Getting to Know Our Elders
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
(Colossians 3:23–24, ESV)
God has raised up eight men from among us to serve as lay Elders in our church in 2026, affirmed by the membership of Fellowship Church. Their role is to help lead and shepherd the flock in both spiritual and practical ways. The qualifications of this office are listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and are ones they each aspire to.
Lee Piatt has been attending our church for 37 years. He’s served as an Elder, on and off, for more than 30 of them. He and Meryth have been married 41 years and have three grown children (Alyson, Caleb, and Tim), and four grandchildren (ages 3-14) who live outside the area. Lee also serves as a Community Group leader and taught pastors and lay leaders through our mission’s partnership, IBAC, in Bolivia. He loves the people of our church and likes helping us adapt to the growth God is bringing to our congregation.
Next in longevity is Gary Kirk, who has also been at Fellowship for 37 years. Although he’s beginning a new term after a break, he’s served as an Elder for over 12 years, and on what was called the Administrative Board prior to that. He’s been married to Kim for 37 years and they have two adult children and a son-in-law (Andrew, Alexa, and Nate) as well as two granddaughters (Lily and Cassidy), all of whom attend Fellowship. Gary has taught adults and teens, and served in our Youth Ministry. He is currently involved in our Men’s Ministry, softball team, and co-leads a Community Group. He’s grateful to be able to help the church with the gifts God has given him.
Jim Belles has been attending Fellowship for five years and is beginning his first term here at Fellowship Fellowship after serving six years at a previous church. He has been married to his bride, Abby, for 19 years, and together they have three daughters, Auburn, Kinsi, and Selah. Jim has served by co-teaching Pre-K with Abby, participating in Men’s Ministry, completing the Gateway class with Pastor Hodne, hosting and facilitating a Community Group, and serves as a Safe Families host. Guided by 1 Corinthians 10:31, He considers it an honor and privilege to serve the Lord and be part of the Fellowship church family.
You’ll usually find our next Elder, Jim Hennings, at the front door of our Worship Center greeting you on a Sunday morning. He’s been part of Fellowship for 25 years and serving as an Elder for 20. His wife, Carol, works on staff as our Administrative Assistant. They have been married 41 years and have four daughters (Katrina, Natasha, Keysha, and Kayla), two sons-in-law (Kyle, and our very own, Pastor Stephen), and two grandchildren. Jim has also served in our Youth and Men’s Ministries, on missions’ trips, and as a Deacon, Teacher, Treasurer, and Community Group leader. He sees service to our Lord as a great way to worship Him, and has been a firsthand witness of God moving in the lives of others through tough and joyful times.
Steve Schweitzer has been part of the Fellowship family for 34 years and has faithfully served as an Elder since 1996. He has been married to his wife, Anita, for 54 years, and together they are blessed with three adult children and five grandchildren. Over the years, Steve has served in Usher, Security, and First Impressions ministries, and he is deeply passionate about helping build the church in the Back Mountain and beyond for future generations.
Tom Malkemes has been a part of Fellowship for about 9 years. His wife, Mandy, works on staff as our Kids’ Ministry Administrator. They’ve been married 15 years and have four daughters: Nadia, Nora, Anita, and Nelly. He currently serves as Head Usher. Tom hosted a Community Group for several years and is now co-leading one. He is excited to be part of a growing church that is blessed by God. He enjoys his role in making this place warm and inviting for others to hear the true and convicting Word of God. And seeing the many commitments to serve the Lord that are made through baptisms and new memberships.
Jeff Bowne is beginning his second term as Elder and has been attending since 2018. He and Kristine married in May of 2024, and live in Shickshinny with a horse, two dogs, and a cat. Kristine has one married daughter and three grandchildren. He has been involved in Men’s Ministry, Community Groups, Parking Ministry, and our Food Pantry. Jeff is humbled and amazed at the work God is doing at Fellowship in using the leaders, congregation, and physical space to grow and reach out to our neighbors with the gospel.
Ben McEntee has been part of the Fellowship family for 23 years and will be joining the Elder Board in 2026, having previously served a five-year term from 2019–2023. He and his wife, Kara, have been married for 20 years and live in Mountain Top with their 10-year-old son, Jeremiah, and their dog, Lizzie. Ben served as Deacon of Finance in 2025, has been an usher for nearly 20 years, and has also served in ministries including the nursery, K4T, a previous capital campaign, and community groups. He is encouraged by the faithfulness of the church and is grateful to serve alongside other Elders as God works through Fellowship to spread the gospel.
We are thankful for these men and their commitment to our Lord and us. Here are some ways they’ve shared that we can be praying for them:
- Jeff Bowne: God’s direction and wisdom with the responsibilities of being a husband, Elder, and business owner.
- Jim Hennings: A continued desire to learn more about Christ, live more like Him, and lead others in that way.
- Gary Kirk: Knowledge and wisdom in serving as an Elder, and a smooth transition into retirement this summer.
- Tom Malkemes: Wisdom since serving in the role of Elder is new and much is unfamiliar. That God would also give the discernment needed to lead faithfully.
- Lee Piatt: Wisdom in leading this growing church.
- Steve Schweitzer: Wisdom, compassion, and ability to communicate effectively all while remaining true to God’s Word.
- Jim Belles: For our family as we continue to walk with the Lord, for discernment as Auburn finishes high school and seeks God’s will for next year, and for our family’s health needs.
- Ben McEntee: God’s leading and ability to reflect Christ in all of the areas of life including school and work.
