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 “Gen 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 two outreach churches (in Gardnerville, Nevada, and Billings, Montana) and has “adopted” two others. The church has also sent two missionary families to 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 three married daughters: Amy, Abby, and Rachel, serving faithfully in their respective local churches. Their son, Ryan, plays guitar for the GFCC worship bands. They have been blessed with two grandchildren with a vision for many more - both spiritual and natural.

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 two married daughters who serve faithfully alongside their husbands in their local church bodies, and three wonderful grandsons.

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.

In 1997, after spending a year at Full Gospel Bible Institute, he returned to Helena, Montana to serve under his father in a newly pioneered church. The next 2½ years were spent in training as Nate assisted with various ministries there. It was through his work in the youth ministry that he began to build a relationship with the leadership at GFCC.

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 his abilities were a valuable asset to not only the Kids’ Church ministry, but to the church as a whole.

In February of 2000, Nate was hired as a full-time staffer. While serving at GFCC, Nate met Rachel Johnson and decided he couldn’t live without her. They married on September 16, 2000. The Kids’ Church ministry truly became a team ministry as Nate and Rachel served side -by-side. The Swansons' leadership brought structure and a team mentality to the Kids’ Church ministry.

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.

In early 2003, the Swansons were given responsibility for Generation Ministries at Great Falls Christian Center. As the Generation Pastor, Nate oversees all ministries for children, youth and young adults of the church.

As a result of their Godly heritage, the grace they’ve received, and their personal commitment to Jesus, Nate and Rachel bring a voice of purpose and hope to this generation. Nate’s strongest desire is to see youth and young adults equipped to serve God’s purposes in their time. This is a passion that is reflected consistently in the ministries he oversees and the messages he preaches.

Nate and Rachel are devoted to their two adorable children, Isaac (born in March of 2003) and Isabelle (born in August of 2004).
 

kernlee@gfcconline.com

Kern and Bev Lee first came to Great Falls in a military transfer. Just out of high school, Kern had joined the Air Force and there, in technical training, met his future wife. From Montana, after fulfilling their commitment to the Air Force, the Lees moved on to Alaska. Considering both had grown up in the Alabama heat, the climates of these northern states required some getting used to.

Once in Alaska, Kern and Bev began attending North Kenai Chapel, and there began their spiritual training. The Lees served the church in many ways and, as a result of faithfulness and gifting, Kern was ordained as an elder. Although they had both accepted the Lord into their lives as young teens, the time spent here proved to be one of foundation-laying and seasoning.

It also proved to be a time of severe testing. For some years during and after their time in Alaska, Kern lived in an extremely back-slidden state. In 1986, during this ongoing struggle, Kern and Bev returned to live in Great Falls and join their good friends, Bob & Cindy Johnson. In time, Kern would be fully restored to health in the Lord. Kern credits this restoration to the limitless grace of God and the faithfulness of his wife and friends.

In 1997, after being proven once again in servanthood and character, Kern was ordained an elder to the GFCC body. In May of 2002, Kern came on staff as the Administrative Pastor of the church. In addition to handling many other responsibilities, Kern supervises The River School of Theology, GFCC's Bible school.

Kern and Bev have been blessed with three wonderful children; daughters Casey and Anna, and their son, Joseph.

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.