Community Staff
Family & Children |
Zac Derr, Family Pastor
Zac Derr and his wife, Hilary, joined our team upon the completion of Zac’s internship with Pastor Larson and a brief detour with the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL.
Zac earned an undergraduate degree in emergency management from The University of Akron and a master’s degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
A Pittsburgh native, Zac is a Steelers fan and enjoys reading, home improvement projects, and riding his motorcyle. Hilary works as a business analyst with Westfield Group and is an avid runner. They live in Wadsworth with their three small children, Jillian Davy, Andrea and Abram. Contact Zac.
Janice Kelley, Children’s Ministry Director
Janice provides direct oversight of The Chapel’s Kids’ Ministry at the Akron and Green campuses, implementing renewed vision and strategy to nurture our children toward a deep love for God and others.
Janice joins our staff family with vast experience and knowledge in kids’ ministry, being a specialist in kid/parent-friendly environments, progressive ministry strategies, and team-based leadership. Coming from her most recent children’s ministry position in Tampa, FL, Janice and her husband, Mike, have arrived in Northeast Ohio with great anticipation and excitement to serve at The Chapel.
Janice and Mike have two adult children, Shawn and Julie. Contact Janice.
Students |
Greg Grimwood, Youth Pastor
Greg grew up in a close-knit family, the middle child with two sisters. He studied art and played basketball at Valparaiso University and Hillsdale College.
Greg served as a youth pastor in Strongsville for four years before going to Wadsworth in September of 2004. As a youth pastor in Wadsworth, he launched The Garage, an outreach ministry for teenagers. In 2007, he wrote a book for parents on the spiritual development of their teenagers. One of Greg’s great joys in life is helping a teenager unpack and embrace the gospel in increasing measure! Greg is a student ministry “lifer.”
He enjoys CrossFit, movie nights, “Grimwood Family Dance Parties,” Carmine’s on West 86th, chocolate chip cookie dough, reading a great book in a coffee shop, Broadway shows, and un-rushed time with family and friends.
Greg is married to Cara, and has two children, Abby and McKenzie. Contact Greg.
Steve Garcia, High School Pastor, Akron
Steve Garcia grew up in inner city New Jersey. After graduating from Cedarville University with a degree in Communications and Television Production, Steve worked for a television station in Lima, Ohio as a sports reporter. After years of work in the video field, Steve felt called to youth ministry.
He interned with the high school department at Cornerstone Church in Michigan before accepting the job as College & Career pastor at Northside Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Steve was married to his wife Kate that same year in North Carolina. After 3 years of ministry & seminary in Charlotte, Steve felt called back to working with high school students.
Steve was hired by The Chapel in August of 2004 to work in the high school department. He and his wife Kate have a son, Dmitri. Contact Steve.
Happy Peterson, High School Pastor, Green
Happy grew up in Rome, Georgia. And yes, that’s his given name. At times, it was kind of rough growing up with that name, but it pays off now because no one forgets it.
He was saved at the ripe old age of 6 yrs old. Happy was blessed with great parents who faithfully took him to church and exposed him to the Word of God. He was baptized at age 12.
When he received a scholarship to Liberty University he knew it was a call to full-time ministry. He felt it was his responsibility to give back as much as he could to God who has given so much. He graduated from Liberty in 1997.
He worked as a youth pastor at The Chapel in North Canton from 1998-2005. Happy then returned to the church he grew up in at Rome, and worked as a youth pastor until 2011.
Happy is the high school pastor for Green Campus. He is married to Erin, and they have three daughters: Emma, Myah, and Eden. Contact Happy.
Eric Hays,
Adult Communities |
Dale Saylor, Pastor, Adult Communities
Dale spent over twenty years working with young adults as a high school teacher and coach. He earned his undergraduate degree in secondary education from the University of Akron and did graduate work there and Kent State University. He also attended Malone University’s School of Theology.
After teaching and coaching, Dale served as the Area Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in northeast Ohio. During this time he developed a close relationship with many professional, college, and high school coaches and athletes in impacting others for Jesus Christ.
In 2005, Dale was selected to use his expertise in leading The Chapel’s Sports and Men’s Ministry. Sports ministry is often the first touch in a person’s life with the church. This ministry area offers a way to develop a relationship with people; and, it introduces people to the life of The Chapel and a relationship with Jesus Christ. Dale is very passionate and enthusiastic in leading Bible studies with area coaches and encourages the concepts of “Coaching 4 Life.”
Dale and his wife, Heather, stay busy raising their daughters Hannah and Haleigh, while avidly following The Ohio State Buckeyes with sons Jamie and Nathan. He loves working out, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Contact Dale.
Lynn Warner, Pastor of Seniors and Primetime
Reverend Lynn Warner has pastored for 43 years. He spent 3 years at the New Testament Baptist Church in Miami, Florida; 29 years at the Canton Baptist Temple in Canton, Ohio,and is now serving at The Chapel in Green/Akron, Ohio.
Lynn is a graduate of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri.
He and his wife Janet now reside in Canton, Ohio. Children are son, Ryan, and daughter-in-law, Sarah; and daughter, Michelle.
College |
Brian Kunkler, College Pastor
Kevin Poest
Kevin grew up in Brunswick Ohio and came to the University of Akron in the fall of 2000 on a track & field scholarship as a pole vaulter. Kevin first got connected to Campus Focus during his freshman year of college. He walked across campus from Grant Residence Hall and nervously snuck into the back because he didn’t know a soul. Little did he know how much his life was about to change!
That was eleven years ago, and he is still grateful to call Campus Focus home. Not only was the CF community the catalyst that helped him make sense of God and where his faith came alive, it is also the place where he met his wife and decided to go into ministry. He joined the team in 2005, and he would not trade it for anything. He is currently the assistant college pastor and was married to his amazing wife Liz in July of 2010. His heart is to help connect people to God so that they can experience the fullness of God just like he did eleven years ago. Contact Kevin.
Care & Counseling |
Kevin Seager, Pastor of Care
Kevin was born in Holland as a British citizen and grew up mostly near Washington D.C. He came to The Chapel after serving as Campus Pastor for Valleyview Chapel (now The Chapel Wadsworth Campus). Before that, he and his wife Karen were church planting missionaries in Spain for 12 years.
Kevin is a graduate of James Madison University and Moody Graduate School. His ministry passion is to see individuals and churches grounded in the Word, growing in faith, and going in witness. At The Chapel, Kevin provides oversight for our Care and Seniors departments.
Kevin and Karen live in Wadsworth with their three children, Caleb, Liana and Melody. They enjoy hiking, the outdoors and staying connected with what God is doing around the world. Contact Kevin.
Steve Bucy, Care Pastor
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Mike Miller, Director of Care
Mike and Shirley have been married for 45 years. They have two daughters, Denise and Christine. Both are married and live in the area and attend the Chapel in Green.
Shirley and Mike are enjoying their first grandchild, Mitchell who is six months old.
Mike spent most of his life working in construction and in 1985 sold his interest in the business. After he retired, Mike and Shirley got involved in Prime Time Campus Group and started to volunteer at the Chapel. For the past 20 years, volunteerism filled a large part of their lives.
Shirley is a homemaker and enjoys reading, long walks, and volunteering in the Kid’s Ministry. Contact Mike.
Wes Hartzfeld, Counseling Pastor