Our Staff
Heather Thomsen Tang
— Co-pastor/Head of Staff
Heather is a west-coast native who has spent seasons of life in Washington, California, and North Carolina. She studied philosophy and theology at Whitworth University, and received a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. She has served in vocational ministry all her adult life. She and her family moved to Spokane in 2023 when Heather accepted a call to join the Colbert staff as pastor alongside Eric Peterson.
Heather and her husband Davin, who also has an MDiv from Fuller, have two young children: Ellia and Beckett. They enjoy exploring God's beautiful creation, exercising and playing sports, debating the merits of beach vs. mountains, discussing theology, and cheering for rival sports teams, Davin's San Francisco 49ers, and Heather's Seattle Seahawks. They have found common ground in baseball, though, cheering together for the Seattle Mariners!
"I believe that Christian ministry is bringing God's whole Story for the whole of Christian life. I am grateful for the opportunity to tell and live that beautiful story with the beloved community at Colbert Presbyterian."
When asked what she loves about Colbert Presbyterian, Heather said: "Colbert has been a deeply formative community for me. It was my home church during and right after I attended Whitworth University for undergrad. I look back on my time at Colbert with great fondness, and also with great appreciation for how profoundly I was shaped during my years worshipping and working there. I'm grateful for the chance to "come home," in a sense, and continue sharing in the love, joy, and justice of Jesus with these brothers, sisters, and friends."
Eric Peterson
— Co-pastor/Head of Staff
Eric has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Whitworth University, Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Portland Seminary at George Fox University.
Gaining a heart for ministry through Young Life in Maryland as a teenager, Eric went on to start a new club at a neighboring high school. He served for seven years as an Associate Pastor at Marine View Presbyterian Church in Tacoma. After that, Eric founded Colbert Presbyterian in 1997. He also has written three books: Wade In The Water, Letters to a Young Pastor (with Eugene H. Peterson), and Letters to a Young Congregation. Outside of CPC, Eric serves as an advisor for doctoral students at Portland Seminary, and as a trustee at Whitworth University.
Eric is married to Elizabeth, who is a Spiritual Director and Yoga Instructor. They have six children, and three grandchildren.
Before attending seminary, Eric was a carpenter, and still enjoys working with wood. Additionally, he enjoys being outdoors: climbing mountains, hiking, kayaking, and reading in his hammock.
“Being a pastor is, I believe, what I was made for, and I find great meaning in the demands and delights of congregational ministry, believing that the church is the primary agent God is using to reconcile the world.”
When asked what he loves about Colbert Presbyterian, Eric said, “The congregation that makes up Colbert Presbyterian is comprised of some of the finest people I know, characterized by a spirit of uncommon grace and generosity, giving themselves away as love offerings to our community.”
Josh Creasey
— Interim Worship Leader
Josh is a recent graduate of Whitworth University and is serving as interim music director at Colbert Presbyterian Church. Josh graduated with a Bachelor's in Computer Science and has spent many years leading worship in a variety of places. Over the last 8 years, Josh has served through worship in a high school youth group, as a leader for middle schoolers, as part of a team at Whitworth, and as a leader at Whitworth! We are excited to have Josh lead the Colbert Community in worship.
Marissa Kuuskvere
— Director of Youth Ministries and Digital Media
Marissa (Riss) has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Whitworth University.
Riss entered into ministry at Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church, working with junior high and high school students from Lewis and Clark and Ferris High School. She worked with them for three years. After graduating from Whitworth, Riss spent two years leading mission trips and wilderness trips across the country for youth groups.
Her parents live in town on the South Hill of Spokane and her sister and brother-in-law live in the Carolinas. The main addition to Riss’s family unit is her beloved Spanish Water Dog, Huckleberry, who loves to do anything Riss is doing!
Outside of work, Riss enjoys the almost endless selection of outdoor activities Spokane has to offer. It is her personal goal to try each and every one of them. For fun, Riss enjoys doing things that bring her both joy and a rush of adrenaline, anything from walking her dog to rock climbing.
When asked about her heart for youth ministry, Riss said, “most of my motivation to be in ministry comes from a desire to help students understand their identity in Christ, not just as a good Christian kid, athlete, or musician, but as a beloved son or daughter of the King. It is all too easy to put our identities in things that will pass, and I love seeing the joy that comes when a student puts trust in the Lord.”
“Colbert is a welcoming, supportive, rambunctious, and tight knit community. I love how many friendships you can develop over different generations and the joy it brings when we are all together.”
Eliza Griffith
— Director of Children’s Ministry
Eliza has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a certificate in Urban Studies from Wheaton College.
Eliza worked in nonprofit and banking settings before serving in one of the most life-giving jobs she’s yet held, being a stay-at-home parent to her three kids. Eliza has always loved the church and has been active in lay ministry in whichever city her family has called home – she has served as an elder, an adult Bible study teacher, and denominational delegate at Durham Mennonite Church and taught children’s and adult Sunday school at churches in Chicago and St. Louis.
Eliza describes herself as being “enchanted” with stories – she remains so captivated by the gospel story and the ways in which our own stories are bound up in that good news. As the children's minister at Colbert Presbyterian, she loves to create spaces where all children can be drawn into this story of God's redeeming, reconciling, healing work in our world.