Our Pastors

 

Rev. John Kamau Nyota

Senior Pastor

PastorJohnNyota@faithumc.com

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Pastor John Kamau Nyota joined Elkhart Faith United Methodist Church as Senior Pastor on July 1, 2025. Pastor John grew up in Kenya and has spent most of his adult life in the UK, mostly London. He and his wife Faith were married in August of 1996 and they have two adult children, Njeri (Cherie) Nyota & Kimathi (Kim) Nyota. 

 

Ben Royer

Outreach Pastor / Family Ministry Director

Ben@faithumc.com

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My name is Ben Royer and I serve as the  Outreach and Family Pastor, bringing a heart for people, a passion for ministry, and a desire to help families grow in their faith and connection to the church. I have been married for 20 years and am the proud father of three children. I love building relationships, encouraging others, and creating opportunities for people of all ages to feel welcomed, supported, and connected in the life of the church. I am excited to serve the Faith church family and the surrounding community in this new role.  

Worship Leader

Faith United Methodist Church is seeking a Worship Leader who is called to lead worship as ministry, not performance. Rooted in United Methodist theology and the Wesleyan tradition, the ideal candidate possesses both musical and administrative skillsets, along with high personal integrity and maturity in Christ, to effectively lead our congregation vocally and instrumentally.

 Click for more! 

Our Staff

Rod Holmes

Worship Leader

Elkhartfaith@faithumc.com

Tamara

Massey

Young Church Director

Elkhartfaith@faithumc.com

I am a faith driven leader with a deep passion for youth ministry, discipleship, and community building. As the parent of six children, I bring both lived experience and a compassionate, nurturing heart into my work with youth and families. Parenting has strengthened my ability to lead with patience, empathy, and intentional guidance, and it has deepened my commitment to walking alongside young people as they grow in their faith. I serve with confidence and humility, knowing that every step of my life and ministry is sustained by Christ, who gives me strength.

Shannon Valentine

Office Manager

Shannon@faithumc.com

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Shannon Joined the staff at Faith UMC in October 2024. She lives in South Bend with her two children and golden retriever, Gus. She is a leader of a christian womens small group, loves to travel,  and enjoys time with friends and family.

 

Shirley Evans

Administrative Assistant

Shirley@faithumc.com

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Korena Massey

Kingdom Kids Daycare Director

Korena@faithumc.com

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Spencer Youngblood

Worship Director / Tech

Spencer@faithumc.com

 

Lisa Meredith

Financial Secretary

Financialsecretary.faithumc@gmail.com

Dave Hochstetler

Maintenance Tech

Trustees.faithumc@gmail.com

OUR 2026 GOVERNING COUNCIL

Sally Dailey

Chair Person

My Family originally attended one of the original 4 churches that merged together to form Faith. I have served Faith Church as a Sunday school teacher, junior high youth group coordinator, choir member, praise team coordinator and singer and now governing council chairperson. I am currently employed with Goshen Health as a Practice Manager for two specialty clinics. I have 3 grown adult children who grew up at Faith and blessed with 5 grandchildren.

Brian Conwell

Vice President

Chair of Finance

My wife Jane and I are Charter members of Faith UMC. I have served a previous term on the GC Finance team and as Chair. Jane and I will celebrate our 40th Anniversary this year. We have 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren.

Kris Hochstetler

Treasurer

treasurer.elkhartfaith@gmail.com

I am a member of Good Shepherd UMC that became to be known as Faith UMC when the four inner city churches combined.  I fill my time working full-time outside the home/church while actively helping lead the Henderson Mission Team, the Garden Ministry, and other church ministries. I am married to husband, David, and we have two adult sons, Brian and Aaron.

John Wade

Finance

I have lived in this area for 57 years, have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. I am blessed to be married to Jackie. Enjoy working in the yard and playing golf as much as possible. I look forward to being on the governing council and working for the future of our church.

Melody Knudson

Chair of SPRC (HR)

I have been attending Faith from the very beginning along with my husband Ted. I actually grew up in Simpson, one of the four churches that merged to form Faith. I have one son named Tyler.

Amber Alber

SPRC (HR)

I am 33 years old, co-founder of Spark 41 a marketing company. I am part of the FUMC Bazaar Committee. I am the wife to Alex Alber and Mother to 5-year-old Penelope who attends Kingdom Kids.

Mike Deranek

SPRC (HR)

I am the husband of Jenny and father to Andy, Nate and Lily. I am COO at Bashor Children’s Home. I previously served on the governing council from 2022 through 2024.

Sharon McDowell

At large

I am a starter member of Faith UMC and love my church family! I enjoy doing many jobs at Faith; Peanut Brittle, treasurer of the women’s unit, council member, playing pickleball and other misc. things. I enjoy volunteering for Susanna’s Kitchen and especially my 4-legged animals.

Jon Bowen

At Large

I have been at Faith UMC since 2011. I am married to Sara and we have 2 children, Amelia – 10 and Isaiah – 9. This is my first year on governing council as an At-Large member.

Dan Carlson

Chair of Facilities

Trustees.faithumc@gmail.com

I have been a member of FUMC for over 20 years involved with the Boomers Group, teaching adult Sunday School, VBS, peanut brittle, serving as the financial secretary and as interim treasurer.  I have been involved with several facilities projects including replacing lighting with LED, upgrading the cameras in Kingdom Kids and general maintenance.

Bill Watson

Facilities

I have been married to Jan for 42 years. We have been attending Faith UMC since it opened in 1996. I am nearing retirement from the Lawn & Garden Industry where I have been employed for the last 40 years. I joined the Governing Council in January and am on the facilities committee. I have served coffee between services for the last 10+ years. My 3 year goal is to help update and relandscape the exterior of the church to make it more appealing.

Dan Watson

Facilities

I am married to my wife Cindy. I am a father of 3 children and have been blessed with 6 grandchildren.

Shirley Evans

Secretary

I have worked part time in the office since September 2024, additionally I work as a part-time floral designer and run my own craft business, Delightful Designs by Shirley and sell at craft shows throughout the year. In 2019 I retired from my career of 40 years at Goshen hospital.

John Nyota

Senior Pastor

Pastor John Kamau Nyota joined  Elkhart Faith United Methodist Church as Senior Pastor on July 1, 2025. Pastor John grew up in Kenya and has spent most of his adult life in the UK, mostly London. He and his wife Faith were married in August of 1996 and they have two adult children, Njeri (Cherie) Nyota & Kimathi (Kim) Nyota.