Staff

The Colbys enjoy all kinds of theater, especially musical theater, traveling around the world to be with their kids and those precious grandchildren.  They treasure any time they can get to be with their and crazy family, and Pastor Colby is ALWAYS counting down the days until Christmas!!!

Pastor Colby and Sharon were both educated and raised in the south Seattle area.  Pastor Colby graduated from Highline Community College in 1977 with an emphasis in musical Theater and Speech/Communications.  In 1980 received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwest University of the Assemblies of God in Kirkland, Washington with a major in Biblical Literature and a minor in Communications.  Since graduation and prior to their pastorate at Westwood Christian Community, the Colby’s served in three growing churches in the state of Washington.  (Tri-County Christian Center in Deer Park, Neighborhood Church in Tacoma, and Toledo New Life Assembly in Toledo, Washington.) Currently, Sharon serves as the Executive Assistant to the Chief Talent Officer for Highline Public Schools. 

After forty-four years of ministerial experience, the Colby’s provide encouraging leadership to the local church.  Pastor Colby communicates a clear sense of vision and brings a great deal of encouragement to the family of God at Westwood Christian Community.  Pastor Tom and Sharon’s ministry passions include loving and encouraging the Body of Christ to be a community that reaches our communities. A family focused ministry has always been important to the Colby’s, including ministry to Children, marriage and family focus, and Discipleship training. The Colby's also are privileged to serve as Northwest Ministry Network Elders serving Assembly of God pastors in the Pacific Northwest.  

In all that we do, Westwood Christian Community exists to lead people into a deeper ENCOUNTER with God, and to be ENCOURAGED by the Word of God and each other, and last, to become ENGAGED as an active participant in ministry.  We are actively "Building a Community to Change Our Community". Pastor Colby is an incurable optimist who has a heart that cheers believers on in their faith journey!  One of his favorite verses is in Hebrews 12:1 where we are reminded of the seasoned crowd of Old and New Testament heroes of the faith, who by their example, are cheering us on in our faith journey!  As believers, we are to do the same for one another today!  One of the great characters of the New Testament – that often gets little attention is Barnabas – whose name means “Son of Encouragement” – That’s the heart of this leadership.  That’s why Pastors Tom and Sharon Colby continue “Cheering from our Balcony!” and ALWAYS will!

Larry and Patty Hassler have been a part of the Westwood Christian Community family since the late 1980's.  The became official members in 1998. Patty has served as  faithfully served as the Bookkeeper for Westwood Christian Community for the past 20 years.   Patty is such a joy to work with, she is a woman of faith, prayer and graciously manages the bookkeeping of the church with such detail, great integrity and excellence. She is also 1982  graduate of the University of Washington where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.