Soma Communities

Abe Meysenburg

Abe is one of our elders and helps lead 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, Julia, Luke, and Noah.

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 one of the leaders in the Hilltop Expression in Tacoma.

He has been married to Tina, his high school sweetheart for over 25 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 over 15 years, gardening with his daughter Haylee, wrestling with his son Caleb and cuddling his baby Maggie. He also enjoys reading, golfing, snowboarding and watching movies that make you reconsider your world view about what really matters.

Find out more about Jeff on his blog...

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.

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 are primarily responsible for the spiritual nurturing of their children.  And as parents shepherd their kids, others in the Family and the children's team reinforce their teaching.  Her background includes Recreation and  Business Management, Primary Education, and working with children through various outreach venues.

Linda's interests and hobbies are hanging out with her husband, Greg, and their 3 children.  Their oldest Allyson is the fiery red head of the family--look out world! Kanyon, the handsome stud of the gang, is in to every sport out there, and Mikayla, their blond bomb shell, 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.

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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.

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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