New Worship Pastor Appointed at Pine Lake Covenant Church in Sammamish

NEW WORSHIP PASTOR APPOINTED AT PINE LAKE COVENANT CHURCH

SAMMAMISH, WASHINGTON — J.D. (Jedehiah) Brenke is the new worship pastor at Pine Lake Covenant Church as of June 1, 2017.

Brenke comes to Pine Lake Covenant Church from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts where he served since 2013 as the assistant chaplain for Worship Arts in the Office of Spiritual Development.

Mark Meredith, lead pastor at Pine Lake Covenant Church says the Brenke is an excellent addition to the staff. “J.D. has a unique ear for music and people,” said Meredith. “He has a God-given way of connecting with people of all ages, and making people around him better at what they do.”

Barb Grinbergs, chairwoman of the search committee, said, “J.D. encompasses everything we’re looking for in a worship leader. He is a talented musician and singer, but what stands out is how he wants worship to be a place where one can experience Christ. He truly has a pastor’s heart and a love for growing and mentoring the musicians he works with.”

“I’m hoping J.D. can bring fresh energy to our worship ministries, creating space where we can all experience God and worship in a comfortable way. We hope J.D. can mentor the young musicians of our church and grow the next generation of worship leaders,” Grinbergs added.

After the search team had interviewed Brenke, he led the congregation in worship on April 30. Afterward, the congregation voted unanimously to call Brenke to serve as the worship pastor.

“My hope for the Worship Ministries of Pine Lake Covenant Church is that we will be a community of creatives who are committed to using our artistic gifts to show the glory of God and inspire people to worship. I believe it takes hard work, commitment, and creativity to do amazing things for the God’s Kingdom and I am looking forward to serving the people of PLCC, Sammamish, and the surrounding areas.”

Before serving at Eastern Nazarene College, Brenke served at Highrock Church in Quincy, MA, and Highrock Church in Brookline, MA. Brenke is an ordained pastor with the Evangelical Covenant Church. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA, and a Bachelor of Arts from Lee University in Cleveland, TN.

Thirty-four-year-old Brenke was born in South Korea but has lived in the United States since he was seven years old. Married to his wife Sara Kim since 2007, together they have one child, Elyse, who is 5 ½ months old. They plan to make Sammamish their home.