Garfield Memorial Church - About Us

Home > About Us > Meet Our Staff

	Chip Freed, Lead Pastor (216.831.1942 ext 21) chip@garfieldchurch.org Chip is a highly sought after preacher and speaker. He has been keynote speaker at some of the major gatherings in The United Methodist Church; as well as other larger church gatherings, such as appearing several times on the national broadcast Real Life from Riverbend Church in Austin, Texas. Prior to entering the ministry, Chip was a CEO in the corporate community, serving as President and General Manager of Mahoning Municipal Products, Inc. Chip's joy is seeing new people come to faith, and he calls Garfield Memorial a place that "reflects the kingdom of God in its diversity and a place of sheer grace!" Pastor Chip is married to "his best friend," Terri, and has three children. BACK TO TOP
	Terry McHugh, Associate Pastor (216.831.1942 ext 22)terry@garfieldchurch.org Terry has been serving at Garfield since September 2003. As Associate Pastor she works closely with Chip in all areas of ministry, with a focus on lay mobilization. Terry was ordained in June 2006 as a Deacon in the East Ohio Annual Conference. She received a Masters in Christian Ministry (Ashland Theological Seminary, High Honors) in May 2003 and is a graduate of Tufts University (Magna Cum Laude). Terry worked as a freelance editor before entering seminary. Terry and her husband Joe have three sons, Mike, Joey, and Colin. BACK TO TOP
	Craig Berkey, Business Administrator (216.831.1942 ext 24)craig@garfieldchurch.org Craig handles the finances of Garfield Memorial Church but also has a passion for youth and music ministry. Craig is a CPA who has previously directed business activities of a hospital, a toy company, and a bioscience research firm. In his effort to break the “accountant” stereotype, he has also worked as an elementary school teacher in the Bedford City Schools for 10 years and directed a church gospel choir for 18 years. Craig’s life revolves around God, and his wife Rosy and two college-based daughters, Krisha and Kayla. BACK TO TOP
	Matt Wills, Pastor of Youth and Young Adults matt@garfieldchurch.org Matt is the newest addition to the Garfield Church ministry team and works with the youth and young adults. Before the calling to serve this congregation Matt did a year of service in inner-city Chicago with at risk youth through a program called MVS (Mennonite Voluntary Service) Matt is a graduate of Bluffton University (2006) in Bluffton, Ohio with a degree in Youth Ministry and Recreation. While there he was heavily involved in the spiritual life of the campus, whether it be small groups, FCA, or Chapel (which he lead worship for). His family is spread out across Ohio, with his younger brother (Dan) at Bluffton University, older brother (Nate) and his wife (Shannon) in Cincinnati, and parents (Kevin & Sue) in Celina. BACK TO TOP

	Kymm McElroy, Children's Minister (216.831.1942, x 28 ) Kymm began coming to Garfield in the early 1990's when she brought her oldest daughter to Vacation Bible School. Before she knew it, Kymm and her husband joined the church and she was teaching Sunday school and the Bible theater portion of VBS. Kymm had found her passion; introducing children to the love of Jesus Christ! Kymm is an artist and has been involved in fitness for over 20 years. She now enjoys practicing and teaching yoga. Kymm and her husband Alan live in Orange with their three children Ashleigh, Matthew, and Mackenzie. They also have 3 dogs, a cat, and a lizard affectionately called the Beast. BACK TO TOP
	Flo Saracson, Church Secretary (216.831.1942 ext 25) flo@garfieldchurch.org Flo has been Garfield’s church secretary since August of 2004. Her history of 29 years of secretarial and bookkeeping experience at a long-established Cleveland engineering firm is followed by work in other fields, including direct care of the ill and elderly, quality assurance, and circulation clerk at a Cuyahoga County Public Library regional branch. She balances her work activities with a wide variety of interests such as spiritual studies/practices, painting, gardening and floral design, crafts, cooking, music appreciation, reading, walking, traveling the natural world, museums, and artistic/cultural events. Flo finds working at Garfield to be challenging but rewarding, and most appreciates the wonderful people here. BACK TO TOP
	Jamie Snell, Director of the Chancel Choir Mr. James Snell, the Director of the Chancel Choir, began his duties at Garfield Memorial Church in the fall of 1986. He is responsible for creating a comprehensive worship program for the traditional services at Garfield and for administering this music program. Jamie holds undergraduate as well as masters degrees in Music and Music Education and has done post graduate work in Arts Management and Arts Education. He is presently Director of Choirs for Orange City Schools. Joining the Orange faculty in 1984, he is the director of seven choirs at Brady Middle School and Orange High School. Jamie is a member of The American Choral Directors Association and Music Educators National Conference. He is listed in the Who’s Who of American Teachers as well as having won recognition from local news and service organizations. A performing musician for thirty years, he has sung with many choral groups across the United States and Europe, most notably with Fred Waring, Daniel Moe and Robert Shaw. Jamie is the very proud father of three sons, Alex, Jacob and Daniel. His greatest love and inspiration is his wife, Nancy. BACK TO TOP
	Nancy Snell, Worship Leader nancy@garfieldchurch.org; 216.831.1942 x 32 Nancy Snell came on board as our full-time Worship Leader effective September 1, 2006. She has been employed by Garfield Memorial Church since 1995 as a soloist, and since 1998 as our Praise Band Director. The addition of the position of full-time Worship Leader is an important part of the Strategic Mapping process the church has embarked on over the past few months as we seek to continually work towards excellence in each of our worship experiences and to develop a new worship experience that focuses on people 45 and under. Nancy earned a Bachelor degree in Music from Wittenberg University and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from The Cleveland Institute of Music. Nancy is married to Jamie Snell, who directs the Chancel Choir They have three sons who are also involved in the music ministry at Garfield. Nancy’s passion and dedication are contagious and we are delighted to welcome her into this new leadership role. BACK TO TOP
	C. J. Jenkins, Resident Artist appearing first Sunday of the month at 11:00 am Worship C.J. has worked with some of the largest Christian crusades & recording artists in the country including Mary Wilson of the Supremes (who is his godmother!). In recent years he has worked extensively with the United Methodist Church leading workshops and worship throughout the East Ohio Annual Conference. C.J. also has a passion for theater and has been an integral part of "Southside Productions," a theater outreach in Elyria and Mansfield. BACK TO TOP

	Maribeth Katt, Organist & Director of Singing Seraphim Choir Maribeth has been the organist at Garfield's 9:30 Sanctuary Worship Service for 13 years. She has worked with children in the Cleveland Heights school system, accompanying for school programs and plays. She also was the music director for Heights Youth Theatre for seventeen years. Maribeth also directs the Singing Seraphim Choir (2nd-5th grade). Maribeth is married to Don, and has two children, Adam and Lea. BACK TO TOP
	Nikki Barger, Cherub Choir Director, Children's Drama Ministry nikki@garfieldchurch.org Nikki Barger is the Cherub Choir (preschool-first grade) Director and is the Director of the children’s Christmas Play, “Finding the Christmas Star.” Ken and Marie Jones, Trina Carrier, Directors, Victorious Voices Choir BACK TO TOP