Pastor Christopher Nolte was called as pastor to serve St. Paul Lutheran Church in April 2000. He was ordained on June 13, 1982 and has since served in parish ministry, as a chaplain of a retirement and nursing care facility, as a pastor-developer in a renewing congregation, as an interim pastor, as a chaplain in a local fire department, as a parish minister of music, and assisted in hospital chaplaincy and ministries with the homeless.

Pastor Nolte is a graduate of Concordia College in Bronxville, NY (1977) with a bachelor’s degree in music and also a graduate of Christ Seminary-Seminex (1981) with a Masters of Divinity. He loves to play, sing and compose music, and is skilled in woodworking. His wife, Sandi, and he live in Vancouver and have their greatest joy in being a part of their children’s lives.

Geri Hiller, mom of five and grandmother to seven, has been a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church since her Jr. High School days. Her faith journey has grown as she has been involved in many areas of ministry within the congregation, including visiting the homebound, sharing stories, serving as a communion minister, assisting in worship, as well as participating in Southwest Washington Synod activities. She is also part of our core leadership for the Winter Hospitality Overflow at St. Paul, which houses 24 homeless single men during the winter months.

Geri is on staff at St. Paul as the Lay Staff Minister, and she is part of the Community of Lay Ministers for the Southwest Washington Synod.

Sandi Nolte has served as St. Paul’s church musician since 2001. She plays piano and organ for our worship services, and she accompanies and helps lead the church choir. Sandi is also very active within many of the ministries at St. Paul.

Ken Coats

Lori McDonald is serving as St. Paul’s Administrative Assistant. Lori grew up just across the river in Portland’s St. John’s neighborhood. She holds a BA in Religion from Northwest Nazarene University, and an MA in Counseling Psychology. Lori worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years in Portland, Alaska, and Washington, D.C. She and her husband live in Washougal with their miniature dachshunds, Bella and Tess. Lori is a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, where she is active in the Community Garden Project and the catechumenate process, and she serves as the vacation bible school director.