King of Kings Lutheran Church
Staff & Leaders

Debra Timm
Preschool and Kindergarten Director

Suzy Hennig D.C.E.
Youth Director

Matthew Both
Associate Pastor of Mission and Outreach

My name is Matthew Wich loul Both. Wich loul means I was born beside the river. I was born in 1967, and I became a Christian in 1983, during our civil war. It was a very difficult time in South Sudan, so on September 28, 1993, I packed up my wife Rebecca and my daughter Leah, and we came to the United States. It has been a long road since then. I didn't speak any English when we got here, so I needed to go to school to learn and I needed to work and support my young family. Then the Lord called to me and told me that I was to be his servant to the many people coming from war torn South Sudan. By his Grace and help, I am doing what He called me to do. My family is growing and thriving in this great country. We are now 10 altogether. 2 boys and 6 girls. Thank God for that! I was ordained into ministry in 2009. July 12, 2013 marked my 4th year in the pastoral ministry. I serve the Lord here at King of Kings Lutheran Church. I am the only Sudanese Nuer Speaking Pastor in this area, and I spend much of my time reaching out into this community to teach them about the love and salvation of Christ. I also teach the children to speak Nuer, so that in future generations we won't lose our culture. Now that the war is over in South Sudan I also arrange mission trips, so that we may help them build churches and rebuild their homes. So many people lost everything in the war. Rev. Matthew Both, Associate Pastor of Missions and Outreach

Hillari Mein
Office Manager

Hi! I'm Hillari, secretary here at King of Kings. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved spending time volunteering or working in the church. In 1993 I married a dashing young Airman and spent the last 20 years moving from place to place, but the Lord always had me in mind for church work. Through the years, we have had three beautiful daughters, and I took some time off to raise them, but I was always called back to the church. Now my husband has retired from the military and we are finally getting to settle down. My girls are growing up, and I find myself with a little more time to work outside the home, so here I am, secretary at King of Kings and I love it! Please don't hesitate to let me know if there is anyway I can help you. You can e-mail me at [email protected] or call the Church Office at 425-226-1480. We also have a Facebook page and you can leave me a message there. http://www.facebook.com/KingofKingsRenton

Paul Birner
Senior Pastor

Pastor Paul David Birner is the second of four boys born to Rev. Edward and Nancy Birner. He was brought into the family of God by means of Holy Baptism 55 years ago yesterday. He is husband to Kirsten and father to Amy. Paul did his pre-seminary training at St. John’s College in Winfield, KS and Concordia College in Portland, OR. He graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO in the spring of 1985. His first call was to Anchorage Lutheran Church, Anchorage, AK. Paul served there as Associate Pastor from 1985 to 1997. From 1997 until August 2014 he served St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Conover, NC, as Sr. Pastor. Pastor Birner completed Group Magazine’s Youth Ministry Consultant program in 1995, the Pastoral Leadership Institute in 2003 and Sustaining Pastoral Excellence in 2008. He is a founding board member of University Christian High School, in Hickory NC. Pastor Birner attempts to bring the richness of Lutheran theology to his preaching, teaching and pastoral care ministries. He anticipates a fruitful and effective ministry among the people of King of King’s Lutheran Church in Renton, WA.