Reverend Dr. Todd E. Johnson, Senior Pastor
Todd Johnson was born and raised in northwestern Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains. Todd was also born, baptized, and confirmed into the Covenant Church. Todd’s spiritual journey took surprising turn when, as an engineering student at the University of Pittsburgh, he felt called to ministry while working with young children in the housing projects of Pittsburgh’s “Hill District.” This led Todd to leave engineering and Pitt and go to North Park University (then still a college) in Chicago for his pre-seminary studies, and then Seminary at North Park Theological Seminary.
Throughout Todd’s years of ministry, he has participated in a variety of ministries, including campus ministry, urban youth work, pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, addictions and recovery ministries, and spiritual formation, to name some. Todd’s ministry career is a bit like an Oreo™ cookie, however, as he spent much of the last 30 years in the academic world, most recently holding the Brehm Chair in Worship, Theology, and the Arts at Fuller Theological Seminary.
Todd’s coming to First Covenant is the second cookie around the filling of his work in theological education. Todd is excited to be able to bring all of these experiences, gifts, and skills to bear on his ministry here at First Covenant Church. He is passionate about Christian formation, pastoral care and nurture, ministries of justice and mercy, integration of art into the life of faith, and reaching out to the world in Christ’s name with the promise of new life in Christ and the redemption of the world; then celebrating all of this in worship throughout the year.
A word of warning: don’t talk to Todd about the Buffalo Sabres, sports in general, music, running, biking, swimming, cross-country skiing, or theatre if you don’t have a lot of time!
Lauren St. Martin, Associate Pastor of Children, Youth, & Families
Lauren spent almost a decade working in theological higher education before receiving her call to pastoral ministry. She has worked at Fuller Theological Seminary, Seattle Pacific Seminary, and The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology. Lauren is also the managing editor of Christ & Cascadia, an online theology & culture journal. She has a Master of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and an editing certificate from the University of Washington. She and her husband Manuel have two dogs, Artemis and Lucca, whom they love to take on walks throughout the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Lauren is also a vocalist and avid ultimate frisbee player.
Cinda Madonna, Coordinator Of Ministerial Operations
Cinda earned her B.S. in Psychology at the University of Washington, and, later, a Master’s of Divinity at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. She is the mother of three grown sons, as well as a daughter and son through her marriage to Darryl Johnson. Cinda also keeps busy loving her family, playing tennis, skiing and practicing hot yoga. As First Covenant’s Coordinator of operations , Cinda brings 10 years of business experience and a plethora of life experiences to this position.
cmadonna@firstcovenantseattle.org
Allan Waite, Property Superintendent
Allan joined the Seattle First Covenant staff in July of 2013 and functions as the facilities manager for our historic church building and our Summit building. Allan and his family have attended Seattle First Covenant Church for many years.
awaite@firstcovenantseattle.org
Peter Loyd, Caretaker
Peter joined the Seattle First Covenant staff in 2014 after a decade of living, studying, and serving in the Capitol Hill area. He is involved in local charity and arts organizations and is especially concerned with meal programs and housing issues. He recently completed his master's degree in Computer Science at Seattle University.