Staff and Leadership

Essential Rock is an evangelical, non-denominational church. This simply means that the center of our faith is in the person of Jesus Christ, and that we do not have a larger denominational affiliation.

 

Essential Rock's staff and leadership oversee implementation of the mission and goals of the church. They are the key contacts for each ministry where individuals can obtain ministry services or find ways to get connected in meaningful opportunities to serve.


To contact any member of our team, simply click on their photo.

  • Pastor John Slotten

    Senior Pastor

  • Nerf Udoekong

    Pastoral Intern

  • Jake Hietpas

    Worship Arts Leader

  • Brenda Slotten

    Women's Ministry Leader

    Kid's Church Ministry Leader

  • Todd Vahlsing

    Tech Team and Communications Leader

  • Ed Antkowiak

    Men's Ministry Leader

  • Tina Pfeiffer

    Nursery Care Leader

  • Tom and Michelle Tennis

    Celebrate Recovery Group Leaders

  • Christy Hartmann

    Administrative Assistant and Webmaster

Advisory Council

Our advisory council supports the governing elders by providing outside and objective counsel. This council is comprised of different local and national Christian leaders who have an ongoing relationship with the leaders and body of Christ The Rock and Essential Rock. Although the council has no legal or formal authority at Christ The Rock or Essential Rock, we highly value its input, feedback, council and encouragement. These leaders love and care for the well-being of our church and its leaders, and are available to provide wisdom and advice on issues the elders deem necessary from their respected areas of expertise.


    Clive Calver - Senior Pastor of Walnut Hill Community Church (Bethel, CT); President Emeritus at World Relief (Relief and Development Ministry of the National Association of Evangelicals)


    Dr. Dan Allender - Author, Christian counselor and Professor of Counseling at the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology


    Dave Rosene - Appleton Team Leader of Younglife


    Dr. David Clark - Vice President and Dean of Bethel Seminary


    Don Wilkerson - President of Global Teen Challenge (New York, NY)


    George Morrison - Senior Pastor of Faith Bible Chapel and member of Promise Keepers Board of Directors


    Dr. Grant R. Osborne - Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, American theologian and New Testament scholar


    Dr. Greg Bourgond - Founder and President of Heart of a Warrior Ministries


    Jill Briscoe - Minister at Large for Elmbrook Church (Brookfield, WI) and Author


    John Dawson - International President of Youth With A Mission


    Dr. Larry Crabb - Director of New Way Ministries, Professor at Colorado Christian University, Christian counselor and Author


    Nancy Beach - Leadership coach with Slingshot Group and teaching pastor at Soul City Church in Chicago


    Dr. Os Guinness - Senior Fellow of the East West Institute (New York, NY) and Author


    Stuart Briscoe - Minister at Large for Elmbrook Church (Brookfield, WI) and Author


    Dr. Tremper Longman - Professor of Biblical Studies at Westmont College (Santa Barbara, CA) and Author


    Wes Roberts - Founder and President of Leadership Design Group (Denver, CO)