Staff

Jordan Kologe - lead pastor, priest

Jordan grew up in the shire, that is, in the rolling cornfields of small-town Iowa. He played soccer and studied (behavioral science, humanities, and cross-cultural studies) at Central College in Pella, Iowa before traveling all over Southeast Asia with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) and Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Back in the United States, Jordan joined IVCF staff as a campus minister and then later with IVCF's Urbana Student Mission Conference. Before his call to Advent, he spent five and a half years as an associate pastor at an Anglican church in North Carolina while also completing his MDiv at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He and his (truly delightful) wife Jennie have four children (Rosalie (6), Levi (4), Juniper (2), and Iris (born Jan 2021)). They desire that their home be an expression of the grace and hospitality of Christ. If you spend any amount of time with Jordan, you will discover that he loves Arsenal F.C., biblical theology, Lord of the Rings, and being in full-on dad-mode.

Tessa Thompson - Community Life Coordinator

Tessa is originally from St. Louis, MO and spent a number of years in Branson, MO (the Christian Las Vegas of the Midwest!) attending College of the Ozarks and then teaching high school English. She moved to Denver from Southern CA where she completed an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. Passionate about education and spiritual growth, she has worked in various roles in Christian Higher Ed, most recently in the Student Life Department at Denver Seminary. Her favorite thing about working and serving at Advent is getting to cultivate spaces for people to be known, to know themselves, and ultimately experience the deep, deep love of God. This is also what she loves about being a Spiritual Director and seeing clients, her other vocational "hat." In her free time, Tessa can be found hanging out with her baby Elsie (born June 2021) and husband Ryan, reading a good novel, enjoying a vibey coffee shop, or adventuring with friends. She would like nothing more than to help you get connected at Advent--so, please, reach out!

Brenda Wright - Children’s Ministry Director

Brenda has been attending Advent since 2014 and has been a Colorado resident for over 30 years. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from John Brown University and later studied to become a certified herbal therapist. Though her education and interests are varied, the common thread is that she has always found a way to be involved in teaching kids—through the church, as a teacher in schools and at home, and in the community. She loves seeing kids engaged and exploring what is being presented to them, whether it’s time with friends or time learning and serving. In her free time, she is drawn to be in the outdoors—camping, gardening, or hiking. On special occasions, she is delighted to be able to travel. She shares the place she calls home with her husband, Jeff, and their two growing kids who amaze her every day.

Abby Dorn - Children’s Ministry ASSOCIATE Director

Abby is a semi-native of the Denver area, having moved here as a child. She attended the University of Denver and has degrees in theatre and speech/language pathology. She has had a very fulfilling career as a speech/language pathologist with Jefferson County Schools, and is now semi-retired, working part-time with children through a home health care agency. She loves helping kids learn to communicate, and often marvels at the connection to God's desire to help us communicate with Him. She also enjoys using theatre and dramatic play as an avenue to help kids engage in storytelling and learn to work together as a group. And she REALLY loves getting to hang out with the kids of Advent and support them in developing a love for the stories of the Bible and growing together in a community of young people. She and her husband, Patrick, live in Lakewood. They have two grown children and a daughter-in-law, whom they adore. In her spare time, Abby likes to travel, ski, cook, quilt, and go to plays and movies.

Cindy Hamilton - prayer pastor, Deacon

Cindy Hamilton, originally from South Dakota, headed west to Colorado in the mid 1970s where she met and married her best friend, Brad, in 1980. They have three married adult children and eight grandchildren. Cindy, as a result of God's leading through her husband's work, has had opportunities to live and experience life with God's people in Chile, Peru, Australia, and numerous states across the USA; but Colorado always remained home base. These travels have given Cindy an appreciation of the unchanging nature of God. While living in Australia, Cindy completed a Masters Degree in Christian Studies. Cindy is passionate about helping others grow more deeply in love with Jesus. She enjoys blessing others through Spiritual Direction and listening and inner-healing prayer and she is the author of author of Praying through Psalms: A guide to contemplative prayer using Anglican Prayer Beads. She loves the mountains, reading, riding her bike along the Platte River and hanging out with family and friends.

Matthew Wolchak - Worship leader

Matt is a native of New York’s Hudson Valley and relocated to Denver in August of 2017 to enjoy its urban amenities, sunshine, and abundance of outdoor activities.  From a young age, Matt has enjoyed singing.  He’s been involved in church music ministry since high school and has held Worship Director positions.  Matt feels compelled and privileged to serve God and His people through music.  Christian fellowship is also important to him, and he’s been blessed by the community at Church of the Advent.  Matt’s hobbies include hiking, exploring new places on foot, attending concerts, cooking for friends, eating with friends, and the occasional pie-baking.

RyAN Thompson - Facilities & Grounds Manager

Ryan is from California, first from Northern California where he grew up, and then from Southern California where he completed his Bachelors and two Masters in Theology from Biola University. He moved out to Denver in 2019 to follow Tessa, his at the time girlfriend (now wife), and has lived in Littleton since arriving. Ryan has a passion for the outdoors and using his hands. With his past experience in landscaping and his YouTube informed home improvement expertise, he enjoys working as the Facilities and Grounds Keeper for Church of the Advent. In his free time, you can find Ryan reading, exploring outside, drinking coffee, and being with people.

Assisting Clergy

Patrick Dorn - Priest

Patrick Dorn is a priest in the ACNA and serves frail seniors as a full-time chaplain. He sometimes wonders if The Transfiguration of Jesus is one of the most underrated events in the Gospels. Patrick and his wife Abby have been married since 1986. They have two grown children...and a dog. He loves the sound of laughter, and is a prolific writer of religious and secular stories, plays for children, and theatre reviews. www.patrickdorn.com. You can contact Patrick at patrickdorn@icloud.com.

Lisa Vandenberge - Deacon

Lisa, Tony, and their two middle school girls, Anna and Emma, moved to Evergreen, CO in May of 2018 after joining the Anglican way in Seminary in KY. Lisa has a background in construction management, worked in ministry before becoming a full-time mom, and was ordained as a Deacon in 2017. Lisa is finishing up a Masters of Theological Studies at Asbury Seminary this year. She especially loves to be with God in nature and at the Lord's Table. Tony was ordained to the priesthood in January 2020. For fun he loves getting his girls to laugh, camping, and mountain biking. He recharges by sitting with a good theology book and chatting about creatively engaging our culture with the Gospel. You can contact Tony and Lisa at atvandenberge@gmail.com and lisab77057@yahoo.com, respectively.

Joe Acanfora - Priest

Joseph Acanfora, is an ordained Pastor in the Anglican Church of North America.  Joe served as head pastor at Christ Church, Gilbertsville, NY and Church of the Apostles, Fairfax, Virginia.  With a heart for mission and reaching the next generation, Joe has served in missional ministries in New Orleans, Kenya, inter-cities, on college campuses, and with local youth groups.  Joe has a passion for ministering the healing work of Jesus under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. Preceding his shift to full time ordained ministry in 2007, he worked in the Information Technology Industry in executive positions at LML Technologies and ADP, as well as independent consulting though his own company, Autoperformance LLC. This career in sales and marketing spanned over twenty-five years. Joe and his wife Beth have been joyfully married since 1983 and have three grown sons and one daughter.  He enthusiastically strives to serve his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and has a heart to serve those in need and walk alongside others as they grow in discipleship and leadership. Joe and Beth happily reside in Evergreen, Colorado, and enjoy the mountains and outdoor lifestyle.  In his spare time, you might find Joe fly-fishing one of the beautiful bodies of water in Colorado or elsewhere. Joe loves teaching and guiding others in his favorite sport. You can contact Joe at acan4a@gmail.com.

Bert Copeland - Deacon

Bert grew up along the west coast of Florida where he spent the first half of his life. His last destination in the sunshine state was Florida State University. The first 30 years of his career he worked in restaurant and retail management before attending Denver Seminary where he completed his MDiv. and MA degree in Christian Formation and Soul Care. Bert was ordained to the diaconate at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in 2019 before coming to Advent in 2021. After completing his internship and residency at St. Anthony North, Bert currently serves as a full-time chaplain at Lutheran Medical Center. Bert and his wife Sara met in Colorado (though they are both from Florida) and have been married for 8 years. Bert enjoys riding his bike, skiing, and spending time with his wife and two dogs in the mountains. You can contact Bert at pastorbert68@gmail.com.

Vestry

Stephanie Giles - Senior Warden

Stephanie Giles is a Midwesterner at heart, having grown up in Flint, Michigan. She graduated with a business management degree from Hope College and started her career at Dow Chemical, where she continues to work today. After marrying Brandon in 2014, she moved to Denver, Colorado. Brandon and Stephanie found Church of the Advent shortly after moving to Denver through connections only God could have brought together. The church and its community have been a foundation through the most joyous and challenging times. Stephanie loves connecting people and enjoys opening her home to host, cook, and spend quality time with others. The mountains are her retreat, and you can find her on the ski slopes in the winter and hiking trails in the summer. Brandon and Stephanie have traveled the world together and continue to love exploring new places and cultures with their two daughters, Lydia and Claire. You can contact Stephanie at stephanie.g.giles@gmail.com.

Connie Dunbar - junior warden

Connie was originally a daughter of the south, having been born and raised in the suburbs of Atlanta. She studied Biology at North Georgia College in Dahlonega, GA before attending nursing school at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta (home of The Masters golf tournament). She's been a nurse since 1985, specializing in Pediatrics. Although raised in the Methodist church, Connie's heart first really heard the Gospel at an evangelistic meeting as a young teen. A few years later, she felt a call into medical missions. After graduating and gaining some nursing experience, she joined Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and worked in South Asia —primarily India, but also Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Cambodia—over a 12 year period. Back in the States and living in Denver since 2004, Connie has been working as a Pediatric nurse and is currently employed at a Denver Health Pediatric clinic. The high international and refugee make up of the Denver Health patient demographic helps Connie continue in her calling. Connie started attending Advent in late 2016, and started leading people through Relational Discipleship (RD) in 2017. Connie loves hiking, travel, camping, RD, and having breakfast out! You can contact Connie at EDunbar987@aol.com.

Ryan Flanders - Treasurer

Ryan is a Denver native who loves skiing, cooking, traveling, and playing the drums. He received his BA in International Affairs and Spanish from the University of Colorado Boulder. He and his wife, Tracy, taught Business English in Chile for a couple of years before heading to Madrid, Spain where Ryan received his MA in International Development Cooperation from the Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Since returning home to Denver, Ryan has worked for local microfinance organizations helping underserved small business owners access capital. Ryan and Tracy have attended Advent since 2017, and love being a part of the community! You can contact Ryan at ryan.j.flanders@gmail.com.

Nick Roseveare

Nick is a Colorado native, seemingly rare in these parts. He grew up in Loveland and attended Colorado State University where he pursued mathematics and engineering and was involved in student ministry and on-campus small groups. Nick and his wife Teresa lived in Germany for awhile after graduate school and enjoy interacting with people from different backgrounds. Nick enjoys language and discussing how humans learn by analogy about the world and God. He is busied outside of work mostly by three little girls at home who like being outside, dancing to music, and kre-plop wrestling. Nick enjoys meeting up for breakfast to get the low-down on real life with the fellas on his small group; as well as rock climbing, biking, running, skiing, hiking, and generally anything outdoors. You can contact Nick at nicholasroseveare@gmail.com.

Matt Lange

Matt is a Denver area native who loves sports, food, stories, reading, deep conversations and the outdoors. He received his BA in Religion and Minor in Missions at Northwestern College in smalltown Iowa, near where his dad is from. There he found his love for small church communities, but quickly returned to the city after graduating. Matt has held various roles of inner city ministry in Denver ever since, including working at a church for those in homelessness and recovery, job training, and now youth mentoring. His wife, Molly, is a local inner city ministry's youth director where he volunteers weekly. This is also where they met. They have passion to be in relationship with low income individuals and families, just as Jesus has invited us in. Matt believes the broken family system is one of the major issues in our society today, and is passionate about raising good, gentle, and empathetic men. Matt and Molly found Advent in January 2018, six months after their marriage, and after Matt had finished his time working at the previous church. Matt appreciates how Advent is a welcoming and theologically rich community that encourages true friendship between its members. You can contact Matt at mattlange07@gmail.com.

K.C. SChwarz

K.C. grew up on a farm in Kansas along with his five brothers and one sister.  Home, Kansas was fairly remote, so K.C.’s early church years were as a part of a closely knit small church family.  Farm life is built on faith, in a natural sense, and K.C.’s family was also imbued with a deep Christian faith.  Adventuring far from the farm, K.C. entered the Air Force academy in 1971 and spent twelve years in the Air Force as a pilot and engineer.  During his Academy years K.C. was involved in the Academy chapel community.  In 1977 K.C. married the sister (Anne, of course!) of his Academy best friend and roommate.    After marriage K.C. and Anne joined the Episcopal Church.  K.C. left the Air Force in 1983 and spent the balance of his career as an aerospace engineer, company technology leader, and entrepreneur.  During this time K.C. and Anne have been very involved with their church communities.  K.C. has served as a vestry member, church administrator, senior warden, and ministry leader, all in Anglican churches.  Professionally, K.C. is “mostly retired” with just a couple of small business interests.  K.C. and Anne enjoy time with their daughter, Rachel, and son-in-law, Ryan, as well as three grandchildren, Cameron, Sydney, and Kelton.  Their younger daughter, Jenna, is an emergency nurse at Lutheran hospital in Wheatridge. You can contact him at KC@pobox.com.