Leadership

Pastor Mick Whistler and his wife Renee have been married for 34 years and have a 20-year-old daughter named Emma. Renee works for the Mercer County ESC, and Emma works in customer service for Totally Promotional and is pursuing her degree in Social Work at the Wright State Lake Campus. Mick is a second-career pastor. He worked nearly 15 years in marketing before answering the call to ministry in 2006. He graduated from United Theological Seminary in 2009 and was ordained an Elder in the UMC in 2012. He has been a pastor for the last eighteen years. Mick enjoys playing golf, riding his bike, going to the movies, and spending time with his family.

Matt grew up at Grand Lake church and is blessed to continue to serve as the children and family pastor. He graduated from Wright State in 2010 with a Bachelors in Educations and from United Theological Seminary in 2015 with a Masters of Divinity. He is currently working on a Masters in Clinical Counseling at Winebrenner Seminary in Findlay. Matt was ordained a Deacon in the United Methodist Church in June 2017. Matt has been married to his best friend and wife, Beth, since September 2009. They have five children. His hobbies include driving the school bus, martial arts, and being outside. 

Dana is a lifetime Mercer County resident. Using her degree in Sales and Business Management, she worked many years in customer service and management, but started working part time on the farm with her husband, Doug, so she could serve at the schools when her children were younger. Since then, Dana started working in the cafeteria for Celina City Schools and volunteering more with Grand Lake. She joined Grand Lake in 2003, when she and her husband married. They love the community and family they have gained at Grand Lake UMC. She has always been active with kids and youth, both in the church and in the local schools. Through these opportunities, God led her to the youth and to serve in the Greenhouse since 2017. She loves constantly being inspired with all the youth has to offer. Dana lives with her family, including three children; Megan, Joshua and Claire in the peaceful countryside of Mercer County. In her free time, she enjoys being a sub in the school cafeteria, yoga, reading, dad jokes, 9 Square and traveling.

Robyn Sheets
Office Manager 

Amber Snyder
Financial Secretary

Megan Miller
Treasurer 

Brad Pennington
Building Manager 

Michelle Heindel
Director of Communications

Steve Winans
Lead Media Technician

Ken Wiehe
Lead Sound Technician

Dustin Schwieterman
Praise Team Coordinator

Sanctus Choir Director

Carol Zimmerman
Organist

Lisa Snyder
Nursery Ministry Coordinator

Roxy Lyon
Nursery Ministry Caregiver

Mindy Sudhoff began teaching at Creative Discovery Preschool in 1999. In 2004 she started as Director and now is the treasurer.

Stacey Gibbons began teaching at Creative Discovery Preschool in 1995. Stacey teaches the MWF AM and PM Pre-K classes and the T-Th AM and P.M. 3-year-old classes. She also is the Administrative Assistant. 

Cassie Sapp began teaching at Creative Discovery Preschool in 2017. She teaches the MWF AM Pre-K class and the t-Th PM 4-year-old class. She is currently the Director of the Preschool. 

Jaime Collins began teaching at Creative Discovery Preschool in 2020. Jaime teaches the MWF AM & PM Pre-K class and the T-Th AM and PM 4-year-old classes. 

Jenelle Gross began teaching at Creative Discovery Preschool in 2006. She teaches the MWF AM Pre-K class. 

Ashley Pennington began teaching at Creative Discovery Preschool in 2024. She teaches the MWF AM Pre-K class, and the T-Th AM 4-year-old class. 

Emily Weitzel began teaching at Creative Discovery Preschool in 2024. She teaches the MWF PM Pre-K class.

Lauren Gudorf began teaching at Creative Discovery Preschool in 2024. She teaches the MWF AM Pre-K class and the T-Th AM 3-year-old class. 

Sara Laux began teaching at Creative Discovery Preschool in 2023. She teaches the MWF PM Pre-K class, and the T-Th PM 3-year-old classes.