Charley Carpenter
Head Pastor
In August of 2011, Charley, Katie, and their two girls (Faith and Grace) moved to Bozeman, Montana, in order to help people take the next steps in their relationship with God and start what we know of today as Venture Church. For years, God has been impressing upon their hearts that He really is who He says He is and that He offers the the greatest life imaginable. It all started when their oldest daughter Faith was born 11 weeks early (at 29 weeks). She was born at 2 lbs. 7 oz. and they were told for days that she wouldn’t make it through the night. As they walked through the process of loosening the grip on their lives and allowing God to work, they experienced the grace, the mercy and the presence of God in ways that have forever changed them.
Moving to Bozeman was another “step” that God was asking them to take, and one they can’t imagine missing out on.
After moving, they committed to serving the community for 6 months before they launched their weekly celebration services. From that time, several people have experienced freedom from addictions, seen their marriages restored, and their lives have been transformed as they’ve submitted themselves to Jesus. In the process of this new church being birthed, they also gave birth to a son, Asher, and a daughter, Selah.
As they enjoy this next chapter in their lives, they’re excited to see what God has in store for them. They look forward to meeting you and sharing many years with you here in Bozeman.
Moving to Bozeman was another “step” that God was asking them to take, and one they can’t imagine missing out on.
After moving, they committed to serving the community for 6 months before they launched their weekly celebration services. From that time, several people have experienced freedom from addictions, seen their marriages restored, and their lives have been transformed as they’ve submitted themselves to Jesus. In the process of this new church being birthed, they also gave birth to a son, Asher, and a daughter, Selah.
As they enjoy this next chapter in their lives, they’re excited to see what God has in store for them. They look forward to meeting you and sharing many years with you here in Bozeman.
Brian Alaman
Assistant Pastor
Brian and his wife Clair moved to Bozeman in 2018 to help start The Navigator college ministry at Montana State University. After serving on Venture's speaking team as a volunteer for 4 years, he accepted an offer to join the staff team in the fall of 2022.
Brian has a deep passion to see people saved and disciples made. Since becoming a Christian at age 17, he has been committed to helping other find the joy he has in a relationship with God.
In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on cars, dirt bikes and snowmobiles. He loves camping, off-roading, and listening to heavy metal.
Brian has a deep passion to see people saved and disciples made. Since becoming a Christian at age 17, he has been committed to helping other find the joy he has in a relationship with God.
In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on cars, dirt bikes and snowmobiles. He loves camping, off-roading, and listening to heavy metal.
Elyssa Howard
Venture Kids Director
Though Elyssa Howard has lived in MT, MN, and WY, sometimes her Minnesota accent comes out when she says "bag" funny. Growing up, her mom would have to limit the number of times she could serve in the church nursery each month since she loved hanging with the kids! Elyssa began attending Venture when she started college at MSU and later graduated with an Elementary Education Degree.
Elyssa worked at a Bible camp called Yellowstone Alliance Adventures all through college. She saw God work in many kid's lives by sharing his truth and love and wanted to continue to be a part of it. Elyssa started as the kid's director the fall after she graduated college and is excited to share the hope and love of Jesus to the kids in the Gallatin Valley. When Elyssa is not hanging with Venture kids, she is enjoying time in the outdoors with her family and friends in Bozeman.
Elyssa worked at a Bible camp called Yellowstone Alliance Adventures all through college. She saw God work in many kid's lives by sharing his truth and love and wanted to continue to be a part of it. Elyssa started as the kid's director the fall after she graduated college and is excited to share the hope and love of Jesus to the kids in the Gallatin Valley. When Elyssa is not hanging with Venture kids, she is enjoying time in the outdoors with her family and friends in Bozeman.
Bailey Musser
Admin Assistant
After growing up in Minnesota, Bailey decided to take a gap year after high school and attend a Bible college in Germany. She then moved out to Montana to attend MSU. She is currently in her senior year study Equine Science and will graduate spring of 2023!
This past summer she married her amazing husband and best friend, Jonathan Musser. They love to be outdoors as much as they possibly can, either fishing, hiking, camping, or just exploring! Bailey also enjoys to paint during her free time.
Her passion for ministry has grown over the years and she loves to encourage people and help out in anyway she can. She is beyond excited to explore what God has for her during this next season.
This past summer she married her amazing husband and best friend, Jonathan Musser. They love to be outdoors as much as they possibly can, either fishing, hiking, camping, or just exploring! Bailey also enjoys to paint during her free time.
Her passion for ministry has grown over the years and she loves to encourage people and help out in anyway she can. She is beyond excited to explore what God has for her during this next season.
Jonathan Musser
Venture Youth Director
Growing up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Jonathan quickly fell in love with the beautiful nature and scenery around him. When it was his time to go off to college, he knew he never wanted to leave what he loved, so Montana would sure do the trick!
Jonathan is currently attending Montana State University, studying Fish and Wildlife Ecology. He was fortunate enough to marry the girl of his dreams the summer of his junior year, and now gets to spend his time pursuing the Lord in ministry together with his wife, Bailey Musser. Jonathan is passionate about helping students learn and grow in who God has called them to be.
In his free time, he'll spend any chance he gets to be out on the river fly fishing: the only thing he loves more than fly fishing is Jesus (and his wife of course). When he's not fishing, Jonathan loves to play the drums, play sports, and enjoy being outside with the ones he loves.
Jonathan is currently attending Montana State University, studying Fish and Wildlife Ecology. He was fortunate enough to marry the girl of his dreams the summer of his junior year, and now gets to spend his time pursuing the Lord in ministry together with his wife, Bailey Musser. Jonathan is passionate about helping students learn and grow in who God has called them to be.
In his free time, he'll spend any chance he gets to be out on the river fly fishing: the only thing he loves more than fly fishing is Jesus (and his wife of course). When he's not fishing, Jonathan loves to play the drums, play sports, and enjoy being outside with the ones he loves.
Jeremy Tate
Discipleship Director
With a B.S. in Statistics and more contacts in his phone than you can count, Jeremy is probably the most social nerd you've encountered. After growing up in the archrival city of Missoula, he saw the light and attended college at MSU in Bozeman.
Jeremy loves the challenge of finding ways to use technology to reach people who wouldn't normally want to engage with the Church or hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He also relishes the opportunity to teach and grow leaders and wants to make the biggest impact for God's kingdom he can. When he's not discipling people, songwriting, or enjoying the great outdoors with friends, he likes to "hack" unsuspecting coworker's computers when they leave their emails open.
Jeremy loves the challenge of finding ways to use technology to reach people who wouldn't normally want to engage with the Church or hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He also relishes the opportunity to teach and grow leaders and wants to make the biggest impact for God's kingdom he can. When he's not discipling people, songwriting, or enjoying the great outdoors with friends, he likes to "hack" unsuspecting coworker's computers when they leave their emails open.
John Paszkiet
Greater Impact Director
John and Corina are long time Bozeman residents along with their kids, Ezekiel and Naomi. They love Bozeman due to its diversity, its beauty, and its access to the outdoors and all its activities.
John is the Director of a non-profit that was born from the desire to give people a hand up in their time of need. John has gotten to witness God and the local church transform people’s lives first hand. “It’s amazing when you get to play a part in God radically grabbing a hold of someone and giving them a new start, and the hope that comes with that.”
Organizing Serve The City projects is another one of the ways John gets to partner with Venture. These service events are an opportunity to bless the community as well as hang out with and get to know each other better as they are actively “Being the Church”.
The Paszkiet’s love being part of Venture where they get to cultivate new relationships and be part of a group that loves people and isn’t afraid to get out into the community and serve.
John is the Director of a non-profit that was born from the desire to give people a hand up in their time of need. John has gotten to witness God and the local church transform people’s lives first hand. “It’s amazing when you get to play a part in God radically grabbing a hold of someone and giving them a new start, and the hope that comes with that.”
Organizing Serve The City projects is another one of the ways John gets to partner with Venture. These service events are an opportunity to bless the community as well as hang out with and get to know each other better as they are actively “Being the Church”.
The Paszkiet’s love being part of Venture where they get to cultivate new relationships and be part of a group that loves people and isn’t afraid to get out into the community and serve.