Capitol Hill Baptist Church

Li Yu, Deaconess of Bookstall

Li grew up in Los Angeles and completed her undergraduate and graduate studies in Microbiology at the University of California, Los Angeles. She came to DC for an internship at the NIH, after which she planned to attend medical school. However, little did she know, the Lord had something quite different in mind and Li now teachers high school science at Washington Christian Academy (and is no longer planning on going to medical school!).

Deaconess of Bookstall’s Web page

Beth Parker, Deaconess of Library

Born and raised in CT, I went to college in Philadelphia and have lived 30 minutes south of DC,in MD, for 36 years since marrying Chris, who wears bow ties, ushers in the West Hall, and farms vegetables and grains. We have 9 kids, 2 boys and 7 girls, ages 33 to 15, and 8 grandchildren. Cynthia and Patricia are the only ones at home full time now. Raised a Catholic, I first heard the gospel in college, and started attending evangelical churches in my mid-twenties, but was not a repentant sinner saved by God’s grace until the age of 40. (Feel free to ask me about it.) I have attended CHBC since Nov., 2002. My greatest spiritual struggles are depression, negative thinking, guilt and a critical spirit. I used to be characterized by anger too but God has done much to heal and transform there. I enjoy eating chocolate, inductive bible study, music, biographies, yard work and movies, most especially when my kids and Chris join with me.

Deaconess of Library’s Web page

Katy Allison, Deaconess of Child Care

Katy is a physical therapist who has lived in the DC area and been a member of CHBC for 4 years. She currently works in orthopedic sports medicine in Alexandria. She originally hails from the Hoosier state, developing a love for the gospel and basketball in the midst of the Bible Belt.

Children’s Ministry Web page

Meryl Freeman, Deaconess of Child Care
Meryl grew up in Gloucester, MA. She met her husband, Ted, at UMass (they were lab partners in chemistry class.) They have 2 children and 1 grandchild. Meryl has taught in public and Christian schools for 23 years and has also published a children’s book, The Voyages of Galley Cat.  Raised Catholic, Meryl became a Christian in college after hearing the gospel from Ted’s aunt and uncle. Meryl enjoys long walks with her German Shepherd, games with family, sailing with Ted and their dog and cat and skiing (“Where are the snow and mountains around here?”, she asks!)

Children’s Ministry Web page

Wensa Julius, Deaconess of Child Care
Wensa was born in New Jersey, and raised in Amherst, OH. She then moved to Louisville, KY with her family and received degrees from University of Louisville, and Bellarmine University. After spending a week visiting her brother in the DC area, she thought that DC would be a pretty cool area to live in. In November 2007, she decided to make that move, but not before finding a job at the Washington Hospital Center as an ICU Nurse (currently she is an RN Case Manager at GWU Hospital). Wensa began regularly attending CHBC in May of ‘07 where she deeply appreciates the wonderful teaching. In her free time, she loves to sing, listen to music, going to the theatre, tennis, and meeting new people.

Children’s Ministry Web page

Trevor Taylor, Deacon of Children’s Ministry
Trevor came to CHBC in 2006 after graduating from the University of Missouri. Since joining, he has benefited greatly from the regular and plain preaching of God’s Word, as well as the many members of his church family who intentionally do him spiritual good. During the week, he works and goes to school at the American University. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, spending time with his friends and family, meeting new folks, getting things done and traveling.

Children’s Ministry Web page

Jessica Sandle, Deaconess of Community Outreach
Jessica was raised on a sheep farm in Westfield, NY. She moved to Washington, DC in August of 2000 to begin her teaching careeer at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD). She has been a member at CHBC since 2003. In her spare time she enjoys playing volleyball, camping, cooking, and playing board and card games.

Deaconess of Community Outreach’s Web page

Luke and Erin Murry, Deacons of Member Care

Deacon of Member Care’s Web page

Ben Hamilton, Deacon of Ordinances

Ben was born and raised in Bloomsburg, PA and received degrees from Houghton College, Bloomsburg University, and Nova Southeastern University. In 2002, Ben married his high school sweatheart, Jill, and they now have little two girls: Rachel and Naomi. When Ben and Jill moved to D.C., they did not anticipate being here for more than a year…that was in 2004. Ben and Jill planned to visit several churches in the area, but they attended CHBC the first Sunday and never looked elsewhere. Ben enjoys spending time with his family and playing (or watching) just about any sport; even if it’s on the Wii and the “competition” is his cousin.

Deacon of Ordinances’ Web page

Greg Brown, Deacon of Sound
Born and raised in Lincolnton, NC, Greg moved to Baltimore in 2005 to work for Northrop Grumman as an electrical engineer. He was introduced to CHBC by a visiting friend from college and became a member in March 2006. He now lives in DC and is recently married to Mary. Greg enjoys backpacking, board games, and playing ultimate frisbee whenever possible.

Deacons of Sound’s Web page

Garth Van Meter, Deacon of Sound
Originally hailing from New Orleans, Garth came to DC in 1995 for college. After a winding path of “spiritual” searching, he began attending CHBC in the fall of 2002 with his then fiancee Jennifer. He heard a sermon series in Romans and came to understand the nature of true repentance and faith in Christ. He is currently a Legislative Director in the US House of Representatives. He has been married to Jennifer since 2003 and they are new parents to Juliet.

Deacons of Sound’s Web page

Preston Dunlap, Deacon of Ushers
Preston hails from the great state of Texas but comes via Duke University to CHBC where he would find significant comradery with a sizeable constituency (we’re in DC so we like to use terms like constituency) of Texans and three pastoral staff members who are also Duke alums. Ultimately though, Preston became a member of this church because of its commitment to regularly and faithfully preaching and teaching God’s Word – what a good gift that is. But the Lord didn’t stop there as He provided yet another undeserved gift at CHBC in his amazing wife Melody. Preston has degrees in computer science, political science, and operations research and aside from church and work enjoys backpacking, hiking, reading, photography, ultimate frisbee, guitar, running, and pretty much anything else outdoors.

Deacon of Ushers’ Web page

Lydia Dockery, Deaconess of WeddingsLydia grew up in southern West Virginia, but always considers the great state of Alabama to be home. She graduated from Samford University in the spring of 2005 and came to DC for a one month internship. She’s still here. That summer, she found CHBC with the help of her faithful, God-glorifying grandmother and after her first Sunday here she never visited another church. Lydia works on Capitol Hill for a US Senator. Some of her favorites include: college football (Roll Tide Roll), conversations fleshing out theology, randomness, discipling intern girls, roller coasters, singing hymns, planning weddings, getting to know new people and parmesan cheese.

Deaconess of Weddings’ Web page

Sebastian Traeger, Deacon of Budget
Originally from the western suburbs of Philadelphia, Sebastian moved to DC in 1996 after graduating from Princeton University. He began attending the church almost immediately upon arriving, where he found a younger Mark Dever’s preaching powerful and life-changing. Sebastian has worked as a Strategy Consultant and as a serial social and internet entrepreneur. He met his wife Nikki at CHBC, where they were married in December of 2005 and have two ridiculously cute sons, Alex and Wesley. Outside of family, church and work, Sebastian is an avid sports fan and participant – priding himself on knowing more about sports than the entire sr. staff of CHBC combined (but, hey, who doesn’t). Sadly, he isn’t into too much else.

Deacon of Budget’s Web page

Patty Lyle, Deaconess of Hospitality

Bio coming soon.

Deaconess of Hospitality’s Web page

Greg Ridlington, Deacon of Audio Duplication
Greg grew up in Spokane, WA and after attending music school in Denton, TX and Boston, MA moved to D.C. in 1999 to be a saxophonist with “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. In 2003 Greg married Amanda and they discovered CHBC, where they immediately loved the congregational singing and long sermons. Among Greg’s favorite things are playing with his son Jesse, throwing tennis balls for his Jack Russell Terrier Bandit, and hearing music and going on hikes with Amanda.

Deacon of Audio Duplication’s Web page

Rob Satrom, Deacon of College Ministry

Rob grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri. He moved to DC in 2006 to study international conflict resolution at American University and after graduating, now works in that field at the US Department of State. Rob became a Christian through the ministry of his parents and church at an early age, but grew immensely during his college days. He has a passion to see college students come to faith in Christ and grow in their love for the Lord and His word. He is engaged to Hayley Sitton, who serves the church as a Biblical counselor. Rob also loves music and sports.
Deacon of College Ministry’s web page

Dan Whiting, Deacon of Website
After graduating from the University of Idaho, Dan Whiting worked in the U.S. Senate for 11 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and now for an association for forest landowners.  He first started attending Capitol Hill Baptist Church in 1997.  He became a Christian as a teenager and grew up in a Christian home.  He is married to the lovely Sunshine, and enjoys volunteering at church, traveling, fiddling with technology, playing in the outdoors (especially water), and, of course, spending time with his beautiful wife.

Deacon of Website’s web page

Officers

Nikki Traeger, Treasurer
Nikki is married to Sebastian and is the mother of two sons, Alex and Wesley. She has been a member of CHBC for several years, and moved to DC soon after graduating from the University of Virginia. Becoming treasurer for the church was one way that she saw she could combine her professional skills with serving the church body. When a beautiful day forces her to stray away from her numbers, she likes to play soccer, travel internationally, or be near the water.

Jennifer Bennett, Church Clerk
Born and raised in Maine, Jenn moved to Virginia after graduating from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania in January 2004 with a degree in Anthropology and Sociology. She has been an HR Specialist with the US Transportation Security Administration since then. CHBC was recommended to her by friends from college and family friends from Maine and she started attending shortly after moving to the area. Jenn enjoys cooking, sightseeing, and hanging out with her roomies.  She is engaged to Bill Cook.