Our Staff
Jeff + Val Sutton
Jeff and Val have spent most of their lives together joyfully serving the Lord in Germany, Romania and the United States. They co-founded Great Commandments Ministries in 1997 and started ACTS in 2004.
Jeff and Val are called to fulfill the Great Commission through the discipleship of young adults. For over 30 years they have been dedicated to this pursuit and they remain passionate in their desire to see young people grow deep roots in Christ. Val directs the hospitality ministry at GCM, serves as a mentor to the women on our ministry team at home and abroad, and disciples young women in our program. Jeff serves as Executive Director of GCM overseeing our staff and stewarding the direction of our varied ministries under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Get in Touch
Dan + Kristin Hayes
Dan and Kristin Hayes have been joyfully serving Christ with Great Commandments Ministries since 2004. Prior to joining the GCM staff, Dan and Kristin were discipled within a community of believers on their college campuses.
It was during these formative years that they developed a passion to follow Jesus and a love for this age group. Together they want to see more young adults loving Jesus, studying His Word and learning how to live boldly for Him in this world. They’ve had the privilege of walking alongside hundreds of ACTS students for more than 20 years now! Dan directs GCM and has more gray hair than he used to, and Kristin is the “creative genius” behind our graphic design, and is also engaged in discipling women alongside their four children (Eden, Lucas, Noah and Shepherd). The Hayes seek to pour themselves out in love; listening, counseling, exhorting and encouraging students to a deeper walk with Jesus.
Get in Touch
Anca Rowland
Anca has been connected to GCM since the first ACTS outreach in 2004 when we partnered with her home church in Iasi, Romania. She attended ACTS in 2008 where she met her husband. Together they served in Eclesia International, a GCM church plant in Romania. Anca is now serving in accounting, manages the ministry staff support and ACTS Admissions.
Get in Touch
Claudia Topala
Claudia has been connected with GCM since 2014, when she began attending then serving with our Eclesia International Church in Iasi, Romania. She attended ACTS in 2017 and soon after we invited her to join our home base ministry staff. As one who loves Christ, Claudia has a strong desire to invest her life in the discipleship of others.
From our home base here in Tieton, Claudia commits herself to proactive mentorship. In early morning prayer or while sharing a cup of coffee, Claudia provides practical guidance to students as they navigate through various challenging situations. With a dedicated heart for counseling women, showing hospitality, and working diligently for the glory of God, Claudia is an outstanding example to our students who come to ACTS. In many tangible ways she serves our team with integrity and biblical wisdom.
Get in Touch
Jake + Tracie Peterson
Over the years the Petersons have been frequently brought into service alongside Great Commandments Ministries. After their most recent stint in 2023 they were asked to consider joining the staff full time. Although this was not in their plans, everyone’s hearts were stirred with love for the ministry and the students. The Petersons came to the decision to leave their good things behind in Oregon and once again move up to Washington to make serving Christ in this way their full-time endeavor.
Tracie serves part of the leadership team, is head food coordinator, and mentors young women who come through the program. Jake is also a part of the leadership team, focuses on streamlining GCM’s Business as Missions operation Cot’s Peak Coffee, takes part in the campus pastoral care, and is slowly taking on ACTS’ administrative duties. Their kids continue to learn how to lay their lives down in the service of others as they grow in their understanding of the gospel. They are thankful to get to serve as a family, pouring into young adults’ lives locally and abroad.
Their family goal is to give their lives back in this way as a living sacrifice of thankfulness for the Lord’s work in their lives. Serving full time is also a declaration that the gospel is what matters ultimately and that their aim is to see it exalted in the lives of young adults that they have the privilege of discipling.
Get in Touch
Henrik + Ashley Pellicer
A skilled craftsman who loves the Lord, Henrik is so grateful for the grace of God in his life. After 16 years acquiring skills and perspective in the heart of Los Angeles, God brought Henrik back to his hometown to serve with Great Commandments Ministries.
God has been so good to him in the gift of Ashley, his wife as of February 2025, and his daughter, Ida, born in January of 2026. Ashley is a caring mentor for young women, loves being hospitable, and serving in music alongside her husband.
Henrik is humbled to be able to intentionally use his gifts for discipling ACTS students since completing the program in 2021. In many practical ways, Henrik’s mechanical, construction, maintenance and musical abilities strengthen the work at GCM and the local church. Whether leading music or digging a trench, Henrik longs to serve in the love of Christ in all things, to the Glory of God!
Get in Touch
GCM Romania Staff
Paul + Doriane Schneider
Get in Touch
Case + Axelle Duncan
Get in Touch
William & Lidia Ong
Get in Touch
GCM Mexico Staff
