Ministry Team

Pastor Derek Elkins, Lead Pastor

Greetings and welcome to Bethel Church.
My name is Derek and I’m glad you’re taking a moment to become acquainted with us on our staff page.
Here’s a little about my family and myself. We’re originally from North Carolina and my wife and I have been serving in ministry since 2003. We have five beautiful girls; three of which are living with us here in Nampa.
A bit about me, I was saved at a young age, and answered the call to ministry in 2003 while attending a small independent church. In response to the call, I began attending Liberty University, where I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Religion and Biblical Counseling in 2010. Later I was ordained as an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene on the N.C. District in 2012 and have pastored churches in North Carolina, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Wyoming. I am passionate about preaching God’s word, reaching the lost, discipling God’s people, helping people in need, and seeing lives transformed by the Word of God; resulting in fully-developed followers of Christ. Here are a few things I enjoy doing: Reading, writing, hunting, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with my family and friends. I also love coffee. One of my favorite Bible passages is “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

Pastor Josh Potter, Executive & Jr. High

Hello I am Pastor Josh and I am thrilled to be the Associate & Mid-High Youth Pastor at Bethel Church of the Nazarene.  My wife and I have lived in Nampa since 1999, which also happens to be how long we have been married.  We have a larger family than most and our kids are awesome.  I started out in youth ministry as a volunteer at Bethel from 2000 to 2010.  I continued as the Youth Pastor at Lakeview Church of the Nazarene from 2010 to 2020.  God has proven over and over again that when we put our trust in him he will provide.  That is why I have chosen Proverbs 3:5-6 as my life scripture.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Pastor Kym Slater, Family Ministry

I serve as the Family Ministry pastor.  I am married to my wonderful husband, Scott.  We have three adult daughters.  I have been on staff at Bethel Church since 2008, first serving as the Early Childhood pastor and now the Family Ministry Pastor.  The purpose of family ministry at Bethel Church is to form, strengthen, and disciple our church community.  Together, as the Body of Christ, we are family.  Healthy families do not happen without intentional focus and attention.  As the Family Ministry pastor, I desire to help families, whether raising their kids, empty-nesters, single adults, or those widowed.  My passion for families began in my first career as a social worker.  I desire to be used by God to help families be instruments of his love and grace in today’s world.  Through families, we can share Jesus in our neighborhoods and communities.  So, here at Bethel Church, we want to invest in the health of all our families and encourage interactions between the generations.  That we can be family together, spurring each other on to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus, bringing His hope to the world.  “Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.  My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”  Psalm 73:26 NLT

 

Pastor Desiree Ferring, Youth

My name is Desiree Ferring and I serve as the youth pastor at Bethel. My husband (Jeremy) and I just recently returned to Bethel after serving for four years in other areas. We have been married for 20 years and together have two children Brooke (18) and Tristan (14). I graduated from Nazarene Bible College with my Bachelors in Pastoral Ministries and am actively pursuing ordination in the Church of the Nazarene. I have served as youth pastor and associate pastor in various areas for over 10 years working with youth in some capacity or another, whether that be in youth ministry, being a leader, or teaching Bible classes at the high school. I am committed to leading the youth into a deeper understanding of knowing Christ and a deeper relationship with Him, by guiding others to building a strong foundation of biblical truth. Being in ministry and seeing people’s lives transformed by the power of Christ is one of the greatest gifts. The love and grace of God never ceases to amaze me. To watch as they grow closer and closer to God is a tremendous joy and privilege.  My life verse is Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Some of my hobbies consist of spending time with my family, reading, going on adventures, sports, anything with coffee! 

Kaisha Vanden Bosch, Children’s Director

Hello! I’m Kaisha Vanden Bosch, and I have the joy of serving as the Children’s Director at Bethel. I was born into the Bethel family, and recently began attending here again as our church home. My husband, Jason, and I have been blessed with three amazing girls who bring so much light into our lives every day. My journey in children’s ministry spans 15 years, beginning with roles like Sunday School teacher and preschool director. These experiences have shaped my deep passion for helping kids grow in their faith and understanding of God’s love.

At Bethel, I find immense joy in creating a nurturing environment where children can encounter God and develop spiritually. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them learn and grow in their faith journeys. Outside of ministry, I cherish family time, exploring the outdoors, and creating lasting memories with my daughters. My faith is at the center of everything I do, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and inspire both children and families in our Bethel community. One of my favorite verses is ”And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

Pastor Bob Cruthirds, Associate

One of my favorite Bible verses is Ecclesiastes 3:11- “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning                                      to end.” (NLT)