Leadership

Josh Bartels joined the pastoral team of Westside in 2023. He was born in Iowa into a pastor’s family and was raised in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. In 2011, he graduated from Heartland Baptist Bible College and then earned his masters degree from Heartland Baptist Graduate School in 2013. While in college, Josh met his wife, Julie. They were married in 2012 and now have three children. Soon after being married, Josh and Julie spent four months traveling across Russia to investigate the possibility of a long-term cross-cultural ministry. God had other plans for Josh that involved working on a local TV show in Tulsa, OK, ministering in a historic Tulsa church, and traveling across the world creating videos for international ministries. Their family moved to Washington State in 2020 to serve on staff at Westside as an Assistant to the Pastors. After working in that capacity for two years, Josh took a hiatus from church staff to work as a 3D designer at Passage. He stepped into the role of Preaching Pastor in 2025

Peter Montoro joined the staff of Westside Baptist Church in 2016. He was ordained as one of the pastors of Westside in 2018 and served as the Preaching Pastor from 2019–2024. Born in Cleveland OH, he was raised in a pastor’s home in New York City, and was converted at the age of eleven. He is a 2024 graduate of the University of Birmingham (PhD), a 2018 graduate of the University of London (BD), and a 2011 graduate of Heartland Baptist Bible College (BA). He works remotely for Tyndale House Cambridge, doing research on the transmission history of the Greek New Testament. He married his wife, Ashley, in 2012 and they have four children; Peter, Chloe, Ethan, and Alethea. Peter’s desire is to discover, love, and apply truth and to equip others to do the same. Besides spending time with his family, he enjoys reading, cooking, and working out.

Nate Axtell, a Deacon since 2015, became our Evangelism Minister in 2016. Born in Bremerton, he served for six years in the Navy, finishing in 2008. Through the ministry of Westside Baptist Church, Nate was converted in 2007. He married Jody in 2010 and they have been blessed with seven children, Noah, Emma, Anna, Ruby, Leah, Sadie, and Abel. A full time wireman for Puget Sound Energy, Nate has attended Westside’s School of Ministry and is pursuing a B.A. through Liberty University. Nate’s passion is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone who will listen, and to equip and encourage other followers of Christ to do the same. He loves spending time with his family and reading good books.

RJ Broxton has served as a Deacon and Deaf Minister since 2004. Born in 1974, he began learning sign language in 1987. He married Jannine in 1997 and the Lord has blessed them with six children—Donna, Stephen, Zachary, Andrew, Jayanna, and Oraley. RJ was converted in 2002. He now leads a team, including his wife and oldest daughter, in interpreting each and every service at Westside. RJ and Janinne also teach a class in Sign Language to the members of Westside. Their passion is to bring deaf to the saving knowledge of Christ and build them up in the Word of God. Other than courting his wife, RJ enjoys playing with his children, reading, camping, and fishing.