Lloyd serves as senior pastor of the Milton and Blue Mountain Valley-Mission Adventist Churches. He has had the privilege of sharing the Good News about Jesus with different organizations, denominations, and educational institutions around the world through evangelistic series, one-person dramas, and weeks-of-prayer. The consistent example and prayer life of his godly parents inspired him to accept Jesus as his Savior. As a child he fell in love with the Bible because his parents read, memorized, and shared God’s Word. Lloyd is an energetic Bible presenter who is passionate about telling others of God’s matchless love for them and how Jesus perfectly reveals God’s character. His mission in life can be summed up in one sentence: “He pointed to Jesus!”
Lloyd graduated from Walla Walla University with a BA in Theology and a minor in Sociology/Psychology. He continued his education at Andrews University where he received his Master of Divinity.
Some of Lloyd’s hobbies are croquet, golfing, hiking, birding, astronomy, and doing anything with his wife and kids. Lloyd and his wife, Jana, have four children and nine grandchildren: David, their oldest son, is the Human Resource Director of Oregon Conference; Daniel is Chaplain and Bible teacher at Walla Walla Valley Academy; Andrew, who also taught Bible both on the Academy and University level, is now working in recruitment at Walla Walla University; and Larissa, a certified welder, works in Beaverton, Oregon.
Nancy Canwell, Associate Pastor
Nancy graduated from Walla Walla University with a BA in Theology and a minor in Secondary Education. She is currently working on a Master in Pastoral Ministry degree through Anderws University’s extension program. Formerly Youth Pastor at the Walla Walla University Church, Nancy has a heart for people, and serves the Milton Church by seeing and meeting various needs in our community.
In addition to her work at our church, Nancy loves to communicate to people through writing. She has had articles published in numerous Christian magazines, and recently had her first book published. He’s Got Your Back is a daily devotional book for kids ages 10-14. She has also been invited to speak at camp meetings, weeks-of-prayer, and women’s retreats.
Nancy loves to hike—especially in the Wallowa Mountains. She also enjoys photography and horseback riding. Her husband, Keith, is a chaplain for Walla Walla Community Hospice. Their daughter, Christina, is a junior Communications major.
Marja McChesney, Office Manager
Marja-Leena McChesney (Marja) is our Office Manager. Her career in Social Work and Sociology includes 23 years as Professor at Walla Walla University. She holds an MA in Sociology from Washington State University and a PhD in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Before coming to the Milton Church, she worked as Manager at UnderSea Adventures scuba diving shop, which is also her hobby. She has spent 16 years as a career missionary in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Indonesia. She comes originally from Finland and was born in Sweden. Marja has two adult children: Andrew, who is News Editor for Adventist Review and Adventist World and previously spent 17 years in Russia, and Anita, who is Professor German at Texas Tech University and has spent several years in Austria.
Marja is committed to providing help and support for anyone contacting the church office. She is excited about belonging to a church where there is an abundance of energy generated among the leadership and members! There are many ministries to participate in, such as her favorite, Journey to Bethlehem. Some of her hobbies are incorporated into her personal ministry such as visiting people, traveling, scrapbooking, and photography.
Our staff, seen here with head elder, Gary Vietz.