Soma Communities

Aaron Stevens

Aaron Stevens is the Cultural Arts Leader for SOMA Communities He is a songwriter and is currently in the studio working on his first EP.

Aaron moved to Tacoma over 10 years ago where he met his lovely wife Faith who grew up in T-town. They have been married for almost 8 years and have two children; Atticus who is three years old and Penelope, their daughter, who is 8 months old. Aaron and Faith have traveled extensively as God has directed them throughout the years. Some of their travels include Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as Mongolia, China and Ukraine where God has often used the example of their marriage relationship and the gift of music to break down many powerful cultural barriers.

Email him directly at:

Abe Meysenburg

Abe serves as a leader of the 6^th Ave. Expression of Soma Communities.  After living in the Midwest for most of their lives, he and his wife Jennifer moved to Tacoma in the summer of 1999. They love the Northwest (40 degrees and rainy beats subzero any day!), and especially Tacoma. In 2001, after working as a Starbucks manager for a few years, Abe helped start The Sound Community Church, which then became a part of Soma Communities in May 2007. 

Abe and Jenn live just off of 6^th Ave. near Jason Lee Middle School.  They love their neighborhood, and are learning how to love their neighbors. Abe's passions are teaching, college football (go 'Huskers!), developing leaders, reading, working out, following Jesus, and spending time with his family, though not necessarily in that order. He and Jenn have four children, who always keep them busy, and sometimes keep them up at night: Abigail (8), Julia (5), Luke (3), and Noah (18 mo).

You can email him directly at

Caesar Kalinowski

Caesar is one of our Elders in Soma Communities. He is a spiritual entrepreneur and an avid storyteller. His background includes communications, media production, working with youth, and extensive travel in international missions. He has worked in over 15 countries around the world including Sierra Leone, Sudan, Nigeria, Burma, India and the Czech Republic.

Before moving to Tacoma in 2004 to help launch Soma, Caesar and his wife owned and operated several businesses in and around the Chicagoland area. He worked as a record producer for 12 years before becoming a full time missionary. (aren't we all...?) He is currently leading the start of a new Soma expression on 6th Ave. in Tacoma.

He has been married to Tina, his high school sweetheart for 24 years; they have three children, Caesar, Christin and Justine.

Email him directly at

Also check him out at http://myspace.com/caesarkalinowski

Jeff Vanderstelt

Jeff is one of our Elders in Soma Communities. He is a leader of leaders and a coach and trainer for church planters. Jeff also serves on the Board of Acts 29, a church planting network.

His background includes music, business management, working with youth, training youth workers in North America and Europe and starting new churches.

Jeff's interests and hobbies are dating his wife, Jayne, of 15 years, gardening with his 6 year old daughter Haylee, wrestling with his 4 year old son Caleb and cuddling his 19 month old Maggie. He also enjoys reading, golfing, snowboarding and watching movies that make you reconsider your world view about what really matters.

Email him directly at:

Jeff Wall

Jeff is one of our Elders in Soma Communities and is currently leading the core group of folks on mission to the area north of Tacoma, including Tukwila, Des Moines, and Federal Way.

Jeff is a graduate from Washington State University and has been a pharmacist and business owner. He is truly a pastor and shepherd, and in recent years earned a degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.

He loves to spend time with his wife of 28 years, Karen, and his children Kelee (married to Pat), Kevin (married to Kelsey), Monica, and Kyle. When it comes time to recreate, you'll find Jeff on the golf course.

Jessica Phay

Jessica is one of the deaconesses in Soma Communities helping to serve and lead, especially within the cleaning and behind the scenes family chores.  Her desire is that the Gospel be seen in the little, and many times unpleasant, things that must be accomplished (i.e. scrubbing toilets) but with great desire and love for the people they are being accomplished with and for.  Even greater, is her passion to be in relationship with other women and learn with each other the true heart and identity that they have been given in Christ.  She believes that women have been uniquely created to display Christ's beauty and radiance.

Currently Jessica purchased a home, called The Bethel House, in Tacoma. She desires to see the house be a home for other single women where they can learn to live in commitment, love and community with one another and their neighbors. In her spare time Jessica is also the fulltime administrative assistant to our elders.

You can e-mail her at

Ken Mesler

Ken is one of our Elders in Soma Communities and is currently leading in the area of prayer. He is involved in the core group of folks on mission to the area north of Tacoma, including Tukwila, Des Moines, and Federal Way.

His background includes 8 years of active duty as a U.S. Army paratrooper with tours in Panama and Iraq. He currently works as a security specialist. Ken is passionate about God & Country (in that order) and feels called to prayer and to encouraging the menfolk in Soma Communities.

He is married to Jennifer, "an answer to prayer and perfect helper." His 17-year-old son KC lives with them, and his daughter Jami, son-in-law Matt and grandson Jared live in Tennessee . Ken's interests include the outdoors, firearms, and history.

Linda Snyder

Linda is our Children's Ministry Director in Soma Communities.  Her passion is to  see the children within the South Sound Region come to know Christ.  She believes  that parents- before any other institution- are responsible for the spiritual nurturing  of their children.  And as parents shepherd their kids, the ministry serves as  reinforcement to their teaching.  Her background includes Recreation and  Business Management, Primary Education teacher, and working with children through  various outreach venues.

Linda's interests and hobbies are hanging out with her husband, Greg of 15 years, and their 3 children.  Their oldest Allyson, the red hair fire flame of the family is soon to be 13- look out world! Kanyon, the handsome stud of the gang is 9 and in to every sport out there, and Mikayla, their blond bomb shell, is 7 and truly keeps the family on their toes.  Linda also enjoys teaching snow ski lessons, white water rafting, gardening, basking in the sunshine, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Email her directly at

Nathan Banks

Nathan leads in multiple capacities among Soma including the Resource Advisory Team, Sunday Morning Gatherings and other special projects. He has a servants heart and constantly looks at the world through a "lets make this better lens".  His background includes nine years in the Air Force as a Secret Agent, an MBA and many years as Project/Program Manager.

Nathan and his family are part of the core group who will be planting our new expression on 6th Avenue. He lives in the Proctor District with his wife Erin and daughter Finley. They have been the only people on the planet who have been able to slow him down and he is thankful for having them in his life.

Email him directly at

Tina Kalinowski

Tina is the wife of one of our Elders (Caesar) in Soma Communities. She leads our people in the area of hospitality and helps keep the accounting nailed down for Soma. Tina also teaches and has a passion for helping women find their true calling and mission in life.

Tina enjoys cooking, especially for others, (she is amazing!) entertaining, and travel. She has been married to Caesar for 24 years, and is mother to three beautiful children; Caesar-21, Christin-19 and Justine-17.

Email her directly at