Meet Our Staff
Rev. Jeffrey R. Spencer, Pastor
Pastor Spencer started as Lead Pastor at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church in December of 2010. He previously served congregations in Montana and southwestern Washington. He did his theological studies at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California. A native of northwestern Washington, Pastor Spencer did his undergraduate studies at Western Washington University, where he met his wife, Amy. They have three sons, ages 21, 19, and 17. Pastor Spencer’s passions in ministry include preaching, worship, teaching, and marriage enrichment. In his spare time he enjoys reading and spending time with his family. [email protected]
Janis Powell, Office Manager
Janis Powell is the Office Manager at OHLC and keeps the office running smoothly and welcomes those who contact the church by phone or in person during weekday office hours. Janis can help with general questions about the church or can direct you to the person with more detailed information.
Janis has deep roots on Whidbey Island. She was formerly the longtime office manager at the Whidbey Playhouse. She enjoys visits with her kids and grandkids.
Salvador Carvallo, Custodian
Salvador (aka “Sal”) has been serving as custodian at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church for 9 years. He came to the United States from Chiclayo, Peru in 2001.
He is married to Fatima, and they have two children. Sal enjoys studying, improving his English, and playing the guitar.
Jasmine Hendricks, Preschool Director
Jasmine Hendricks was born and raised on Whidbey Island. She attended Pacific Lutheran University for two years before getting married and moving/transferring to Anchorage, Alaska where she earned her Bachelors and Masters in Social Work at Univerisy Alaska Anchorage. In 2021 she returned home with her husband Zach, an MRI Tech at Island Hospital, and two kiddos. Jasmine loves to help out at her family’s farm (Case Farm), grow her indoor and outdoor plant collection, read, volunteer, and do home improvement in her spare time.
The granddaughter of a Lutheran pastor and daughter of a choir director, Martha says she never planned to work at a church but isn’t surprised it’s turned out that way. She makes use of her theater background (which began at Pacific Lutheran University) by writing, directing and costuming OHLC’s annual Sunday School Christmas programs as well as Advent and other dramatic productions.
Martha, who was born in Arizona, and her husband Steve, who grew up in Alaska, met in the middle at OHLC. They have a passion for the natural world in general and the North Cascades in particular.
If you need info about OHLC’s calendar of activities, would like to know about His Kids Preschool, have something to include in the bulletin or the monthly newsletter, want to talk about cool fonts or the Mariners, or have a question about the bird that’s been at your backyard feeder, contact Martha. Her office hours are 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM on Monday and Wednesday through Friday, 360-679-1561, [email protected].
Verna Morgan, Music Ministry Coordinator
Verna and her husband Mike moved to Whidbey Island in September 2006. She grew up on the peninsula in Pt. Orchard but traveled with the military for 30 years spending the last 17 in Hawaii. When she returned to Washington, Whidbey Island attracted her and her husband and they moved to Coupeville. Verna’s family includes a son and grandson in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and a daughter and family in Redondo Beach, California. “I find such joy in family, gardening and music,” she says. “I am a piano teacher here on the island and enjoy working with music at church accompanying Senior Choir, leading Morning Glory Choir and accompanying church services.”
Elva McArthur, Lead Preschool Teacher
Elva was born and raised in western Washington. She received her degree in Early Childhood Education at Hope International College in Fullerton, California. She started teaching at His Kids in 1998. Elva has been married for 35 years to her husband Bill; an EMT for Whidbey Island Hospital and volunteer with North Whidbey Fire & Rescue. Elva has two sons, both of whom attended His Kids. She enjoys books, quilting, gardening, camping with family and friends, and spending as much time as possible with her granddaughter.
Michelle Harper, Assistant Preschool Teacher
Michelle is from Great Falls, Montana and came to Washington in 1998 to attend Pacific Lutheran University. She graduated in 2002 with a BAE in elementary education and a minor in special education. She moved to Oak Harbor in 2012 and started working in the nursery at OHLC in January 2013.
In September 2014 she started as the assistant preschool teacher for His Kids Preschool. Michelle has a son and daughter, and she enjoys reading and crocheting in her free time.