Our Ministry Team - Faith Wesleyan Church

MINISTRY & SUPPORT STAFF

Bob Rockwell, Church Custodian

Doug Rauch, Buildings & Grounds Maintenance

Erica Bischof, Youth Ministry Director (grades 5 - 12)

Kammy Paulhamus, Compassion Care Facilitator

Kerri Girton, Worship Arts & Growing Faith Preschool Director

Rebecca Gibbons, Online Worship Host

Rebecca Rothra, Children's Ministry (infant - 4th grade)

Robin Muffley, Office Administration & Communication

Trina Esposito, Welcome Ministries

Wayne Kinley, Church Accountant

Rev. Timothy K. Hartzell, Pastor

tim@faithwesleyanchurch.com

Pastor Tim grew up in the Lehigh Valley and graduated from United Wesleyan College in Allentown, PA, earning a bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology with an emphasis in Sacred Music. While at college, he met Heather Crosser. They were married on July 20, 1985.

After graduation in 1986, Tim and Heather accepted their first pastoral ministry assignment at the Wesleyan church in Sandy Lake, Pa., where they would spend the next 11 years ministering to the youth and engaging in many other areas of church service and leadership. During this time, Tim also served as the president of the Western Pa. District Wesleyan Youth. Their sons, Reid and Ryan, were born in 1992 and 1995.

In 1997, Tim and Heather accepted their next ministry assignment at Christ Wesleyan Church in Milton, Pa. Tim’s initial role at the church was being the pastor to the new people, but grew to include men’s ministries and new-believer discipleship. It was an exciting time to serve on staff as the church grew from an average attendance of 600 to over 1,200 in just four years.

In 2001, Tim and Heather accepted the call to be the pastoral family of Faith Wesleyan Church in Williamsport, Pa. At that time, the church was struggling. Three pastoral transitions in the space of just three years had resulted in stressed relationships and frustration. Attendance had dwindled to an annual average of just 69. But within that number remained a faithful and committed group that were determined to reengage God’s mission. God honored their faithfulness.

In 2002, the church purchased the one-acre lot located on the north side of Maxwell Place. In 2003, the sanctuary was completely remodeled, a 32-car gravel parking lot was installed on the Maxell Property, and Pastor Tim and his family moved out of the parsonage and into their own home. A second worship service was added in 2004 as attendance grew to 163. In 2008, a major addition was added and by 2012, attendance had grown to 270. In 2014 and 2015, additional properties were added to the campus as the church prepares for future expansion.

In addition to leading the church, Pastor Tim enjoys going on adventures with Heather and his many hobbies which include hunting, fishing, trapping, backpacking, vegetable gardening, golf, playing his trumpet, wood cutting and carving with his chainsaw. He’s been a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New York Mets, and the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Heather Hartzell

Heather Hartzell, Lead Pastor's Ministry Assistant

heather@faithwesleyanchurch.com

Heather is a graduate of United Wesleyan College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She then continued her education at Lehigh University, earning a master's degree in Elementary Education.

Active for many years in children's ministry, Heather has served as a Sunday School teacher, leader of a junior church program, and director of children's musicals. During their appointment at the Wesleyan Church in Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, she assisted Pastor Tim in young adult, youth, and children's ministries.

In addition to serving in children and youth ministries, Heather's experience also includes more than 15 years of teaching in public schools. Prior to moving to Williamsport, she taught the sixth grade at Meadowbrook Christian School. Heather also served for five years as a teacher's aide and a long-time substitute in the Loyalsock School District.

In April 2019, Heather retired as the Children's Ministry Director at Faith Wesleyan, and is now serving in her new role as Pastor's Ministry Assistant. In addition to her current administrative position, Heather also served four years as the facilitator, classroom assistant and Bible teacher at Growing Faith Preschool.

Kerri Girton, Worship Arts & Growing Faith Preschool Director

kerri@faithwesleyanchurch.com

Kerri is a graduate from Ithaca College where she earned a bachelor of music with an outside field in Social Work. After graduating, she was a missionary in Bolivia for one year, then a Spanish and Music teacher at several schools in Delaware. Since moving back to Williamsport, Kerri has taught private piano & guitar lessons as well as preschool music and swimming classes.

As the Worship Arts Director at Faith Wesleyan, Kerri directs the Celebration Choir, coordinates the worship teams and leads occasionally, oversees the projection and sound technicians and develops the weekly worship service order. She has a heart for helping people plug into the music ministry and loves to worship Jesus with her church family.

Kerri is also certified in Private Early Childhood Education, with 7 years of experience. In addition to her role as Worship Arts Director, Kerri also serves as the coordinator and classroom teacher at Growing Faith Preschool.

Kerri and her husband have two beautiful daughters and they are all very involved in the church life of Faith Wesleyan. She also enjoys running, finding new healthy recipes, learning to play the ukulele and exploring the outdoors in and around Williamsport. A perfect weekend consists of coffee, a Trader Joe's run and a hike in the woods.

Rebecca Rothra, Children's Ministry

rebecca@faithwesleyanchurch.com

Rebecca is a graduate of Newport Business Institute where she earned an associate's degree in Specialized Business. After graduation, she worked in social services for Adelphoi Village (Previously Laurel Youth Services) for 22 years before transitioning to her current position in higher education at Lycoming College as a Data Information Specialist and International DSO in the Admissions Department. She joined our staff in October 2020.

Rebecca has been involved in Children’s Ministry for many years. Her current responsibilities include children's registration & security, infant & toddler nurseries, and facilitating Sunday morning age-level discipleship for children age 1 through 4^th grade during the morning worship services.

Rebecca is the mother of two adult children, Danielle and Zakary. Rebecca and her husband, Stephen, live in Old Lycoming Township. She enjoys spending time with family and friends; hiking; playing with her two labs, Raven and Luna; and baking.

Robin Muffley, Office Administration & Communications

robin@faithwesleyanchurch.com

Robin graduated from the Williamsport School of Commerce with an associate's degree in Specialized Business.

Her prior experience includes seven years as office administrator at Center Manufacturing, and five years at Springs Window Fashions, where she worked as executive secretary to the director of operations. While at Springs, she served terms as both president and secretary on the Springs of Achievement Team, which spearheaded fundraising, community and employee projects.

Robin serves in a wide range of administrative and technology capacities in support of the ministries of Faith Wesleyan. She especially enjoys creative writing opportunities and management of the church website.

She is a grandmother of four, great grandmother of one, an avid reader, and a member of Planet Fitness and Williamsport TOPS Chapter 1628. Robin and her husband Charlie live in Williamsport with their teenage grandsons Lucas and Dante, and furbabies Littlekat and Mars.