When Don returned to the Pacific Northwest in 1997, it was like a homecoming. In various capacities, he has led youth, college students and adults on over twenty mission trips, including cycling across the United States in forty-four days for Habitat for Humanity. Don has also worked with social work agencies in the Portland metro area such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Morrison Child and Family Center, and Evergreen Counseling Services.

He attended Portland State University and earned his Ph.D. in Social Research in 2009. He has been an adjunct professor at Portland State University, George Fox University and Clark College. In Spring of 2018, he was granted tenure as a Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice at Clark College in Vancouver, WA, where he currently serves as the Department Chair.

Don joined the staff at Southminster in May 2006. For him, the focus on inclusivity, social justice, equity for all and interfaith dialogue are what brought him here. Over the years, he has purposed to build an intentional intergenerational ministry for college students, youth and children and strengthen our church’s connection to families and mission. For Don, “God exists in community and is revealed as we work toward social justice in all ways and all things.”

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Known for his “enthusiastic performances” (Oregon Arts Watch), Jason Sabino is an active conductor, clinician, and singer in the Portland area. In addition to his music ministry at Southminster, Jason is currently Artistic Assistant and Associate Conductor of Pacific Youth Choir, where he is the Boychoir conductor and assistant conductor for high school ensembles Pacific and Chamber Choir. He also regularly prepares choirs for the Oregon Symphony. An advocate for music education, Jason is also Assistant Director of Choro in Schola, a non-profit organization that provides choral workshops to local high schools. As a chorister, he’s performed with Cappella Romana, Resonance Ensemble, and The Ensemble of Oregon.

Jason earned a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Portland State University, where he was a graduate teaching assistant and adjunct faculty and received the University Service Award. At PSU, Jason reestablished the Community Chorus, conducted the University Choir and Man Choir, and was assistant conductor for the award-winning Chamber Choir. Jason earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Choral Music from the USC Thornton School of Music, where he received the Choral Department Award.

Ms. Denise is the Family Life coordinator for the children’s program. With a master’s degree is in elementary education and early childhood education, she has worked in the field of early childhood education for more than 15 years.

Ms. Denise enjoys reading, coloring, and cooking.

Amanda Olson joined Southminster as the Family Life Coordinator in 2020, but has been a part of the church since she was in the youth group, all the way back in 2010. She has gone on two mission trips, San Fransisco in 2011 and Cuba in 2012, and has remained active in Don’s youth activities ever since.

Amanda graduated from Portland State University in 2016 with a bachelors degree in Community Health Education and a minor in Aging Services. Professionally, she loves to support mission-based work and has had roles at non-profits, universities, and most recently Airbnb. She loves working with the Southmin youth and helping them build connections to one another and their community.

Amanda enjoys being outdoors, baking, event planning, and coffee!

Dan started playing bells in 2010 after a hiatus from any musical performance since high school. He was drawn to the bells as a place where the whole really is more than the sum of the parts. Dan started in a non-audition church choir and moved to audition and then a community ensemble (Pacific Ringers) within a few years. Dan is a self-taught conductor, although he has been very lucky to be mentored by his current director at Pacific Ringers.

Dan feels that his job as director is to enable the group to bring their offering to the congregation. All the bells together form 1 instrument, which means it takes everyone connecting to everyone else to create a moving experience. The pursuit of that experience is what keeps him going.

If you are interested in learning more about handbells at Southminster, please contact Dan at danajovich@gmail.com.