Even throughout his childhood there were times he sensed a call to the ministry upon his life. During his high school years, however, this sense of purpose took a backseat to other self-serving motivations. In his late teen years, Nate experienced the grace of God in a number of encounters that drew him back to the Lord’s will for his life.

A year in Bible school and a few years serving at a church in Helena began his preparation for ministry and provided a platform for relationship with the GFCC leadership team. In September of 1999, Nate came as an intern to serve in the children’s ministry at GFCC for a nine-month period. However, in those months it became apparent that God wanted him to stay a little longer! 

On November 16, 2001, as a result of his decisions to let go of other distractions and as a confirmation to the grace evident in his life, Nate was ordained as a pastor to the GFCC body. Throughout the years, Nate and his wife Rachel (whom he met at GFCC and married in September of 2000) have served well in a variety of areas, always with passion, vision, creativity, strong team-building skills, and a love for the local church.

In 2010, Nate was commissioned into a new role within the GFCC leadership structure.  As Executive Pastor, Nate works with the various department leaders within the church; overseeing the development of new leaders, stream-lining ministry strategy and communication, and providing resources that equip the body.

Through all these years Rachel has had continued involvement in the worship ministries at GFCC, ministering to the Lord and the GFCC family with her servant's heart, her humble passion and her beautiful voice.

Nate and Rachel are devoted to their four adorable children; Isaac, Isabelle, Israel and Elias.

leebarrows@gfcconline.com

Lee Barrows came to know the Lord in September of 1971 and, as he did, was delivered from a lifestyle of alcoholism. Deeply grateful for the freedom he found in God, Lee, along with his wife, Udeen, began to commit himself to service and training in the local church - Grace Gospel Church in Sunburst, Montana.

By 1973, Lee & Udeen had experienced the Lord's salvation and two years of rigorous ministry training. It was at this point that they were first sent out to plant a local church. The next eleven years would see them involved in various church works, one of which would lead them to Great Falls, a relationship with Bob & Cindy Johnson and a church merge with Great Falls Christian Center. After a time of building relationship in the church, Lee was ordained as an elder (1985), and then as a pastor to the GFCC body (1986).

Lee’s experience, gifting and servanthood have benefited the GFCC leadership team greatly over the years. He currently oversees pastoral care, the Small Group Ministry and the assimilation team at GFCC. Besides this invaluable work at GFCC, Lee has also ministered extensively to a number of local churches throughout the northwestern United States, Germany and the Philippines.

In all of this, Lee and Udeen are supported by a loving family, made up of three married daughters (who serve faithfully alongside their husbands in their local church bodies), five wonderful grandsons, and a lovely little granddaughter.
 

kernlee@gfcconline.com

Kern and Bev Lee are both from Alabama. They grew up about 100 miles from each other but did not meet until the Air Force brought them together while they were attending the same tech school in Illinois. It was also the Air Force that first brought them to Great Falls where they were stationed in the early 70’s.

Once their time in the Air Force was completed the Lees moved to Alaska and began attending Nikiski Christian Center (NCC) where they would serve for ten years. It was here that they learned to love God’s church and to see the amazing role it plays in advancing the Kingdom of God. During this time they came to understand more clearly the call of God on their lives and Kern was ordained an elder and teacher in the church. It was also at NCC that they started a life-long friendship with Bob and Cindy Johnson.

During the last couple of years at NCC, Kern became disillusioned and very bitter and lived for several years in a severely back-slidden state. In 1986, during this ongoing struggle, Kern and Bev returned to Great Falls to join their good friends, Bob & Cindy. In time, Kern came to full repentance and was restored in his relationship with the Lord. He is deeply thankful for the limitless grace of God and the faithfulness of his wife and friends.

In 1997, after once again being proven in the areas of service and character, Kern was ordained as an elder in the GFCC body. In May of 2002, Kern came on staff as the Administrative Pastor of the church. Kern also brings to GFCC a teachers grace and a love for God’s Word. This grace and passion are most beneficial as he supervises The FORGE, GFCC’s Bible School/Internship Program.

Kern and Bev have been blessed with three wonderful children: daughters Casey and Anna, and their son Joseph. They also have one grand-daughter, Kira and are eagerly awaiting another on the way.


 

stevefleming@gfcconline.com

Steve Fleming was raised in the family of a pastor and gave his life to Christ at the age of 5. After such a great start, his parents grieved as they watched him grow distant from God and them in his teenage years, struggle to find fulfillment through rebellion and alcohol, then join the Air Force to pursue his own way of life.

It was this decision that led him to Great Falls, MT when he was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in 1998. He soon after gave his heart back to the Lord, committed to join Great Falls Christian Center, and began to serve; helping in the youth ministry and playing drums for the worship team.

Attending GFCC is what led Steve to his future wife. Steve & Christel were married in June of 2001 and have since been expanding, having added Emily Madison, Noah Bradley and Natalie Olivia to the household.

Whether as a couple or as singles, Steve and Christel have served in numerous different ministries, repeatedly proving themselves to be not only gifted but dependable, as well. Since separating from the Air Force in May 2005, Steve has been a valuable part of the GFCC staff.

In response to the growing grace evident in his life, Steve was ordained as a pastor to the GFCC family in January of 2010.  It was at this time that he and Christel assumed the oversight of Generation Church (the youth ministy at GFCC).  As examples of faithfulness, servanthood and spiritual hunger, the Flemings are the perfect fit for a generation that is too often fickle, selfish and aimless.  Steve is also known as an eager student of the Word, bringing stability and conviction to every ministry he oversees.  With this as a foundation, coupled with the Flemings' passion for worship, there is forming beneath them the making of a spiritual revolution in the GFCC youth.

cathywelter@gfcconline.com

Ray & Cathy Welter, along with four of their five daughters, moved to Great Falls in 1986. Despite their plans to do some "church shopping" before settling down, after just one visit the Welters knew GFCC was the place that they would commit to as their home church.

From previous experience in other local churches, the Welters knew the value of serving, and, almost immediately, they began to use their giftings to benefit their church family. Over the years, they have served in a variety of ministries including Prayer, Kids' Church, Nursery and Drama - in addition to cleaning the church facilities.

In 1991, after proving faithful to the Lord's work in so many ways, Ray was ordained a deacon of the church and continues to serve in this capacity. As for Cathy, through her church involvement, she became known for the kindness, gentleness and compassion that she constantly demonstrated. This reputation, along with her willingness to serve others, caught the attention of the church leadership and, in 1998, secured a place for Cathy as the GFCC staff secretary. Ever since then, Cathy's sweet spirit has been serving as a healthy balance to the hectic office activity.

In addition to their five lovely daughters, the Welter's family has grown to include 3 beloved sons-in-law and 9 cherished grandchildren.
 

nicolemcadam@gfcconline.com

At the age of 14, Nicole McAdam gave her life to Christ at a GFCC summer camp. The next few years would involve her yielding completely to the plan of God, eventually leading her to earning her bachelor’s degree at Portland Bible College, marrying Aaron McAdam, and serving alongside him for 4½ years as Youth Directors for his home church, Bend Christian Fellowship.

In late 2006 the McAdams (now a family of four with son Judah and daughter Alyx) were led by God to return to Great Falls and become a vital part of Great Falls Christian Center. Their Bible College educations, natural & spiritual gifting, and their eagerness to serve would make them a welcome addition to any church. GFCC was blessed to receive them!

The McAdams jumped into service for the GFCC family. Youth ministry, worship, multimedia and the women’s ministry have all benefited from their involvement. Not to mention that GFCC as a whole has benefited greatly from Nicole’s attention to detail, practical prowess, and ability to delegate in her role as the staff Administrative Secretary.

If there is anything that appears to be in any way organized at GFCC, it is likely that Nicole has her hand in it! She constantly exceeds the expectations of her demanding job and does so with a great attitude!
 

ericcrawford@gfcconline.com
 

Eric Crawford was invited to attend GFCC as a pre-teen boy in the late 1990's. Although he gave us plenty of laughs (and headaches, at times!), we have watched him mature into a gifted and compassionate young man of God.  He was raised in a good, moral family and received a sense of responsibility, a strong work ethic and a commitment to integrity from his parents, Rich and Cathy, who have since become a part of the GFCC family.

Eric's passion for God has been evident since his early years of high school and that passion was brought into even sharper focus during a year attending the FORGE, GFCC's internship, during the 2008/2009 school year.  After a year of observation in the FORGE, the GFCC leadership team unanimously decided to offer Eric a part-time summer position and became convinced even further of his gifting, character, love for GFCC and, above all, passion for Jesus.

As a result of these qualities and Eric's proven faithfulness over years of volunteer servanthood, Eric was commissioned as Children's Minister in January of 2010 and became a permanent part of the GFCC staff.  We're excited to see how his passion for Jesus continues to grow and how it is passed on to a younger generation in need of a personal touch from our wonderful Savior. 

Eric oversees the ministries involving all children from infancy to 3rd Grade.  He also leaves his creative fingerprints in various places, overseeing the production of the weekend bulletin, announcement videos and a variety of other promotional mediums.