What college did you attend? Miami University, BBS 1974, Ohio State Dental School, DDS 1983

When did you join Northwest? January 2009

What is your ministry here? Awana

What is your favorite scripture?

• John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
• Philippians 4:6–7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”

What do you like about Northwest? The excellent preaching from the Word, the Sunday worship and the fact that the message of salvation is explained and an opportunity given for a personal commitment to Christ in almost every worship service. Also the standard of excellence in all phases of ministry.

When did you accept Christ? I accepted Christ in 1973 after a Sunday service at Oxford Bible Fellowship my junior year at Miami University.

Family Married 41 years to my wife Shelley. We have one child Lauren 32 (Lauren Thieman) who is married to Nic Thieman 31. They have blessed us with two beautiful grandsons, Nicholas 6, and Bennett 3, all of whom attend NW Bible and love the Lord!

What college did you attend? The Ohio State University – Mechanical Engineering

When did you join Northwest? Began attending full time in May 1996

What is your ministry here? My ministry is on the Guest Services Team. I also serve as a coach/mentor for the Refuge one evening per week (a Christian ministry for recovering drug addicts and alcoholics).

What is your favorite scripture? Titus 2:11–12, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”

What do you like about Northwest? I love that the Word of God is preached every Sunday and it is not softened to suit the culture. The mission that Christ gave us in Matthew 28:16–20 is taken seriously and people are getting saved and lives are being changed. The focus is outward instead of inward.

When did you accept Christ? I accepted Christ in 1986 at the age of 26. The sanctification process is still ongoing.

Family Andrew 28 (Katrina), Ali 25, Brooke 23, Daniel 18

What college did you attend? Cedarville University, 1979; The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, 1983

When did you join Northwest? 2000

What is your ministry here? Deacon

What is your favorite scripture? Proverbs 3:5–6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

What do you like about Northwest? The thing I like most about Northwest is that every Sunday the Gospel is presented and people are given the chance to respond and accept Christ. I really enjoy the strong preaching from the pulpit, the worship of praise and music and everything that is done is all for the God’s glory.

When did you accept Christ? When I was 10 during evangelistic meetings with Dr. Woodbridge at my church.

Family Jacqueline 27, Josh 24, Jonathan 21

What college did you attend? Cedarville University class of 1997

When did you join Northwest? We joined Northwest in 1999 after Tiffany and I got married but have attended faithfully since 1997.

What is your ministry here? Building and Grounds, Offering Counting and Financial Stewardship

What is your favorite scripture? Psalm 18:30. “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

What do you like about Northwest? I love sitting in a church on Sunday that preaches the Word and holds fast to an unchanging message in the midst of an ever changing world. And knowing that my kids are being spiritually challenged and cared for in a Biblical setting gives my wife and I such comfort.

When did you accept Christ? I accepted Christ in the summer of 1981 when I was 6, sitting on the front lawn of Plum Bible Baptist Church during VBS.

Family Annie 8, Oliver 6, Evie 3

What college did you attend? University of Akron

When did you join Northwest? 1997

What is your ministry here? enACT Ministry, Deacon, Discipleship

What is your favorite scripture? Proverbs 3:5–6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

What do you like about Northwest? Preaching, teaching, community, friendships and support it provides.

When did you accept Christ? Age 15 in 1977

Family Kara 24, Greg 23 (Lauren), Nikki 20

What college did you attend? The Ohio State University

When did you join Northwest? 2001

What is your ministry here? Guest Services Point Man

What is your favorite scripture? John 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:”

What do you like about Northwest? Northwest has people who care about the Lord’s will for their lives. This attitude resonates from Pastor’s real life messages, a passionate music ministry led by Corby then a youth and VBS program that is second to none headed by Matt, Cory, and the Witt. It’s also refreshing to know that our church has people that have a willingness to serve which lightens the load on everyone in all of our various ministries.

When did you accept Christ? I accepted Christ at Vacation Bible School when I was eight years old at Immanuel Baptist Church.

Family Lauren 22, Jared 20

What college did you attend? Wright State 1993 BS in Finance

When did you join Northwest? Joined in 1999. Angie and I were baptized in early 2000 and married by Pastor Harrell in November 2000.

What is your ministry here? I am an usher and have served as deacon in the past.

What is your favorite scripture? Matthew 11:28–30, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

What do you like about Northwest? People. Really got plugged in with a young marrieds group years ago…most are still close friends to this day. And The Word is always preached from the pulpit.

When did you accept Christ? Sophomore in high school. Big influence was my family and the Chapel in Akron.

Family Brady 10, Addie 6, Drew 3

What college did you attend? Undergraduate at Cedarville University; Graduate at Ashland University

When did you join Northwest? I started attending in May 1999 and became a member in May 2000.

What is your ministry here? Mainly Velocity leader; part time Kids City fill in teacher; snow team and lawn mowing guy.

What is your favorite scripture? Jeremiah 17:7–8, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

What do you like about Northwest? The never wavering preaching from God’s word; the many opportunities to serve both locally and abroad.

When did you accept Christ? When I was 8 years old and in the third grade.

Family Boston 9, Bracken 3

What college did you attend? I graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1996.

When did you join Northwest? April 2009

What is your ministry here? At Northwest I serve as a Life Group leader, small group leader in Kid City, VBS administration and discipleship.

What is your favorite scripture? My favorite scripture is whatever I read that morning. I also really appreciate Romans 15:1–7, “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.’ For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”

What do you like about Northwest? The water. Haha. Seriously, I like that the teaching of and faithfulness to the Bible is central to everything at Northwest. The preaching, shepherding, and community at Northwest has helped lay a firm foundation for my continued spiritual walk and growth with Christ.

When did you accept Christ? I accepted Christ as an early teen at a student-focused church event.

Family Kennedy 9, Kerrigan 9

What college did you attend? I attended Miami University (2004 graduate)

When did you join Northwest? I started attending Northwest Bible in 1992 when I was in 5th grade; my family officially joined sometime in the early 90’s.

What is your ministry here? I’ve served in Strive (when it existed from 2006–2008/9) and I’ve been serving in Worship Arts since 2008. I’ve served in VBS probably every year since 2008 (I think I missed one year).

What is your favorite scripture? This is very tough to choose just one, but I would have to say my favorite passage is Romans 5:1–11 NKJV

“Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

What do you like about Northwest? There are a number of things about Northwest that Carolyn and I love, but probably the two most important are

1. Pastors that have “held fast” to the Word of God and refuse to compromise on the balance between truth and grace
2. People. The relationships that we have with a number of people/families at Northwest, in some cases, transcend our direct family relationships. We have been cared for through Life Groups, supported during family crises, and been blessed to serve alongside tremendous brothers and sisters in Christ that have a heart for serving others and for people to know Jesus.

When did you accept Christ? I accepted Christ on March 3, 1988 on the stairs in my parents house with my mom. Earlier that day in chapel (at Maranatha Christian School), we heard about death, hell and eternal separation from God. That evening, my mom talked with me about Christ’s perfect
substitution and His death, burial and resurrection that provided me (and EVERY person) a way to escape the punishment that I rightly deserve and to offer instead His righteousness for all of eternity. I was baptized by Pastor Harrell at Maranatha Baptist Church (before our building was finished) on May 16, 1995.

Family Abby 4, Asher 2

What college did you attend? Herkimer College in NY

When did you join Northwest? May 2000

What is your ministry here? We are involved in the children’s ministry teaching the PreK class for years and years now, and we love it. Dueteronomy 6:7 is about teaching the next generation. We are also helping the Velocity leaders on Sunday nights. It is a privilege to minister to their young children while they minister to our high schoolers. It is such a blessing and an honor to belong to such a wonderful Christ centered church as Northwest Bible. We are excited to help grow God’s kingdom through our local church.

What is your favorite scripture? Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. I would love to share with you why that is my favorite scripture, come ask.”

What do you like about Northwest? Pastor preaches the truth, it is always about winning people to Christ, there are no fillers and it is always about how to live for Christ. I also love all the ministries. Over the years those ministries have helped us raise our children, and we are so thankful.

When did you accept Christ? I became a Believer in September 1999

Family Dillon 27, Morgan 22, Molly 21, Jake 18, Mallory 15

What college did you attend? Some college at Columbus State University. Business training through many courses included Advanced Leadership Institute at Babson College in Wellesey, Massachusetts and the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio’s Leadership Experience (BXLX)

When did you join Northwest? Lisa, Amanda and I began attending Northwest in 2000 and became members in 2002

What is your ministry here? Usher

What is your favorite scripture? I’m not one to say I have a favorite verse, but a few of the versus that blow me away are:

• Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
• Ephesians 2:8–9, “For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
• Phillipians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

What do you like about Northwest? Without question it is the preaching of the Word of God. Truth is spoken from the pulpit and souls are saved!

When did you accept Christ? I accepted Christ when I was at Church camp in Carrolton, OH when I was 15. Having grown up in a legalistic church, I struggled with walking the walk until I was in my mid 20’s when God finally revealed to me it was about a relationship and not rules.

Family Amanda 22

What college did you attend? Miami University

When did you join Northwest? 2008

What is your ministry here? Counting the offering, helping in Awana with Cubbies, Preschool ministry in the four year old class

What is your favorite scripture? Proverbs 3:5–6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

What do you like about Northwest? Many things, but the first things that come to mind are the people and friends here, and the solid, biblical teaching.

When did you accept Christ? I accepted Christ my freshman year of college.

Family Nicholas 6, Bennett 3