Our Staff
Chris grew up in Columbus, Ohio and was raised in the Methodist Church. In 1974 Chris’s big brother, Mike, came to Christ and asked Chris if he were to die today what would happen to him? That question was enough to get Chris to start thinking and soon afterward, kneeling in his bedroom, he committed his life to Christ. What Chris didn’t know then was that Mike began praying that Chris was devote his life to Christian ministry.
In Spring of 1978, Chris began attending Ohio State University. While attending OSU, he went to a youth conference in Estes Park Colorado where he felt the Lord calling him into full time ministry. After that, Chris transferred to Nyack College on the Hudson River about 20 miles north of New York City. At Nyack he played 3 years of Basketball, received a Bachelors degree in Missions and most importantly met the love of his life, Elizabeth!
After being married in 1983, Chris and Liz started a family. He and Liz have four kids and 3 grandchildren. In 1990 Chris was an administrator running group homes and at the same time becoming very involved in Elizabeth’s childhood church in Rock Hill, NY. After doing a lot of lay preaching at quite a few churches, he decided it was time to pursue that calling from back in 1980.
In 1990 he was appointed as a local pastor at a little country church in Modena NY and has been in pastoral ministry ever since. While serving 1/2 time at the church in Modena, Chris attended Drew Theological School, receiving a Masters of Divinity. Trinity is his 5th appointment as well as planting two other churches along the way. Pastor Chris and Elizabeth are passionate about Christ, the Church and have seen God’s blessings over their service and ministry throughout the years, glory to God!
From the beginning of his appointment to Trinity Church it has felt like home. “The church has welcomed and loved us from the very beginning.” He shares frequently. In the fall of 2024, he found out another reason Trinity and Windsor seem like home. Chris, through his mother, is a direct descendent of two of the founders of Windsor, Deacon John Moore and Captain John Bissell, who are listed on the monument on the old green.
Chris believes in the power of prayer and continues to pray for revival in God’s churches and an awakening in our land. Pointing back to the Great Awakenings that occurred in this very area in the 1740’s and 1790’s, he often says, “Why not here again!”
Christopher Yount- Pastor
Mandie Salmon |
Pastor of Discipleship and Family Ministries
Mandie is our new Pastor of Discipleship and Family Ministries as of December 2021. She is responsible for the development and oversight of children, youth and family ministries at Trinity. She provides vision, organization, and leadership of our volunteers to disciple children to know, follow, and serve Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Mandie has over 7 years of experience working with youth in ministry. She is recognized for effective communication skills and inventiveness, providing legendary levels of service, and consistently going above and beyond the call of duty.
Mandie is the Founder and Director of “As I Am Ministry,” responsible for pioneering conferences for youth, selecting and training leadership teams and creating programs that help bring youth closer to God.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from Gordon College – Wenham, MA
Associate of Science in Biblical Studies from Boston Baptist College – Boston, MA
Licensed Evangelist
Ryan Dafgek |
Worship Arts Director
Ryan Dafgek is our Worship Arts Director. He is responsible for developing and leading our worship music ministry and overseeing our worship technology teams.
Ryan has been serving in music ministry for over a decade and has held the role of Worship Arts Director for 3 1/2 years at South Church in Hartford. Brought up in the church by his parents, Ryan’s first foray into music as a child was singing hymns. When he isn’t working on music or events for Trinity Church, Ryan works as an Operations Team Lead at The Music People Inc. in Berlin, CT. He also loves to spend time with his wife Ashley and son Jackson at their home in Wethersfield, CT. Ryan is excited for what the future brings at Trinity, and hopes to grow the worship and tech team, as well as write more personal worship music inspired by the church family. He is honored to lead the church in worship and prays that all might have an encounter with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Sandy Alexander |
Administrative Assistant
Sonja Swedberg |
Bookkeep
Sonja Swedberg is the bookkeeper for Trinity Church and Trinity Christian Preschool. Her responsibilities are paying the bills, preparing the payroll, and preparing reports for the various ministries of the church and school. She has a BBA in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She lives in Windsor and has three daughters and seven grandchildren.
Chris Hensley |
Custodian
Chris works hard behind the scenes at both the Church and the school, to make sure our facility is in the best working condition and is clean and pleasant for the staff, the children, the worshipers, and visitors.
Nancy Dagenhart |Preschool Director
Nancy Dagenhart serves as the Director of Trinity Christian Preschool, bringing a wealth of experience and passion for education to her role. She earned her undergraduate degree from Eastern Connecticut State College, followed by a Master’s degree from Central Connecticut State College and a Sixth Year certificate from Phoenix University.
Nancy has dedicated her career to teaching, beginning in 1974 as an elementary school teacher in Stratford and Windsor. Over the years, she has taught fifth and sixth grades, served as a math interventionist, and worked as both a math tutor and coach.
Outside of her professional life, Nancy is a proud mother to her daughter, Katie, and a loving pet parent to her cat, Tippy Toes. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and sewing blankets for children affected by sex trafficking. She is also actively involved in her church, where she enjoys both attending services and serving her community.
Nancy has participated in several mission trips, including trips to Costa Rica and Biloxi, Mississippi, following Hurricane Katrina. She has also volunteered locally with Habitat for Humanity.
Since accepting the position as Preschool Director, Nancy believes that serving God and nurturing preschoolers is the most fulfilling aspect of her educational career. Her commitment to education and her heartfelt service to others truly embody the spirit of Trinity Christian Preschool.
John Wesley |
Church Communications Director
John Wesley is the founder of the Wesleyan movement and the host of “Church Happenings.” His responsibilities include delivering the most up-to-date information on Sunday Mornings. John Wesley maintains his youthful plastic glow by adhering to a rigorous exercise regiment mostly consisting of bobbling his head. His hands are also stuck to that book.