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Associate Pastor Michael Swick
Michael Ray Swick was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Ferndale High School. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Mike has been a part of Meyersdale Church of the Brethren's staff since 1991 and is in charge of our Junior/Senior High Youth, which meets on Wednesday evenings. He also leads a Young Adult Sunday School class, as well as performing other pastoral duties. Pastor Mike speaks occasionally on Sunday mornings here and also helps other congregations fill pulpit vacancies.
In addition to his position at the church, Mike is a social studies teacher at Meyersdale Area Middle School, currently for seventh and eighth grades. He is also involved as a wrestling and track coach.
Mike enjoys golf, geocaching, and playing guitar. He currently resides in Greenville Township with his wife Wendy, son Kendall, and daughter Bryia. His vision for the church is “to continue to be a ministry that brings people to Jesus Christ—not just in our words, but in our actions.”
Mike's Favorites:
Book: The Summons by John Grisham
Bible Verse: Romans 5:8
Assoc. Pastor Eric Shaulis
Melvin Eric Shaulis, known to most as Eric, was born and raised in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Meyersdale High School, Eric attended Duff’s Business Institute in Pittsburgh. Eric has been a member of Meyersdale Church of the Brethren for 30 years and an ordained minister for 12 years. He says, “I wouldn't want to be anywhere else as far as a church family.”
Eric delivers the sermon at our 8:00 a.m. service on Sunday mornings, is one of our KIDS’ KLUB directors, and has many other responsibilities, including the following: visitations, counseling, and leads a Bible Study on Thursday evenings. He has participated in our cantatas and advised the youth before Pastor Swick became the youth pastor. In addition to his position at the church, Eric is the Purchasing Agent at 4 Guy's Incorporated, a job he has held for 23 years.
From approximately 2000-2003, Eric, along with Mike Swick, were the interim pastors. Pastor Eric completed the “Three Year Reading Course”, a training offered to those who could not attend seminary. Through this program, those with full-time jobs learn, grow, and mature in Christ. Eric says this is “what made me realize that's what God wanted me to do.”
Eric enjoys hunting, fishing, and baseball. He currently resides in Meyersdale with his wife Patricia; their three children Travis, Marlee, and Brandi; and their golden retriever Carmel. His vision for the church is “to help people find salvation and help those who already have it, grow it.”
Eric's Favorites:
Book: The Hobbit Series by J.R.R. Tolkein
Bible Verse: Psalms 121
Assoc. Pastor of Visitation Dottie Grew
Dorothy (Herring) Grew, known to most as Dottie, was born in Washington, D.C. Dottie was adopted by loving Christian parents at the age of four and was brought to Meyersdale where she was raised. After graduating from high school, Dottie began a career in the business office of the Meyersdale Community Hospital, where she worked for 38 ½ years, filling the position of In-Patient Accounts Manager.
God called her into the ministry in 2005, and she began ministry classes in 2006 through The Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, the off -campus office for Bethany Theological Seminary. Dottie was licensed to the ministry in 2007 and has since been ordained. Dottie was baptized here at the Meyersdale Church at the age of 12 and was re-baptized in the Jordan River in Israel in 2010. She has directed the Junior Choir for over 27 years, is a church organist, pianist, life deacon, and taught the kindergarten Sunday school class for over 20 years.
Dottie enjoys traveling, along with her husband Paul. They travel each July to Washington,D.C. to attend the Christian’s United for Israel Summit and each October to San Antonio, Texas to attend Cornerstone Church’s Feast of the Tabernacles and A Night to Honor Israel. Dottie and Paul are passionate supporters of the Jewish community.
Dottie’s most favorite downtime is playing with her five-year-old sheltie, Snickerdoodle.
Her vision for the church is “to tell everyone the good news of Jesus Christ so they may find salvation through our Lord and Savior.”
Dottie’s Favorites:
Book: Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo
Bible Verse: Isaiah 62-1
Licensed Minister Mike McKenzie
John Michael McKenzie, known to most as Mike, was born in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, and attended school in Salisbury until the eighth grade. He then attended St. Charles High School in Baltimore, as well as St. Charles College. Mike graduated from St. Mary's Seminary University with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. He also completed courses in psychology at Loyola University. Mike entered the ministry program at Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, the off-campus office for Bethany Theological Seminary, to complete the requirements for ordination.
After returning to Somerset County in 1999, Mike began working at the Salisbury Church of the Brethren and has been a part of the Meyersdale Church of the Brethren ministry since 2008. He is responsible for running the media for worship services, administering the computers in the office, and helping with CIA, the youth portion of KIDS' KLUB.
In addition to his position at the church, Mike is a case worker for the Somerset County Children and Youth Services. He received his certification in social work from the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Social Work. He also has a Masters Degree in air conditioning, heating, and Refrigeration from the Radio Institute of America in Washington, D.C., as well as Management training from Armstrong in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
In his downtime, Mike enjoys fixing things and doing research. He currently resides in Salisbury with his wife, Lea. They have two children, Tara and Edward Craig, and five grandchildren. His vision for the church is ” to pursue those unchurched who are in our community.”
Mike's Favorites:
Book: Nag Hammadi Codex Sinaiticus
Bible Verse: John 14:15-18
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