Ministry Leadership

Gail Mathiesen

Connecting Ministry Leader

Gail moved from Chicago to Portland in the Spring of 2006.  She followed her husband Jon after he had been transferred here for work and they married that Summer.  They found Pearl Church during that time and have been attending ever since.  In the Spring of 2008 they welcomed twins Addison and Samuel and have been entrenched in the joys (and trials) of parenting multiples.  Gail also takes pleasure in a career of financing medical practices and hospitals.  She and Jon enjoy cooking, entertaining, working out and family time.  Gail also loves baseball season and rooting for the Cubs and dreams of the day she will see them play in the World Series!

William Waterman

Men's Ministry Leader

William grew up in the Pacific Northwest.  Together with his wife Rae, he came to Pearl Church in 2007.  He felt drawn to the genuineness and transparency of the leaders.  William finds joy in participating in community with imperfect yet growing persons.  He has experience in coaching and pastoral counseling.  Nearly any form of human interaction energizes William!  He is especially fond of spending time with Rae.  Together they love to explore beautiful gardens, hike, eat good food and enjoy the company of friends and family.  William is passionate about gardening and nurturing growth in other people.

Abby and Karl Coppock

Home Group Ministry Leaders

Abby and Karl, both having prior connections to the Pacific Northwest, moved back to Portland in May ’08 from Chicago. They visited Pearl Church soon thereafter and quickly sensed it was a group with whom they would be excited to journey. The home group ministry is a natural fit for the them because they see great value in the connections and growth that happen within the context of these groups, and they’re especially eager to partner with and encourage the home group leaders. They’re also growing in their understanding of prayer and are considering how it might contribute to the home group ministry. Abby and Karl appreciate almost anything that gets them outdoors – camping, hiking, swimming, gardening, tennis, fishing – as well as cooking and enjoying food with friends.

Bruce Schuman

Finance Ministry Leader

Bruce was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  He has been a Finance Controller for Intel Corporation since 1994.  Bruce moved to Portland in 1996, learned to cope with the slightly different weather than the Southwest, and now gladly calls Portland home.  Bruce and Cody were married in July 2008, and have one son, William.  Bruce loves to read, loves his friends, and loves to travel.  He held several ministry and music leadership positions at Sunset Presbyterian Church before joining Pearl in its early days as a home church in 2002.

Chuck and Harriet Tsen

Home Group Ministry Leaders

Chuck and Harriet Tsen joined Pearl Church in 2009 shortly after moving to Portland from Madison WI.  Originally from Texas, the two have been married for 5 years.  They are excited to serve Pearl Church by helping with the home group ministry.  They believe that home groups can provide a place that we can grow closer to God and to show Christ’s love to one another.  Chuck and Harriet also love rock climbing and eating yummy food.

Miriam Gibby

Women's Ministry Leader

Miriam was born into a pastor’s home and developed a passion for corporate and one-on-one ministry.
She is passionate about her life with Christ and lives it out as a woman, wife, pastor’s wife, mother, grandmother, worship leader, musician, professor and friend.

Through her career of church worship ministry and college professorship, she has witnessed the power of positive example and mentoring to inspire a life of worship.  She hopes to be a catalyst for women’s growth in their relationship with Jesus, with each other and within themselves.  Her vision is that women discover and express their unique place in God’s Kingdom, be cared for, and learn to care for others in Jesus’ name. 

Miriam is devoted to loving her family as an expression of her devotion to God.  She delights in being a help mate to her husband Reilly.  She pours time and thought into nurturing a growing relationship with her three daughters and sons-in-law and her eight grandchildren.