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LEADERSHIP
Every church focuses on at least 3 areas of ministry. Worship, Discipleship, and Evangelism. Our icon of ministry focus is a triangle and we use the terms Adore, Explore and Restore. We want to Adore God through Family Worship; We want to Explore the depths of God's Word and how we live out our lives of faith; and we want to Restore individuals and families to God.
Rev. Joe Stafford
Senior Pastor
"Rev. Joe Stafford, affectionately known as Pastor Joe, has served our congregation since 1990.
He is a graduate of Ohio Christian University (formerly Circleville Bible College) and also Ashland Theological Seminary where he earned a Masters Degree in Pastoral Counseling. He has worked in this area as a counselor since 1996 helping individuals and families deal with relationship, mental health and spiritual challenges. His caring style of counseling ministry utilizes the Word of God to help bring healing. He is licensed with the State of Ohio as a Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC).
Pastor Joe married his college sweetheart, Valerie, and they reside in Galion. Val is a full-time care-giver for their beautiful granddaughter, Ruby. She is a big part of the Chapel programming working as the Chapel Ladies President, member of Restore Ministries, and various other ministries.
They have a daughter and son-in-law, Katie & Josh, plus granddaughter, Ruby.
Kristi Lawson
Pastoral Assistant
"Kristi has served as Pastor Joe's assistant since 2007, working closely with him in areas of daily operation, programming and administration.
She and her husband, Mark, grew up in Galion and have a deep passion to serve here. Mark is also very involved in the ministries at Wesley Chapel as he is the Youth President on the Church Board and Sunday School teacher for the teens.
They have 3 children, Madysen and her husband, Nate, live and work in Delaware. Markis, is a senior Mechanical Engineering student at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. The youngest, Makenzi, is currently a senior at GHS.
Ministry is very important to Kristi as she serves as a kids church leader, Small Group leader, Sunday School teacher for young adults, and Wednesday night teacher for the teens."