OUR
MINISTRY STAFF
2006
MINISTRY STAFF
2006
Rick Sams currently serves as
the Senior Pastor. Pastor Rick and Joyce started their ministries at
Alliance Friends Church on July 1, 1978. They have three children: Katie who
works in Columbus and is married Luke Hertert; Eric a fifth year student at Ohio
University who plans to go to law school in the fall; and Adam a senior at
Alliance High School who hopes to attend Ohio State University in the fall as a
possible engineering major. Pastor Rick's and Joyce's biggest desire is to help
people know and love Christ more. They believe everything else in life falls
into place if we are in love with Jesus. They are great believers in the local
church as the hope of the world, right behind Jesus.
Gil Goodwin currently serves as full-time Pastor of Outreach. Gil & MaryBeth have attended Alliance Friends Church for nearly 10 years. They have 2 children: BJ - a Freshman at the University of Findlay and Kristen - a Freshman at Marlington High School. Upon graduation from West Liberty State College with a BA in Education, he became employed at Damon Industries as a sales representative, where he has been the past 26 years. At Alliance Friends Church, Gil served as Sports & Rec Chairman, taught 5th & 6th grade Sunday School classes and Senior High classes. He's been involved in Outreach Ministries and Accountability Groups. Gil's passion is to reach unbelievers with the Good News of Christ and inspire & encourage the body of believers to be discipled and do likewise.
Lisbeth Stanford currently serves as the Director of Christian Education and Small Groups. Lisbeth has been attending Alliance Friends Church since she moved back to this area from Florida in 1996. She served in Vacation Bible School, Missions Committee, Pastoral Relations Committee, and as the Elder of Spiritual Life before becoming a full-time staff member in October 2000. A graduate of Eastern Nazarene College and with graduate work in education at the University of Maryland, Lisbeth has taught in public and private schools and worked in law firms while raising her two children. Amy and Mark, with his wife Cheryl, are all in medical professions and reside in Akron.
Chris King currently serves as the Youth Pastor. Both Chris and his wife, Michelle, grew up in the Alliance area before attending Malone College. Upon graduating from Malone College, they moved to the Columbus area where he took the position of Teen Pastor at Shiloh Chapel Friends Church while Michelle taught high school math. They have two sons, Jonathan and Drew. Both Chris and Michelle serve in the Student Ministry here at Alliance Friends Church among other things.
Pete Donahue currently serves as the part-time Director of Sports and Recreation. Pete and his wife Donna have been Alliance Friends Church members since 2001 when Pete joined the ministry staff team. Pete works full-time for Alliance Abrasives as national sales manager and Donna has home-schooled all four of their children. Pete and Donna teach "The Big Kidz" College and Career class that meets at 9:15 AM in the mezzanine. Donna also helps with FROG. They have been married for almost 31 years.
Trisha Joy Fites currently serves as the part-time Christian Education Administrative Assistant. Trisha has been attending Alliance Friends Church since 2001. She is a 2004 graduate of Malone College with a bachelor's degree in Youth & Educational Ministries. Her main ministry focus at AFC is the children of the church. She resides in Marlboro Township.
Gil Goodwin currently serves as full-time Pastor of Outreach. Gil & MaryBeth have attended Alliance Friends Church for nearly 10 years. They have 2 children: BJ - a Freshman at the University of Findlay and Kristen - a Freshman at Marlington High School. Upon graduation from West Liberty State College with a BA in Education, he became employed at Damon Industries as a sales representative, where he has been the past 26 years. At Alliance Friends Church, Gil served as Sports & Rec Chairman, taught 5th & 6th grade Sunday School classes and Senior High classes. He's been involved in Outreach Ministries and Accountability Groups. Gil's passion is to reach unbelievers with the Good News of Christ and inspire & encourage the body of believers to be discipled and do likewise.
Lisbeth Stanford currently serves as the Director of Christian Education and Small Groups. Lisbeth has been attending Alliance Friends Church since she moved back to this area from Florida in 1996. She served in Vacation Bible School, Missions Committee, Pastoral Relations Committee, and as the Elder of Spiritual Life before becoming a full-time staff member in October 2000. A graduate of Eastern Nazarene College and with graduate work in education at the University of Maryland, Lisbeth has taught in public and private schools and worked in law firms while raising her two children. Amy and Mark, with his wife Cheryl, are all in medical professions and reside in Akron.
Chris King currently serves as the Youth Pastor. Both Chris and his wife, Michelle, grew up in the Alliance area before attending Malone College. Upon graduating from Malone College, they moved to the Columbus area where he took the position of Teen Pastor at Shiloh Chapel Friends Church while Michelle taught high school math. They have two sons, Jonathan and Drew. Both Chris and Michelle serve in the Student Ministry here at Alliance Friends Church among other things.
Pete Donahue currently serves as the part-time Director of Sports and Recreation. Pete and his wife Donna have been Alliance Friends Church members since 2001 when Pete joined the ministry staff team. Pete works full-time for Alliance Abrasives as national sales manager and Donna has home-schooled all four of their children. Pete and Donna teach "The Big Kidz" College and Career class that meets at 9:15 AM in the mezzanine. Donna also helps with FROG. They have been married for almost 31 years.
Trisha Joy Fites currently serves as the part-time Christian Education Administrative Assistant. Trisha has been attending Alliance Friends Church since 2001. She is a 2004 graduate of Malone College with a bachelor's degree in Youth & Educational Ministries. Her main ministry focus at AFC is the children of the church. She resides in Marlboro Township.
OUR
ELDERS
ELDERS
Steve Woolf currently serves
as the Presiding Clerk (Elder). Steve and his family have attended Alliance
Friends Church for over 10 years. His past service at AFC has included Family
Life Co-coordinator, Coordinator for Adult Education, and Elder of Christian
Education. For over 28 years, Steve has been employed by PTC Alliance, a
manufacturer of welded steel tubing, where for the past 10 years Steve has been
the Manager of Production and Inventory Control. Steve and Christine have been
married for 20 years and have three daughters: Katie, Emily, and Annie. His
hobbies are running, exercising, and family activities and
functions.
Rod Harding currently serves as the Elder of Spiritual Life. Rod and his wife, Debbie, have been attending Alliance Friends Church since 1998. They have both been involved with the Senior High Youth. Along with being an elder, Rod enjoys the Worship Ministry and a couple of Men's Accountability Groups. Debbie is the AFC Publication Secretary, which involves creating the Midweek Memo, Sunday Bulletin, and the Website. She is also involved with Women in Ministry. Rod has worked for the family business, Harding Heating & Cooling, for 21 years. Rod and Debbie have been married for 13 years and have a son and two daughters.
Roger Meir currently serves as the Elder of Outreach. Roger and his wife, Kathy, have been attending Alliance Friends Church since 1990. They have been involved in different ministries of the church including Junior Friends Youth, Vacation Bible School, cooking dinners, Building Committee, FROG, Sports and Recreation, Sunday School helpers, and Pastoral Relations Committee. Roger retired as a supervisor for Mahoning County Engineers in 1997 and has been in EMS work for 20 years. He has been a paramedic for the past eight years with Rural Metro Ambulance. Kathy works in the church office as Office Manager. Roger and Kathy have two sons and daughters-in-law and five grandchildren who also attend AFC.
Jayne Hall currently serves as the Elder of Education. Jayne has been attending Alliance Friends Church since 2002. She has taught elementary Sunday School classes, co-facilitated DivorceCare, helped with Vacation Bible School, served on the Missions Committee, facilitates a Bible Study in her home and is involved with our Women In Ministry. Jayne is a retired elementary school teacher with 31 years experience. She has one son, Wayne. Reading, being with family and friends, serving at church and on Emmaus teams all bring her much joy.
Doug Schwarz currently serves as the Elder of Stewardship. Doug and his family have been attending Alliance Friends Church since 1998 becoming members in 2000. Doug has been employed by the Mastrianni family since 1979 working at Alliance Ventures, Inc. He has been involved in many school and community volunteered activities while he and his wife, Kyle, have raised their 4 children. With his term as Alliance Councilman expiring, Doug looks forward to serving the church in a greater role by serving as an elder.
Rod Harding currently serves as the Elder of Spiritual Life. Rod and his wife, Debbie, have been attending Alliance Friends Church since 1998. They have both been involved with the Senior High Youth. Along with being an elder, Rod enjoys the Worship Ministry and a couple of Men's Accountability Groups. Debbie is the AFC Publication Secretary, which involves creating the Midweek Memo, Sunday Bulletin, and the Website. She is also involved with Women in Ministry. Rod has worked for the family business, Harding Heating & Cooling, for 21 years. Rod and Debbie have been married for 13 years and have a son and two daughters.
Roger Meir currently serves as the Elder of Outreach. Roger and his wife, Kathy, have been attending Alliance Friends Church since 1990. They have been involved in different ministries of the church including Junior Friends Youth, Vacation Bible School, cooking dinners, Building Committee, FROG, Sports and Recreation, Sunday School helpers, and Pastoral Relations Committee. Roger retired as a supervisor for Mahoning County Engineers in 1997 and has been in EMS work for 20 years. He has been a paramedic for the past eight years with Rural Metro Ambulance. Kathy works in the church office as Office Manager. Roger and Kathy have two sons and daughters-in-law and five grandchildren who also attend AFC.
Jayne Hall currently serves as the Elder of Education. Jayne has been attending Alliance Friends Church since 2002. She has taught elementary Sunday School classes, co-facilitated DivorceCare, helped with Vacation Bible School, served on the Missions Committee, facilitates a Bible Study in her home and is involved with our Women In Ministry. Jayne is a retired elementary school teacher with 31 years experience. She has one son, Wayne. Reading, being with family and friends, serving at church and on Emmaus teams all bring her much joy.
Doug Schwarz currently serves as the Elder of Stewardship. Doug and his family have been attending Alliance Friends Church since 1998 becoming members in 2000. Doug has been employed by the Mastrianni family since 1979 working at Alliance Ventures, Inc. He has been involved in many school and community volunteered activities while he and his wife, Kyle, have raised their 4 children. With his term as Alliance Councilman expiring, Doug looks forward to serving the church in a greater role by serving as an elder.
