Welcome to VPC's Pastor Nominating Committee page. We will post updates here when they become available. If you have any questions please email .
July 26 Nomination Announcement
October PNC Service Update
August PNC Service Update
August PNC Open Forums
Dear Valley Presbyterian Church Congregation,
Thank you to the over 125 people who attended the Pastoral Nominating Committee in-person sessions on August 21 & 23 with our consultant, Chris Lawson from Slingshot Group. We also appreciate the many members who sent additional feedback via email. We received an overwhelmingly positive response from a wide range of our community, expressions of the love we all have for our church and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Next Steps: We will finalize the Candidate Profile, which will be publicly posted by September 2, and then begin the process of candidate applications and nominations. We continue to be on track with our search and appreciate your continued prayers as we move forward.
If there is something you forgot to mention or new you would like to share, email us! We value your thoughts and comments:
In Christ- The Pastoral Nominating Committee
Phil Eaton, Chair
Stephanie DeHaven, Vice Chair
June Workshop with Slingshot Group
On Saturday June 28 the PNC, select VPC Staff, & VPC Elders attended a workshop hosted by Chris Lawson from Slingshot Group. This workshop detailed and explained the Slingshot process of selecting candidates.
June PNC Service Update
PNC Bios
Krista Braden
Krista, along with her husband and sons, age 17 and 19, have been proud members of VPC since 2016. She has served as an Elder and for the past three years on Student Ministry’s Vision and Support Team (VAST). She’s also volunteered at Vacation Bible School (VBS) and Sunday School. Krista enjoys leading small groups and is involved in VPC Women’s Ministry. Krista grew up in California and attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She worked in nursing for 15 years before relocating with her family to Arizona. She was a stay-at-home parent while her boys were young and now works at Arcadia High School. She enjoys being with her family, staying active, and is always seeking a new adventure. She is dedicated to work with the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) to discern God’s plan for VPC’s next Senior Pastor, knowing this position is critical to the life and future of our church.
Stephanie Dehaven
Stephanie is a wife, mother, aunt, daughter, sibling, and corporate executive who loves giving back to her community and sharing her gifts with organizations and philanthropic groups that are close to her heart. Stephanie has spent more than two decades as a Managing Director at a global consulting firm exercising her skills to unite people and technology in order to facilitate significant, global transformations. She is wife to Jeff, a local architect, and mom to Morgan, an active freshman at Arcadia High School and club soccer player. Morgan and Stephanie are actively involved in National Charity League where they serve philanthropically throughout the Valley. She is the Arcadia High School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) President. Stephanie has taught Sunday School for over 10 years, is a current Elder on the Mission Committee, has served as a Deacon and Vice-Chair and Chair of the All-Church Nominating Committee. She is excited to be a part of the team to help guide the way for VPC’s next Senior Pastor.
Phil Eaton
Phil grew up in Phoenix, received his undergraduate education at Whitworth University, and completed his PhD in literature at Arizona State University. For 17 years he was a professor of literature and culture before joining his father in Phoenix as a commercial real estate developer mid-career. Phil and his wife, Sharon, have been married for 60 years and have three boys with thriving families.
Phil then became the President of Seattle Pacific University, joyfully serving for almost 20 years. He has also authored two books: Engaging The Culture, Changing The World: The Christian University In A Post-Christian World and Sing Us A Song Of Joy: Saying What We Believe In An Age Of Unbelief. He is a writer, teacher, reader, consultant, and mentor. In 2021 Phil and Sharon returned to the Valley and
rejoined VPC, where Phil had served as an Elder and Sharon as a Deacon in the late 80s. They are delighted to discover how deep their roots are, both in the community and in our wonderful church. Phil is honored and thrilled to serve as a member of the Pastor Nominating Committee.
Mike Ek
Mike’s family has been blessed to be VPC members since 2017, finding a sense of community and spiritual growth within this congregation. After moving to Arizona in 2016 with his wife, Monica, and two sons, Carson (18) and Henrik (16), they quickly found a welcoming home at VPC. Mike has served on VPC’s Session, chairing the Planning & Organization Committee, and leading the All Church Nominating Committee. He regularly volunteers with Family Promise and has participated in Sunday School. Mike is Vice President of Tax at Carlisle Companies, a global manufacturing firm headquartered in Scottsdale. He previously lived and worked for 17 years in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was actively involved in his church and served on a PNC at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte. He enjoys traveling with his family, hiking with their rescue dogs, Bryce and Harper, swimming, and playing golf. He is honored and eager to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee.
Lisa Lafon
Lisa and her husband Jasen have attended and been active members at VPC since 2009. She is involved in several areas at VPC, including Bunny Business, Trunk or Treat, Outreach, and is currently a part of the Women’s Ministry team. Lisa has served as an Elder and is a past President of the Valley Day School Board. Lisa is committed to her family and professional life, always trying to balance work and home. After spending much of her career in public relations and marketing within the sports and entertainment industry, Lisa is now the President of Amalgamated Food Brokerage. She and Jasen have two children, Andrew (9) and Abbie (7), who keep them quite busy with swim team, basketball, and various other activities. Lisa loves their church family and the lifelong friendships she has made and is honored to be a part of the Pastor Nominating Committee.
Casey Ratlief
Casey has been a member of VPC since 2020. Since joining VPC he has served as a Deacon and a Student Ministry High School volunteer. Originally from Buckeye, Arizona, Casey grew up working in alfalfa fields. Today he is a lobbyist representing Arizona’s rural electric cooperatives at the Arizona State Legislature. In May of 2025 Casey will graduate from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business with an MBA. Casey and his wife Katie are avid Arizona Wildcats fans, attending as many football and basketball games as possible. Additionally, Casey enjoys reading, gardening and playing fetch with his dog, Betsy. Casey and Katie have been married since 2020 and live in central Phoenix.
Kristen Will
Dr. Kristen Will has been a VPC member since 2000. She joined with her husband, Dr. Anthony Will, after they were married in the Chapel in 1999. Their two daughters, Sophia and Bella, were both baptized and raised up in the church, being active members themselves. Dr. Will has contributed to VPC in many ways-playing the cello in both the traditional and contemporary worship services for over 25 years, regularly volunteering with Children’s Ministry teaching Sunday School and supporting other events. She is also a past member of Student Ministry’s Vision and Support Team (VAST). Professionally, Dr. Will serves as the Associate Dean of Clinical Initiatives and Accreditation within the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University and is a Clinical Professor in Health Systems Science. She also is the newly appointed Associate Dean of Interprofessional Education and Community Engagement for the ASU School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering. She also holds a joint faculty appointment as Clinical Professor in the School of Medicine. Prior to her tenure at ASU, she worked clinically as a senior Physician Assistant in the Division of Hospital Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona and the Program Director of the Mayo Clinic in Arizona Post graduate PA Fellowship in Hospital Internal Medicine and Assistant Professor in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. Kristen obtained her PhD in Healthcare Innovation at ASU, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation in 2001. She completed her undergraduate work in Biomedical Sciences at Western Michigan University in 1995, her Physician Assistant training at Midwestern University, Downers Grove Campus, in 1997, and obtained a Master’s in Health Professions Education in 2001 at Midwestern University, Glendale Campus.
-The PNC is empowered by the congregation to discern the right candidate to serve as Senior Pastor.
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Nominees were selected by Session, the team was formed by congregational vote on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
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PNC members are Phil Eaton, Chair; Stephanie DeHaven, Vice-Chair; Krista Braden, Mike Ek, Lisa LaFon, Casey Ratlief, and Kristen Will. Members Jon Kyl & Jim Unruh had to step aside for health and personal reasons in Fall of 2025.
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The PNC hired Executive Consultant Chris Lawson, who is also a pastor, from the Slingshot Group, a search firm specializing in Pastoral searches.
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Each potential candidate received the same level of vetting and consideration, regardless of their origin.
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Some candidates applied, others were from networking connections. Some are currently Senior Pastors, others are associates. Each candidate was given the same level of evaluation.
-The PNC's work to discern the right candidate to serve as Senior Pastor were extensive.
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Reviewed over 100 potential candidates, narrowing the list to 30.
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Those 30 received additional examination, evaluation, & assessment.
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Conducted first & second interviews with candidates from the group of 30.
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Listened to over 1,000 hours of sermons.
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Devoted each step of the process to prayer, listening to God's voice.
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Extended and received acceptance of an offer from one candidate.
-VPC's Covenant Partners (members) will vote on the PNC's Candidate, Pastor Chris Woodard, at a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, August 9
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The PNC announced Pastor Chris Woodard as the Senior Pastor candidate to Session on Tuesday, July 21 and to VPC staff on Wednesday, July 22.
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The same announcement was made in worship at VPC on Sunday, July 26.
Chat with the PNC
Sunday | August 2 | 10:30AM | Sanctuary (following 9:30AM single service)
The PNC will be available and eager to share more about their excitement!
Single Worship Service & Candidate Sermon
Sunday | August 9 | 9:30AM | Sanctuary & Livestream
Pastor Chris Woodard will preach
Congregational Meeting
Sunday | August 9 | 10:30AM (following worship) | Sanctuary & Livestream
Celebration Reception
Sunday | August 9 | following Congregational Meeting | Awaken Cafe & Plaza
Pastor Chris Woodard is an Arizona soul. Whether up at his family’s cabin in Pinetop or his in-law’s house in Yuma, from visiting his parents and siblings in Tucson or at his house in South Scottsdale, Chris is at home in the Grand Canyon State.
Raised in Tucson, educated at the University of Arizona, and serving on staff at Valley Presbyterian Church since 2007, he has spent his life building community in his family, city, and church. His ability to foster meaningful relationships, strengthen community, and bring people together is one of the many reasons the Pastor Nominating Committee has nominated Pastor Chris Woodard to be the sixth Senior Pastor at VPC.
Pastor Chris grew up at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Tucson, attending ski trips to Sunrise Ski Resort and summer camps at Montlure Camp, both in Greer, AZ. Most formative, though, were mission trips to Los Angeles and Mexico. Often encouraged to pursue a career in ministry from mentors and other Pastors, Chris instead had dreams of being a scientist. Enrolling at the UofA , he sought out community, volunteering in various philanthropic organizations and honor societies. He volunteered with Student Ministry at his church, coached basketball and baseball at a local elementary school, and was a research assistant at the Lung Injury Lab. Chris graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a Minor in Chemistry and an emphasis in Comprehensive Mathematics.
This degree led him straight to Huntington Beach, CA, where he worked at golf courses and restaurants to support his habit of trying to be a surfer. Although Chris connected with the Young Adult community at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian in Newport Beach and enjoyed his time in the surf and sand, his roots as a true desert rat moved him back to Tucson to be closer to family. Returning to his home church of St. Andrew’s, Chris was again encouraged to pursue ministry full-time from an incredible mentor. This time he listened, leaving a bank job and taking the reins for Student and College Ministry, along with managing an emergent worship service at St. Andrew’s.
After moving to the Valley in the Spring of 2007, Chris joined the VPC staff that summer as one of two new Student Ministry Directors, where he served for seven years. There he was blessed to take part in camps, retreats, Bible studies, prayer times, mission trips, and his first of many trips to Malawi. He then shifted to work with Mission and Men’s Ministry while also completing his Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary and begin the ordination process. Ordained in 2019, Chris added leadership of Discipleship and Spiritual Growth at VPC while serving on the board at Family Promise of Greater Phoenix and Villages in Partnership. In 2025 he began to oversee Congregational Care. He volunteers with MentorKids USA and has a heart for mission, leading multiple trips to Malawi and the Yucatan.
It was during a Yucatan trip in 2013 that Chris met Brianna. While building houses in the jungle they started talking and haven't stopped talking since. They both left that mission trip knowing that they would marry each other, which they did on Palm Sunday in 2015.
They love to hike, having backpacked in places like Olympic National Forest in Washington and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru. Brianna, a second-grade public school teacher in South Scottsdale, can periodically be found playing violin at the 10:30AM service. They have two sons, Maxwell, born in 2020, with Oliver arriving in 2022. You can find them eating lunch at Awaken Plaza on Sundays, the soccer field on Saturdays, and playing Lego on the living room floor every day.
Why Pastor Chris?
The PNC in enthusiastically unanimous in its nomination of Pastor Chris. Here’s why:
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He loves Jesus
Pastor Chris is animated by a deep and profound call to abide in Christ. A deeply loved Child of God, Chris works for others to know the saving love that has meant so much to him. He longs to see Jesus become real to people in the Valley, especially those who feel broken or lost.
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He knows VPC
Pastor Chris has been a part of the VPC staff for 19 years. In that time he has worked with or lead most ministry areas in our church. He understands the unique place VPC has in the community, both in a historical context and as physical place positioned between areas of great capacity and areas of great need.
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He is an outstanding preacher
Pastor Chris is at home in the pulpit. His sermons speak to the great truths of Scripture while also being personal and relatable. He can exhort, encourage, and convict with an authentic spirit that seeks to bring people together without shame and guilt.
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He is ready
Pastor Chris has felt a sense of call grow steadily over the past several months. He has not lobbied or strived to attain this new position, rather he feels that this is a timely and faithful step to shoulder the spiritual and organizational challenges of senior leadership.
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He has a vision for VPC
Pastor Chris knows that God is working ahead of us. He also knows that our community is VPC’s most powerful asset to do God’s work in Valley, in our church, and in each of our hearts and homes.