Campus Ministry Staff

Forrest Buckner

Storm Family Dean of Spiritual Life & Campus Pastor

The Rev. Forrest Buckner, Ph.D., joined Whitworth in July 2015. After completing undergraduate degrees in civil and mechanical engineering at Colorado School of Mines, Forrest worked at First Presbyterian Church of Boulder for more than nine years. He earned his M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in Theology from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Outside of Whitworth, he primarily enjoys spending time with his wife and three delightful children. The greatest gifts in working at Whitworth for Forrest are the wonderful students, faculty and staff with whom he gets to interact on a daily basis as he participates in the university's Christ-centered mission to invite every student to honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity.

Matthew 6:33 is a life verse for Forrest: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well.”

To correspond with Forrest directly, call 509.777.4506 or email fbuckner@whitworth.edu.

Lauren Taylor

Campus Pastor for Discipleship

Lauren joined the Whitworth Campus Ministry staff in the summer of 2018. After growing up in Wheaton, Ill., and graduating from Wheaton College with a B.A. in biblical and theological studies, Lauren moved out East to attend Princeton Theological Seminary. Lauren has served in youth ministry and college ministry now for over a decade. Lauren is married to Derek Taylor '08, Whitworth's Emmaus Scholars Program director, and together they spend their time chasing their two little boys, walking their dog, sharing meals with friends and talking about the Kingdom of God.

Lauren loves studying and praying through all of Scripture, but one verse that is particularly meaningful is Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Lauren would love to talk to you about life, faith and anything in between. Just email her at laurentaylor@whitworth.edu or call 509.777.3859.

Ben Brody

Director of Campus Worship

Ben Brody is a Whitworth alum with a deep passion for authentic worship that is based in scriptural truth and musical excellence. He helps coordinate music for chapel services and oversees the Hosanna ministry. Contact Ben at 509.777.3214 or bbrody@whitworth.edu.

Derek Taylor

Emmaus Scholars Program Director

After graduating from Whitworth, Derek received an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Th.D. from Duke University. Derek is married to Lauren, the campus pastor for discipleship & residence hall ministry here at Whitworth. Lauren and Derek spend most of their free time chasing their young sons, Theo and Micah, going on hikes with their dog Charlie (who is by all objective standards the best dog in the world) and cooking up something fun in the kitchen. If Derek isn't doing these things, he's either watching Duke basketball or finding quiet moments to escape to the river with his fly rod. Along with directing the Emmaus Scholars Program, Derek also teaches theology here at Whitworth. He is especially interested in the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, scriptural hermeneutics (which is a fancy way of saying "how to read the Bible") and thinking creatively about what it means to speak faithfully about God today. Derek also has a deep passion for coffee, so if you'd like to chat over a cup, just shoot him an email at dtaylor@whitworth.edu or call 509.777.3337.

Kent McDonald

Young Life Regional Trainer, Campus Ministry, Lecturer in Practical Theology

Kent McDonald has been at Whitworth for 23 years, is married with three beautiful daughters, and is a grandfather to Marlow and Bennett. He received his M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and his doctorate at Carey Theological Seminary. Kent has a heart for international work, and he served from 1994-2000 as a missionary in Kenya with Young Life. He teaches in the theology department, works with the chapel program, and speaks and connects with youth pastors in the Spokane area through the Whitworth Office of Church Engagement. He is the regional trainer for Young Life for the Mountain West and oversees Whitworth's Young Life Training Program. Kent has a passion for working with young people and "20-somethings," and he is a frequent speaker for camps, retreats and conferences. He loves a good cup of coffee and a laugh or two. 

Favorite verse, John 1:14: “And the word become flesh and moved into the neighborhood.”

If you'd like to meet with Kent, please contact him at 509.777.3241 or kmcdonald@whitworth.edu.

Lesly Acevedo

Assistant Chaplain for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Ministries

Lesly Acevedo is passionate about the gospel of Christ and is dedicated to training new generations to foster a closer relationship with their Creator. Recently, she joined the campus ministry staff at Whitworth University where she leads a life group that has been a great blessing. With a bachelor's degree in theology from Latin America Theological Seminary, she is an ordained minister of the Church of God of Prophecy in Washington state. She spent many years serving at Canoga Park Presbyterian Church in California, where she met her husband, Pastor Álvaro Gómez. Together, they founded the Christian Church of Fillmore and later established Comunidad Cristiana de Spokane, a Hispanic ministry. Lesly enjoys spending her free time with her family, going on walks and caring for her plants. Her favorite scripture is Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Amen."

Krisi Sonneland

Spiritual Director

Krisi Sonneland is a Whitworth alum and is passionate about giving back to the place where she first experienced God's grace as a first-year student. She was a theology major at Whitworth and received a certificate in spiritual direction from Gonzaga University. She counts it a privilege to journey with students who are seeking to discover where Jesus is at work in the events of life, to gain a deeper sense of Jesus' daily presence and to find greater clarity for the road ahead. Krisi and her husband, Andy, have been in ministry at Camp Spalding for over 30 years. They have five children, two of whom are Whitworth alumni. Krisi loves active outdoor pursuits, including running, hiking and cross-country skiing. If she is not outside, you can usually find her having meaningful conversations or praying with students.

If you'd like to meet with Krisi for conversation or prayer, email her at ksonneland@whitworth.edu.