Leadership

Leadership

Pastors

(he/him)

Transition Pastor

(she/her)

Executive Pastor

Pastor Brenda Salter McNeil, a Black woman, smiles at the camera

(she/her)

Associate Pastor
Preaching & Reconciliation

(he/him)

Associate Pastor

Worship and Arts

Staff

(he/they)

Resource Administrator

(they/them/theirs)

Kids Director

(she/her)

Sr. Director Story
and Formation

(she/they)

Director of Community Life
& The Bridge

Terry Kelly, a Black man, smiles at the camera

(he/him)

Sr. Director
HR & Finance

(he/him)

Technical Director

(he/him)

 Facilities Manager

Elders

Sonja Lowe, a white woman, smiles at the camera

(she/her)

Elder | Chair

Donnie Griffin, a Black man, smiles at the camera.

(he/him)

Elder | Co-Vice Chair 

(she/her)

Elder| Co-Vice Chair

(they/them)

Elder | Secretary

(he/him)

Elder | Treasurer

Sam Kim, a Korean-American man, smiles at the camera.

(he/him)

Elder | Advisor

Jim Caldwell, a white man, smiles at the camera

(he/him)

Elder

Tre Wyatt, a Black man, smiles at the camera

(he/him)

Elder

Nourisha Wells, a Black woman, smiles at the camera

(she/her)

Elder 

Aaron Cho

(he/him)

Ex-Officio Elder

(he/him)

Elder / Sabbatical

Deacons

Eunice Soh, a Korean-American woman, smiles at the camera.

Eunice Soh

(she/her)

Deacon / Co-Chair

Emma Sanchez

(she/her)

Deacon / Co-Chair

Ineliz Soto-Fuller, a Puerto Rican woman, smiles at the camera

Ineliz Soto-Fuller

(she/her)

Deacon | Secretary

Kevin-Hale

Kevin Hale

(he/him)

Deacon 

Randall Ajimine

(he/him)

Deacon

Sara Caldwell, a white woman, smiles at the camera

Sara Caldwell

(she/her)

Deacon

Jen Manlief

(she/her)

Deacon

Garrett Chan

(he/him)

Deacon

Nathan Ives

(he/him)

Deacon

Daniel Yu

(he/him)

Deacon

Pastor Aaron Cho, a Korean American man, smiles at the camera

Aaron Cho

Lead Associate Pastor, Community Life
Elder
[email protected]

Aaron joined the Quest staff in 2012, relocating to the Seattle area from Pasadena, California. In many ways, his journey to Quest serves as a homecoming of sorts, having been born and raised in the great Northwest (represent 253). After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Whitman College, he spent a year teaching English and serving at a church in South Korea. It was there he found his call for pastoral ministry and pursued further educational debt, aka a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary (little did he know he would meet Judith, his future wife, at Fuller). Through his experience growing up and serving in the Korean immigrant church and also serving as a pastor in a predominantly African-American, multiethnic/multicultural church, he strongly values racial reconciliation and the myriad of ways in which people connect with and worship the living God. He loves engaging life through sports, eating amazing food from every culture, reading, and beating his wife in Monopoly Deal.

Pastor Katey Hage, a white woman, smiles at the camera

Katey Hage

Associate Pastor, Quest Kids & Family Ministry
[email protected]

Katey is the Quest Kids & Family pastor at Quest Church. Katey brings an intense passion for children, and experience in our own Quest Kids, to her position. She and her husband, Corey, and their three children live in Magnolia.

Pastor Brenda Salter McNeil, a Black woman, smiles at the camera

Brenda Salter McNeil

Associate Pastor, Preaching & Reconciliation
[email protected]

Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil is a powerful, prophetic preacher and thought-leader in the field of reconciliation. She is an associate professor of Reconciliation Studies and the director of the Reconciliation minor program at Seattle Pacific University. Brenda is an author, speaker, and consultant with over 25 years of experience in the field of racial, ethnic, and gender reconciliation (Igniting a Reconciliation Movement). Brenda earned her B.A. from Rutgers University, her M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and her D.Min. from the formerly named Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, now Palmer Theological Seminary. Brenda was recently named by Christianity Today as one of the 50 women to watch for in her work shaping the church and culture. Brenda and her husband Dr. J. Derek McNeil have two children and reside in Seattle. She served as Quest’s transitional pastor from October 2018 – June 2019 during the lead pastor transition.

Matt Hornbeck

Director, Worship
[email protected]

Matt, with 16 years working at Quest Church, combines social understanding and creative leadership, holding a Master’s degree in Applied Sociology and a Master’s of Fine Arts degree in Arts Leadership. Alongside his partner Roxy and children Lennon and Cadence, he prioritizes family and fosters a welcoming environment. Previously a professor, he integrates his passion for art and social change into his role, believing in art as a particularly powerful catalyst for spiritual transformation. His leadership at Quest Church reflects a deep commitment to social justice and active passion for music and art.

 

Brandi Miller

Chief Storyteller
[email protected]

Terry Kelly, a Black man, smiles at the camera

Terry Kelly

Senior Director, Operations
[email protected]

A Chicago native, Terry moved to Seattle in January 2007 for an internship at City Church (now Churchome) in Kirkland, WA; a background in ministry and early childhood education at Chicago Christian Academy led him to discern further his call into ministry. What happened next in his professional development was unexpected. In 2008, Terry, during a temporary assignment in Kirkland, was extended the opportunity to join the accounts payable department, leading to a flourishing career in finance and accounting. Leaving the corporate sector to journey alongside Quest Church—a consultant with 8+ years of experience in accounting, payroll, staff development, and business infrastructure relating to system and process development—Terry complements the team, bringing a wealth of knowledge and giftings to aid in the continual development of Quest. In support of better and sustainable opportunities that create equitable access to resources and capital for untapped communities, Terry has a passion for creating spaces for inclusiveness, compassion, and justice. He is also currently working with Luther’s Table to create a youth mentorship program in Renton, Washington.

Pastor Gail Song Bantum

Gail Song Bantum

Lead Pastor
Elder
[email protected]

Pastor Gail is the primary visionary, spiritual developer, and culture curator as lead pastor of Quest Church. As a second generation Korean-American, formed in the Korean immigrant and Black Pentecostal traditions, Pastor Gail seeks to cultivate advocacy, liberation, and belonging for the marginalized within the life of the church. She is particularly passionate about empowering emerging leaders and is a highly sought after speaker, preacher, and consultant. She serves on the board of WomanPreach! Inc. and is the co-author of Choosing Us: Marriage and Mutual Flourishing in a World of Difference.

Pastor Gail is an ordained minister and received her M.Div. from Duke Divinity School. She and her husband, Dr. Brian Bantum, have three adult children and reside in Seattle, WA.

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