 Mark serves as Senior Pastor to Mayflower Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the author of the well-received Creative Styles of Preaching, the soon to be published Middle of the Maze: 5 Secrets to Find Your Way In Love, Business and Life, as well as published articles and sermons. He is the recipient of the John Galloway preaching award from Princeton Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity, as well as a Lily Foundation Award for “Sustaining Pastoral Excellence.” Mark received a Doctor of Ministry in preaching from San Francisco Theological Seminary, has studied at the Harvard Business School, and is currently a Kellogg Scholar at the Northwestern Business School. He was honored to speak at TEDglobal 2010 on “Blue Lobster Moments.”
Mark is also a songwriter and screenwriter. He makes regular trips to Nashville to pitch his songs to publishers and music executives and is completing a screenplay on the life of St. Francis and his muse Clare. In 2010, Mark founded Blue Lobsters Consulting, LCC with his wife Lynn, enabling small businesses and non-profits to make the extraordinary possible..
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Mark Barger Elliott
Senior Minister
mbe@mayflowerchurch.org
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 After forty years of ministry in The Salvation Army, Pastor Britcher came to Mayflower Church in December of 1994. Beginning as an assistant in the business of the church, he also worked in the music program with children's choirs and Christian education. In 1999 the church called him to become the Associate Pastor for Congregational Life. Married with four children and seven grandchildren, both Eric and his wife Dorothy are ordained. His primary responsibilities include small group development and pastoral ministry. He plays piano, organ and brass instruments and enjoys season tickets to the Griffins hockey games and a mini-season for the West Michigan Whitecaps. |
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Eric Britcher
Associate Pastor for Congregational Life
ebritch@mayflowerchurch.org
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 Paula Gaylord oversees all of the church's educational programs including the nursery, supervised child care on Wednesday and for special events, Worship Centers, and a church school program during worship including our new Bible Alive program for 1st-4th graders. She also plans for adult education and teaches Disciple Bible Study. Paula says she "thrives on the eagerness of this congregation to continue to learn more about God and the ways God works in our lives." Her degrees in education are from the University of Michigan, Case Western Reserve University and Michigan State University. She has three sons and enjoys biking, walking, reading and travel, usually one at a time. |
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Paula Gaylord
Director of Christian Education
pgaylord@mayflowerchurch.org
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 Jonathan Tuuk is Director of Music and Organist at Mayflower Church and a tonal finisher for the Lauck Pipe Organ Company of Otsego, Michigan. Mr. Tuuk graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where his principal teacher was Dr. John E. Hamersma. He also served as an organ instructor at that school. He is a published composer of choral music and has concertized throughout Europe and the United States, including recitals presented at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. As a soloist, he has appeared at the University of Michigan Organ Conference and also with the Grand Rapids Symphony, under the direction of Catherine Comet and David Lockington.
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Jonathan Tuuk
Director of Music and Organist
mcmusic@mayflowerchurch.org
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Mark has his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees (in Music Education and Choral Conducting) from the University of Michigan, and will be receiving a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree (in Choral Conducting) from Michigan State University. Mark is the Director of Choral Activities and the Music Department Chair at East Grand Rapids High School. He is also the Choral Program Coordinator for Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, teaching at the camp during the summer, and directing the International Choir. In addition, Mark is the Director of the Chamber Choir of Grand Rapids and the Aquinas College Chorus, and is on the voice faculty at Calvin College. Mark and his wife, Susan have two daughters: Natalie (married to Mickey Bullock) and Ashley.
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Mark Webb
Chancel Choir Director
mark.webb56@gmail.com
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 Heidi Hertel has been the Director of Youth Choirs at Mayflower Congregational Church since 2002. The Graduated Youth Choral Program at Mayflower, founded by Ruth Christman Nicely in the fall of 1997, started with five dedicated young singers. The program has grown to include 6 choirs for 4 year olds through 12th graders, ministering to over 140 Mayflower youth. Heidi's undergraduate studies were completed at Westminster Choir College and Western Michigan University. Her graduate degree is from Calvin College.
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Heidi Hertel
Director of Youth Choirs
missheidisings@gmail.com
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 Leah Zawodny is the Director of Youth Ministries working with youth from grade 3 through college and is responsible for middle and high school youth groups and Christian education, the Confirmation program and summer mission trips. She graduated from Saint Mary's College and has prviously worked with Young Life in the South Bend, IN area and with youth across the state of Michigan through the Michigan Congregational Youth Commission. Leah has been involved with Congregational youth ministries since college and is currently a Co-Director for the Michigan Congregational Summer Camp and says, "The greatest joy is working and learning alongside each youth and helping bridge their faith to everyday situations." Leah is married to Jason and they have two children who constantly awe and inspire her. She enjoys "The Big Lake", bicycling, coffee and shopping for bargains. |
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Leah Zawodny
Director of Youth Ministries
leahz@mayflowerchurch.org
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 Carol Boot has been on the church office staff since 1990. Some of her responsibilities include the production of the monthly newsletter and other Mayflower publications, maintaining the church database and updating the web site. Carol enjoys spending time with her husband, Dan, her three grown children and her two grandchildren. Her pastimes include exercise, reading and knitting.
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Carol Boot
Office Administrator
cboot@mayflowerchurch.org
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Beth Shimko
Church Secretary
bshimko@mayflowerchurch.org
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Louis Bardocz
Business Manager
llb@mayflowerchurch.org
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 Bob has been custodian at Mayflower since May 2002. Bob has enjoyed working for and with the members and staff at Mayflower Church. He likes to hunt and fish. One of his favorite hats says "I'd rather be fishing."
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Bob Oracz
Head Custodian
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 Dave joined the Mayflower staff as assistant custodian in July, 2004. He stated he especially enjoys the interaction he has with the staff and the members of the congregation. When Dave is not working, he enjoys going bowling, exercising and spending time with his friends.
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David Schmidt
Assistant Custodian
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