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Dave Schutter
Senior Pastor

2 Corinthians 5:18,19 : "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconcilation: 19 That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting on men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation."

With wife Kim, sons Jonathan and Luke and daughter Anika in tow, Dave Schutter arrived to serve as NPC's Senior Pastor in October, 2007. A graduate of Miami University (Dave and Kim met in Oxford after he transferred from Wheaton College) and Covenant Theological Seminary, Dave grew up in Cleveland, Ohio.

Before arriving at Northwest, Dave served PCA congregations in suburban Chicago (Naperville Presbyterian Church, 2001 - 2007) and Sturgis, South Dakota (Foothills Community Church, 1997 - 2001).  The government provided Dave a ‘time out’ to serve with his Army Reserve unit to Afghanistan, allowing him the privilege to minister as a Chaplain to service members and their families in 2003 – 2004.

Dave’s deep desire for Northwest Presbyterian Church is to honor Christ and to extend the message of Christ’s grace throughout the northwest suburbs of Columbus.  When not busy with the myriad opportunities for service presented through pastoral ministry, Dave enjoys bicycling and reading.


fdJames Kessler
 Associate Pastor of
Family Ministries

John 3:30: "He must become greater,
I must become less."

Associate Pastor of Family Ministries shepherds teaches disciples and, trains the areas of family ministries:  children through college as well as working with parents and individuals. Oversees all areas of the stillwater student community and various staff responsibilities.


At age 13, a friend invited James to a dynamic youth group at a PCA church in Florida. To quote James, "I realized that I was a sinner, that there was nothing I could do to make things right, and that I needed a Savior." James was discipled by the youth pastor of that PCA church and grew in leadership during his high school years.

James entered Covenant College intending to prepare for a career in pastoral ministry. There he met Laura and they were married after James' sophomore year. James graduated with a B.A. in History and a minor in English at the University of South Alabama in 2002. During this time James worked with Middle School youth at Faith Presbyterian church in Anniston, AL, and later became the Youth Director at Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church in Fairhope, AL.

Immediately following graduation, James and Laura moved to St. Louis, MO, to attend Covenant Seminary. During his time there, James grew in his understanding of what it means to love and shepherd God's people. James was a seminary intern at Central Presbyterian Church working in the High School youth ministry. Those three years were a very formative time for James' development as a pastor. During his final semester, James accepted a call from our church to become our Assistant Pastor to Youth and Families. He began his ministry at NPC May 15, 2005. During the summer of 2006, James was installed as Associate Pastor of Youth & Families at NPC.

James loves time spent with Laura. He enjoys baseball, the Chicago Bears, reading (namely Historical non-fiction, long novels and anything by Fredrick Buechner), writing, teaching, and hanging out with (and discipling) students.

 

fdPaul Vertucci
Director of Worship and Arts

Psalm 33:3: “Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy!”

The Director of Worship Arts develops and oversees all music and arts-related ministries to foster congregational worship and outreach to the community. This includes preparing and leading worship music and arts, directing adult choir, praise teams, praise bands and other instrumentalists, in weekly worship services and special occasions.

Paul came to Northwest in 2003 to become Director of Worship Arts, developing and overseeing worship and arts-related ministries. This includes working with pastors and staff in worship planning, leading worship, selecting and arranging choral music, and directing worship band.

Paul graduated from Binghamton (NY) University in 1994 with a BA in English and has studied classical, jazz and popular piano and voice since 1979. Paul's ministry experience includes a term as assistant in the worship ministry at Gateway Cathedral in Staten Island, New York (1994-1996) where he assisted in leading worship and helped produce and direct seasonal productions. Paul has also directed and led worship at Calvary Chapel, Staten Island (1996-1998) and Christ Church, which launched as a church plant supported by Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Manhattan in 2001. During this time Paul met and married his first wife, Amie. In addition to his musical directing experience, Paul spent five years in public relations.

After seven years of marriage, five of those living in the Columbus area, Paul and Amie learned in July 2008 that Amie had an advanced-staged gastric cancer. In just three months’ time, Amie’s brief battle with cancer ended, and she passed away in October of that year. Paul credits both his church family and his own family in grieving with him, standing alongside him in recovery, and helping him rebuild his life.

In May 2009, Paul met his current wife Megan, a sociology professor, and the two married a year later. Paul and Megan live in Dublin.

 

fdElizabeth Deakin
Director of Children's Ministry

Deuteronomy 32:2: "Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants."

Director of Children's Ministry oversees all Christian education from infant through 5th grade including evaluating & selecting all children’s ministry curriculum. Plans events for children of NPC and outreach events for local community; Recruits & trains volunteers.
  
Elizabeth was born and raised in Charlotte, NC in a Christian home. As a young girl, she made a commitment to Christ at a family retreat in Montreat, NC . She came to a fuller understanding of living that commitment in high school and college, primarily through the ministry of Young Life. Elizabeth has spent many years working as a volunteer in children’s and youth ministries as a Sunday School teacher, Children’s Worship leader, Young Life leader and Young Life support committee member.

Elizabeth studied at the London School of Economics and graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1988. Her family came to Dublin from Atlanta four years ago and she has been a member of NPC for most of that time. She has three children who regularly challenge and delight her. She enjoys biking and hiking with her kids, watching them attempt just about anything, traveling, great movies and laughter with good friends.

 

fdKathleen Plesich
Administrator



Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Church Administrator responsibilities includes working with the Deacons' Council in managing the facilities, policy deveopment, budgeting and finance, purchasing, and human resource administration.

When Kathleen was 15 years old she accepted Christ through the ministry of West Chester (Ohio) Presbyterian Church and her pastor, Rev. Jim Chain. She began delving into Scripture to help her understand more about God’s kingdom and the meaning of life. Rev. Chain was her best friend’s father and Kathleen’s first boss when she became his church secretary when she was only seventeen.

Kathleen spent more than 20 years with the Ohio State Highway Patrol where she served as a state trooper, shift supervisor, and as a unit commander. She retired from the Patrol in 2001 and later went to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, as their Columbus training coordinator. Kathleen completed the Administrative Officers Course at the University of Louisville, Southern Police Institute and earned her business degree from Ohio Dominican University in 1999. She studied with the Wilberforce Forum and in 2004 earned a Certificate of Christian Worldview Studies. Kathleen joined the staff of NPC in the fall of 2005.

Kathleen and her husband, Dave, have been actively involved with Northwest Presbyterian Church since 1998. She and her husband live in Dublin with their daughter, Alexandra. Kathleen also has two grown sons and two grandchildren.

 

fdMary Jane Bowman

Ephesians 4:12: "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up"

Through personal contact, teaching, spiritual gifts inventories and other appropriate strategies, the Program Director strives to help NPC members and regular attendee's identify their spiritual gifts, talents and abilities, in order to encourage their dynamic involvement in ministry at NPC and in the community.

Mary Jane was born and raised in a Christian home and has always been a Christian with a strong belief in the saving power of Jesus.  She believes that her commitment to Christ has seen powerful growth since participating in a small group, joining NPC and learning more about Him through teaching and Bible studies.

Mary Jane graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Computer and Informational Sciences in the College of Engineering.  She received an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College.

Mary Jane is married to Lance and together they have three children. Some of Mary Jane's favorite things to do are biking, walking, and spending time with her family.

 

 

 

fdKim Burris
Director of Northwest Presbyterian Children's Academy

Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths.”

Under direction of the NPCA board, the Director plans, organizes, and directs the operation of the Pre-school Program; plans and supervises the educational programs, administers the budget, and performs related duties as needed.

Kim accepted Christ as a college freshman at The Ohio State University, committing her life to His service after her first child, was born in 1984. She has since been involved in Youth and Children’s ministry.  During 1999-2001, Kim served as Children’s Ministry Coordinator at NPC. Kim began teaching preschool 4 years ago at Indian Run United Methodist Preschool and felt God’s call to come to NPCA in November, 2005.  Currently she is taking Early Childhood Development classes as continuing education. 

Kim and husband, Terry and have 4 children and have lived in the Dublin area for 12 years. Kim enjoys spending time with her family and riding her horses in her free time.