My name is Dave McClellan and I'm the pastor. My wife Karen and I believe God prepared us for this big challenge and, 90% of the time anyway, we love the job! After growing up in small churches (as a pastor's kid), being on staff at The Chapel in Akron for 9 years, and then at our parent church; Riverwood for 4, I've been able to gain a really broad band of experience in church life. 

I grew up in the Seattle area (before coffee was big), went to college at Grace College (B.A. Speech Communications) and Denver Seminary (M.Div). I recently completed a doctoral program at Duquesne University in Rhetoric and Communication. Communication fascinates me, and I love to see it done creatively. I've been married to Karen for 18 years and we have two kids, Kelsey (18), and Kyle (15).

I love preaching and teaching, Jeeps, backpacking, working around the house, and most everything outdoors.  You can e-mail me at dmcclellan@tinkerscreek.com

It's a huge privilege to be part of the ministry team at Tinker’s Creek.  I love what this church stands for and look forward to learning from all of Pastor Dave’s experience.  I didn’t open the doors with the church in September of 2004, but have a pretty good connection with the church anyway.  Pastor Dave was Jamie’s (my wife) youth pastor at The Chapel and he was the pastor that performed our wedding ceremony.  I’ve been working with the youth since March of 2005.

I grew up in beautiful Greeley, Colorado and got my bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry deep in downtown Chicago at Moody Bible Institute. (talk about a scenery change)  When people ask why I didn’t move back to colorful Colorado when I graduated I always tell them the truth.  I moved here for love.  My wife grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, and we spend almost every Sunday night at her parents. 

We bought a house in Streetsboro a few years ago, and are really enjoying putting some color on the walls, after renting and living in dorms for so long.  Our daughter Eden was born in 2008.  She's a sweet little girl full of life and energy and we're loving being parents.

Wendy Hirt leads our children's ministry with a lot of help from her husband Richard and a dedicated staff of rotating volunteers.  Wendy brings years of church ministry experience and great big heart for both kids and their parents.

Nancy Pease is our church secretary operating out of our "virtual" church office in her home.  Besides handling phones and adminstrative tasks, Nancy staffs our information table on Sunday where she'll be glad to sign you up for the next big event. 

Andy Dolson is our student worship intern, leading us each Sunday while he also takes classes at Trinity International University at their extension campus at The Chapel in Akron.  Besides his guitar, Andy enjoys video production, photography, and basically all art forms.