Leadership Team
Jeffrey Abyad | Worship/Arts Pastor
Jeff’s been passionate about the Lord and felt called to a life of ministry from a very young age. He’s been leading worship services since his mid-teens, and playing music and participating on worship teams since even before that. Musically, he began as a drummer long before picking up a guitar. The first band he was in was called, “Earth Evacuation”…no doubt as awesome as the name suggests. He’s also always loved acting, and if he had to pick a career outside of ministry, rumor is he’d love to be on a sitcom. He and his lovely wife Amanda went on their first date at senior prom, and have been married since 2005. They welcomed their second child in June of 2011.
Matt Buchanan | Administrative Pastor
Matt joined Capital Life in 2005. He serves as Administrative Pastor, Men’s Ministry Leader and Treasurer of the Board. Matt was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, but has lived in the Northern Virginia area most of his life – he’s a “true local”. Matt went to Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi on a baseball scholarship and majored in Business Administration. Matt then returned to the area to begin his own wealth management practice. Matt and his wife, Anna, met on Capital Life’s first missions trip to New Orleans. They married in 2008 and in April of 2011, they became the proud parents of their son Judah Alexander Buchanan.
Nikki Vonderhaar | Executive Assistant
As Executive Assistant to the senior staff, some of Nikki’s core responsibilities are to manage church calendars, keep the church database up to date and to be a point of contact for any church related questions. She is the best one to contact if you would like to request an appointment with the Shulers or update your contact information. Nikki has been attending Capital Life since August of 2004. She is originally from the outskirts of Detroit, MI. She enjoys spending time with friends, shopping, and having meaningful conversations. She believes her husband can do anything and counts herself blessed to have him as a part of her world.
Josh and Rachel Beverly | Youth (ALIVE)
Josh and Rachel are a young couple excited about watching God work in the lives of young people. They have three wonderful and energetic children whom they love and adore. Josh enjoys playing drums at home as well as serving as a musician on the worship team. If there is any down time, he enjoys snowboarding and playing a game of volleyball. Rachel enjoys the time she gets to spend with her family and raising their three children. One of her favorite things to do is to grab a cup of coffee with a close friend.
Josue Escobar | Youth (ALIVE)
Music is Josue’s greatest passion whether its behind a Guitar, Drums or Soundboard. He enjoys playing soccer and hanging out with friends. One day he would like to run his own sound company, visit exotic parts of the world and record a successful album.
David Fisher | GROW
David loves to cook but he’s not a chef. And although he may come off as “serious”, he loves to laugh and let loose. Whatever challenges life may bring, his joy is in Christ.
Erik Vonderhaar | Helps Ministry
Erik is an introvert with a servant’s heart and a love to help people. He was born and raised in central Florida and enjoys traveling and seeing the world. He is insanely in love with his wife, and in his downtime he enjoys playing video games. He has a passion for music and enjoys playing several different instruments.
Anna Buchanan | Life Groups & Women’s Ministry (Overflow)
Anna joined Capital Life in 2003 and serves as the church’s life group ministry director and women’s ministry coordinator. She was born and raised in Massachusetts, and still loves all things Boston – especially lobster, the beach, and the Red Sox. Anna met her husband, Matt, at CLC, where he also serves on staff. After working in the public health field for several years, Anna became a stay at home mom when her son, Judah, was born in April 2011. Anna loves to cook, travel, spend time with family, and watch sports with Matt (especially when the Red Sox are playing!)
Sassan Jahanian | Missions
Along with a variety of Capital Life missions trips, Sassan has had the opportunity to organize various adventures for Capital Life through the “Adventure Group”. They have been hiking, camping, skiing/snowboarding, swimming at the beach, and played paintball. He enjoys getting people outside of the Northern Virginia bubble to do things they wouldn’t normally get to do.
Elizabeth White | Hospitality
Elizabeth has been living in DC and attending Capital Life since 2006. When not brewing copious amounts of coffee (though a tea drinker herself) she enjoys exploring our beautiful city, attending concerts, and planning quick trips up and down the east coast.
Erin Fagan | Greeters
Erin loves all things inspired by Southern Style, like pink and pearls. Her first trip out of the country was in 2009 to the Philippines and she hopes to return in the future.
Carl Cabading | Prayer Ministry
Carl enjoys running, racquetball, reading, and photography.
Vanessa Watson | Newcomers
Vanessa and her husband, Richard, found Capital Life in 2009 while they were searching for a church home and have been with Capital Life ever since. Vanessa is now leading the Newcomers Ministry, helping newcomers to the Capital Life get connected and feel at home. She grew up as an “Army brat”, living all over the US and abroad. After spending her high school years in Germany, Vanessa returned to the States, attending St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas and later earning her graduate degree in public policy at the University of Texas at Austin. She currently works as a human capital consultant within the Washington, DC area. Vanessa loves spending time with her husband, traveling, trying out new restaurants, and reading.
(703) 339-1274
PO Box 15757