Leadership & Staff

ELDERS

Josh Waltz

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I’ve been pastoring at Parker Hills since June 2007. Before that, I was the Student Minister at Berean Baptist Church in Livonia, Michigan, for about 10 years. I earned an MDiv at Southern Seminary and a couple other degrees at Maranatha Baptist University. I’m currently a chaplain with the Parker Police Department and an instructor with the Charles Simeon Trust. My wife, Aundrea, and I have 5 kids, 2 cats, 3 dogs, and about 12 chickens, all of whom bring us joy and blessing in one form or another except the cats.

Karl Peterson

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Raised in Boulder, I entered college as a CSU Ram and graduated as a CU Buffalo. My one year at Emmaus Bible College gave me a love for Bible study and started my journey toward full-time ministry. Following an MDiv at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (and later a DMin), I served for four years as an elder at a church in that wonderful city.

I married a nurse from Seattle and in 1995, Glynn and I headed to Africa for the next twenty-two years. In Mozambique, we planted two churches, developed a literature and conference ministry, and I directed a Bible training institute in the capital city. Later we moved with our six children to Cape Town, South Africa where I served on faculty at the Bible Institute of South Africa.

Glynn and I continue to serve under the mission agency Christian Missions in Many Lands where I teach online and in-person courses at BISA, coordinate the leadership conferences in Mozambique, and teach short courses in two Bible colleges in Zambia. Among other elder duties, I work closely with our adult Bible classes and children’s ministries. The great privilege of serving as an elder is watching the dear people of PHBF journey through life in the grace of Christ.

Ryan King

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I was raised in the church, repented of my sins early in life, but I really chose to “live” for Christ when I was 14. I was baptized that summer and continued to grow in my relationship with Christ through college. I moved to the Denver area from the Greeley area January 1, 2000. Jen and I were married in 2001 and started a family right away. God has blessed us with six children. God knew that I needed my wife in order to make me into the man He wanted me to be. He also knew that I needed my organized “systems” of life disrupted by a large handful of kids. I started an interior trim carpentry business in 2002 and continue that to this day in order to “pay the bills”, but my heart is really in seeing lives transformed by the power of the Gospel.

Apart from discipling my family and the church body, I enjoy playing games (card, board, soccer), singing and laughing with my family and friends.

James Oliver

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I was raised in a Christian home and came to faith at an early age. At nine, I realized I was a sinner and recommitted my life to Jesus. Soon after, I was baptized. While attending the University of Illinois and during a year-long internship following graduation, my faith became my own through the fellowship of students and staff in the Campus Crusade for Christ ministry.

On the career front, I’m a geek at heart with a Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and have been riding the information technology wave for years.

I married the love of my life, Rachel, in 2010 and we have two incredible daughters, Reagan (10) and Evelyn (5), who bring great joy and lots of giggles to our home. Our family has been privileged to serve as foster parents since 2017, opening our hearts and home to many amazing children. We moved to Parker from Denver in 2016, and three years later began attending Parker Hills Bible Fellowship. I am honored to serve as an elder, small group leader, and Sunday school teacher within this body of believers.

Jim Simons

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I came to faith in second grade through hearing the gospel in an Awana program and received many years of good teaching at that church. I have followed God’s leading through Minnesota, Colorado, North Carolina, Chicago, Virginia, and Washington, DC. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics & Computer Science and am a retired Program Manager. By God’s kindness, I am married to Debi and have one son. Debi is a constant encouragement, including in joint ministry.

I am continually blessed by the church family of PHBF in their love of God, knowledge of his word, mutual teaching, care for each other, and determination to reach out to those who are hurting.

STAFF

Crystal Benedict

Office Administration

Rachel Oliver

Director of Children's Ministries

James Opperman

Director of Discipleship & Outreach

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My family and I moved from Ohio to Colorado in March 2020. God brought us to Parker Hills Bible Fellowship in August 2022 and it’s a joy to be part of this church family. My wife, Kait, and I have two children that bring joy, laughter, and a bit of chaos into our lives and we love it. The Lord opened my eyes to the truth of the gospel and saved me during my college years at the University of Toledo and has given me a deep love for His word. I am so thankful for his sovereign grace towards me! In addition to spending time with my family, I really enjoy reading, eating good food, hiking, hunting, kayaking, fishing, and pretty much anything else outdoors.

Connor Parkinson

Pastoral Apprentice

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I grew up in Parker, CO and was taught the gospel regularly. However, it wasn’t until I was 15 years old at a Christian summer camp that I recognized my overwhelming sinfulness and God’s lavish grace. He almost immediately instilled in me a desire to pursue youth ministry and a love for worship music.

So, I studied Finance, Bible, and Spikeball (Spikeball degree not accredited) at The Master’s University and graduated in 2016. More importantly, I met my wife (Anna) there and we started our family in 2017. I am now studying at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, honing my dodgeball skills with the youth ministry, and leading the music ministry at Parker Hills Bible Fellowship.

Anna Parkinson

Assistant Director of Children's Ministries