Pastor Kirby Unti

Interim Pastor

Pr. Kirby received his first Call to serve Faith Lutheran Church in Bellingham and Camp Lutherwood where he was the Program Director.

The day Mt. St. Helen’s blew up Kirby interviewed to be the pastor of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.  It was there through strong lay leadership that Kirby developed a community-based ministry in Renton having been recognized by the Renton Community as Citizen of the Year and Grand Marshal of the Summer Parade.  His ministry included a Police/Fire chaplaincy.  He also wrote a monthly column in the Renton Reporter.

Kirby describes his time at St. Matthew’s as a wonderful ride where the congregation went from being threatened with foreclosure into a thriving community ministry.  It was while in Renton that Kirby partnered with the Synod and Compass Housing to reimagine what was once the site of Renton Lutheran Church into a four-story Veterans Center, housing over 100 Veterans and their families.  The ground floor became the site of Luther’s Table, a Coffee / Pub musical venue where the church could meet the community in a more normal setting.




Bryant Williams

Children, Youth & Family Minister

Bryant Williams has always been a part of the church. He grew up in University Place going to Mount Cross Lutheran, where his family still attends to this day. Bryant spent his college years at Trinity Lutheran College while it was in Issaquah, WA and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Children, Youth and Family studies with emphasis in outdoor education and Biblical studies.


Since moving back to Washington in 2013, Bryant has been serving in youth and family ministry up and down the I-5 corridor. He sits on the Synod’s Children, Youth, and Family committee, works as a part of the Hospitality Team for the ELCA’s Youth Ministry Network, and loves getting out to local camps to serve and support when he has the chance. Bryant loves proclaiming God’s love for everyone and showing it to all he meets.


Bryant married his wife Stina in 2010 and they live in Everett, Washington with their 2 wonderful daughters. When not at church, Bryant and family love being outside, going on adventures, watching sports, and spending time with others.


email Bryant at cyfc@adventlutheran.net


Pastor Lee Kluth

Visitation Pastor

Pastor Lee is from Montana (Helena).  When he was 11 his family moved to Oregon to live with his grandfather on a nut farm! He graduated from Sunset High School in Beaverton.  He then attended Pacific Lutheran University, where he met Pam Bach.  They were married in September, 1969, and three weeks later flew to Japan to serve with the Lutheran Church as English Conversation teachers in the J3 program.


After three years in Japan, Lee and Pam traveled back to the States, with a five week jaunt through Europe.  Lee entered Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Paul  MN.  His internship was serving among the people of First Lutheran in Tacoma.  In 1976 he graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree.


Lee has been called to serve churches in the greater Seattle area:  Our Redeemer's in Ballard, Holy Spirit in Kirkland, Prince of Peace in Shoreline, and Trinity in Everett.  He was also called to be the Director of Congregation Relations at PLU.  He retired from that call in June 2014.  He has been serving as Visitation Pastor at Advent since April 2015.


Pastor Lee enjoys field trips with Pam, spending time with family, working in their yard, reading, watching sports, eating out, hiking, observing people, walking with Pam, presiding at worship, and nurturing friendships!


email Pastor Lee at kluthgl1969@gmail.com

Music Director - Kirsten Lysen

Kirsten is a native Washingtonian and has studied music through most of her life. She started taking piano lessons from the organist at  her childhood church at age seven and continued through high school. She continued to study piano, voice, choral education, and music theory while attending Pacific Lutheran University, so it was a natural transition for Kirsten to go into music ministry.


At Advent, Kirsten directs and accompanies the choir, plans and plays service music, and coordinates other musical endeavors throughout the year such as our Christmas Cantata and Lenten services. She welcomes any and all musical gifts and values the time and energy of all who are involved in our volunteer, non-audition music program.


Kirsten is currently singing soprano with The Esoterics (an a cappella vocal ensemble in Seattle), playing piano with The Purple Passion Swing Band, and playing keys and singing with her cover band The Late Late Risers. She lives in Mountlake Terrace with her husband Chris and their two kids.


email Kirsten at kjlysen@gmail.com

Office Manager -

Sofia Bakenhaster

Sofia is a creative and adventurous individual with a passion for personal growth, people, food and travel.  Her professional experience revolves around client relations and design.  She was born in Taiwan, and came to the states to obtain her Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management at The Ohio State University, and later found her interest in Graphic Communication at Art Institute of Los Angeles.  In recent years, she has moved her entire life to Washington State to enjoy the great outdoors and photography.






Email Sofia at churchoffice@adventlutheran.net