Staff

 
Featured
<b>Rev. Dan Katches I Pastor</b>
Rev. Dan Katches I Pastor

Dan and his wife, Bonnie, moved to Paso Robles in 1995 to pursue pastoral training and education after serving for five years in the campus ministry of CRU at Chico State University and has ministered for 24 years as a pastor at CPC.

They have six children and three grandchildren. Dan enjoys a good book, strong coffee, and rooting for the SF Giants.

<b>Nick Nowakowski | Pastor</b>
Nick Nowakowski | Pastor

Nick and his wife Jillian met at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL where they both received their bachelors degree in Biblical Studies. They then returned to Nick’s home town of Paso Robles where he served in student ministries for 7 years. After Nick served as a pastoral intern for three years at CPC he joined the staff as an ordained co-pastor in May of 2024. They have three lovely children, two crazy dogs, and two friendly cats.

<b>Rev. Will Hawk I Founding Pastor</b>
Rev. Will Hawk I Founding Pastor

In 1978 Will and his family moved to the North county as a church planter in Atascadero where he founded Covenant Church. In 1986 he founded Covenant Presbyterian in Paso Robles along with Great Beginnings preschool. He now serves as founding pastor and is involved in small groups, counseling, visitation, leadership and occasional children's sermons!

Will and his wife Joyce live in Templeton and have four children and seven grandchildren. You might find him ocean fishing on his boat "SeaJoy" or hanging out with his Templeton dog park friends and his "throughlybred" dog Juneau.

<b>Ted Wagner | Elder and Director of Worship Music</b>
Ted Wagner | Elder and Director of Worship Music

Ted and his wife Brandy have two wonderful daughters and have lived in Paso Robles since 2006. He became the director of worship music at CPC in 2012 and an elder in 2023.

Ted started playing violin at age five and then began playing guitar while pursuing a degree at Cal Poly.

When not strumming or fiddling, Ted can be found teaching math at Paso Robles High School. Besides music, Ted enjoys soccer, hiking, reading, and spending time with his family.

<b>Brandy Wagner | Children’s Ministry Coordinator </b>
Brandy Wagner | Children’s Ministry Coordinator

Brandy is a fourth generation native to SLO County and graduated from Cal Poly with an English Degree.

With a passion for expressing God’s lavish love to kids and their families, Brandy volunteered for many

years to support the church’s role in nurturing the next generation until she joined the staff in 2023. She

is grateful for her husband and two blossoming daughters. Brandy can also be found gardening in her

yard, volunteering with the local schools, and looking for beauty in the every day.

 

Elders

Elders are chiefly concerned with the spiritual oversight of the congregation including prayer, guidance, teaching & counseling.

 
 
Featured
<b>Joe Horne</b>
Joe Horne

Joe and his wife Debbie have lived in Paso Robles for nearly 25 years. They raised 4 children that all graduated from Paso Robles High School.

An interesting fact is that all three of their sons went to the United States military academy at West Point. Joe and Debbie are now discovering how to serve God in their post-child raising years.

Joe is a practicing optometrist with Pacific Eye. He coached youth baseball for 12 years and now enjoys playing "old man" softball through Paso Robles Park and Rec.

He is humbled to serve God as an elder of Covenant Presbyterian Church.

<b>Garet Pahl</b>
Garet Pahl

Garet, his wife Jessica and their four children have lived in North County since 2016 where they enjoy a quiet life tending to the plants and animals of their aspiring homestead.

They love to travel as a family and explore the grandeur of Creation both locally and afar, which frequently coincides with Garet's lifelong commitment to surfing.

He is a Registered Nurse and works in corrections, but his passion is great books, theology and church history- especially from antiquity and the middle ages.

Compelled by a love for the flourishing and purity of the work and worship of the Church, he considers it a great honor and blessing to be called to serve her in this way.

<b>Ted Wagner</b>
Ted Wagner

Ted and his wife Brandy have two wonderful daughters and have lived in Paso Robles since 2006. He became the director of worship music at CPC in 2012 and an elder in 2023.

Ted started playing violin at age five and then began playing guitar while pursuing a degree at Cal Poly.

When not strumming or fiddling, Ted can be found teaching math at Paso Robles High School. Besides music, Ted enjoys soccer, hiking, reading, and spending time with his family.

 
 

Deacons

Deacons are chiefly concerned with physical and mercy ministry needs such as administration, relief and facilities.

 
Featured
<b>Don Idler</b>
Don Idler

Don Idler is well known in the county as the owner of three appliance stores and his commitment to the community. He and his wife Janis have two children and two grandchildren. His calling as a deacon is a great place for him to use his gifts of administration, service and mercy. He likes the Dodgers and sometimes tries to play golf.

<b>Jerry Gast</b>
Jerry Gast

Born and grew up in Los Angeles and Inglewood , CA.

Graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a teaching credential.

Served in the US Army from 1969-1971.

Worked in public education for 35 years.

Married for 55 years.

Enjoys playing tennis and watching Dodgers baseball.

Love to volunteer and serve others.

<b>Bob Burgess</b>
Bob Burgess
<b>Ben Walker</b>
Ben Walker

Ben was raised and went to college in Philadelphia and still likes the Phillies, but he has lived in the Paso area for many years.

By God’s grace, Ben has served as a deacon at Covenant for over a decade. He enjoys running, reading novels, going to reformed singles events, and hanging out with friends.

<b>Gentle L (Jim) Daniels</b>
Gentle L (Jim) Daniels

Married 1976 to Brigitte Daniels
Step daughter Britta, passed
2 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild
Retired Military and Federal Civil Service 39 and a half years
Joined in Atascadero and became founding member of Covenant Church Paso
Involved in prison ministry 15 years
Volunteer chaplain at Twin Cities Hospital 25 years
Currently serving as deacon at Covenant Presbyterian Church Paso since 2004