Executive Staff

Pastor James Gleason: Lead Pastor

Pastor James has been the Lead Pastor at Sonrise since 1998, and was the youth pastor for four years before that. He loves seeing people come to know Christ and grow in Christ.

fun fact: I’m a shy person
what are some of your previous jobs? custodian, night watchman, gas attendant
what hobbies do you enjoy? shooting and editing video, playing guitar
if you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Whiskey River BBQ Burger at Red Robin
what is your favorite holiday and why? Thanksgiving. I was born on Thanksgiving so it’s just an extra special holiday with family around.

“I love coming to work. I almost speed coming to work; that’s how much I love it.”

Pastor Greg Scandrett: Executive Pastor

Email: gregs@isonrise.com

Pastor Greg is the newest addition to the Sonrise pastoral team. He mentors the other pastors and oversees the finances and facilities. Although he has only been at Sonrise for a short time, he has been a pastor for nearly 30 years. He loves seeing people flourish spiritually in their environments.

fun fact: I am a third generation pastor (my grandfather and father were both pastors, I am a pastor, and now my son is a pastor)
what was your first job? working on a ranch in southern Oregon
what hobbies do you enjoy? fly fishing all over the world, playing music, reading
what is on your iPod? Jason Marz, Pete Yorn, Beatles, Allison Crouch, Bob Dylan, Chris Tomlin, Big Tent Revival, Eric Schmitt, George Strait among many, many others…these were the ones I had listened to recently.
if you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? mac & cheese

“The truth that changes all relationships for the better is "it's not about me".”

Pastor Eric Schmitt: Family Pastor

Email: erics@isonrise.com

Pastor Eric has been a youth pastor at Sonrise for three years and just recently took over the role of family pastor, overseeing all children and youth. He is passionate about what he does, especially getting to be part of kids’ lives from childhood all the way through their teen years.

fun fact: I am a “big time” introvert
what are some of your previous jobs? middle school teacher, picking up litter for the Department of Ecology
what is one of your life ambitions? to compete in an Iron Man Triathlon
what is on your iPod? I am a rocker! But, on my iPod I have some worship stuff--Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Rich Mullins, Third Day, Mercy Me. Running for me is a time of worship! So none better than these guys! But, I do have a bit of Boston, U2 & Coldplay on there too!
what is your favorite tv show or movie? tv show: Biggest Loser (love life change!) movie: Gladiator (a man's movie!)

“I get to do what I love. Work is like a dream.”

Pastor Dave Crandall: Connect Pastor

Email: davec@isonrise.com

Pastor Dave has been leading worship and weekend ministry at Sonrise for two years. He enjoys helping people find a good fit in ministry and seeing them shine as they use their gifts.

fun fact: I was born and raised in Hillsboro
what were some of your previous jobs? blueberry farmer, department manager at Safeway
what hobbies do you enjoy? fishing, playing racquetball
what is your favorite holiday and why? 4th of July because I’m patriotic and I like the weather
if you were a superhero, what superpower would you have? It would be cool to fly and save on airfare.

“I love seeing people become free from things that are weighing them down in life.”

Pastor Michael Smith: Grow Pastor

Email: michaels@isonrise.com

Pastor Michael oversees small groups and marriage ministry at Sonrise. He has only been a pastor for a little over a year. His favorite thing about his job is seeing people who are hurt and broken turn to God and be blessed.

fun fact: I was raised by my grandparents
what was your previous career before becoming a Pastor? Intel for 16 ½ years
what was your first job? cleaning the meat department at a grocery store in Florence, Oregon
what hobbies do you enjoy? hiking, mountain biking
what is your favorite holiday and why? Halloween. It’s creepy and scary, like me in the morning - and because people take it way too seriously spiritually.
what is your favorite TV show or movie? Battlestar Galactica - 2004 miniseries - it’s a soap opera in space with lots of theological twists and turns.

“I still cry at baptisms.”

Pastor Nelson Castro: Hispanic Campus Pastor

Email: nelsonc@isonrise.com

Pastor Nelson has been at Sonrise for a little over a year, but has been a pastor elsewhere for over ten years. He leads the Hispanic ministry here and entered into the job because he saw a need that no one else was filling. He sees great potential here for ministering to people.

fun fact: I was born in El Salvador
what are some of your previous jobs? landscaper, construction
what is one of your life ambitions? to move to another country and train pastors; travel

“People can feel and see the love of Christ when others are helping them.”

(about the Hispanic ministry at Sonrise)

Pastor Jerry Mettee: Light My Way Campus Pastor

Email: jerrym@isonrise.com

Pastor Jerry has been leading Light My Way (a ministry for ex prisoners restricted from regular church services) for about a year. He is passionate about seeing people give their lives to Jesus Christ and receive healing and restoration.

fun fact: I have coached high school softball for 15 years
what are some of your previous jobs? I grew up working in my family's doughnut shop; taught junior high for 20 years; and I currently run my own painting business
what hobbies do you enjoy? running, yard work, fishing, sports
where is your favorite place to hangout? my front porch on a summer morning
what is your favorite movie or tv show? Braveheart—“freedom!!” and 24

"Amazed by God's grace and learning to live in His love."

Elders

The Elders at Sonrise consist of Staff Elders which are all the Pastors listed above and Lay Elders who are elected by the members of the congregation for a three year term. To meet our Lay Elders, please click here.

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