Redemption Church is a relatively new church in Portland with a lean leadership team working hard to meet the needs of our growing congregation and our community.

It is a pleasure of our staff to serve the spiritual and administrative needs of our people. As our church grows, we will add elders and deacons to our ministry team. Elders provide oversight and spiritual care for our church family. Deacons specialize in specific areas of practical service.


TheBrownsVergil Brown

Lead Pastor

Vergil has served in pastoral ministry since 2007. He is a student of the Word and delights in serving the Lord’s church. Vergil and Kelsey Brown have been married since 2005. Together they have four children: Olive, Lincoln, CoCo, Georgia. Vergil and Kelsey met at Northwest University, where they each earned ministry degrees. Vergil also studied at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.


 

Cosper-HannahHannah Steele

Ministry Director

Hannah is from Snohomish, Washington. She moved to Chicago in 2008 and stayed in Chicagoland until 2018, when she moved to Portland to pursue church ministry. Hannah studied at Moody Bible Institute and Wheaton College, where she earned degrees in Biblical studies, Women’s Ministry, and Christian Formation. Hannah has served in various ministry roles, including student ministry and women’s ministry, and she is very excited about being part of the growing Redemption Church family. Hannah married Trevor Steele in 2021, and they love being part of our church family as they are in a new season of marriage together. 



Screen Shot 2022-03-29 at 10.55.15 PMRon Marrs

Elder

Ron Marrs is presently a Professor of Youth and Pastoral Ministry at Western Seminary.  He came to Western Seminary in 2003.  Ron is the leader of the Portland Youth Workers Network.  He served at Westwood Baptist Church, a Converge church, for 24.5 years primarily as the youth pastor and then as executive/worship pastor.  He has been married to Becky for 44 years, has three children, two daughters-in law, three grandsons, and one granddaughter.  He served as an elder at Hinson Baptist Church prior to joining Redemption Church.  Ron grew up in northeast Portland.  His interests include reading, music, and sports.


Screen Shot 2022-03-29 at 11.00.00 PMJon Paivarinta

Elder

Jon is the husband of Elee, father of six, graduate of PSU (BA Music) and Western Seminary (MA Biblical & Theological Studies). Jon has worked at UPS for 25 years and served the church as a teacher and discipler for more than a decade. When Jon's not reading the Bible with other men, he's hiking, playing basketball, and thinking deep thoughts.

   



Troy Bio 700 x 800 pxTroy Snyder

Deacon of Benevolence

Troy Snyder serves as our deacon of Benevolence. Troy has been in this position since 2023 and has lead our Financial Peace Class for those interested in learning how to steward their resources well. Troy is married to Becca Snyder and they together have four kids, Aubrey, Elias, Ilena and Obadiah.