At NWH, it's more than a team of leaders that pour into each intern, it's a family. Countless individuals, sharing life, advice, and time with a heart to see each intern thrive and grow. This internship is something that the NWH family is behind but each Ministry Track has a designated leader who is experienced in ministry to take the internship to the next level.
Meet our Ministry Track Leaders!
JOSH CARSTENSEN (NWH Lead Pastor)
Josh and his wife Meagan grew up in Humboldt County California, fell in love with each other in high school, and never looked back. They went to university in Southern California and got married in 2006. In 2008, Josh graduated from Talbot Theological Seminary and after, they immediately left the country and taught internationally for a couple years. Josh has been a pastor here since 2011. From 2011-2019 he served as our Associate Pastor and starting in 2019 he became the Lead Pastor. They have three amazing daughters and alongside Jesus and family, Josh loves the following things - people, playing in water, the sun, working hard, donuts, reading, toys with motors, and progress. Josh also has a huge heart to help prepare future pastors for ministry and he oversees our pastoral residents here at NWH!
RON KING (NWH Associate Pastor)
Ron and Sue met in San Diego over 40 years ago, (holy smokes, has it been that long???) and started loving each other while doing Jr. High ministry together. Their greatest shared loves are Jesus, each other, their two adult sons (Josh and Andrew), their extended family, a boatload of dear friends and ministry partners, the Church, great ethnic foods, global mission, making disciples, being hospitable, and travel. Sue is artistic, organized, skilled at teaching and a Jane Austin fan. Ron is not artistic, organizes out of necessity, sleeps through anything Jane Austin and is still wondering how he got Sue to say that she’d marry him. Ron has been in full-time ministry since 1981, serving for 20+ years in youth ministry, 20+ years as a senior pastor, and has spent way too much time in school getting an MA in International Relations, an M.Div, and a Doctorate of Ministry. Ron helps oversee our internship program and is passionate about equipping new leaders to thrive in their God-given mission!
GARY JONES (NWH Youth Pastor)
Gary and Tara! The Joneses have been married for 9 years and love spending time outside with their girls, Lou and Millie! They are stoked to be in Corvallis and feel as though Oregon is the Pacific wonderland of their dreams! Gary loves being outside bowhunting and dirt biking, and Tara loves photography and interior design. All four Joneses spend time outside together hiking and making trips to the coast! They absolutely love Corvallis and all of the great friendships they have here. The Joneses started serving in ministry together in college and never looked back! They have served together in children's ministry, youth, young adults, camp teams, and mission trips, and know firsthand that there is always something energizing about working with young people! The Joneses love to live life with the interns. Whether you're laughing, crying, loving, or leading together with the Joneses, they love watching God work in and to and through interns!
JUSTIN JACKSON (NWH Worship Director)
An Oregon native, Justin (or JJ depending on who you ask) grew up in Portland, Oregon. He met his wife Wyndser at a college worship night while attending Oregon State University and their family has recently grown with the birth of their son August. Though Justin loves reading, hiking, paddle boarding, and a myriad of other classic PNW hobbies, music/worship has always been his greatest passion. He's got a love for music, and is just as comfortable leading a congregation of worshipers as he is performing with his band at various locales around Corvallis. Having the opportunity to serve God and his people through music and worship at Northwest Hills is a dream come true for Justin, and he has a deep desire that others would be encouraged to develop their gifts to be useful for the kingdom too.
JESSI FURLO (NWH Children's Ministry Director)
Jessi and her husband, James, have been a part of this church family since about 2008 and have been married just as long! They are Colorado/California transplants but have been in the PNW for over 20 years and officially call themselves Oregonians…although they still may never get used to the rain. Jessi has a passion for teaching kids and has over a decade of experience working with babies all the way through elementary school ages. She is most excited about teaching kids to love Jesus and helping parents to be equipped to raise their kids to have discernment for truth! The Furlos stay busy with their daughter, Elinor, and son, Samson…playing soccer, reading, trying new hairstyles, doing family movie marathons, or snuggling with their dachshund, Vinnie.