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I greet you in the Gracious Name of Jesus, My Savior and Lord. I confessed Jesus as Lord during my Senior year of High School in Kingston, Jamaica. Upon Graduation, I pursed the call for ministry preparation at the Jamaica Theological Seminary ( Bible College), and transferred to Fort Wayne Bible College now Taylor University. During Bible College, I was blessed by being united in marriage to Grace in August 1983. God has blessed us with four (4) active Children. After Bible College, I was privileged to study at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and began Doctoral Studies at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After being privileged to start four (4) Evangelical churches, the Lord led our family to Good Shepherd. What a Joy to lead our Second Campus; Open Arms Ministries since June 1, 2003. With a great Staff, incredible Lay-leadership and comfort from Philippians 4:13, Multi-site ministry will be a reality.
"I Can do All Things, Through Christ, Who strengthens Me." Phil 4: 13. |
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"Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You." Ps. 73:25
Thirty-five years ago the dreams and goals of a brash youth began to change through the transforming love of Jesus Christ. A passion for music, literature, theater and education led to careers in youth ministry, teaching, library service and choral directing. Called to become the Pastor of Worship Ministries for a local church in 1986, the diverse disciplines of these various artistic expressions all became avenues for leading the congregation in worship. Today, after fifteen years of ministry at Good Shepherd, the joy of seeing individuals of all ages be able to express their faith through the arts remains one of life's greatest pleasures.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Ps. 73:26
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Greetings, My name is Deb Miteff. I have been on staff at Good Shepherd for 20 years in the area of Christian Education. I joined Good Shepherd with my husband Gene and my new born daughter Crystal in the spring of 1980. I enjoy creativity of all kinds, creating displays, decorating my home, making presents and crafting. My walk with Christ has been an incredible journey of growth as a Disciple of Jesus Christ. Most important in my life are my family and my work. I am striving to build my personal and professional life around spiritual growth. My life verse is John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”. Staying connected in Jesus and bearing fruit that honors Him is a primary goal in my life.
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Welcome to Good Shepherd’s web-site. My name is Ann Burdick. I have been the Finance Administrator for Good Shepherd since December 2006. Born and raised in Fort Wayne, I grew up at Forest Park United Methodist Church. In 1997, my family (husband Bruce and son, Josh) moved to the northeast side of Fort Wayne and began attending Taylor Chapel United Methodist Church where we lead the Sr. High Youth for 5 years. In August 2002, we were invited to Open Arms and felt God’s call to a new ministry. Even through struggles and joys, I know God is with me always.
Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31 |
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Don and his wife, Penny, have been members of Good Shepherd since 1979. Don has taught the older adult Sunday School class since 1985. Don has been involved in older adult ministry in nursing homes since 1990, both as a volunteer leader of worship and as paid staff (activity director). Don is a certified Lay Speaker and is currently enrolled in the Clinical Pastoral Education program (student chaplaincy) at Lutheran Hospital. Don and Penny have three adult sons, one granddaughter and two grandchildren expected soon! |
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I have lived in Fort Wayne for twelve years. I worked as a receptionist and in accounts payable for ILS for seven years before I retired in 2005. I joined Good Shepherd in 2006. I have four children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, none of whom live in Fort Wayne. I like to travel often in order to see them. I love all kinds of stitchery, counted cross stitch, crocheting and knitting. I participate in the Good Shepherd prayer shawl ministry and the UMW. |
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I am Jim Rousseau, born on February 23, 1952 on a Air Force base in Rantoul, Ill. My parents were Dr. John Rousseau and Fahma (North) Rousseau both from Fort Wayne. I am the second of three children with an older sister, Carolyn and a younger brother Richard. When I was three, my father completed his service in the Air Force and we returned home to Fort Wayne. I attended Indian Village and Brentwood elementary schools and became a member of the first class at lane Junior High School. As a Lane Viking, I participated in football, basketball, and golf. I was also on the student council and the honor roll. I was awarded the McMillen Award for scholarship and athel5tics at the end of my 9 th grade year. IN 1967, I began my high school career at Snider High School, earned honor roll status and was involved in athletics, especially basketball and golf. The summer of my sophomore year, I was hired by the Wildcat Baseball League as a Junior Assistant. I went on to become a Director and worked for the league for the next 20 years of teaching baseball skills and good sportsmanship to children.
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After graduation, I attended Wittenberg University in Springfiled, OH. I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and science education and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After completing my student teaching, I attended Indiana University in Bloomington to begin work on my masters degree and a minor in physical education and coaching.
In the spring of 1977, I married my high school sweetheart and next door neighbor, Barbara Bryan and we moved to Fort Wayne to begin our life together. Barb began her career as a registered nurse, and I was hired for my first teaching position at Blackhawk Junior High School. I taught science and physical education and coached football and basketball. My teams captured two city championships in basketball.
In 1981, I was hired to teach and coach at R. Nelson Snider High School, my alma mater. I have taught Earth & Space Science for the last 29 years at Snider and have also served many years as an assistant coach in both baseball and basketball. I later became the head boys’ varsity coach in both sports. The boys’ baseball team captured Snider’s first regional championship in 1986.
In the summer of 1994, I took a respite from coaching and was hired as the Youth Director at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church where I served for the next 4 years. I continued teaching and eventually returned to coaching basketball as an assistant.
Barb and I have four children: LeeAnne (Gogis), Daniel, Allison (Delagrange), and Matthew. We have two grandchildren: Brayden and Brianna Gogis. I enjoy all sports, plus biking, juggling, reading, watching movies and geocaching. I am also a backyard astronomer.
Barb and I have attended Good Shepherd United Methodist Church for the last 28 years and feel truly blessed by the friendships we have made.
God is good! |
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Hello, I am Paula Fox. I moved to Fort Wayne 13 years ago from Wisconsin when the Minnesota Twins moved their minor league team here to Fort Wayne. Dan was the athletic trainer for the Wizards for the first two seasons before deciding to move on to employment with Orthopaedics Northeast. We have three busy and amazing children- Christopher, Sarah and Cameron. We have attended Good Shepherd since 1994 and became members in 1995. It has been incredible to watch this church grow and change and develop new and exciting ministries to spread the love and word of Jesus. I have been on the preschool board for the past 11 years and have enjoyed the challenges that has brought. I have also been an involved with Youth Ministries for the past 4 years and am inspired by the kids here at Good Shepherd they are a truly phenomenal group. I am also employed as a Social Worker at Turnstone Center for Disabled Children and Adults where I have been helping families with disabled children receive the services they need to reach their greatest potential for over 10 years. One of my favorite verses is Romans 15:5-6 – “May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other-each with an attitude of Christ toward each other. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God.” I am looking forward to this new endeavor and challenge God has bestowed upon us. |
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Hello, I’m Deb Maynard. I have been on staff at Good Shepherd since 1995. My love of the Lord brought my family to Good Shepherd and my love for children gave me a place on staff. I have been married to my husband Percy since 1983 and we have 3 great children. I am very active in supporting their activities. I enjoy watching the children of Good Shepherd grow in their knowledge of the Bible and of Jesus. The world rests in the hands of our children, so we must nurture them to become great leaders in faith, and I believe that starts in the crib. Mark 10:13 tells us that the way to heaven begins as a child. I grew up in a church full of love for children and feel that Good Shepherd has that same love. I am blessed to be a part of the family we call a staff here. |
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Jessica is a Snider High School Senior, she loves to work with children and she demonstrates that love by providing nursery care during the worship and Sunday School hours. |
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My name is Robin Becher I have been a member of Good Shepherd for 15 years and director of the preschool for 2 years. I have been married to Brian for 20 years and we have three boys Eric 18, Brad 16 and Nic 13. The most important things in my life are my family and friends. I also value education very highly but I don't believe everything has to be learned in school. Some of our most valuable lessons are learned at home. If our faith in Christ is real, it will usually prove itself at home, in our relationships with those who know us best. Children and parents have a responsibility to each other. Ephesians 6:1-4 How much we love God can be measured by how well we treat others. Matthew 10:42 |
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Hi, my name is Bonnie Elam. My husband, Phil, and I have been members of Good Shepherd since 1986. We’ve been married 36 years and have 3 wonderful daughters, two great sons-in-law, and 3 beautiful granddaughters. Our family feels truly blessed to be a part of such a loving, friendly, and supportive church family. They have been there for our most joyful times and during our darkest days. "Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place!" |
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I have been a member of Good Shepherd since 1996 and Administrative Assistant since 1998. Good Shepherd is an extremely busy place and I am very fortunate to be a part of this exciting ministry, especially the Saturday Night Praise Band. I have two daughters, Kim Christman, who lives in Fishers, IN and
Keri (Jonathan) Thompson who lives in San Jose, CA. My desire is to walk closer with our Savior and be of service to our congregation. God has been teaching me that through faith, and knowledge He is always with us regardless of what stormy situation we experience. I love Psalm 147: How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him! |
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Hello!! My name is Kelley Hathaway and I am joining the Good Shepherd Church Staff as the Congregational Care Administrative Assistant. My husband, David, became a member of Good Shepherd just this year and we have two children. Delaney, our daughter, is 14 and a member of the 2009 Confirmation Class, and our son, Malachy, who is 8, loves playing baseball and is also a member of one of the Cub Scout dens that meets at the church. I grew up in a small rural town in Ohio and moved to Fort Wayne from Michigan where we were actively involved in the Methodist church there. My family and I have lived in Fort Wayne for a little over three years now. I am on a spiritual journey and trying to find my place in life, striving to grow through God. I am looking forward to getting to know all the wonderful people at Good Shepherd and making this my church home. |
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Hi! I am Paulette Ross and I currently serve Good Shepherd as the Administrative Assistant for Discipleship Ministries. At Good Shepherd, we value those who are new to our congregation and hope to make them feel welcome by inviting them to brunches and assigning a faith friend to them as they explore the ministries of Good Shepherd and possibility of becoming members of our church.
My husband, Ron, and I have been members of Good Shepherd for 23 years and are happy to have our daughter, Jennifer, her husband, Kevin, and their children, Zachary, Micaela and Aaron join us for worship. Our oldest daughter, Lora, and her family live in Phoenix, AZ, but worshipped at Good Shepherd until their move to Phoenix. Our family has been so blessed by this congregation. Both of our daughters were teenagers when we moved to Fort Wayne, They both were married in the church and each of our five grandchildren were baptized here. I am so happy to serve God by helping newcomers to our church feel welcome and blessed as each one of us has been by this wonderful church family!! |
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I'm the newest member of the staff starting May 1st, 2006. I was born and raised in Michigan "Go Blue". Have been married for 35 years to my lovely wife Edith. We have a daughter and a son, and five grandchildren. I have an Associate Degree in Business Management and have retired from the military with twenty years of service. Along with my wife spent 51/2 years as missionaries working with the Apache people on the White Mountain and San Carlos reservations in Arizona.
I use Acts 20:24 as my mission statement: "but life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus, the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love". LNT |
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Becoming organist at Good Shepherd in April of 2008 was a return to a ‘passion’ for me. I have 17 years of experience as a church organist, but have not played regularly for several years because of the demands of a full time school teaching career. I thoroughly enjoy being part of a church that uses organ in its worship services.
My life’s priorities have been centered in love for God, family, and music. My degree program at Fort Wayne Bible College not only gave me a teacher credential, but also equipped me for all kinds of music ministry in churches. I have led children’s choirs, mentored music leaders, taught in music workshops, sung in choirs, played handbells, accompanied on both piano and organ, and participated in service planning. Recently, God has opened doors for me to travel to Eastern Europe to teach music to orphan children! It gives me great joy to have opportunities to use my gifts and talents to praise God.
I have a wonderful family. My husband, Jay, is a partner in music ministry and my best mentor. We have two adult sons, Ryan and Alex, and Ryan and his wife Nicole have given us 4 wonderful little grandsons. We make frequent visits to Chicago to keep up with them! Alex and his wife Michele are located in Bloomington, IN where Alex is enrolled in law school.
My testimony can be summarized by a favorite verse: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” (Psalm 28:7) |
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In 1982 we were married at Good Shepherd Church. In 1997 we joined Good Shepherd and have enjoyed being involved in Worship, Sunday School, Folds, Emmaus, and Mission volunteering.
For the last several years, we have served as church custodians at both the main campus and at our second site, Open Arms. We have a daughter (Jessica age 20) recently graduated college, and know how important it is for students to receive encouragement from their church family, so we have been providing leadership in the college care program for many years. From our home Deb runs a full time day-care program and George works for Indiana State government dealing with property taxes. |
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