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 seven men from among us to serve as lay Elders in our church in 2025, 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.
Sam Payne has been a part of our church family for about 28 years, serving in our Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and helping with construction projects. He’s been an Elder for the past three. He and Rose, his wife of 42 years, have three grown children (Mike, Samantha, and Andrew) and five grandchildren (Robert, Reese, Cora, Hannah, and Silas). Sam thinks it’s exciting to watch the mission of our church, pointing people to Christ, unfold.
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 24 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.
Adam Wise has been part of Fellowship since 2007 and serving as an Elder since 2015. He’s been married to Sara for 12 years and they have two sons: Nehemiah (6) and Ezra (4). In the past, he was involved in College Ministry, Ushering, and Men’s Breakfast. Currently, he teaches in Kids’ Church and Kids4Truth. He’s also on the Master Planning and Facility Management Teams, and assists with the Truth and Worldview Initiative. Adam enjoys seeing God bless this Body and is excited about serving alongside men of faith that know the Word and live it out. He hopes to help in discerning the truth from lies that come into the church, knowing that it is Christ working through the leadership of this Body for His glory.
We have a first time Elder serving this year: Tom Malkemes. He’s 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.
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.
- Sam Payne: Unsaved family members who desperately need Jesus.
- Lee Piatt: Wisdom in leading this growing church.
- Adam Wise: Remaining healthy and good time management as many tasks I do are long-term projects. Vigilant discernment of Scriptural truth. That I can parent my boys well and that they would be eager to know and serve Christ.
