Matt Robbins-Ghormley
Pastor
I love Trinity. What a true joy to serve as pastor here. I love the authentic faith that is being lived out here—no pretenses. I love that Trinity lives into the whole gospel—not only being embraced by the love of God in a personal way, but seeing how that love compels us to love our neighbor and our neighborhood. I love that we're bursting at the seams with kids! I love how genuinely newcomers are welcomed. Now this isn't to say that we're perfect—far from it—but I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.
Before coming to Trinity in 2010, I served in urban congregations in Saint Paul, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC. I graduated with a B.A. in Christian Education from Taylor University (Indiana) and did my graduate theological education at Regent College (Vancouver, BC).
Email Matt | Call Matt: 253-272-8819, x102
Harlan Shoop
Parish Associate
Harlan loves Tacoma and Trinity’s role in the city. In 2009, Harlan retired from Trinity (or so he thought). He is now Parish Associate at Trinity Presbyterian to assist Matt and the leaders in its mission in the city. Harlan and Sue have been married for 57 years as of July 2023. Together, they have four children and nine grandchildren and one great grandson all of whom are good looking and above average! Harlan loves parties and pie—his favorite is huckleberry with vanilla ice cream. One of his favorite verses is, “He has shown you, people, what is good and what the Lord requires of you, to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” Micah 6:8.
Nikki Davidson
Senior Director, Bryant Neighborhood Center
Nikki loves her work at the Bryant Neighborhood Center! It brings together many of her passions, strengths, and even her own story. Nikki brings over 30 years of experience working with nonprofits and faith communities as an Executive Director, a social-enterprise entrepreneur, a Missions Coordinator for a large Presbyterian church, and a consultant on many projects. But before all of that, Nikki tutored in the newly launched Trinity Afterschool Program while she was in high school (many, MANY years ago). It was a pivotal life-shaping experience for her and became integral to her understanding of faith in action and what it means to be mutually transformed by people of good faith and good will.
Nikki is married to Andy and together they have five girls, ranging in age from 11 to 24. In her spare time, she loves to read, travel, and spend time with her new granddaughter.
Email Nikki | Call Nikki: 253-272-8819, x103
Malinda Fugate
Director of Youth & Family Ministry
After two decades of serving in churches in Los Angeles, Malinda is delighted to join the Trinity team as the Director of Youth and Family Ministry! Being part of this authentic and loving community is a joy. Malinda brings lessons learned from many years of leading youth, as well as experiences in a faith-based theater company, work at the Los Angeles Salem radio stations, and the opportunity to publish books that glorify Christ. She is excited to get to know Tacoma, but even more enthusiastic about serving Trinity’s youth and families.
Emily Garofalo
Director of Children & Family Ministry
Emily has a passion and joy in working with children and families, and is eager to put her years of experience in nonprofit settings to work in the faith community, supporting Trinity in our mission of nurturing our children as followers of Jesus. Emily and her husband, Luciano, and their two young daughters, Lia (5) and Maria (3), have roots in Tacoma, and recently returned after several years in Portland where Luciano was completing his training as a Pediatric Naturopathic Doctor. Emily & her family have been a part of Christian community in the L’Arche Tahoma Hope and the Catholic Worker Movement.
Laura Gerard
Trinity Operations and Communications Manager
A semi-random series of events brought Laura to Trinity and to the work that she’s now doing in Trinity House, and she couldn’t be happier about it. One visit to a Sunday worship service when passing through from out of town, just a week before the Covid quarantines began, and a seed was planted. Now Laura and her husband Gene, as well as her parents, live in Fircrest and are members of Trinity. She’s grateful for a church family that both comforts and challenges her and for her work supporting the members and ministry staff that flows naturally in response to that gratitude.
Until Laura took the position at Trinity in the fall of 2024, she worked as an elementary school teacher for 10 years. Prior to that she worked as a part-time educator (tutoring, substitute teaching) while raising 3 kids. She is enjoying this new chapter of her life and can’t believe how “lucky” she feels to have found her way into a vibrant, growing, serving community of faith.
Email Laura | Call Laura: 253-272-8819, x100
Chelsea Lawyer
BNC Operations and Communications Manager
Chelsea was born and raised in the south and would spend summers in Spokane with her grandparents. She made the official move to the PNW in 2012, where she met her now husband. As a mother of 4, she found a passion in all things maternal health and advocacy - starting a social support group for Black mamas in 2019 called Being The Village. Having partnered with the BNC through BTV for the past several years, it's been an honor to work with the organization even more closely since joining the staff in the summer of 2026. Chelsea is grateful to be a part of the BNC team and for the opportunity to continue serving the community.
Email Chelsea | Call Chelsea: 253-272-8819, x 106
Emily Coates
Worship Coordinator
Trinity has been my family's spiritual home since 2013, and it has been a joy to serve in many capacities over our years here, and I now serve as the worship coordinator for Sunday morning music. Music has been a love and passion of mine for as long as I can remember, and I love serving our faith community in this way. I live in the Hilltop/Bryant Neighborhood, and can see Trinity's steeple from my bedroom! My husband and I have three daughters, and we love Tacoma. Being a part of Trinity has always felt like a natural extension of our love for this city, and this neighborhood specifically. Outside of Trinity, I work as a midwife, and deeply enjoy that work as well. When I'm not working, you can find me spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors, shuttling my kids to various activities, and reading stories of people who are changing their communities through love, passion, and strategic use of resources.
Roseann Lauzon
Community Liaison and TAP Assistant Coordinator
I am grateful to have gotten to serve our community since 1993. I love the people I get to come into contact with every week, and I truly love the Bryant Neighborhood, and Trinity is a huge part of that.
Email Roseann | Call Roseann: 253-272-8819, x104
Kelly Humphreys
TAP Coordinator
I am glad to be the TAP Coordinator here at the Bryant Neighborhood Center, located here at Trinity. My husband Doug and I moved to Tacoma in 2016, after a few years in Redmond (moving there from San Diego in 2009). I’m a former Oregonian, and I love this city and the climate here, and enjoy being involved at Trinity and the BNC and all that is done for the Bryant neighborhood. The Trinity Afterschool Program (TAP) has been around for many years, and I love being part of that history. Seeing how much the TAP kids grow — in their reading abilities, in their self-confidence and maturity throughout the year, and in their friendship bond with their tutors — is a delight! The kids are fun. At home, I enjoy taking walks with my husband and our dog Ziggy, reading good books, and listening to podcasts.
Email Kelly | Call Kelly: 253-272-8819, x105
Betsy Hunt
Human Resources Manager
I started my involvement here as a volunteer with the Bryant Neighborhood Center’s auction. Then I was invited be a part of staff as the Human Resources Coordinator for Trinity and BNC, where my role is assisting with recruiting, employee benefits, payroll and other HR topics. I have an extensive background in HR throughout my career. I “retired” in 2022 from a large church where I was the HR Coordinator and Database Administrator.
I was born and raised in the state of Michigan but Washington has been my home since 1980. I live in Gig Harbor with my Husband, Dave and have been married for 39 years (as of 2026). Our daughter lives in Portland and our son lives with his wife and son in Poulsbo. We joined Trinity at the end of 2024 and love the community, authentic relationships and passion for the city.
Tiffany Keenan
Custodian; Nursery Attendant
Tiffany grew up in Virginia and moved to Chicago in 1997, then to West Seattle in 1999. She now lives in Summit-Waller with her husband of seven years, along with three dogs and a parrot. She also owns an educational nutrition and garden business.
Iris Jackson
Thursday Night Community Meal Coordinator
I have lived most of my life here in Tacoma, and I am so grateful for everyone I get to serve alongside and work with here at Trinity and the BNC. It is truly a joy to be a part of the work that Trinity does in our neighborhood.
Leave a message for Iris: 253-272-8819 x100
Craig Monson
Facilities Director
Craig has lived in WA since 1973 and currently resides in Gig Harbor. He’s been a member at Trinity for about 2 years. “I enjoy the people here and the laid-back, friendly environment of the congregation. I’m happy to be joining the staff to use my talents in facilities department to serve the church.”