Staff & Leadership – Bismarck Community Church

Meet Our Leaders

At Bismarck Community Church, our strength is in our relationships, and we are blessed with a team of people committed to serving our church family.
This page is a chance for you to meet the leaders who serve in different capacities, from our day-to-day staff to our elders and deacons. We are all here to help and encourage you on your journey.

Our Staff

Jim Ellis

Lead Pastor

Jim is passionate about the gospel, community, and leadership. He and his wife, Chantalle, have four children: Cohen, Addelyn, Caleb, and Tova. A native of the plains, Jim has called many states home but finds the presence of God in both the mountains and the flatlands. He holds a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary and has served at Bismarck Community Church since 2017, stepping into the Lead Pastor role in 2024. In his free time, you might find Jim running, listening to vinyl records, enjoying a Chipotle burrito, or watching for his favorite bird, the Blue Heron.

Julie Fisher

Director of Operations

Julie and her husband, Walter, share their life with four adult children: River, Alastair, Tessa, and Tristan. As Director of Operations, she manages the church’s day-to-day functions, including administration, finances, facilities, and volunteer coordination. Julie is deeply passionate about advancing God’s kingdom and sharing the light of Christ with everyone she meets. She loves connecting with friends for meaningful conversations over coffee or on long walks.

Troy Reno

Executive Elder

Troy and his wife, Claudette, have three children and eleven precious grandchildren. As our Executive Elder, Troy is responsible for the financial functions of the church, as well as strategic planning and human resources. He genuinely loves Jesus and wants to help others know and love Him. A true outdoorsman, Troy loves spending time in nature and holds the title of amateur birder.

Alan Welte

Ground and Maintenance

Alan is married to Mary, and they have three children and three grandchildren. A longtime member of Bismarck Community Church, Alan has served in several areas of ministry over the years, including missions and evangelism. He currently serves as a teacher in our children’s discipleship ministry, and he also manages the maintenance of our buildings and equipment.

Brad Bales

Worship Director

A lifelong Bismarck resident, Brad is married to Sally, and they have four children and twelve grandchildren. As Worship Director, he organizes the music teams and selects songs for Sunday worship. He hopes that people leave the service with a song in their hearts, praying that the music helps everyone know how great our God is. In his free time, Brad is an avid record collector and audio aficionado.

Vanessa Bales

Youth Discipleship Coordinator

Vanessa serves as our Youth Discipleship Coordinator, overseeing Sunday school curriculum and supporting our team of dedicated volunteers. With a passion for helping the next generation grow in their faith, she works to create engaging, Christ-centered learning experiences for kids and teens. Vanessa is married to Chris, and they have four daughters: Thea, Cleo, Mila, and Lola. She loves spending time with her family and finding creative ways to bring faith into everyday life.

Laura Verner

Custodian

A lifelong member of BCC, Laura is responsible for cleaning the church several times a week. With the help of her husband, Logan, they see their work as an act of love and appreciation for their church community. Laura is married to Logan, and they have a son, Leif, along with a cat and a dog. She has volunteered in a number of ministries over the years and feels called to be an example of God’s love to her family and to the children she cares for in her second job as a nanny.