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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 eleven 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 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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Hi, my name is Terri Tutton. I have been married for 25 years to my partner in ministry Lew and we have 3 great kids, Matt 16, Seth 13 & Grace 8. Lew and I joined Good Shepherd in October of 1985 and feel blessed and privileged to call Good Shepherd home. For a number of years Lew and I taught the 2 yr. old Sunday school class and enjoyed loving the littlest members of Good Shepherd. I have been involved in the Children's Ministry program at Good Shepherd since 1991 and was honored to join the staff in 2003 as the Director of Children's Ministry. It is a great joy and privilege to watch your children growing into Disciples for Christ. I love the words of Jesus found in Mark 10:15 "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." May we as adults receive God grace, love and forgiveness "like a little child." |
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Hello, I’m Deb Maynard, and I am responsible for the child-care ministry here at Good Shepherd. I have been on the church staff for 11 years and have been a member of the church since 1995 when I joined with my husband Percy II and my 3 children, Percy III age 20, Atalie age 16 and Brent age 14. Scouting has been very important in our lives and I have volunteered in many areas as my boys have progressed through the program. |
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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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My name is Barb Salveter. I am so excited to be a part of the Good Shepherd UMC, and especially the Open Arms Community! I grew up in Marion, Indiana (the birthplace of “cool” if you believe the county’s slogan) where I happily participated in every musical opportunity that came my way in school, in my home church, and in the community. I graduated from Butler University and from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and have been involved for the past twenty years directing Christian education and community outreach in churches in central Ohio and northern Indiana. I’ll be splitting my time between Open Arms and my other job at the Cornerstone Youth Center in Monroeville. And in my spare time I try to stay in touch with my extended family, read and write, play with my cat, and sing with the Bach Collegium. |
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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, a great son-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 and a great son-in-law; Kim Christman who lives in Fishers, IN and Keri & Michael Burton, who live in Carmel, IN. 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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I have been a member of Good Shepherd since 1987, and have been on staff since January, 2003. My husband, Ron, and I have two daughters who are married, and have five grandchildren. In addition to Congregational care, I also have duties in the financial and membership areas. |
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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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(bio being updated) |
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Greetings! Good Shepherd has been my home church since 1994, and I was confirmed there in 1997 (part of the only class to be confirmed in the Activity Center during the Sanctuary expansion!).
The people at Good Shepherd inspired me to seek God and further my relationship, even to the point of accepting a call to ministry. That led me to the University of Evansville from 2001-2005 and now Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL to pursue my Master of Arts in Music Ministy and Christian Education. I usually make my appearances back at both campuses during school breaks and odd weekends off. While I mainly focus with children and youth, I also maintain a relationship with the other ministries in the church as I seek to better prepare myself for my own ministry as a future ordained Deacon. Grace and peace to you! |
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Bill Rust has been the organist at Good Shepherd UMC since 1989. During the week he makes his living as a landscape gardener. He has six beautiful children. |
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(bio being updated) |
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I have been attending Good Shepherd since 2002 and became employed as a part-time custodian as I work my way through college. I am studying Criminal Justice at Brown Mackie College of Fort Wayne. After college, I plan on marrying my fiancé Jessica, daughter of the other custodians, George and Deb. We plan on continuing our journey towards Christ with each other and with this church. |
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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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