We hold to the historic, biblical understanding of church leadership and governance. Bayview Bible Church is led by qualified elders (1 Tim. 3:1-7). These men are committed to leading, feeding, protecting, and caring for the saints at Bayview Bible Church.
Elders are raised up and selected with great care and scrutiny. Each man, prior to his installation as an elder, endures a period of "Elder Candidacy." This time of candidacy allows for testing, evaluation, and an opportunity to earn the trust and endorsement of the church membership.
Elders are raised up and selected with great care and scrutiny. Each man, prior to his installation as an elder, endures a period of "Elder Candidacy." This time of candidacy allows for testing, evaluation, and an opportunity to earn the trust and endorsement of the church membership.
Joel carlson
Senior Pastor
Joel was born and raised in Montana and has confessed Christ since his childhood. He joined the US Navy in 2006 and completed two enlistments before attending Montana Bible College. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies in 2017. He has since completed a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He began working in pastoral ministry in 2015. He also teaches adjunct at several theological institutions and training centers. He enjoys reading, hunting, and exploring the outdoors. His wife, Jessica, and he have five children.
Terry auten
Elder
Terry was born and raised in rural central Pennsylvania where he graduated from Columbia Montour Vo-Tech, then moved to the mountains of southern California as a young man and began his life long career as a general contractor. He met his wife Jorja in 1979, they married in 1984, and in 1991 they and their 5 boys moved to their current home near Bayview. In about 1995 they started going to Bayview Bible Chapel (now Bayview Bible Church). In 1997 Terry fell under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and accepted Jesus’s call to life. He and Jorja were baptized in Lake Cocolalla around 1998. They have served with Bayview Bible Church since. He loves his growing family, most of whom live in the North Idaho area. He enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle in all seasons and is pleased when his love of God’s creation can mesh with Gospel ministry, whether one on one or group activities. Witnessing the Spirit of God move in the life of family, friends or someone he may have just met is one of his greatest pleasures. .
Steve fishbaugh
Elder
Steve was born in Ohio and raised in California. Although he lived in Montana for a few years, he spent most of his life in California. He and his wife Vawn have been married for nineteen years and have six adult children between them. Steve was a Maintenance and Operations director at a high school district and Vawn a third grade teacher at a Christian school before they both retired in 2015. They moved to Idaho in 2017. Steve became a Christian in 1995 and has been faithfully serving the Lord since that miracle occurred. Steve enjoys working outdoors, home improvement projects, reading, and his two Bordoodle dogs.
Ken fry
Elder
Ken grew up in the Pacific Northwest and was raised in a conservative, Protestant home. After college and graduate school in Montana, he returned to Washington State as a consultant and self-employed business owner. He later semi-retired to Bayview, Idaho to become a member of Bayview Bible Church and invests time on several regional not-for-profit boards. He enjoys reading, sailing, and flying. With his wife Cecilia, they enjoy their three adult sons and their families.
Don gardner
Elder
Don was born in Michigan and raised in East Tennessee; the heart of the Smoky Mountains. At age nine during a two-week Revival at a small country church, he gave his life to the Lord, being baptized the following Sunday afternoon with several others of various ages. He was very active in his Youth Group in High School and with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Four years in the USAF as a Survival Instructor brought him to know his Bride of 50 years while attending a small Baptist church on Spokane’s South Hill. Nine years later the Lord gave them Nathan as an only son who,
with his wife and two children reside in the Spokane Valley. He has been an Elder at BBC nineteen of the twenty years he and Cindy have been members.
with his wife and two children reside in the Spokane Valley. He has been an Elder at BBC nineteen of the twenty years he and Cindy have been members.