About Us
Immanuel's History
The congregation known as the Immanuel Lutheran Church was founded November 10, 1892. The founding group consisted of ten families, 42 members. Earlier histories tell that the Congregation met in temporary quarters for six years before constructing its first building in 1898. Over 130 years later Immanuel Lutheran Church has survived two fires; one in 1975 and another in 1995. Our congregation is still going strong today with over 300 active members.
Staff
Leah Stolte-Doerfler
Pastor
Leah grew up in a wee village in Eastern Oregon, moving to the west side of the state to attend Oregon State University. Staying in the valley, she has had the joy of being mom to three strong and powerful daughters. Auckland, London, and Bend are the places those women now call home.
Having served Immanuel for 17 years, Leah is still fascinated and excited about how Spirit swirls, stirs, calls, and empowers us to be community together. Face-of-God conversations, honest questions, and any chat fueled by deep curiosity are among her favorite topics.
Manuel Borbon
Pastor & Latino Mission Developer
Manuel was born and raised in the Mexican border city of Mexicali, Baja California. After graduating from Law School and marrying his wife Laura, they both moved to Oregon so he could start his candidacy process towards ordained ministry in the Oregon Synod. He was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in 2020 here at Immanuel Lutheran Church and has been serving this community as a Pastor and a Latino Mission Developer promoting multicultural activities and creating community bridges between our Anglo and Latino families as one big and diverse family.
Patty MacInnes & Max
Director of Visitation Ministry
Patty has lived in the Willamette Valley all of her life, growing up in Corvallis and attending schools in Portland, Monmouth and Corvallis. She taught at OSCI for 20+ years, worked for a testing center for 5, and has worked at Immanuel for 10 years. Patty volunteers with Paws for Love (a therapy dog group for Marion County with Max her boarder collie), is a Stephen’s Minister, crochets with the Prayer Shawl group, helps lead worship, and has been certified as a Grief Recovery Method Specialist.
Creighton Helms
Sunday School Coordinator
Creighton grew up in Medford, Oregon, and is a proud South Medford High School graduate. After high school, he attended and graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and for nearly a decade, served as an officer stationed in San Diego and Bay Area. Following his service, he became an educator and taught high school science for several years. After the classroom, he became an elementary school principal and is currently a district administrator in the area. He is married to his lovely wife Emily and has three children: Cadence, Haizley, and Blaise. An educator at heart, Creighton celebrates opportunities to come alongside young people and learn about Christ and help them explore their unique faith journeys.
Kate Bush
Youth & Family Ministry
Kate was born and raised in Silverton, as well as Immanuel Lutheran Church. She left home for college and met her husband Andy. She was gone just long enough to know that she wanted to come back home to Silverton.
Kate is in charge of wrangling not just her four kids, Kendra, Ava, Noah and Greyson, but also a whole youth ministry. As the Director of Youth and Family Ministry at ILC she is proof that multitasking is not just a skill, it’s a super power. She is dedicated to supporting the youth spiritually as they navigate the odd balance of becoming a young adult.
Marta Hazekamp
Choir Director
Marta Hazekamp is a Silverton native, who has lived in various places in Oregon, New Jersey, and NYC. She is a single mother to a sweet and sassy seven-year-old, Dorothy Mae, a Goldendoodle, and three cats. This is Marta’s 2nd year as the ILC’s Choir Director and second term on the Board of Trustees. Marta is also a private vocal coach, dance, and drama instructor, in her 30th year of teaching. Her goal is to make everyone feel welcome and encouraged in the choir, regardless of experience, and honor the spiritual experience that singing and music bring each person.
Deborah Butler
Keyboardist
Ethan Frederick
Worship Production Director
Ethan grew up in Silverton, and at Immanuel, having been a part of the church since 2015. He was an active member in the Youth Group, along with the Boy Scouts, where he obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. Ethan has always had a passion for helping others, and doing everything he can to make his segment of the world a better place.
Ethan began tinkering with old VCRs as early as 7, and he fell in love with the way electronics work, and how they have progressed. He will gladly answer any question you have about techno-history, just be prepared for a long conversation.
Tria Brockamp
Office Manager
Tria grew up in Silverton and started attending Immanuel at a young age. In 2003 she was asked to help in the office and has continued working part-time since. She currently job shares the office manager position with Courtney who has been an incredible partner throughout the many highs and lows life has brought. Tria married Martin in 1995 and has two adult children that have grown up at Immanuel. Outside of Immanuel, she enjoys spending time with friends, family and her many animals, gardening, reading, traveling and using her creative spirit for many projects and purposes.
Courtney Goode
Office Manager & Treasurer
Courtney was born in Silverton, grew up attending Immanuel and began assisting in the office her junior year of high school. For the past 20+ years she has shared the office manager position with Tria in different capacities, and is also the assistant treasurer. Courtney married Ken in 2004 and has two children in high school. Immanuel has been a constant but flexible family to Courtney, as life circumstances have changed throughout the years.
Ben Johnson
Treasurer
Ben, a proud Stillwater, MN native, has been cruising the skies as an Alaska Airlines pilot since 2000. When he’s not at 35,000 feet, he’s grounded by his amazing wife and three fantastic kids—Max, Lilli, and Piper – who keep him busier than air traffic control on a holiday weekend.
Ben is an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. He firmly believes that turbulence has nothing on the rollercoaster ride of being a Minnesota sports fan. In his spare time Ben loves to travel, golf and cheer on his kids at their sporting events.
Shirley Smith
Financial Secretary
You put your right foot in,. You put your right foot out. You put your right foot in and you shake it all about. You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around, that’s what it’s all about! You put your left foot in. You put your left foot out. You put your left foot in and you shake it all about. You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around, that’s what it’s all about!
You put your right hand in. You put your right hand out. You put your right hand in, and you shake it all about. You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around, that’s what it’s all about.
Bill Howell
Custodian
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah zip-a-dee-aWonderful feeling Wonderful Day Yes sir
Andrew Bush
Custodian
Graduating from Woodburn High School, Andrew moved to Silverton and became a meat cutter at the local Safeway. He has been married to his wife for over 20 years. Together they have four great kids they are grateful to raise in Silverton.
From a young age Andrew grew up helping his parents clean the church they attended which fostered his love for serving others and supporting his community. Andrew is a custodian at Immanuel Lutheran Church, a place he considers home.
Justine Johnson
Social Media & Web Coordinator
Born and raised in Eastern Oregon, Justine moseyed over to the west side in 2002 where she became a flight attendant for a local airline. After 10 years of flying she traded her wings in for burp rags and started pushing strollers and tricycles instead of beverage carts. After 10 years of being a stay-at-home-mom she went back to school and earned her degree in graphic design.
Justine enjoys traveling with her husband, Ben and her three kids, Max, Lilli and Piper.
She is honored and grateful to be able to use her creative gifts to spotlight the Holy Spirit and the awesome, inclusive work happening at ILC.