About
Our Mission
We exist to help people experience true significance in Christ. Not significance as the world defines it - found in our accomplishments, societal status, or even in the opinions of others - but true significance, the kind found in Christ alone. We believe this happens best in the context of community as we each take responsibility to grow in faith, family, and service TOGETHER.
Our Vision
Our vision is to reach the East Side to reach the world. To accomplish this God-given vision, our strategy is to plant a network of life-giving, gospel-centered churches across the East Side of Cleveland. But we can’t do this alone. It takes all of us actively participating TOGETHER - giving our time, talent, and treasure - to continue reaching people who are far from God, helping them encounter the love of Jesus in tangible and transformative ways.
Our Values
FAITH
A thriving faith requires a commitment to God’s Word, being part of a Christ-centered community, and understanding how our individual purpose plays a part in the larger story God is telling. (Colossians 2:6-7; Acts 2:42; Romans 12:4-5)
FAMILY
We aren’t meant to do life alone. It’s why we say so often that we are better TOGETHER. It’s part of God’s design for us to cultivate deep, meaningful relationships and to “stir up one another to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24)
SERVICE
Every saved life is a commissioned life. (Matthew 28:18-20) As followers of Jesus, we have the privilege of advancing the Kingdom of God on earth. And TOGETHER as a church family, we are committed to putting our faith into action, rolling up our sleeves to serve our communities, and loving our neighbors both here and around the world.
Our Leadership
Staff
Lead Pastor
Aaron Tredway
I’m passionate about helping people shake off mediocrity to step boldly into the life God designed for them. I love pouring into the next generation of leaders, making memories with my family, and getting caught up in a great game of soccer (whether I’m on the field, coaching, or yelling at the TV). I wish I knew when I was younger that I don’t have to hustle for God’s approval. In Jesus, I already have it.
Executive Pastor | Ministries
Joe McGinnis
I love to walk with people through the messiness of life and celebrate the victory with them on the other side. It’s a joy to share God’s Word and a privilege to preach and serve for His glory. I love my family fiercely. I’ve grown to deeply love the people of Ethiopia—having adopted two of our children from there. And I have an abiding affection for all things Star Wars— movies, books, you name it! If you stop by my office, I’ll gladly give you a tour of my collection.
Executive Pastor | Finance
Mark Whitham
I am passionate about deepening my relationship with my Heavenly Father, especially in regards to teaching others about stewardship and generosity of their time, talent and treasure. I love running, financial planning, and volunteering at Fellowship. I wish when I was younger I had learned how to play the piano.
Care & Assoc. Campus Pastor | Chagrin
Don Morris
I’m passionate about helping people get to heaven—and not just sneak in, but show up with treasures and trophies to lay at Jesus’ feet. I want them to enjoy the trip and arrive ready to celebrate. I love a good joke, smoking meats, and—let’s be honest—eating those meats. If you ever smell brisket or ribs and hear laughter, I’m probably nearby. As a kid, I thought nap time was punishment. Now I’d pay money for one. Funny how life comes full circle—with less juice boxes and more back pain.
Campus Pastor | Orange
Anthony Alioto
I’m passionate about helping people meet Jesus and realize He’s better than anything this world offers. I love golf, Cleveland sports (even when they break my heart), and making memories with my wife and kids, whether it’s road trips, movie nights, or just being together. If I could tell my younger self one thing, it’d be: “Stop trying to have it all figured out, just trust God and enjoy the ride.”
Campus Pastor | Hudson
Dustin Keele
I am passionate about helping people feel seen and known. I love playing fantasy football, eating maple-glazed donuts, and telling dad-jokes more than is reasonable or acceptable. What I wish I would’ve known when I was younger is that duck sweaters aren’t cool, and your mom should never be allowed to cut your hair.
Teaching Pastor
Ben Good
I work full time in a senior management role for a Fortune 500 company, and I am also a part-time Pastor + Preacher. I love my wife, Bethany, our dog, and our soon-to-be-born daughter, Millie! I’m passionate about leadership and helping others step into their true calling in Christ. In my down time, you can catch me playing basketball, attempting to golf, or at a coffee shop listening to a podcast. If I could go back in time and give some friendly advice to myself it would be: Get into God’s word more. It’s the one thing that changes EVERYTHING.
Connections Pastor
Margo Most
I am passionate about walking with people as they seek to discover God’s character and their identity in Christ. I love outdoor adventures, even though they often result in post adventure pain and narrowly escaping danger. I also love traveling, good food, and most of all being a wife to Gary and a mom to my 3 adult daughters. When I was younger I wish i had known and fully embraced how each person’s uniqueness is what makes the world a more interesting place.
Associate Campus Pastor | Orange
Anicet Kouekam
I’m passionate about helping others experience true significance in Christ, so they can live the abundant life God has planned for them. I like the mountains, hiking, swimming, and watching soccer games. I love spending time with people I love. I wish I had known earlier that patience is a great virtue for an influential life.
Associate Campus Pastor | Hudson
Andrew Pfeifer
I love meeting new people and hearing their story. Through these connections, God provides opportunities to encourage, challenge, and facilitate spiritual growth and professional relationships. I love spending time with my family, traveling, and eating at a great Mexican restaurant. One thing I wish I knew earlier is to trust God’s timing. Patience and perseverance are developed in the waiting. God’s greatest gifts have been realized when I let go, drew close to Him, and had confidence that He would do exceedingly more than I could ask.
Worship Pastor | Chagrin
Brian Johnson
I find that loving people well means making sure no one has to suffer through a bad cup of coffee. Before working at Fellowship, I worked in the coffee world—teaching, brewing, and taste-testing my way through more beans than I can count (or should admit). I’m a proud dad, a devoted follower of Jesus, and someone who believes that worship and community are essential in your daily walk. If you’re still reading this – You should bring me candy after service. Specifically Snickers bars.
Worship Leader | Orange
Hannah Alioto
I am passionate about helping people experience the presence of God and discovering what it truly means to walk with Christ. I believe faith is meant to be lived boldly and joyfully—even when it’s hard. I love ice cream, summer days, and a good laugh. One thing I wish I knew when I was younger? Don’t be afraid to do the hard things—your future self will thank you for the courage you showed today
Worship Leader | Orange
Alessia Gorski
I am passionate about my family and teaching my kids about Jesus, so they can fulfill their purpose in the Kingdom. I love food, traveling the world, and making memories with friends and family. When I was younger, I wish I knew brown cows didn’t make chocolate milk.
Worship Leader | Hudson
Britton Roberts
My passion is to create artistic liturgies that open windows to the transcendent and to know Christ though communion with Him and His Church. I love my family, a day in the sun, and a strong cup of coffee. If I had a time machine, I would tell my younger self to take more risks – but knowing my younger self, he probably wouldn’t take the advice.
Worship Leader
Jennifer Tompkins
I am passionate about worship and helping others to experience the presence of Jesus in deeper ways. I hope to help others understand the freedom, the power, and the peace that can be found when we worship together! I love my family, volleyball and baseball, and being outside all day with friends, family, and our chickens! I wish I would have known that naps were valuable when I was a child and that one day I would long to have the freedom to nap as an adult like I did as a kid!
Human Resources Director
Valerie Aiken
I care deeply about building healthy systems behind the scenes that support the mission of the church. I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, and watching British mysteries. I wish I had understood earlier that God is gracious and loving, and that my identity is securely rooted in Christ, not in my performance or the expectations of others.
Operations Director
Megan Rossman
I am passionate about others knowing the love and grace of God, especially our next generation of youth. I love pizza, running (especially in desert-like heat), and being an aunt. I wish I had known how terrible the Browns were before committing to being a life-long fan as a little girl.
Communications Director
Kim Keele
I am passionate about the local church, finding meaningful ways to encourage others, and elevating experiences through excellence, intentionality, and thoughtful detail. I love the Container Store more than any person probably should – but not more than coffee, sparkling water, breakfast food, fresh flowers, and my two best guys: Dustin and Harvey. When I was younger, I wish I would’ve known that failure isn’t final and getting the Presidential Physical Fitness Award would be meaningless later in life.
Love Your Neighbor Director
Aime McGinnis
I am passionate about all things health and fitness! I love Jesus, my family and the great outdoors! I wish I had known that God’s plan for me was greater than anything I could’ve dreamed or imagined!
City Youth Director | Chagrin
Will Lovell
I am passionate about service. It is more than a job for me—it’s a calling, and it shapes the way I strive to live each day. I love football—the teamwork and discipline it represents. I love encouraging people and helping them recognize their value and potential. And I love hiking with my wife. I wish I would’ve known the saving grace of Jesus earlier in life. When I was younger, I often made choices that left me lost. But God has turned my mistakes into a testimony of His glory. Today, my life reflects His grace, and I’m grateful to serve Him by serving others.
Creative Lead
Ashley Owen
I believe God uses creativity to reveal His heart—and I get to be a part of that. I love fonts with personality, color-coded calendars, and the thrill of a fresh Sharpie. I wish I had known earlier that clarity is more powerful than complexity.
City Kids Coordinator | Chagrin
Allison Lowe
I am passionate about introducing kids to Jesus and helping them understand His purpose for their lives. I love running, camping with my family, and screaming ridiculously loud when I’m scared. When I was younger, I wish I would’ve known that naps are a privilege, not a punishment.
City Kids Assistant | Chagrin
Alexandra Merner
I’m passionate about helping students grow and discover how deeply God loves them. I love making memories with my family, cheering on just about any sporting event, and finding an excuse to bake something sweet. When I was younger, I wish I had known that being a Cleveland fan almost always results in, “there’s always next year!”
City Kids Coordinator | Orange
Aubrey Deaton
I have a passion for introducing kids to the love of Jesus and having a blast with any age group! As a former English teacher, I love reading and visiting new libraries and bookstores. I also enjoy going on adventures and nature walks with my two boys, while simultaneously listening to investigative podcasts. I wish I would have known what a perfect match my husband would make. God clearly had a plan all along and I had absolutely nothing to worry about!
City Kids Coordinator | Hudson
Kyra Barnes
I am passionate about helping children learn about and know Jesus. I love serving others, a nice cool fall day, and the first snowfall of the year. I wish I had known that being an adult meant I had to plan and cook all the meals.
Executive Assistant | Ministries
Delene Kirtland
My passion and gifting lie in serving and supporting others—especially here at Fellowship. I’m grateful to work alongside a diverse, talented, and devoted staff, and I find joy in all things organizational (Office Supply stores are one of my happy places). I’m also a Star Wars fan, which explains why my cell phone ringtone for my boss is Darth Vader’s breathing… but don’t tell him! 😊 I’ve learned a lot over the years—and only wish I had applied it all sooner.
Finance Assistant
Cindy Morris
Passionate about faith, family, and fun, I cherish my role as grandma, find joy in riding my bike, and savor a good cup of coffee. I wish my younger self knew that many situations aren’t as serious as they seem – so I choose to extend grace & keep loving wholeheartedly!
Connections Assistant
Jill Mlakar
It brings me such joy to welcome friends and family into the church knowing that the love of Jesus is available to all! My passion is for them to come to know and experience the full and abundant life that God has already prepared for us! I love spaghetti and meatballs, hanging out with my four beautiful grandchildren, and the blessing of a devoted husband! I wish I would have known the love and forgiveness of Jesus when I was younger that I experience now.
Administrative Assistant | Orange
Brooke Ford
I am passionate about helping my family grow in our faith together. I love to crochet, be outside, and read. I wish I would have known that I wasn’t going to need to use algebra in my everyday life—I would have been way less stressed about being bad at math!
Facilities Manager
Meredith Bennington
I’m passionate about learning more about the Bible and how it all connects together. I love spending time with my family, watching the Cleveland Browns, and blessing people with random acts of kindness! If I would’ve known how young my mother would be when she unexpectedly passed away, I would have cherished her and respected her so much more than I did.
Custodian
Alex Brickman
I am passionate about photography. I love the Browns (unfortunately), I love my family, and I love my dog! I wish I would have invested in Apple instead of sitting around in diapers!
Custodian
Alex Caruso
I am passionate about my family! I love being a dad and husband. A few of my favorite things are photography, riding my motorcycle, the Chicago Cubs, and trying new foods!
Our Leadership
Elders
Chair
David Chittock
I’m passionate about seeing God’s complex and flawless plans unfold through people and events, and discerning where and how He wants me to fit in. In addition to my perfect, Triune God, I love my family, the people of Kenya, and a big fat trout on the line at the end of my hard-bent fly rod. On the off-chance I could have a conversation with young Dave, I’d tell my anxious, worrying little self to STOP IT – and trust that the LORD has your back in every way imaginable!
Vice Chair
Tom Hardman
I am passionate about seeing people come to Christ and grow to live lives that honor Him. I love my wife and family, spending time with friends, and working on any and all things mechanical. I would tell my younger self to pray more and worry less about things; God can be fully trusted and so can His plan for our lives.
Ex Officio
Aaron Tredway
I’m passionate about helping people shake off mediocrity to step boldly into the life God designed for them. I love pouring into the next generation of leaders, making memories with my family, and getting caught up in a great game of soccer (whether I’m on the field, coaching, or yelling at the TV). I wish I knew when I was younger that I don’t have to hustle for God’s approval. In Jesus, I already have it.
Marty Dummermuth
I’m passionate about missions and sharing God’s love with communities around the world, helping them thrive spiritually and practically. I love playing soccer, especially the camaraderie it builds. I love cooking and creating new dishes – the Blackstone has been a game-changer. Most of all, I treasure the time I spend with family, whether it’s around the table or on an outdoor adventure. When I was younger, I wish I had known how little I actually knew, so that I would have relied more on the Lord and less on myself.
Patric Fransko
As a recent cancer survivor, I am passionate about getting life’s priorities in alignment. I want to help others do the same without having to go through a life-threatening situation. My career is no longer my life. Instead, I focus on spending my time with family and friends. I love to travel and experience what life is like in different places. I also love to talk and pray with others facing cancer in the hopes that I can make even a small impact on their journey. When I was young, I wish I would have known that your authentic self is the best version of you and that I would deeply regret the fashion choices I made in the 80’s.
Kirt Kirtland
Kirt and his wife, Delene, relocated to Cleveland from Chicago in 2003 and began attending Fellowship the following year. He has been actively involved in the life of the church, most recently teaching the 2nd & 3rd Grade class in City Kids and participating in the West Virginia mission trip to Storehouse of God. Over the years, he has served as an Elder, chaired the Stewardship Team, led a Fellowship Group, and served on the Guest Relations Team. In his free time, Kirt enjoys cooking, hosting dinners, and has recently returned to golf after a hiatus. Kirt continues his financial advisory work through Kirtland Advisors and has two adult children: Brandon, who lives in Akron, and Morgan, who resides in Colorado, with her husband, Jason.
Jim Kristoff
Jim and his wife, Audrey, were high school sweethearts and married at Fellowship. They chose Fellowship as their family’s church home in 2007 and have been attending ever since. Jim has served as an Elder, teacher, facilitator for First Step, leader in City Youth, and Fellowship Group leader. Jim directs sales, marketing, and product management at a global manufacturing company on Cleveland’s West Side and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Manufacturing Management. Jim & Audrey have three grown children: Amanda, Nathan, and Joelle. They enjoy traveling and spending time at their lake house with family and friends.
Andrew Pfeifer
I love meeting new people and hearing their story. Through these connections, God provides opportunities to encourage, challenge, and facilitate spiritual growth and professional relationships. I love spending time with my family, traveling, and eating at a great Mexican restaurant. One thing I wish I knew earlier is to trust God’s timing. Patience and perseverance are developed in the waiting. God’s greatest gifts have been realized when I let go, drew close to Him, and had confidence that He would do exceedingly more than I could ask.
Tim Shedden
I enjoy helping people understand how Jesus can influence their lives in a real and meaningful way. I love raising our kids and seeing how God has positively impacted our family. I’m a bit of a modern history junkie. I believe you can learn a great deal from the successes and failures of previous generations. I love flying airplanes because I get to see the beauty and enormity of God‘s creation. I also feel like I’m a bit closer to Him when I’m in the sky. When I was young, I wish I would’ve known that asking for help is not weakness but wisdom.
Our Beliefs
There is one God, creator of heaven and earth, eternally existent in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) the same in essence and equal in attributes.
Jesus Christ in the flesh was both God and man, born of a virgin, and sinless. He died as a penalty for our sins and was raised from the dead bodily on the third day. Later, He ascended to the Father’s right hand in heaven, where He is head of the church and intercedes for believers, and from where He is coming again, personally and imminently.
The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin, convinces them to believe in Jesus Christ, and converts those who believe. He makes them new creatures in Christ, incorporates them into the body of Christ (the Church), and seals and indwells them until the day of redemption. When Christians acknowledge their own inadequacy and by faith yield to His control, He gives them power for victorious living and service.
This triune God has revealed Himself in the Bible which He inspired. As originally written, the Bible is inerrant and complete.
A Christian is one who acknowledges they are a sinner, has repented of their sin, believes that Jesus Christ died as the only atonement for their sin, and has received Him by faith into their life to be Savior and Lord as the only way into reconciliation with God. To know God in this way is to have eternal life.
The local church is God’s vehicle for developing spiritual maturity, responsible freedom, fellowship among Christians, and equipping them to share the Gospel to the world.
Satan is the primary adversary of God, of His work, and of His people, but is always under the controlling restraint of God.
There is a resurrection of both the Christian and the non-Christian: the Christian to the resurrection of life and the non-Christian to eternal separation from God.