Ministry Team:

Our ministry team recognizes the authority of God, and realizes that we are shepherds who serve under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We desire to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. Our passion and goal is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry until we all attain maturity in the fullness of Christ.

Pastor Derek Elkins, Lead Pastor

Greetings and welcome to Bethel Church.
My name is Derek and I’m glad you’re taking a moment to become acquainted with us on our staff page.
Here’s a little about my family and myself. We’re originally from North Carolina and my wife and I have been serving in ministry since 2003. We have five beautiful girls; three of which are living with us here in Nampa.
A bit about me, I was saved at a young age, and answered the call to ministry in 2003 while attending a small independent church. In response to the call, I began attending Liberty University, where I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Religion and Biblical Counseling in 2010. Later I was ordained as an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene on the N.C. District in 2012 and have pastored churches in North Carolina, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Wyoming. I am passionate about preaching God’s word, reaching the lost, discipling God’s people, helping people in need, and seeing lives transformed by the Word of God; resulting in fully-developed followers of Christ. Here are a few things I enjoy doing: Reading, writing, hunting, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with my family and friends. I also love coffee. One of my favorite Bible passages is “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

Pastor Josh Potter, Executive & Jr. High

Hello I am Pastor Josh and I am thrilled to be the Associate & Mid-High Youth Pastor at Bethel Church of the Nazarene.  My wife and I have lived in Nampa since 1999, which also happens to be how long we have been married.  We have a larger family than most and our kids are awesome.  I started out in youth ministry as a volunteer at Bethel from 2000 to 2010.  I continued as the Youth Pastor at Lakeview Church of the Nazarene from 2010 to 2020.  God has proven over and over again that when we put our trust in him he will provide.  That is why I have chosen Proverbs 3:5-6 as my life scripture.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Pastor Kym Slater, Family Ministry

I am Pastor Kym. I am married to my wonderful husband, Scott, and we have two adult daughters and one finishing high school this year.  I have been on staff at Bethel Church since 2008, serving as the Early Childhood Pastor, and now the Family Ministry Pastor.  Family ministry’s purpose at Bethel Church is forming, strengthening, and discipling our church community.  Together, as the Body of Christ, we are family.  Healthy families do not happen without intentional focus and attention.  As the Family Ministry pastor, I desire to help families, whether raising their kids, the empty-nesters, the single adults, or those widowed.  My passion for families began in my first career as a social worker.  I desire to be used by God to help families be instruments of his love and grace in our world today.  Through families, we have the opportunity to share Jesus in our neighborhoods and communities.  So, here at Bethel Church, we want to invest in the health of all our families and to encourage interactions between the generations.  That we can be family together, spurring each other on to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus, bringing His hope to the world.  “Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.  My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”  Psalm 73:26 NLT

Pastor Desiree Ferring, Youth

My name is Desiree Ferring and I serve as the youth pastor at Bethel. My husband (Jeremy) and I just recently returned to Bethel after serving for four years in other areas. We have been married for 20 years and together have two children Brooke (18) and Tristan (14). I graduated from Nazarene Bible College with my Bachelors in Pastoral Ministries and am actively pursuing ordination in the Church of the Nazarene. I have served as youth pastor and associate pastor in various areas for over 10 years working with youth in some capacity or another, whether that be in youth ministry, being a leader, or teaching Bible classes at the high school. I am committed to leading the youth into a deeper understanding of knowing Christ and a deeper relationship with Him, by guiding others to building a strong foundation of biblical truth. Being in ministry and seeing people’s lives transformed by the power of Christ is one of the greatest gifts. The love and grace of God never ceases to amaze me. To watch as they grow closer and closer to God is a tremendous joy and privilege.  My life verse is Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Some of my hobbies consist of spending time with my family, reading, going on adventures, sports, anything with coffee! 

Pastor Bob Cruthirds, Associate

I’m Pastor Bob and have been a pastor at Bethel since 2005.  I previously served many years as a Chaplain for the US Air Force.  At Bethel, I serve primarily in the area of family life ministries including marriage/family education and Celebrate Recovery.  I have been married to my wife, Kathy, since 1969.  My favorite verse is John 3:16:  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 
 

Pastor Weldon Shuman, Senior Adults

Hello I am Pastor Weldon and I serve Bethel as the pastor to senior adults.  I have been in full-time ministry since 1974 as a 
senior pastor in Colorado, Idaho, and Alaska.  I am partially retired and love serving the church: leading 50-UP Ministries, visitation, teaching Sunday school, and Bible studies.  I am also involved in the NNU online COS program teaching theology classes.  I enjoy the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, and of course the Bible.  One of my favorite verses is found in Proverbs 3:5-6:  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”
 
Amy Slater, Office Administrator
My name is Amy Slater and serve the church as Office Administrator.  I have attended Bethel since I was 12 and am blessed to call this my church home.  I have been married to my best friend, Bryan, since 1999 and we have 2 beautiful children.  One of my favorite verses is John 16:33 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world!” 
 
 
KayLynn Pentecost, Secretary
Hello!  I’m KayLynn Pentecost. I work part-time at Bethel in the church office. I’ve been married to my husband Curt since 2001. We have two beautiful daughters, Brenna and Libby. I love Disneyland, cooking, traveling with my family, and watching my girls participate in activities and sports. My favorite verse is Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
 
Lydia Finger, PromiseLand Assistant
I’m Lydia Finger. My husband, Dawson, & I have 4 beautiful kids, 2 boys & 2 girls. I am blessed to serve the littlest attenders of Bethel in the Promise Land nursery. I enjoy singing & dancing & crafting with the kids to help introduce them to Jesus as they grow & discover our world. 

One of my favorite Bible verses is Ecclesiastes 3:11- “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” (NLT)