Staff

Phil Nellis is the pastor of Wits End Church. I’ve been a part of the community for a few years, serving previously as an intern and then as a part-time staff. Ruth and I moved to Seattle in 2004 to could pursue MDiv studies at Mars Hill Graduate School. Since then, we have become a family with three boys (Sylas, Judah and Ezra) and some chickens- We are passionate about living simply, creatively and intentionally in community. Alongside pastoring and teaching, I do bit of free-lance artwork.

Heather Barnes is the Ministry Coordinator. A bit of a church prodigal, I see my role as ministry coordinator as a response to a soothing voice of grace in my ear these last two years. Literally at my wits end, this community offered the freedom to grieve, rest and imagine what more could come from journeying with the church again. Hope, laughter and play are back in my regular vocabulary as I begin this year at Mars Hill Graduate School for an MA in Counseling/Psychology, hopefully paired with an MDiv. I dream of facilitating a new conversation to collaborate holistic wellness for individuals between the church, therapeutic and medical communities. Other than that, you can find me: hiking, snowshoeing, exploring logging roads in my jetta, eating delicious meals with beloved friends and/or dancing wildly with my little nephew. Blessing and peace to you.

Joshua Longbrake is interning at Wits End for the fall of ‘09/spring of ‘10. He is a MDiv Student at Mars Hill Graduate school and freelance photographer. He blogs here.