I went to NC started in 72 and graduated in 74. I recieved a MA from California Graduated School of Theology. Went to Medical Lake as youth pastor. Served in 3 churches in NW District as youth pastor. I met my wife, Karen, 35 years ago at the second church. We have two sons, Chris age 28 and Matt age 26. Neither are married. We served in OR for a year and AZ for 3 years and then back to NW. We left our last church in 2003 at Lewiston, ID. I served for years in Royal Rangers for years at sectional, district, regional, and national levels. I was on three committees that help write the new RR curriclum at came out in around 2002. I was the regional training coordinator and interm regional coordinator for the NW region. I went back to Springfield 2 times a year. I resigned from the A/G in 2007 and am now ordained with the Indepentent Assemblies of God International. Karen and I now attend Puyallup Foursquare. We love that church. It is interesting because they own the former First Assembly of God building. I was ordained at District Council in 1986 in that building and we sit about 10 ft from where I was standing during the ordaination part of the service. The ex-wife of the senior pastor at our first church after Karen and I were married attends there and their son plays the drums. Another senior pastor and his wife of ours also attends there. Most of the staff from Puyallup Foursquare attended NU and the children's pastor is the department chair at NU for the children's department. The senior pastor is a brother-in-law of Troy Jones, senior pastor at Renton New Life (Renton A/G). So it is interesting attending there. By the way, I got out my old Karismas and found my three roommates. I read all the notes people had written in them. I go on FB to read all the postings and etc that are posted each day.
Here's my quick story. Gradauted from NU in 75. Did some work with YFC and started a club at Fife High School. Moved to Antioch CA in 76 and served as youth pastor for about year. Moved to Walnut Creek CA in 77, met the most wonderful woman in the world and married her in 78. Worked part time as CE pastor in an A/G church while working on MA in Ed from Simpson College. Finished MA and then moved to Dayton Ohio June of 81 to serve as Dean of Students and then Dean. Stayed there for two years before school merged with another Bible College and then moved to Puyallup First A/G and served as CE Pastor until 86. Moved to Kirkland and served as CE pastor at Cedar Park A/G. Moved to Pasadena CA in 88 and enrolled in Fuller Sem and finished M.Div in 91. Became Academic Dean at Bethany Christian University (associated with Yoido Full Gospel World Missions and Dr. Cho) and served there for 4 years. Let my credential lapse as burn out took over (note to A/G - train your senior pastors to do a better job at mentoring associates). I am now an attorney doing Family Law and Probate Law. Kathy is the Exec Dir of a faith based single mother's shelter. I serve on their advisory board and do pro bono work. We are still in "ministry" with this work and we lead small groups in our home church - an evangelical non-denominational church. Kathy and I were given two wonderful children - a daughter that is now married and living in Des Moines Iowa and our son who is in sports broadcasting in Stockton.
Phil Bruner
Phil Bruner
I t has been an unexpected journey for sure. In 1973 I landed on the campus of NW College. The 500 floor would be my home for the next year. I would meet life friends there; Roland Rice-Best Man in my wedding-and I in his and Marilyn's, My roommates Steve Benintendi and Tim Barton who both instilled in me a desire for ministry and missions. Thank you both. To other great floor mates; Tala Samuelu, Dave Fohe, Mark Kimmelshue, and many others; you were my family and I treasure you as brothers in Christ. Unlike some , I really loved going to Chapel each day-I never skipped. The guest speakers, wonderful NW music, and alter times that witnessed many of us committing our lives to "Carrying the Call" are embedded memories I will always treasure. Playing on the first NW soccer team-a combination of ex-football players and the real soccer players, the dining room followed by quick dashes to Herfy's to "round" out the meal :), and of course many visits to Perks to "buzz" some poor expecting young lady HaHa.
I had to abort my quest for a degree the next year due to a lack of funds. I moved home to Yakima, Wa got married and started a family. I have a 26 year old daughter, Rachel who has given me 4 wonderful grandchildren including 5 year old twins girls. My son Casey who is 23 graduated from UW and works for the Sen. Slade Gorton Found. in Seattle. I worked primarily in office supplies, attended Stone Church and directed the young marrieds class. In 1992 I returned to NW and graduated in 1995. It was quite different living in the married student housing with a family. As my hair had turned gray at a young age, the younger students called me "Doc"...too funny.
My mentors and friends as Instructors who really impacted me in those years were Dr and Mrs Turner and Dr LeRoy Johnson. I am eternally thankful for your lives and ministry! I returned to Yakima to work in a hospital and direct the young marrieds again at Stone Church. Within a year my wife made a decision to leave me and filed for divorce. I was devastated to say the least. Now what would I do? Seven years ago I volunteered for an outreach called Operation Christmas Child. I now live in Minneapolis, Mn. and work with them as a volunteer trainer, recruiter, and ambassador. God, by his grace has allowed me to participate in this missions work that I could never have imagined.
Now I look forward to each day with anticipation to what God will do next and to His soon return. There were many times I really wanted to quit. It would have been easy. But you see, many of you did not quit. I saw you carrying the call-the call that I had, and with your examples and God's help I have kept on Carrying the call! Thank you for keeping on; you do not know who you are impacting.
Blessings Always,
Phil Bruner
I had to abort my quest for a degree the next year due to a lack of funds. I moved home to Yakima, Wa got married and started a family. I have a 26 year old daughter, Rachel who has given me 4 wonderful grandchildren including 5 year old twins girls. My son Casey who is 23 graduated from UW and works for the Sen. Slade Gorton Found. in Seattle. I worked primarily in office supplies, attended Stone Church and directed the young marrieds class. In 1992 I returned to NW and graduated in 1995. It was quite different living in the married student housing with a family. As my hair had turned gray at a young age, the younger students called me "Doc"...too funny.
My mentors and friends as Instructors who really impacted me in those years were Dr and Mrs Turner and Dr LeRoy Johnson. I am eternally thankful for your lives and ministry! I returned to Yakima to work in a hospital and direct the young marrieds again at Stone Church. Within a year my wife made a decision to leave me and filed for divorce. I was devastated to say the least. Now what would I do? Seven years ago I volunteered for an outreach called Operation Christmas Child. I now live in Minneapolis, Mn. and work with them as a volunteer trainer, recruiter, and ambassador. God, by his grace has allowed me to participate in this missions work that I could never have imagined.
Now I look forward to each day with anticipation to what God will do next and to His soon return. There were many times I really wanted to quit. It would have been easy. But you see, many of you did not quit. I saw you carrying the call-the call that I had, and with your examples and God's help I have kept on Carrying the call! Thank you for keeping on; you do not know who you are impacting.
Blessings Always,
Phil Bruner
