Leadership

Pastor Micah Adamson

• Church involvement: Micah was a pastor’s kid who was raised attending Baptist (BGC) and Non-Denominational churches. Micah has attended NHCC since 2005 (with a 2-year gap in 2007-2009 spent on a mission trip to Ecuador with SIM). Micah has been on staff at NHCC since 2009, serving as the part time Associate Pastor of youth and young families until April of 2016 when he become the Senior Pastor.

•  Family: Micah and Johanna have been married since 2006 and are raising their four children (Ruthi, Nico, Silas, and Hezekiah).

• Work: Micah served as a missionary with SIM in Bolivia for 4 school years and in Ecuador for 2 school years. Micah has also spent 5 summers working in Christian Camping at Lake Retreat and one school year involved in year-round Christian Camping ministry at Sambica. Micah has had various IT jobs and has worked as a subcontractor on Microsoft projects since 2009, where he now works part time.

• Education: Micah graduated in 2016 from Prairie Bible College with a B.A. in Ministry with a Pastoral Emphasis. Micah also has his MCSE and other technical computer certifications.

•  Misc.: Micah enjoys reading and listening to audio books (including the Bible 30+ times), riding bikes with his kids, and being a husband and father.

Pastor Dan Folden

• Work/Church involvement: After serving a church in Denver, CO, Dan and Joyce moved to Kent in 1979 to serve at Kent Covenant Church as Assistant Pastor. In 1990, Pastor Dan led a small group of families and individuals to found New Heights Christian Church.

• Family: Dan & Joyce Folden met around 1970 at Redeemer Covenant Church in Downey, CA and were married at Highlands Community Church in Renton, WA in 1977. They are exceedingly blessed to have four adult children and eleven grandchildren. Joyce has been immensely supportive of the ministries Dan has been part of, a tremendous mother and grandmother, talented musician and, most importantly, a godly woman whose love for our Lord Jesus Christ is evidenced by her joy and encouraging words and service.

• Education: Dan’s undergraduate work was done at Long Beach State University. His graduate work was done at Fuller Theological Seminary with studies at North Park Theological Seminary. His post graduate work was with The Northwest Graduate School of the Ministry.

• Misc: Throughout his educational and ministry career, Dan has maintained a carpet business to provide extra income, keep himself engaged in the community, provide a whole different avenue of measurable achievement and keep himself physically active. 

Glenn Olson

• Church Involvement:  Glenn has been a member at NHCC since 1999, where he helps with the sound board or ushering on Sunday mornings.  He has led a Home Group (Wednesday nights) for many years and has served as an elder for 14 years. 

• Family:  Glenn & Diana have been married for 38 years and have lived in Kent (same house!) for 36 years.  Glenn & Diana have three adult children, Kristy, Eli, & Melissa.

• Work:  Glenn is a Senior Volunteer Officer for Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, where he has worked since 2014.  Prior to the Mission, he spent 16 years at Rainier Christian Schools and 11 years in banking.

• Education: Glenn has an MBA degree, is a CPA, and a certified instructor for Mental Health First Aid. 

• Miscellaneous:  Glenn & Diana are avid gardeners, enjoy camping, playing board games, walking, reading, working jigsaw puzzles, attending & volunteering at ManeStage Theatre (Puyallup, WA), and spending time with family.

Jim Johnson

• Jim and Gail Johnson are retired and enjoy an active life which includes family and their 14 grandchildren. 

• In addition to taking part in several bible studies, Jim and Gail continue their local sail boating, are avid readers and stay current with political trends, encouraging Christians to vote.

• Jim is also a musician playing at NHCC and rehearsing with other instrumental groups and nearby. 

Elijah Olson

• Church Involvement : Elijah (Eli) has been active at NHCC since childhood, participating in children’s and youth group through high school. After college, Elijah returned to NHCC, where he serves as a worship leader on Sunday mornings.

• Work: Elijah works for Kent School District as a teacher-librarian and technology integration specialist at Horizon Elementary. He has worked at Horizon since 2014, first as a third grade teacher before moving to his current position.

• Education: Elijah graduated from Corban University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and dual minors in Biblical Studies and Music. Later, Elijah attended Seattle Pacific University and Highline College to earn his Library Media certification. In 2023, Elijah completed his Masters in Education in Library Media from Eastern Washington University

• Miscellaneous: Elijah loves to garden and do improvement projects at his home in Covington. He loves to camp and visit National Park Service sites. Elijah loves going to the movies, live theatre, and the symphony.

Dan Buckett

• Church Involvement: Dan and Tricia have been Members of NHCC since 2009. Dan has been involved with Worship team since 2008 and began leading Worship Team in 2015 to present.

• Family: Dan and Tricia Have been married since 2008. They have three adult children, Anya, Johnny and Emily

• Work: Dan recently retired from the construction industry after 30 years as an Electrician

• Education: Dan attended Green River College and studied Music Theory, Ear training and Performance. Dan also completed a 5 year formal electrical Apprenticeship at the Puget Sound Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Council.

• Miscellaneous: Dan loves playing guitar and making music. He plays guitar or Bass in the NHCC praise band, as well as playing guitar in the Maple Valley Big Band and a 1950s Nostalgia band.

• Church Involvement: Rachel has been a member of New Heights since it’s inception back in 1991, where she has worn many different hats, some of which include VBS leader, Sunday School teacher, Office Manager, Youth Group Leader and Host for Home Fellowship Groups. She has been Treasurer at New Heights for 15 years and has served on the Women’s Ministry Team for the last seven years. A fun fact: Rachel has likely created, printed and folded over 75,000 bulletins in her time at New Heights! 

• Family: Rachel & Ron have been married for 38 years and have lived in the Renton & Kent area for all but two of those years. Rachel & Ron have three adult sons who grew up at New Heights, along with three wonderful daughters-in-law and soon to be four grandchildren, ages 5 and under. 

• Work: Rachel is the Business Office Manager at Cedar River Montessori School where she has worked since 2009 and also works part-time for New Heights as their accounting specialist. Prior to Cedar River, Rachel was a stay-at-home mom for 20 years and was employed part-time by New Heights as Office Manager. 

• Education: Rachel has an accounting degree from Everett Community College. 

• Miscellaneous: When Rachel is not working, she loves spending time with her growing family along with playing games, doing puzzles, watching sports, and relaxing.