The Ecola Staff

McKim Mitchell - Office Manager 

Favorite books: The Bible, The Viking Quest Series by Lois Walfrid Johnson, The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

A Favorite Verse: Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Likes: Intentionally being with God, running, reading, peanut butter, adventures outside, red pepper flakes, cooking for or with loved ones, fog snaking through the hillside!

Dislikes: Being inside too long and ketchup

About me: My parents divorced when I was a First Grader, which resulted in growing up bouncing back and forth between parents. I have two sisters, who I love immensely--as little girls we’d play dress up, as teens we competed on the same sports teams and now as adults, who all live in different states, we call weekly. My Momma taught me about God when I was young, but I did not believe that Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for my sins was real and that I was, indeed, a sinner until Eighth Grade. As a highschooler, I struggled in my abiding relationship with Jesus, until the end of my Senior Year when God lovingly disciplined me. After high school, I completed the First- and Second-Year Programs at Ecola and am now going into my third year on Ecola Staff. Over the last several years on the Coast, I have been attending and serving at Seaside Calvary Church--a community I am so grateful for. I am continuing to learn life lived daily in Him!

Why I love Ecola: “And [Jesus] appointed twelve (whom He also named apostles) so that they might be with Him and He might send them out to preach.” (Mark 3:14) Training, and then going, starts with being with Jesus. Ecola is intentionally designed to be a place where we get to be with Jesus and through being with Him, be changed. God has used Ecola to train me in Christian living, to train me in faithfulness, and to create in me a love for His Word. He has used this place to heal me, inspire me, and let me taste koinonia (intimate Christian fellowship).

Christopher Beckett - Business Manager

Some favorite books: The book of Galatians, Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge, Total Forgiveness by R.T. Kendall, Stuart Little by E.B. White

A favorite verse: “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14

Likes: Hiking, hunting, history, reading, road trips, quiet evenings at home, bread, ice cream, and coffee.

Dislikes: Social media, awkward social situations, vinegar, wet socks.

About me: I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home in a small town in western Montana. I attended Ecola after high school before joining the Army Reserve. My long-time friend and future wife attended Ecola the year after I did; we began dating the following summer and were married in the following year. We’ve moved around some from New England to Arizona to Montana, but we felt God leading us back to the west coast. Not long after moving here, God opened the door to work here at Ecola, which had been a quiet dream of mine since I was a student. We’ve been extremely blessed to be a part of this loving community and love living in such a beautiful place full of God’s wonders.

Why I love Ecola: I love seeing how God uses people’s time here to change the trajectory of their lives. Sometimes they’re obvious changes as people turn a full 180º from destructive or difficult paths into God’s embrace. Other times, the changes are small and quiet things, where God helps someone process through more subtle things in their life or simply learn to understand His love and grace on a deeper level. Either way though, it seems that God meets each student where they are and ministers to their unique spiritual needs while they’re here, and it’s awesome to witness God at work in such personal ways.

Andrew Waller - Administrative Assistant

Favorite Books: The Bible, Fathered by God by John Eldredge, Lion of God by Dick Bohrer, Mere Christianity and The Scewtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

A Favorite Verse: Psalm 91:1-2, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”

Likes: Sun, working on old cars, almost anything vintage, anything tech related, naps, grabbing coffee, and dirt-biking.

Dislikes: Wind, yellow-jacket wasps, cheerios (the regular kind), humidity, above-ground pools, fluorescent lights, and millennial grey

About me: I grew up in the little town of Sunnyside, Washington with my family. I’m a bit of an old-soul, so I enjoy making old things work (especially if it’s electronic or car-related). My family and I always came to the Cannon Beach Conference Center in the summer, and because of that I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Cannon Beach. The damp weather doesn’t always excite me, but I enjoy the lush green scenery that it brings.

Before coming to Ecola, I was an interim Director at a Christian youth center and the Tech Coordinator at my church. Since finishing the School of Ministry program at Ecola, I’ve finished my Bachelor’s in Business at Corban University. I’m excited to meet you and am looking forward to what God has in store for the year!

Why I love Ecola: I grew up in a solid Christian family and church, which I am extremely grateful for. Although my relationship with God was healthy, I wanted to further deepen my understanding of His Word. When my sister had finished her first year at Ecola, I noticed growth in her relationship with the Lord. I too wanted to be equipped with that biblical foundation Ecola provided. God gave that opportunity in 2021, and I took it.

There have been so many life-long friends that I’ve met here at Ecola, whether students, staff, or instructors. The classes here have pushed me to dive deeper into my relationship with God through the extensive study of His Word and making prayer a priority. Ecola is truly a place where heart, mind, and action come together to transform lives for the gospel. I am beyond grateful that God has allowed me to take a small part in this vital ministry.

Pastor Mark Canady - Pastoral Care, Teacher, and Facilities

A Favorite Verse: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 

Favorite books: The Bible, The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul, Awe by Paul David Tripp, Romans and Romans commentary by Donald Grey Barnhouse Sr., Old Westerns.

Likes: Preaching and teaching God’s Word, my grandchildren, the climate on the Oregon coast, and Old VW’s!

Dislikes:  Lack of faithfulness to the local Church, braggadocious people, verses taken out of context, idle Christians, and anything with pumpkin flavor.

About me:  I was privileged to grow up in a ministry home of parents who loved the Lord and had a passion to evangelize and disciple. I have had the great honor to serve as a Pastor for 42 years now pastoring in five Churches before being asked by Dr. Josh to come onboard as a part time staff, student pastor ~ what a blessing. I have also enjoyed being on the teaching staff at Ecola for 33 years. Bonnie and I have been married for over 45 years, we have three adult children, and six grandchildren.

What I love about Ecola: The thought of discipling believers, preparing these students for life and ministry is a wonderful part of the program of Ecola having taught alongside many of the instructors who come here has been an amazing affirmation that Ecola is very serious about the quality of teachers they bring in.

Chandler Mitcham - Dean of Students

Favorite Books: Living in Union with Christ by Grant Macaskill, The Men We Need by Brant Hansen, The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations; Chicago Style for Students and Researchers by Kate L. Turabian

A Favorite Verse: Psalm 9:9,10: The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Likes: Rain, my wife, being outside, reading, making things work again, making sudden loud noises.

Dislikes: Rain, olives, every single chain business having its own app (and the impact it has had on using paper coupons), other people making sudden loud noises.  

About me: I am a mixed bag. While my father would describe me as a “renaissance man,” I would describe myself as having the horrible habit of learning how to do new things by doing them. I am the librarian of assorted skills and facts; a sprawling array of skills and knowledge still yet without depth. I am enrolled at Western Seminary pursuing a Master of Divinity, and I love learning. Most importantly, I am falling ever more in love with knowing (and constantly striving to know better) Jesus Christ as the Lord of my life. My wife and I met while I was a student at Ecola, and we are so thrilled that we get to live at and explore the beautiful Oregon coast together. I am beyond excited and honored to meet you.

Why I love Ecola: After finishing my Bachelors in Business Administration I began working in Human Resources. Finally, I had achieved my earthly goal to become an established adult with a promising career. Instead of finding satisfaction, I was constantly confronted by a deep unrest in my soul; I had checked the boxes, and jumped through all the hoops that should have given me success, but I had forgotten to take any time at all to truly know the Lord. Confronted daily by my disordered loves (worldly success and selfishness before loving the Lord), I knew I needed change. God used Ecola Bible College to reorientate my life and soften my heart to His Lordship in my life. I have been blessed to see this same thing happen to other brothers and sisters, and I passionately believe that God will continue His work in students' hearts and lives at Ecola for years to come.

Lindsey Harris - Assistant Dean

Favorite Books:
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen; Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund; Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton

A Favorite Verse:
Psalm 138:3 — “On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased”

Likes:
Sunsets, Diet Coke, worship nights, meaningful conversations, and Geffrey.

Dislikes:
Celery.

About Me:
I grew up in Rockaway Beach, Oregon, and was raised in a Christian home. When I was around eight years old, I felt called to go to China as a missionary. From the age of eight to sixteen, I pursued that dream. I learned Mandarin and studied all that I could. When I turned sixteen, I had the opportunity to go to Taiwan for a study abroad program. I was excited to finally live out God's call on my life.

During that time, COVID hit Taiwan, and at sixteen, I found myself trapped in a culture and family I didn’t know. I went through a lot of life-changing and faith-testing experiences and came home in June 2020 a very broken person. When I got back to America, my faith was hanging on by a thread. I started looking for value anywhere I could find it. I hit rock bottom and ended up applying to Ecola while crying on the bathroom floor. I was just trying to get away from the life I was living and the relationship I was in. I wanted to start over.

Over the past three years, God has transformed my life and helped me heal from the experiences I had in Taiwan. I went to Ecola for two years, then spent this last year serving as an intern at Northwest Hills Community Church in Corvallis, Oregon. I am so honored and excited for the opportunity to serve as Dean this year!

Why I Love Ecola:
I love Ecola because it’s the place God used to heal me. I came in at one of the lowest points of my life, and instead of judgment, I found grace, truth, and space to grow. Ecola gave me time to slow down and sit with Scripture, to wrestle with hard questions, and to be honest about where I was with God.

It was here that I finally started to understand who I am in Christ. Not because of what I do, but because of who He is. I found a community that cared deeply, peers who challenged and encouraged me, and friendships that have lasted well beyond the classroom. Through the teaching, the worship, and the people God placed in my path, I learned more about His character, His faithfulness, and His love for the broken and the wandering.

Ecola gave me a foundation that I continue to build on every day. That’s why it means so much to me, and why I’m so blessed to serve here now.

Jessica Smyth - Assistant Dean

Favorite Books: Kisses from Katie by Katie Majors, Secure in the Everlasting Arms by Elisabeth Elliot, and The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken

Favorite Verse:  "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11

Likes: Walking on the beach, reading missionary biographies, country music, long drives and Christmas season :)

Dislikes: Winter after Christmas and folding laundry

About Me: I grew up in a wonderful Christian home. My dad is a pastor so I have many wonderful memories in church. I felt the call to the ministry as a young teenager. Once I graduated high school I went on a three month mission trip to South Africa. During this trip I recognized the great need in the world for God’s Word. This led me to attend Ecola Bible College for first and second year. Through this I grew to love the Lord and His Word more and more. After two years I returned to my job at a daycare. I loved the children, but still felt a call to ministry. I am super excited that the Lord has led me back to Ecola. I'm looking forward to serving the Lord this year as a dean!

What I love about Ecola: Ecola is a time set apart to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of Him and His wonderful love. It is also a time of Christian fellowship where you meet many lifelong friends with the same goal of living for Jesus. Not to mention there are the best views here.