about

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Join us as we gather each week to passionately celebrate God’s goodness and greatness through worship and God’s word!

Word of Life billings

Welcome to Word of Life! We’re glad you’ve found us. Since it’s launch in 2011, Word of Life is pressing forward in Christ-centered influence and impact in Billings and the greater Yellowstone Valley. He has taken us much further as a church than we could have ever imagined in such a short season of time! No matter where you are in your spiritual journey or what season of life you are in, you are welcome here.

What we believe

We endeavor to be a community with a cause that is…

reflecting

Reflecting Christ through Spirit-led worship and a lifestyle of obedience to His truth. (John 4:24 God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.)

relating

Relating to one another by following Jesus’ model of servant leadership. (Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.)

releasing

Releasing each generation for service by equipping and investing in every believer. (2 Timothy 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.)

reaching

Reaching neighbors and nations for Christ through a clear, creative and compelling gospel message. (Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.)

Meet the Team

Alex Chai

Lead Pastor

Debbie Chai

Missions Ministry

Kaleb Haub

Associate & Family Ministry Pastor

Vicki Miller

Church Administrator

Jeremiah Van Skike

Worship Leader

Paul Burroughs

I.T. & Worship

Lisa Thornson

Children’s Ministry Director

Nicole Kroft

Children’s Ministry

Gwen sieler

Director of Education Resources

Caitlin Hart

Women’s Ministry Director

Taylor Kroft

Communications Director, Graphic Artist, & Special Events Coordinator

plan a visit

Alex Chai | Lead Pastor
achai@wordoflifebillings.org

Alex is passionate about his family, the local church, communicating God’s Word clearly, helping believers find their “sweet spot,” missions, and releasing the next generation. He has a B.A. from UCLA and a master’s degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. He spent several years with YWAM in Micronesia and the Philippines where he met his amazing wife Debbie. Together Alex and Debbie have successfully planted three churches in Montana: Polson Foursquare, New Hope Missoula, and Word of Life Billings. Alex was on the National Foursquare Church Plant Task Force and was the Church Planting Coordinator for the North Central District for many years. During this season Alex and Debbie had the opportunity to partner with and empower numerous other couples to church plant. Alex also served for two years at an amazing church, New Hope Christian Fellowship Oahu with Wayne Cordeiro. Alex and Debbie have two children, Jessica (married to Eddy) and Josh, and two grandchildren – Elijah and Liam. He enjoys riding his motorcycle, playing the guitar, and hunting. As for ice cream he likes chocolate with peanut butter. If Alex wasn’t in ministry he would like to be a part of a cutting edge company that introduces innovative products that change people’s lives, like Apple!

Debbie Chai | Women’s Ministry & Missions
dchai@wordoflifebillings.org

Debbie’s ministry experience started with Youth With a Mission. After getting married in 1986, she has partnered with Alex in three church plants and together they have also trained and developed other church planters. Debbie received Bible training at Bethany School of Missions and also graduated from Yellowstone Valley Bible Institute with a certificate of Church Ministry. Some of Debbie’s passions include helping the local church partner with missions groups, teaching and mentoring women, equipping and releasing the next generation, and planning events where friendships can develop and deepen. Alex and Debbie have two wonderful children: Jessica, married to their son-in-law, Eddy Welch, and, Joshua. They also have two grandchildren, Elijah & Liam. Some of her interests and hobbies include traveling, outdoor activities, spending time with family and friends, eating, motorcycle riding with Alex, shopping, get-togethers with women, and doing church as a team. If she were not in ministry, she would be either a travel agent or a massage therapist. If Debbie could have a bowl of ice cream right now it would be pumpkin flavored.

Kaleb Haub | Associate & Family Ministry Pastor
khaub@wordoflifebillings.org

Kaleb is originally from western Montana; he grew up in Helena and attended college in Missoula. He graduated from the University of Montana with a B.A. in History (minor Psychology) and went on to graduate from Yellowstone Valley Bible Institute with a diploma in Pastoral Ministry. Kaleb has experience in college, youth and children’s ministry, and has served in staff pastor, internship, and volunteer roles. Kaleb is passionate about helping students build their lives and identities on a foundation of truth. Kaleb and his wife Julie are blessed to have three children. He enjoys playing basketball, strategy games, reading biographies, hiking and traveling with his family. Big Dipper’s coconut ice cream is his favorite. If Kaleb was not involved in ministry, he would be a history teacher, basketball coach or author.

Vicki Miller | Executive Assistant & Church Administrator
vmiller@wordoflifebillings.org

Vicki counts herself blessed to have been married to her husband, Ed for 46 years. Between Ed and Vicki, they have three daughters, a son, a daughter-in-law, and a son-in-law. The result – seven grandchildren! Unfortunately, all live out of town.

Vicki’s heart is filled by seeing people grow in their walk with Christ and discover biblical truths or passage interpretations that the person has not known or understood before. This includes when it happens to her personally.

Vicki comes to Word of Life with 19 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant while simultaneously being the North Central District Assistant for three and a half of those years. Vicki’s tank is filled by reading, traveling (especially to beaches), going out for coffee, taking classes, and spending time with friends. If she were not currently in ministry and all jobs paid the same, Vicki could easily see herself in a health or dietary career field. Even without having the career that necessitates it, Vicki loves researching naturopathic remedies for health related problems. Her favorite ice cream is a DQ Heath Blizzard.

Jeremiah Van Skike | Worship Leader

jvanskike@wordoflifebillings.org

Paul Burroughs | Weekend Team
pburroughs@wordoflifebillings.org

Paul is passionate about worship and seeing others encounter God’s love. He has been playing guitar, singing and leading worship for as long as he can remember. Paul graduated with a BA in Biblical Studies from LIFE Pacific College in 2014 and also majored in Computer Science at Portland State University. Paul’s family is on Oregon where he is from, but he and his wife Hailey were married in September 2014 and have settled down in Billings. He enjoys technology and video games and riding motorcycles. If not in ministry Paul would be involved in the video game entertainment industry. His favorite flavor of ice cream is “Cooke Doughn’t You Want Some?” from Coldstone.

Lisa Thornson | Children's Ministry

lthornson@wordoflifebillings.org

Nicole Kroft | Children’s Ministry
nkroft@wordoflifebillings.org

Nicole is passionate about planting seeds of Christ’s love in the littlest of hearts so that they may be firmly rooted in who they are in Christ at an early age. She has served as a lead teacher in Nursery & Preschool ministries for 15+ years. Her training and trade as a hair stylist allows her to have a flexible schedule so she can work around her family’s schedule and do the ministry to little ones that she loves most. She loves to gather with her extended family for many birthdays and holidays and also loves a quiet camping trip in the mountains with her husband Mike of 23 years and grown children, Hunter & Taylor. Nicole’s favorite ice cream is a vanilla hot fudge sundae and she wouldn’t change her job, she loves what she does!

Gwen Sieler | Director of Education Resources
gsieler@wordoflifebillings.org

Gwen Sieler came on board as Director of Educational Resources to assist WOL families with Christian discipleship and provide more experiences for WOL kids to strengthen their faith as well as friendships. She’s been involved with education at every level and in many areas over the years, and holds a degree in English education from MSU Bozeman. Life with God has been her best teacher, however, and Gwen has developed a passion to see kids love God and walk with Him at the earliest ages and all the way up. Teaching the Bible with a longview, she calls it. She and her husband Dave have three grown & gone kids and some fine grandchildren – and they all love God and each other! Favorite ice cream flavor? Wilcoxson’s Mint Chocolate Chip – no deviation.

Caitlin Hart | Women's Ministry

chart@wordoflifebillings.org

Taylor Kroft | Communications Director

tkroft@wordoflifebillings.org