Our Staff
Joel Morgan, Senior Pastor
Joel is our Senior Pastor. He grew up in North Carolina and Virginia. Joel graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Major in Music Education, and obtained a Masters in Christian Education from Denver Seminary. Joel and his wife Rahime met while they each were serving with Campus Crusade for Christ. Joel was on staff at Bethel Baptist Church in Jackson, Michigan where he was Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries before coming to Valley Fellowship Church in 1989.
Joel and Rahime have three children: Ben, a computer systems engineer; Tiffany, a college student, and Josh, a Buena Vista High School student. Joel’s hobbies are horticulture, reading, tennis and archery. His passion is introducing people to Jesus and seeing people grow in Him.
Debbie Dyer, Office Manager & Church Treasurer
Debbie enjoys working in the office overseeing several volunteers and coordinating the many aspects of daily church business, which includes working with the Deacon Board in the area of church facilities and finances. Although born in Indiana she has lived in Buena Vista most of her life. Debbie and her husband Tim have two children. Their son Tim is currently serving in the U.S. Navy and daughter Amy attends college in California. The Dyers are avid Bronco fans.
Judy Campton - Ministry Coordinator
Judy oversees the secretarial duties for Pastor Joel and the Elders as they minister in their given areas. She is a native of Chaffee County, born and raised in Salida. After spending several years in the Denver area, she and her husband Chuck wanted to raise their family in a small town and God led them to Buena Vista in 1977. Their three children are now married with families of their own. She loves being a "Grammi" to her six grandchildren and looks forward each summer to "Cousins Camp" at their cabin in Taylor Park. She likes to read, work in her yard, and spend time with her family.
Patsy Tucker, Worship Coordinator
608 South Worship Band
Patsy grew up in south Texas and attended the University of Texas in Austin where she met her husband Shannon. Shannon and Patsy have three daughters, Laura, Ellen and Sallie. The Tuckers have lived in Buena Vista since 1994 and have been involved in the music ministry at Valley Fellowship the entire time. Patsy has been the Worship Coordinator since 2001. She plays the keyboard and piano and has been a vocalist in the 608 South Worship Band. She also teaches piano. Shannon is the Worship Leader and plays the guitar. Daughters Laura and Ellen are both involved in the worship band.
Patsy’s desire in planning the weekly worship service is to follow Jesus' teaching found in John 4:24: "God is spirit and truth, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." The purpose of the 608 South Worship Band is to lead the congregation to praise and honor the Lord based on the truth of His character and celebrate His work in our lives.
Mary Johnson, Children’s Director
A Colorado native and CSU graduate, Mary, her husband Gary and 3 children, moved to Buena Vista in 2001. Mary enjoys hiking and experiencing life at its fullest. Mary began her “great adventure” with the Children’s Ministry in 2002. She administrates teachers and programs for kids age 3 through 5th grade. Under Mary’s leadership, the Children’s Ministry at Valley Fellowship Church is about winning kids to Christ and making Him real in their lives. When asked about her experience at VFC, Mary says, “Working at VFC certainly has been an incredible adventure.” Mary’s motto is: Trust your crazy ideas!
Shannon Jordan, Nursery Coordinator
Shannon has lived in Buena Vista since 2003 and took over the nursery in December of 2004. She works with children (babies to 4 years) as well as administrates a staff of around 40 volunteers. Shannon has always loved working with kids. She was volunteering in church nurseries by age 10. After graduating from CU with a degree in Biology, Shannon originally planned to be a pediatrician, but chose to stay home with her 3 children instead. Shannon’s goal for the nursery is to create a comfortable and fun environment for infants, toddlers and preschoolers while their parents are participating in other church activities. She also wants these kids to learn that Jesus is their friend, preparing their hearts for what they will learn as they advance to the children’s ministry.
Lori Sanderlin, Kitchen Coordinator
Lori, her husband Mike, and sons Joey and Jesse have lived in Buena Vista since 2002. She has been a cook at Horn Creek Ranch, Camp Redcloud and Spring Canyon. Lori’s responsibilities in the kitchen at Valley Fellowship include the preparation and serving of the monthly Family Fellowship Meal, and other special events that may come up during the year. This position allows her to use her gifts and abilities to serve Valley Fellowship and the community.