Meet our officers – Trinity Presbyterian Church

As the Apostle Paul gives Timothy instructions about officers in the first-century church in Ephesus where Timothy was working, he writes: “Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” 1 Timothy 3:14,15 (NIV). Paul sets out the qualifications, the gifts given by the Spirit, that should characterize the church’s elders and deacons.

As the Apostle Paul planted new churches, elders were set apart to lead those churches in serving the Lord, “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed” Acts 14:23 (ESV). As a Presbyterian church, Trinity is served by elders. “Ruling elders, individually and jointly with the pastor in the session, are to lead the church in the service of Christ” OPC Form of Government 10.1. They are elected by the congregation. Our elders periodically visit the members of the congregation to encourage them in their walk with the Lord. The session, or body of elders, presently includes Bill Elder, Nathan Kent, Nolan Lynch, Dale Tubbs, and pastor Mahaffy.

Our active deacons are Ben Kent and Nick Olinger. The OPC Form of Government 11.1 reads: “The Scriptures designate the office of deacon as distinct and perpetual in the church. Deacons are called to show forth the compassion of Christ in a manifold ministry of mercy toward the saints and strangers on behalf of the church. To this end they exercise, in the fellowship of the church, a recognized stewardship of care and of gifts for those in need or distress. This service is distinct from that of rule in the church.”

Nathan Kent was born in 1986 in Southern California where he lived until moving to Oregon in 2018 with his family. He was baptized as an infant in the OPC and has been an OPC member ever since. He is very happy and blessed to serve the Lord and the congregation at Trinity OPC in Newberg as a ruling elder. Nathan is married, has four children, and works as a commercial real estate appraiser. When he’s not working or spending time with his family, he is usually baking, reading, or playing sports.

Nolan Lynch is writer of new myths for film, TV, video games, music, and more, and has served Trinity OPC as a ruling elder since July 2023. A Newberg native and sixth-generation Oregonian, he and his wife Emma have two children who already love Tolkien almost as much as their dad. In his spare time, he studies regenerative agriculture and traditional Celtic folk music.

Pastor John W. Mahaffy is an alumnus of Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa, (A.B., 1967), and of Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA, (B.D., 1970). He was ordained as a minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in October 1970. Following a pastorate in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he came to Trinity Presbyterian Church, Newberg, in 1977. For his personal homepage click here.

Our ruling elders and deacons, together with other members elected by the congregation, serve as the board of trustees of the congregation. They have oversight of and provide care for the physical property of the church.

Ben Kent, John Kent (visiting), Nick Olinger, Nolan Lynch, Nathan Kent, Bill Elder, and John Mahaffy

Ordination and installation of two new ruling elders and a new deacon to join our existing officers, July 23, 2023.