Who we are . . .
We are a Great Commission church (Matthew 28:19-20).
As a global community of faith, we are commissioned to take the good news of life in Jesus Christ to people everywhere and to spread the message of scriptural holiness (Christlike living) across the lands.
What we do . . .
We strive to express the compassion of Jesus Christ to all persons along with our personal commitment to Christlike living.
While the primary motive of the church is to glorify God, we are also called to actively participate in His mission – reconciling the world to himself.
Our core values . . .
We sum up our core values with the simple phrase:
Passion for God,
Compassion for People
- Creating bridges to the lost and hurting
- Cultivating Biblical discipleship
- Caring for all generations
Our staff . . .
Randy Craker, Interim Lead Pastor E-mail Pastor Randy here
Randy Craker has served the Church of the Nazarene in numerous roles: pastor, District NYI President, District Advisory Board member, Ministerial Development Board leader, District Work & Witness Coordinator, and District Superintendent. He pastored in Idaho and Washington before becoming District Superintendent of the Northwest District. He has served the global church as a member of the General NYI Council from 1983-1991 and the General Board from 2001 until the present. He chairs the Education and Clergy Development Committee and has been a member of the Executive Committee for 13 years. He joined the Board of Trustees at Northwest Nazarene University in 1994 and became a member of the Executive Committee three years later. In 2006 he was elected chair of the Board, a position he held until his retirement. He was granted an honorary doctorate by NNU in 2009.
Randy is an avid reader and sports fan. One of his hobbies is to visit major league baseball parks. To date he has visited 35. Randy and Robbie have 3 children Mick (Kimberly), Olivia Metcalf (Dustin), Craig (Veronica) and 5 grandchildren – Eleanor and Emmett Craker, Andrew and Ethan Metcalf, and Catarina Craker.
Rick Garmon, Associate Pastor E-mail Pastor Rick here
Originally from Iowa, I came to serve at Valley Shepherd in 2017. My work here centers on Adult Ministries, Small Groups, Discipleship and Visitation. My wife, Karen, and I have three grown children and four grandchildren. We love taking walks together, watching sports, camping and most importantly, spending time with family.
Stephen List, Worship Pastor E-mail Pastor Stephen here
Our family moved to the Treasure Valley in August 2013 when my wife Elizabeth took a teaching position at NNU. In February 2014, the Lord led me to accept the call to Valley Shepherd as Worship Pastor. Leading God’s people in dynamic times of musical worship is my passion. I grew up in California and Washington, attending Azusa Pacific University where I earned a degree in Music Education. In 2008, I earned a Master’s Degree in Worship Leadership from Western Seminary and am currently working on a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Florida. Since 1996, we have served in three churches in Southern California and Portland, Oregon. We have two wonderful children, Natalie and Jacob. I enjoy cooking, entertaining, bike riding, hiking, and technology. We are blessed to be a part of this church family!
Joy Lindner, Administrator Pastor E-mail Pastor Joy here
I moved to Meridian in September 2022 to serve as Administrative Pastor. I grew up in Pendleton, Oregon and attended Northwest Nazarene University. After graduating from NNU, I attended Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City where I earned a Master of Divinity degree. I then moved to Juliaetta, Idaho where I served as Pastor of the Juliaetta Church of the Nazarene for 8 years. While serving in Juliaetta I was ordained as an elder. In 2015 I moved to Spokane, Washington to work in the Northwest District Office of the Church of the Nazarene as Assistant to the District Superintendent. I enjoy reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, gardening, and playing games with my two nephews.
Don Bergland, Interim Youth Pastor Email Pastor Don here
Don Bergland returned to the Boise area in 2016. Currently he lives in Nampa with his wife, Trudi and loves having his family living close by. He feels blessed to have his granddaughter live just down the street. Serving as a youth pastor for 20 years, Don loves working with students and their parents. Don’s best days are spent living life with his wife and playing with his granddaughter. He enjoys going to the gym, working on cars and trucks and is always available to talk with you.
Monica Langford, Children’s Ministries Co-Leader Email Monica here
I was born and raised in Teton Valley, Idaho, and have been in the Treasure Valley for over 20 years. I love playing and relaxing outside. My husband loves fishing and I spend a lot of time reading on the boat as he fishes around me. My boys grew up through the Kids Ministry and Youth Department at Valley Shepherd and I have been heavily involved in these ministries for many, many years. When I’m not serving at the church, I am working in an Extended Resource Room at an Elementary School in Meridian. Kids of all ages have my heart!
Our purpose in our Kids Ministry at Valley Shepherd is to lead children to know Christ, follow Him, be rooted in the foundations of our faith, and make His love known to others.
Anna Williams, Children’s Ministries Co-Leader Email Anna here
I grew up in the Meridian area and have attended Valley Shepherd from birth, with the exception of a four year period when my family lived in Tennessee, while my husband Nate completed his PhD in Social Work. We have 3 amazing kids, who keep us running with all their sports and music activities. I have bachelors in Horticulture and a Masters in Education and have worked in Children's Ministries since I was a teen. I started serving as the director of Caravan in 2005 and on the Children's Council in 2016. I love gardening, being outdoors, reading, traveling and spending time with my family.
Chris Danker, Facility Manager Email Chris here
Originally from the Portland, Oregon area, my wife Jessica, daughters Sarah and Amy and I moved to Nampa in the fall of 2015. I began part-time work on the church staff in October 2017, “watching over” the youth sports team practices three evenings a week. In January 2018, though still part-time, my hours were increased and I began training as Assistant Facility Manager. This grew into a full-time job, and in March I became Facility Manager, overseeing care and maintenance of the building and grounds, as well as the setup required for the many events that take place at Valley Shepherd each week. I enjoy playing board and video games, and was involved in Civil War Reenacting for awhile.
Judie Staub, Secretary Email Judie here
I grew up in Sacramento, then moved to Elk Grove in 1969 where we raised our family. I worked for the State of California for 34 years, retiring in December 2005. Widowed, I moved to Meridian in 2006 as I have family in the area. I’ve worked in the church office since August of 2015. I play in the Handbell Choir, enjoy bowling, and am learning to quilt.
