Leadership

Pastors & Staff

Dr. Jim Johnston

SENIOR PASTOR

My wife, Lisa, and I are so happy to be part of the Camelback family!

I began following Jesus as a young boy in Minnesota, and we soon moved back to France where my parents served as missionaries. Some of my earliest memories are waking up early and heading downstairs to read the Bible with my dad on his lap.
We moved from France to Deerfield, IL while I was in grade school, so I grew up in the Chicago suburbs. I attended Wheaton College (1988) and went on to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for a M.Div. and eventually a Ph.D. (New Testament). Our family spent a memorable year at Tyndale House, Cambridge, where I worked on my dissertation. I have been a pastor for some 30 years.

Lisa and I met when I was the Singles Pastor at College Church in Wheaton, IL—that’s a fun story for another time! We have been married since 1996 and God has blessed us with four wonderful children: Claire, Julia, Sarah, and Andrew.
I love hiking, reading, long road trips, and National Parks. But most of all, I love the church. I look forward to meeting you!

Pastor Cole Peck

PASTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP 

I became a Christian in 6th grade after reading the Bible and seeing God’s amazing plan of  redemption fulfilled in Jesus. All I knew at the time was I needed to tell other people about this Jesus who had saved me. Through discipleship, experience, and God’s providence, He has refined this calling to be summarized as “becoming more like Jesus and helping others do the same.” I am excited to serve alongside my Camelback family and pursue Jesus together through our discipleship ministries.

I grew up just north of Kansas City, MO, the home of the best BBQ in the world and the best football team in the world, go Chiefs! After high school, completed a BA in Bible at Hannibal Lagrange University, then moved to Ft. Worth to attend seminary at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I met my wife Christin there, who was fresh off the mission field in Southeast Asia and working on a MA in Islamic Studies. I have completed a MDiv and ThM in Old Testament, and am working on my PhD in Old Testament. We have one daughter named Charleigh Rose.  

Jon Rich

DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION

I’ve spent the last 30 years as a leader in the public, business and religious communities with experience serving in a variety of roles.  From 1989 through 2001, I was a professional firefighter and EMT-A, working on the front lines of emergency services in Sandpoint, Idaho. I left the Fire Service after starting my own business at the age of 31. Together with my partners and staff, we quickly established a reputation for excellence and innovation in the building integration, automation, and wireless broadband industries.  This led to the successful sale of the business in 2007.
Following the sale of the business, I felt a calling into ministry, and in 2008, I accepted a position as Worship and Creative Arts Pastor for LIFEchurch360 in the Seattle area with a deep passion for serving others and spreading the gospel. In 2019, I was hired as the Executive Pastor of Administration at The Grove Church in Marysville, Washington. In this role, I oversaw the day-to-day operations of the church, managing a large staff and ensuring the smooth functioning of facilities, finances and technology.
Recently, my wife Angie and I decided to fulfill a dream by moving to Phoenix to be closer to family, enjoy more sunshine and a lot less rain. It wasn’t on my “radar” to  serve as the Director of Administration here at Camelback Bible Church.  But God has a way to put us where we need to be if we trust and follow Him.  It’s been quite a ride! 

Bijan Mahlouji 

PASTOR OF STUDENTS

I grew up in a Christian home where my family went to church every Sunday and I attended a Christian school as well. Ever since my elementary school days, God put in my heart a conviction of His holiness and my sinfulness. As I got older, I began to see my sin more and more, but I also began to see how God’s grace went deeper and deeper.

It was in High School that I felt a call to ministry in general, but also to youth in particular, which brought me to Grand Canyon University. There I met my wife Amy and we got married in 2015. The Lord brought Amy and I to Louisville to attend The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where I graduated with my Masters of Divinity. During these times, the Lord blessed us with three beautiful and joy-inducing children: Eliana, Levi, and Lucille. We are both excited and full of joy to be at Camelback Bible Church and see how God will work among the youth.

Ben Pratt

PASTORAL INTERN

I began following Jesus at an early age with great godly parents. I grew up in Modesto, California and began to pursue a career in architecture. During that time, God began to stir my heart for vocational ministry.

This led me to Grand Canyon University where I received a bachelor's degree in Christian Studies. With a heart that loved Camelback Bible Church, I desired to stay in Phoenix and continue my education at Phoenix Seminary where I am currently pursuing my Masters of Divinity. I love working as the music and worship admin as well as the Young Adults leader.

Moving to Phoenix has awakened my love for hiking, running, and most of all the Church. I am excited and expectant of what God has in store for Camelback!

Annie Meade

Kids Ministry / LOGOS Kids Club Director

I had the blessing of growing up in a Christian family. At age five, I remember our pastor preaching on the love of Christ at the cross. I was amazed that Jesus would die for a sinner like me. That night I trusted in Jesus as my savior. I grew in faith through my parents and church during my elementary and middle school years. In high school, my youth leaders discipled me and a couple of summer missions trips gave me a desire for ministry. I went to a small bible college, Columbia International University, where I met my husband John. While in college, the Lord redirected my ministry desires from missions to bible teaching. I received a BS in Bible and Bible Teaching, which equipped me to teach and develop Bible curriculum in K-12 schools. After college, we married and moved to Louisville, KY for John to study at Southern Seminary. I grew tremendously through our church in Louisville from the preaching and relationships. Our time in that church gave me the opportunity to build a children’s ministry with its curriculums, policies and programs with like-minded leaders. In the meantime, we moved to Phoenix in 2012 and the Lord blessed John and I with three daughters and a son who fill our lives with much joy. Teaching and leading children to know God and His Word is my passion! I want to see generations of godliness grow at Camelback for God’s glory and our good. It is my pleasure to lead the children’s min volunteers to that end.

Elizabeth Drewett

Director of Classical Worship

My earliest memories are of sitting in the front pew at church, listening to my mother as she played the piano or organ at our church. My father served as a deacon, Bible study teacher, and eventually Director of Administration at several churches. Our family legacy of Christ following and church serving includes two uncles and a cousin who are pastors and a legion of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who have sung and served in their respective churches. I am thankful for being immersed in Bible teaching my whole life, which planted the seeds for God’s call to follow Christ in my early 20’s.

I graduated with degrees in Advertising/Political Science (LSU) and Piano Performance (LA Tech University), married longtime sweetheart C.P. Drewett and moved to Phoenix in 1994. The first Sunday at Camelback Bible Church captivated me. As a classically trained musician, I immediately found ways to serve by singing in the Sanctuary choir and serving as an accompanist for the children’s choir. To serve in a church where the gospel is preached and the music provides artistic nourishment and intellectual challenge is a rare combination. I am humbled that God has provided this opportunity to serve my church family and use the gifts He’s given me to further His kingdom.

Serving as Director of Classical Worship gives me great joy as I combine all my favorite things: music, event planning, administration, and hospitality. Building a thriving music ministry that provides God-glorifying worship is my primary objective. Developing vital music opportunities follows closely behind — groups and programs such as Camelback Choir, Camelback Bells, children’s choir and bells, Arts Camps, and the Camelback Arts series — as we learn God’s word via music, proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, support the arts in our community, and develop musical and leadership skills for future generations of church music leadership.

Isaiah Tilson

Director of  Contemporary Worship 

As a Phoenix-raised musical artist, I've been called to lead Contemporary Worship at Camelback Bible Church. With over a decade devoted to my music career, My journey has been enriched by live performances at local venues, where I've curated live shows for yself and others.

A defining moment came in 2021 when I was honored to win the prestigious Proof is in the Pudding competition. This afforded me the incredible opportunity to open for the legendary rockstar Alice Cooper at his esteemed 2021 Christmas Pudding Concert. Throughout my musical journey, I've remained steadfast in my belief that all glory belongs to Christ, the source of my talents.

My passion for music stems from a deep commitment to worship and honor God. I am driven by the desire to encourage and uplift our community through the gifts bestowed upon us by the Lord. In every note I play and every lyric I sing, my aim is to point others towards the greatness of God and the honor of worshiping Him.