Meet Our Staff
WEs wright — senior minister
Dr. Wes Wright has been the Lead Minister at Santa Clara Church since 2008. Wes earned his Masters of Divinity in Theology and Philosophy at Lincoln Christian University in 1988, and his Doctorate of Ministry at Covenant Theological Seminary in 1999. With a deep love for learning and education, Wes has been an instructor at both St. Louis Christian College and Bushnell University (formerly Northwest Christian University). His courses have included an array of subjects including Leadership, Bible and Theology, Discipleship, History, and Religious studies. He is a forever student, and a self-diagnosed “Bibliophile”, believing there is no such thing as too many books.
Though Wes is originally from the Midwest, he fits in very well here in the Pacific Northwest. He finds immense enjoyment in the outdoors and the trifecta of hunting, fishing, and hiking. He is a fanatic for college basketball, his favorite teams being Indiana University and North Carolina.
Pastoral Ministry can often be an all-consuming job, but Wes lives the example of a kind and devoted leader who puts his family first. He is blessed beyond measure by his wife Jo, his son Micah and daughter Samantha, his son-in-law Alex, and his favorite grandson Calvin.
Contact — wesw@santaclarachurch.com
Dan Mcdonald
—
Worship minister
Dan and his wife, Laurie, are both graduates from Tennessee Temple University holding Bible, music and education degrees. Dan has taught music, English, science in public and private schools for nearly 30 years. He has been an instructional assistant at Lane ESD since April of 2024, and works with students with disabilities and plays the piano for Cal Young Middle School choir rehearsals and performances.
He and his wife have five children who live throughout the United States and are all involved with music in some capacity.
They have three grandhildren and one the way!
Dan has been involved in music ministry in some capacity for the past 39 years. He and Laurie have been active worship leaders for 28 years in several different churches in the states of Indiana, Tennessee, Florida and now Oregon. Through Dan’s years of service he has learned that through God’s sovereignty and grace He strategically places people together as servants for “such a time as this”. He has come to the realization that worship is at the very heart of God and He “inhabits the praise of His people”. Dan believes that several components must be present in a worship service, including but not limited to adoration, communion, fellowship, confession, assuarance, thanksgiving, and a call to mission.
Contact - dan@santaclarachurch.com
Jenny Gambill —Office Administrator
Jenny is a native Oregonian and has been a member of Santa Clara Church since 2000. She and her husband, Tom, have been married for twenty seven years and have five children, two bonus children, two granddaughters and multiple four legged "babies". Jenny enjoys spending time with her family, puttering in her yard/home and playing with the grandbabies.