Board Members & Mission
Board Members
Phil Prietto
Pastor Phil Prietto is the founder and president of City Gates Ministries and has been serving in this capacity since 2000. He is driven, energetic, and compassionate to help people in need. He is the energy and leader that finds solutions when problems within the ministry and community arise. Leading the coordinated effort between local churches and ministries to reach people in need.
His strong leadership skills have motivated people to get involved in reaching out serve in the community. He leads teams that run the ministry and train the army of volunteers that have served over the 24-year history with City Gates Ministries.
His goal is to connect with people and meet them where they are in need, in ways that glorify God. To constantly pray, and lead others to Christ while meeting their tangible needs in that moment and to let them know we care about them and their circumstances.
Phil has been married to his wife Val for 37 years. They have 3 children Brandy, Ashley, and James. As well as 4 grandchildren.
Devin Payment
Devin began serving with City Gates Ministries in early 2020. Devin’s memories of serving as a child with his dad for Streetlights Ministry Team brought him back 20 years later to once again volunteer in distributing both physical and spiritual resources to individuals in need. He later joined the City Gates Board and offers the perspective of a young construction business owner and follower of Christ.
Devin and his wife, Danielle, serve their local church of Gateway Christian Fellowship and community. These two have a growing heart for children, families, and God’s family – including people yet to become part of said family. They have one 18 month old son and a dog, a duo that continually keep them on their toes.
Ed McVoy
Before joining the board with City Gates Ministries in 2019, Ed served as
project manager on several City Gates mobile home renovations creating low
cost housing units. As a board member, Ed’s appreciation has grown for the
unique role City Gates has in bringing local church, business and municipal
resources to the many needs in our community, always with a “hand up” rather
than a “hand out” approach.
Ed has a Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Divinity School, Deerfield IL
and served in pastoral ministry from 1989-1994 in the Chicago area. He joined
State Farm Insurance in 1995 and retired as a Section Manager in 2023.
Since 2008, Ed has been an active member of Olympia Christian Reformed
Church in a variety of leadership and ministry roles.
Ed and his wife Dona, a retired special needs preschool teacher, live in
Olympia. They have two sons, Justin and Kevin, and a daughter Erin. They
have three beautiful grandkids, Nora, Isaac, and Layne.
Greg Johnson
Greg, and his wife Gail, actively serve City Gates Ministries in a variety of ways. They work together to pick up supermarket food and commodities, then deliver requested supplies to households with no transportation. Gail serves as treasurer for the ministry, while Greg serves on the Board of Directors.
Mark Spee
Mark and his wife Sandra, a retired medical technologist, raised their family of three children in Olympia. Those children are now grown and have children of their own--9 grandchildren. Mark worked as a family physician for 35 years at Group Health and then Kaiser. He now serves at the Olympia Free Clinic providing free care to the underserved in our community.
Larry Lomax - Board Member Emeritus
His voice has been heard on Pacific Northwest radio including Puget Sound stations like Spirit 105.3. Praise 106.5, 92.5 KLSY, and 97.3 KNBQ. He has been serving City Gates since the last century, primarily creating online content and graphic handouts.
His voice has been heard on Pacific Northwest radio including Puget Sound stations like Spirit 105.3. Praise 106.5, 92.5 KLSY, and 97.3 KNBQ. He has been serving City Gates since the last century, primarily creating online content and graphic handouts.
Our Mission
Reaching out to people in need
Our Value
Empower people to become self-sufficient, contributing members of their communities
When we work together we can offer a more rounded and holistic approach to peoples’ needs. Our ultimate goal is to bring people into the fellowship of the Body of Christ and a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
We have developed a series of ministries to facilitate this goal. We believe that everyone is called to health, happiness, and wholeness. In the hope found only in the message of Jesus Christ, many find encouragement, purpose and strength to believe in their destiny and as a result are able to put their broken lives back together.
We love them with the love of Jesus and, in so doing, preach a powerful Gospel message. We meet people at their point of need, and attempt to love and serve each one of them. We also believe that this is one of the greatest missions of the church and it is our desire that the churches work in unity to accomplish this great mission.
We believe intercessory prayer is vital for this ministry as we tackle very challenging problems. As we have developed it, there is a spot for everyone in this type of ministry. No contribution is too small or insignificant.
Our Purpose
Reach out to our friends through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Using donations as tool, we aim to bring a sense of hope, build long lasting relationships and stabilize those struggling with poverty and hardships