Board of Elders
Salida Vineyard Church is led by a board of elders. These lay members of the church serve as financial, spiritual, and practical leaders. The board meets monthly, seeking to discern the direction, identity and vision of the church. They also oversee the co-associate pastors Ellen and Rayann.
SVC’s most recent senior pastor of 6 years moved away in August 2024 to serve the Lord through hospital chaplaincy. As the elders and staff adjust to this change, SVC welcomes the relationship of pastors and leaders from River City Vineyard (Canon City, CO). For more information about the Vineyard association of churches to which we belong, visit https://vineyardusa.org. We affirm the Vineyard USA’s core values and beliefs.
Ellen Horarik – Co-Associate Pastor
Ellen has been following Jesus as long as she can remember. She was born in Wisconsin and moved to Salida with her family in high school. She met her now-husband Ben when they were teenagers at this very same Vineyard church almost 20 years ago!
Ellen joined the church staff in 2018 after years of volunteering on the worship team as a vocalist, keyboard player, and set leader. In the fall of 2019, she was ordained as the Worship Pastor. She leads the preaching team and provides pastoral and administrative support to other ministries within SVC. Ellen is a graduate of Iowa State University (B.A. in Spanish) and is pursuing seminary education online through Denver Seminary.
Ellen and Ben have two adorable young daughters. Ellen also enjoys writing songs and poetry, and exploring Colorado’s mountains on her dirt bike or skis.
Rayann Gillespie – Co-Associate Pastor
Rayann joined the church staff in 2022 and was ordained in August 2024. She serves in many capacities at Salida Vineyard including meeting community needs through our compassion ministry, bookkeeping, care team coordinator, hospitality ministry team leader, and office team overseer. She also has lead the School of Prophetic Ministry for two years.
Rayann is a long-time resident of Pleasant Valley (in Fremont County, downriver from Salida). She is married to Russ and loves spending time on their beautiful rural property with their children and grandchildren.
Other Ministry Leaders (“Deacons”)
Salida Vineyard strongly believes in leading in teams. Current church ministries (including Care Team, Kids Ministry, Hospitality, Discipleship, Worship Ministry, and Prayer Ministry) are led by teams of volunteers and staff who discern and plan together.