Rev. Todd Scranton
Todd Scranton came into ministry after first training for a career in science, earning a BS in Biology and a PhD in Neuroscience. After years of participating in the church as a choir member, youth leader, teacher, and occasional lay speaker he hung up his lab coat and responded to God's call into full-time ministry. He attended Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri and has served churches in Missouri, Idaho, and Spokane before his appointment as pastor of Simpson United Methodist Church in July of 2008.
Todd and his wife Alex feel blessed to live their life on the Palouse. They enjoy hiking and cross-country skiing, traveling, music of all varieties, and chasing their 2 daughters! Email Todd at pastor@simpsonumc.org.
Alissa Bertsch Johnson
Alissa is quick to remind everyone that even though she moved from LA to the Palouse, she is actually from Spokane! Having grown up in a military family, Alissa has lived all over the country and the world. Her parents settled in Spokane where she attended high school and became involved in a United Methodist youth group. Alissa is a graduate of Washington State University and was an active participant and peer minister at the K-House. She attended Claremont School of Theology and received her Master of Divinity in 2005. She returns to the Pacific Northwest after serving as the campus minister for the Wesley Foundation at UCLA for three years. Alissa is an avid equestrian and has an Appaloosa named Eli. She loves to read (recommendations encouraged!) and enjoys skiing, camping, and yoga. She is married to Rev. Stephen Johnson, the pastor at Colfax United Methodist Church. They have two “kids”: Alexander and Kit Marlowe (cats)! Email Alissa at alissakjohnson@gmail.com.