Our Servant Leaders

 
 
"The greatest among you will be your servant." Matthew 23:11

Rich Lammay
Senior Pastor
 

Rich and Suzanne Lammay have been married more than 50 years.  They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.  They both came to faith in Jesus Christ during the 1970s Jesus Movement.  God did a great work and quickly changed the Lammay’s lives and being filled with the Spirit they soon began to serve in their local church. In 1990 along with several other families, the Lammay’s helped found High Sierra  Fellowship.  The vision was simple, to have a church where God’s Word is taught and brought into everyday life, and to also have worship that would be exciting but free from extremes.  By January of 1992 Rich stepped into the senior pastor role at HSF.  Two years later Pastor Rich left his high level corporate job to pursue full time ministry.  God provided in many ways over the next years while HSF was still a small but growing church.  HSF has continued to grow under the leadership of Pastor Rich and today we are very active in the Carson Valley community.  Since those early days Pastor Rich has earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biblical Studies and a Masters degree in Theology.  Both degrees are from Omega Bible Institute and Seminary (www.omega.edu).   Rich has a love for the Scriptures with his favorite book in the Bible being Galatians and his favorite Scripture. Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”.  Pastor Rich and Suzanne both love the outdoors, hunting, hiking and horses.

Taryn Hansen 
Pastoral Assistant and Creative Arts Director

 

Taryn was born and raised in Gardnerville.  He lived life his own way for a few years, then realized that God is the Way.

 

He is the leader of our Young Adults group.  He is passionate about sharing the Word of God.

He plays many instruments and is on several of our Worship Teams.

 

Taryn has a Bachelors of Science degree in Theology from Multnomah University (https://www.multnomah.edu/).

Barry Simpson
Assistant Pastor / Youth Director

 

 Pastor Barry and Cindy Simpson have been married for over 35 years and have 8 children. Barry has lived in Carson Valley for most of  his life. He came to know the Lord on May 1, 1986, thru the witness and testimony of his neighbor and also his future wife, Cindy.  Before he accepted the Lord, Barry  had never stepped foot inside a church. In April of 1987, Pastor Barry started working with  the church youth. He later became an elder and is one of the founding elders of High Sierra Fellowship. In 2000, he was ordained as a staff pastor and continues to serve as the Youth/Assistant Pastor as well as working full time in the community as a contractor in roofing, gutters and attic insulation.  Pastor Barry is a challenging bible teacher who’s  favorite book in the bible is Ephesians. His  favorite scripture is Hebrews 13:8  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”   Pastor Barry and his family enjoy the great outdoors. They love to go hunting, fishing, quading, hiking, camping and many other outdoor activities that take them into God’s beautiful country.

Steve Stockwell
Associate Pastor/Construction Manager
 

Steve married his wife, Darlene on September 9, 2016. They are enjoying the new journey God has set before them. He has three grown sons and three grandchildren who all reside in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Steve received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1976 when he realized that his philosophy of “It’s my life and I'll do what I want” was not working out so well.  Steve has been attending HSF since 2000.   He served on the church board for eight years and as thec hurch administrator until he retired in late 2021 and is grateful for the opportunity to serve God and HSF in all those capacities.  While Steve enjoys riding his mountain bike, and finding new single track trails, together  Darlene and Steve enjoy the great outdoor activities of snowshoeing, hiking and finding that special camping spot where God's peace and rest is ever present.  Steve's favorite scripture verse is 1 Cor. 16:13-14; “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.  Let all that you do be done with love” (NKJV)

Ed Lindsay
Associate Pastor

 

Ed and Grace Lindsay have been married for more than 50 years. They have two grown sons and twograndchildren. Ed came to know the Lord Jesus as his Savior at the age of 8 years old by a 'circuit riding preacher' visiting his church in Port Gibson, Mississippi. Later he recommitted his life to Christ in 1974. In 2005 the Lindsay's moved from San Jose, California to Minden and and began attending High Sierra Fellowship. Ed has enjoyed being involved in the Prayer Ministry, Biblical Counseling, Discipleship, Hospital and Home Visitation, and Men's Bible Study Ministry. Since 2011 Ed has been serving as Associate Pastor of Family Ministry. Ed is a graduate of San Jose Bible College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Theology. Grace serves as a volunteer Area Coordinator for Child Evangelism Fellowship working with our church and others to establish After-School Good News (Bible) Clubs in our local elementary schools. The Lindsay's enjoy reading, walking for exercise, trips to Lake Tahoe, the ocean, and just being outdoors enjoying God's world!  Ed's favorite verse is Palm 34:1 "I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips."  Ed and Grace consider it a tremendous blessing to serve our Lord together with the family of Christ here at High Sierra Fellowship.

Ben Ediss
Worship Director
 

Ben and his wife Whitney were born and raised in Northern Nevada and have more than 25 years of ministry experience between them. Married in 2016, they enjoy life and God’s creation in the Carson Valley with their kids through hiking, swimming, and spending time with family. Ben has been a musician since 2003, and is a practiced vocalist, guitarist, drummer, and bassist. He came to know a personal relationship with the Lord while attending Bible college in his early 20’s. He also leads HSF’s small group ministry. Ben leads his life through the verse tattooed on his arm: Philippians 1:20 “My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” (CSB)

Josh Peters
Church Administrator

 

Josh grew up in the Carson Valley and married his best friend, Michele, after high school.  They have two sons.

He has been one of our AWANA Ministry directors since 2014.  He joined the Church Board in 2020 and became the Church Administrator in 2021.

The family enjoys spending time together, playing sports and camping.

 

 2 Corinthians 5:7; “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” 

Christopher Robinson
Student Ministry Director
 

Christopher was born in Washington State and grew up there in the town of Monroe. He became a Christian in August 2013 and started serving in youth ministry a year later. Having been called to work in ministry he completed his Bachelors in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Youth Ministry in 2020. He’s served in homeless ministry in Seattle as well as going overseas to England to work as a missionary in 2022. He enjoys writing, reading, and traveling.

 

Favorite verse: Matthew 11:28-30; “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Josh Peters
Church Administrator

Hardware Magnate 

International Man of Mystery
 

The whole Carson Valley is clamoring to answer One Question: Who is Josh Peters - Administrator, Hardware Magnate and International Man of Mystery?!

 The people are in an uproar!




 Jeremiah 33.3; “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (NKJV)

Meaghan   Schnorbus 
Secretary

 

Meaghan moved to the Carson Valley in 2014 from the Bay Area. She invited the Lord into her heart at 8 years of age, but later drifted away. Meaghan re-dedicated her life to the Lord in 2010.

 

On May 12th of 2018, she married her best friend, Paul. 

 

Meaghan has been the church secretary since 2016.  She still loves serving the Lord.

 

Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to Him than they are?"

Kristina Brimm
Administrative Assistant 

 

Kristina and Matt Brimm have been married for 9 years.  They have 5 children.

Kristina is a native Nevadan and Carson Valley resident.  She has lived in several other places, and met Matt while living in Texas, but finds there is no place like home.  A few things she loves is being a wife, Mom, the outdoors, hunting, camping, hiking and dogs.  She has been attending High Sierra Fellowship since the 90's and has served in many different ministries over the years; currently serving with women's ministries, the tech team and other various areas when needed.  Kristina was saved as a young girl but has had plenty of ups and downs in her walk with God and realized that He is the only way to have true joy in life.  Ultimately her goal is to shine the light of Jesus and help people in tough situations who feel like they have no hope to find their hope in Jesus, help them realize you are never alone -- God is always there, and that there is nothing you have done that can make God not love you.  All it takes is true repentance to Jesus.

Romans 8:1-2  "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."

Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and Omega," says the Lord God, "who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Bill Blythe
Technical Director

 

Bill and Jennifer Blythe have been married since 2000. They have a daughter and son-in-law who have four children.  Bill came back to the Lord in 1998, when he heard the call of God to return to Him.  He then went to the first church he could find. This was also the church where he met Jennifer.  They then together found High Sierra Fellowship, and have been with HSF ever since. When they met, Jennifer was leading a mission team to Nicaragua. Bill soon joined the team. Together they led the annual mission trip to Nicaragua for the next eight years. Going back to church also rekindled Bill’s love to play guitar. Following Jennifer’s lead, they lead Children’s Worship for many years. Then the need arose for a Wednesday night worship leader.  Bill and Jennifer filled that position. Bill still leads the Wednesday night worship to this day.  Jennifer has directed many of the Christmas and Easter programs. Jennifer has also continued to lead Children’s Worship for the past 14 years and is currently on a sabbatical while recovering from vocal chord surgery.

Lonnie Bennett
Custodial Coordinator

Lonnie and Kristien Bennett have been loving the Lord and each other for 20 years.  They have 4 grown children and 9 grandchildren (7 on earth - 2 in Heaven).  They enjoy spending time together traveling and exploring God's incredible creation around them, especially the mountains with all the pine trees and nature. They also enjoy spending time with family and friends.  Lonnie came to faith after many years of living life his way, including drugs/alcohol/broken relationships and that was not working well for him.  Lonnie and Kristien got together in 2001, taking two broken families and creating one loving family together.  They stated attending and serving in church together and growing in their faith.  Lonnie was baptized, July 4th, 2004, that was his Independence Day.  Lonnie and Kristien moved to the Carson Valley in 2006.  They have been attending HSF for 12 plus years and overseeing the HSF Cleaning Ministry for over 10 years.  As HSF moved into the new Church building in early 2021, Lonnie become part of the staff at HSF, continuing to oversee the HSF Cleaning Ministry and taking on more Janitorial duties during the week at HSF.  He calls himself  "A Janitor for Jesus".
Favorite Scriptures: 
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Last part of Joshua 24:15 (NIV) "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”