The Dalles First Christian Church Staff

The staff at First Christian Church has spent many years devoted to the Christian faith. Our pastors enjoy sharing that faith and knowledge with others in our church community. Below is the ministerial line up and God's faithful servants here at First Christian Church.

Left to Right: Dan Trautman, Mark Hammer, Mike Wilson, Cheri Thomas, Clyde Keizur

Dan Trautman, Senior Minister

Dan was born and raised in Caldwell, Idaho. He was also a long time member at the First Christian Church of Caldwell. Dan graduated from High School at Caldwell, Idaho and went to Puget Sound Christian College where he received a bachelors degree with a major in bible, and a minor in preaching, graduating from PSCC in 1978. Dan has been the Senior Minister (Preaching Minister) at one of our Christian Churches for over 35 years. He is the Senior Minister here at The Dalles First Christian Church. Dan loves to golf, hunt, and cowboy in his spare time.   Page Top ^

Mike Wilson, Associate Minister 

Born in Eugene, Oregon in 1957, Mike graduated from Pleasant Hill High School, Oregon Class of 1975 (Home of the “Billies”- a fierce animal). Mike graduated from Northwest Christian College, Class of 1981 and graduated from Pacific Christian College, Class of 1996 with a Master of Arts in Ministry. He began ministry at First Christian Church December 1, 1984. Mike is currently serving as Associate Minister. His responsibilities include: Amor Groups, Teaching Discipleship Classes, Organizing Church Events, Coordinating Weekend Worship Services, Working in Ministry Team Structure with Exaltation and Body Life Teams, Discipleship Training, Conducting Nursing Home Services, Calling on Membership, Weddings/Funerals, and preaching when needed. Mike's interests include: golf, 4-wheeling, woodworking, building, traveling.    Page Top ^

Mark Hammer, Generational Minister

Mark was born in Springfield, Ohio in 1983. When he was 5, he moved with his family to the Portland, Oregon area. Throughout high school he was highly involved in the youth group at Mountainview Christian Church in Gresham, Oregon. In 2002 Mark graduated from Portland Christian High School, and then traveled to Joplin, Missouri to attend Ozark Christian College. He graduated from OCC in 2006 with a Bachelor's degree in Bible and an emphasis in preaching and youth ministry. June of 2006, he moved to The Dalles, Oregon where he has been serving ever since at First Christian Church as the Generational Minister, working with nursery through high school aged kids! It his desire to challenge youth to enter into a deep and passionate relationship with Jesus Christ and to make disciples!  He is in charge of planning retreats, summer and school year activities, weekly outreach events, and training leaders to impact the younger generation. In his spare time, he loves being with his beautiful wife, Lindsey, and their black lab, Maggie. Mark thoroughly enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, playing basketball, video games, and watching Oregon Ducks football!    Page Top ^

Clyde Keizur, Outreach Minister

Clyde was born and raised in Hood River, Oregon. He attended school there all the way through graduation from High School. Clyde entered the Navy after graduation and then attended Mount Hood Community College where he graduated with an Associate of Science Degree in Food Processing Technology. He married in 1974 and in 1977 moved to The Dalles to work for Stadelman Fruit Company. Clyde and his wife went to New Tribes Bible School in Jackson, Michigan in 1978 and were with them until 1988, having spent time in the Philippines and as cooks at the Bible School. They returned to The Dalles in 1993, and began attending First Christian Church of The Dalles in December of that year. Clyde began a hospital ministry in 1996 and a jail ministry in 1999. He also started a men's recovery house in 2004 and a women's house in 2005. Clyde became a part time minister at First Christian in 2008 and is currently the Minister of Outreach. He is also the minister on duty on Fridays and heads the Friday Night Supper service.  Page Top ^

Cheri Thomas, Secretary

Cheri was born & raised in The Dalles and married her high school sweetheart, Dan Thomas, over 37 years ago. They have 2 adult children that are both married and have given Cheri and Dan 7 grandchildren to spoil. Her daughter & son-in-law, Katie & Greg Cummings, live in The Dalles with their 3 sons. Her son & daughter-in-law, Andrew & Cassandra Thomas, are currently stationed at Ft Wainwright, Alaska and have 4 children. Together Dan & Cheri led several congregations around Oregon before returning to The Dalles in 2005. Dan is part of the ministerial staff at a different church in The Dalles where Cheri is director of Women’s Ministries. Cheri has been a church secretary for almost 20 years and has served at First Christian Church since November 2006. Her spare time is divided between the grandkids and scrapbooking things the grandkids do.