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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

Zach Balon

Lead Pastor

Vicki Miller

Church Administrator

Lisa Thornson

Children’s Ministry Director

Kaleb Haub

Associate & Family Ministry Pastor

Jeremiah Van Skike

Worship Leader

Paul Burroughs

I.T. & Worship

Gwen sieler

Director of Education Resources

Nicole Kroft

Children’s Ministry

Caitlin Hart

Women’s Ministry Director

Taylor Kroft

Communications Director, Graphic Artist, & Special Events Coordinator

plan a visit

Zach Balon | Lead Pastor
zbalon@wordoflifebillings.org

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.

Lisa Thornson | Kid's Ministry Director
lthornson@wordoflifebillings.org

About/Experience: (Could be family, background in ministry, upbringing): I was raised in Billings, graduated Yellowstone Bible institute in 2003 and began working as a kids/youth pastor. I got married in 2010 and started having kids not long after.

Role at Word of Life: Role/Title and explanation: Kids life administrative assistant

Favorite Coffee Order: Caramel latte

Why Word of Life?: My husband and I started attending WOL in 2017. It's a church we have felt great about raising our children in. Here they are a name and not just a number. We love the welcoming, family orientated environment.

Favorite Quote: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ―Theodore Roosevelt

Hobbies: Reading, being outside, playing games with my kids, riding my scooter.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Caitlin Hart | Women's Ministry

chart@wordoflifebillings.org

Taylor Kroft | Communications Director

tkroft@wordoflifebillings.org