Salida Vineyard Church is led by co-pastors and a board of elders. The board is comprised of lay members of the church who serve as financial, spiritual, and practical leaders. The pastors and board work together to discern Jesus’ direction and vision for our church.
Ellen Horarik – Co-Pastor
Ellen has been following Jesus for as long as she can remember. She was born in Wisconsin, got baptized at age 13, and moved to Salida with her family in high school. She was involved with Navigators ministry during her college years. She met her now-husband Ben when they were teenagers at this very same Vineyard church 20 years ago!
Ellen joined SVC staff in 2018 after years of volunteering on the worship team as a vocalist, keyboard player, and set leader. She was ordained in October 2019, serving as worship pastor and preaching regularly, among other things. On July 1, 2026, she became co-pastor of SVC alongside Scott Sailors. Ellen is a graduate of Iowa State University (B.A. in Spanish) and is pursuing continuing education online, including Emotionally Focused cohorts through VineyardUSA and seminary classes from Denver Seminary.
Ellen and Ben have two delightful young daughters. Ellen also enjoys writing songs and poetry, and exploring Colorado’s mountains by foot or on downhill skis.
Scott Sailors – Co-Pastor
Scott was ordained in the Vineyard in 1998 and, during his career, has served in every pastoral role. He is delighted to now be living-out this nonhierarchical model of coequal pastoral partnership with Ellen; a partnership based on friendship and the creativity and synergy of mutual collaboration.
Scott is a graduate of Vineyard Leadership Institute, the Vineyard School of Kingdom Ministry, and has participated in Emotionally Focused pastors cohorts through VineyardUSA. He is an avid reader and particularly enjoys teaching.
Scott and his wife Marla moved to Salida in 2005, and they love being a part of this sweet community. They have two adult sons; Ryan is a steward on an historic farm in Ipswich, MA, and Benjamin is a guitarist and producer in Nashville, TN.
Having grown up as a “flatlander” in Kansas City, Scott now relishes living in the mountains. He spends regular time in the high backcountry, camping, hiking, and practicing silence and solitude.
Board of Elders & Pastor Emeritus
Other Ministry Leaders (Deacons)
Salida Vineyard strongly believes in leading in teams. Current church ministries (including Care Team, Kids Ministry, Hospitality, Discipleship, Worship, and Prayer Ministry) are led by teams who discern and plan together.
Vineyard Denomination
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, including the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for all believers and the inclusion of women at all levels of leadership.