Staff & Elders
Staff
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Karl Helvig
Lead Pastor
Hey, I’m Karl, a runner, aspiring chess player, keeper of backyard chickens, lover of all things outdoors (and coffee, especially coffee while outdoors), dad of four kids, and husband to Mikkin.
I grew up in Northern Minnesota where I formed a deep love for the outdoors and especially winter camping. We have called Colorado home since 2005.
Before going into pastoral ministry, Mikkin and I spent three years in China where we taught university English and led campus outreach and discipleship ministries. During those years we were able to travel extensively throughout Asia and see first-hand the beauty of God’s global church. This continues to inform my ecclesiology and pastoral theology today.
I’m glad you made your way to this page on the CCC website. I’ve been a pastor here since 2012 and Lead Pastor since 2019. This community is a place where people who have been hurt often find space for healing, people who are searching find hope, and all of us learn how to travel together on a shared journey of growth into the person God designed and desires us to be.
I hope that’s what you find when you get connected. I couldn’t be happier to be part of a group of people taking seriously Jesus’ call to, “Come, follow me.”
If you want to know more, you can start by grabbing coffee with a pastor. We look forward to hearing your story and seeing where your journey leads.
Finally, for those who like reading educational background stuff on web pages like this, here it is: I hold a BA in Greek and Religion from St. Olaf College, a Graduate Certificate in Educational Ministries from Wheaton, have completed significant coursework in Intercultural Studies and hold a Graduate Certificate in TESOL from Wheaton, an MA in Biblical Studies from Denver Seminary, and am an ordained minister with the Evangelical Covenant Church.
David Dillon
Worship & Communications
I have the joy of guiding our many talented people and teams at CCC in areas of Worship and Communications. My heart is energized by helping people give and be their very best with how God has wired and gifted them. When I am not working, my play reflects similar artistic pursuits of making music, drawing or painting, or building guitars. Our family also enjoys spending time in the mountains where we love to hike, camp, and explore God’s beautiful world. Speaking of which, my wife, Heather and I have been married for 26 years, and we have 2 awesome teenage boys.
I graduated from the University of California, Long Beach with a B.A. in guitar performance. I received my M.Div. degree from Denver Seminary in 2001, and then completed a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from NorthPark Seminary in 2008. My journey with CCC began in 1993 when I began serving as a part-time worship leader. After completing seminary that role broadened in time and scope to full-time pastoral ministry.
Nicki Nickerson
Pastor of Children
Hey! I’m Nicki Nickerson and I have the wonderful privilege of serving as the Children’s Pastor at CCC. I am married to Ben and have an adventurous son, Rhett and a black lab, Samson. When I’m not at work, our family is off adventuring in the mountains, reading, playing games or hanging out with friends and family.
Ben and I started attending Centennial in 2018 and since then I have served as the Middle School intern, Youth Pastor and now the Children’s Pastor. It is a privilege to walk alongside our families and children and see them grow in their faith. I consider it a joy investing in the lives of our kids and helping them discover who they are in Jesus. Another great passion of mine is utilizing the outdoors to help others grow and encounter Jesus.
I graduated from University of Northern Colorado in 2015 in which I received a B.A. in Elementary Education. Then in 2020 I graduated from Denver Seminary with my Master of Divinity in Outdoor Leadership. And in 2021 I received my Ministry License from the ECC.
Stefany Bergstom
Director of Adult Ministry
What a blessing to serve at CCC! Centennial has been my home church for the past twenty years. I received my BA in Liberal Arts and Elementary Education from Colorado Christian University in 1991 and went on to receive my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado at Denver. Before having children, I taught elementary school in Iowa, Puerto Rico, Colorado. I am married to Roy and we just celebrated 29 years of marriage.
I began working at CCC as a His Kids Ministry Assistant twelve years ago. As an elementary educator, I have always enjoyed working with children. Recently, I felt called to participate in a two-year Spiritual Formation Program through Ruth Haley Barton’s Transforming Center. The program has revealed a deep desire to experience the love of Jesus and then pour that out to others and I have recently shifted from serving children to coming alongside of adults.
I love to be outside exploring beauty in nature. Writing, reading, learning, and traveling bring me joy as well as spending time with my three adult children and husband.
Lynda Hardin
Prayer & Care Coordinator
Kathryne Winter
Young Adult Ministry Intern
Jessica Hintz
Global Missions Intern
Crystal Bowland
Office Administrator
Liizz McGinty
Children’s Ministy Assistant
Elders
The Council of Elders is elected by the congregation to oversee and guide the church’s life, health and mission according to God’s Word and Spirit for His glory through the release of His gifts in His body.
Linda Bruce, Chair
My husband and I have been coming to Centennial Covenant since 2007. We have been very thankful to find a church with a balanced emphasis on the personal journey of transformation within a community, resulting in the expression of Christ’s love to our broken world. I am honored and energized by the opportunity to serve on Council and to participate in discerning the ongoing direction of the church. I am particularly excited by the potential of the Growth Challenge for individual development and increased connectedness within our church.
Janet George, Vice-Chair
I’ve been a member of an Evangelical Covenant Church all my adult life: in Kansas, and then here, in 1992 back when CCC met in a strip mall. I admire and support the affirmations and resolutions of the Covenant denomination and this local church body, as noted under “What We Believe”. And, Centennial has truly been a warm and reliable church home for me and my family. Therefore, I am pleased to accept the call to serve as an elder and commit to praying, pondering and participating with the council and many others as we seek our Lord’s guidance.
Fran Blomberg
My ministry passion is mission to the unreached, the unwanted, and the uninterested. This passion was honed as I attended and then served as a pastor at Scum of the Earth Church in Denver. At the same time I was working on a Ph.D., studying how living in a consumer culture affects the ability to join and appreciate Christian community, particularly among young adults. I love the local church and love strategizing how to grow a congregation in personal Christlikeness and corporate witness to the world.
Craig and I count it a huge privilege to travel the world, largely thanks to his teaching and my prior service as a missions director in a local church. We also love to get to the mountains for little hikes, and at home you’ll often find me quilting.
Phyllis Olsen
My non-religious family of origin began in Mississippi, after many moves finally settling in SLC where I met Kent, my first date at age 16. We’ve been married for 56 years, all glory to God, and love our times with daughter Claire and her goofy dogs, son Jake and his wife Marsha, and their much-loved daughter Lily. Once Claire and Jake were in high school, I began work in an administrative capacity at a medium-sized church in the area, and worked there enjoyably for 22 years, retiring in 2011. We are now very happy at home with Kent’s peaceful koi pond habitat and my garden, reading and discussing together, visiting with family and friends, and enjoying some travel.
I began to know the Lord Jesus Christ in adulthood, and now decades of his companionship and faithful love have trained me to trust him. Daily I present myself to God, and I marvel at how kindly he transforms us into people who want what he wants, and desire to do his good will. Centennial continues to manifest love in a way I’ve experienced from my first visit over 12 years ago, and I believe our emphasis on following the Lord Jesus in lived and loving relationship is what all people need to hear and grow in. The invitation to serve on council fills me with an amazed joy, and I would be thrilled to help as CCC becomes all God intends, trusting his enablement and love.
Jeff Warren
CCC has been a significant part of my adult life and faith journey since 1996. Council’s purpose is to seek, affirm and move toward God’s will for our church and, to the highest degree possible, steer our congregation towards him in all we do. I truly felt a calling to serve in this way when invited to be an Elder. This is a real adventure that invokes daily prayer & action. Time and time again, I’ve seen Council put God first, earnestly evaluating and celebrating how God is at work here as a church in order to see what he is calling us to do next. It is a blessing to be part of this process together with other dedicated, caring brothers and sisters in Christ.
Clayton Zylstra
It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as an elder on council “to oversee and guide the church’s life, health and mission according to God’s Word and Spirit for His glory through the release of His gifts in His body.” I see a twofold meaning in the release of His gifts in His body. One, God blesses His church – His gifts are good. Even in places of extreme persecution, believers speak to the goodness of God in the life of the church. Second, believers are bestowed gifts from God for the edification of His body – His church. It is a tremendous responsibility and joy to oversee the use and growth of these gifts for God’s glory.
