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Lead Pastor - Dennis Ticen Pastor Ticen has been an ordained elder in the North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church since 1995, having served two previous churches. A native Hoosier (from Clinton County), he has degrees from Ball State University and Asbury Theological Seminary. In his spare time, he enjoys Mac computers, science fiction and bicycling. His wife, Cathy, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, having graduated from Ball State with a Master's in Counseling Psychology. They have two children, Christopher (8th grade) and Rachel (4th grade), and a dog, Hershey (not currently in school). Pastor Dennis is also one of our Stephen Leaders. Contact Pastor Ticen at pastordennis@csinet.net or read his blog here. | |||||||||
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Associate Pastor - Debbie Rousselle Debbie Rousselle is Associate Pastor at Portage First, providing leadership in a large variety of areas including the planning of outreach events and programs which provide opportunities for fellowship, learning, worship and mission. Debbie is married (30 years now!). She and Michael have one daughter. Not a native Hoosier, Debbie grew up in West Virginia where after high school graduation she earned a bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Fairmont State College. While Portage First has many wonderful programs in place we are always searching for areas of need and interest not only within the congregation but within the community. Your ideas are welcome. In addition to many other responsibilities, Pastor Deb is one of our Stephen Leaders. You can reach her through the church e-mail. | |||||||||
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Church Secretary - Susie Hidalgo As the church secretary, you will find Susie answering phone calls, preparing bulletins, writing the monthly newsletter and updating the church directory as well as performing various duties for the Pastor and our various committees. Susie is married to Eric and she is a proud mother of five children, three of which are step-children. She is a native of Portage and currently lives in Union Township. Before coming to us she was experienced in many fields including management, recreational activities aide, real estate sales and was even a flight attendant. In her spare time she likes to be active in her children’s activities which include football, choir and baseball, and she continues to sell real estate. Susie can be reached via the church office. | ||
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Director of Music - Wanda Samuelson Wanda has been director of music at Portage First for many years. Her enthusiasm and love for Christ come through in every song she directs and every cantata she leads. Wanda and her husband, Norm, have lived in Portage for many years and have a great love for the community. In addition to her choral duties, you will often find Wanda leading or participating in Bible Studies, committee meetings or helping out in the church kitchen. Her passion for the mission of the church continues to inspire all ages. | ||
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Accompanist - Matthew Chelich Matt is our newest staff member, hailing from Hobart, Indiana. He has been playing the piano since he was five years old when he studied with his grandmother. His later piano teacher deemed him a musical prodigy on the piano. He also plays the organ in our 8:30 worship service. Matt previously played for First Christian Church in Hobart, but is brand-new to United Methodism! We look forward to his work in leading worship and accompanying the choir. | ||
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Director of Student and Family Ministries - Jeff King Jeff is a long-time member of the church and will provide leadership over our student outreach ministries. He will also be developing new ministries that will reach families in our community. A Portage native, Jeff taught elementary school for many years at Paul Saylor School in South Haven. Currently, he is the principal at Myers Elementary School in Portage. He also serves as our worship leader at the 11:30 service, and has spent time working with our youth at Senior High Institute and in other settings. Jeff is a newlywed, having married Danielle in June 2009. | ||
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Church Treasurer - Kathy Matthew Kathy Matthew is a long-time member of the church. She and her husband, Mike, have been very involved in the Walk to Emmaus, Sunday School, and many other ministries here at the local church. Kathy is a proud grandmother who has also worked in bank settings in the past. | ||
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Nursery Attendant - Elaine Jacobs Elaine loves children! A grandma at heart, she treasures each child who comes into the nursery as a child of God. Elaine works in a variety of capacities throughout the community, serving children. She also makes a great vegetable lasagna. When you don't find her in the nursery, she's probably helping clean up in the kitchen! | ||
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Church Custodian - Ed Peterich Ed has served as our custodian for a number of years now, and that involves a variety of roles. From lawn mower, to floor sweeper, to helping with the Rummage Sale, to shoveling snow. Ed works alongside our Trustees to help keep our property in good shape. You most likely won't see him, but you might hear him singing or whistling down the hallway somewhere. Ed is married to Jeanne, and they live in Chesterton. | ||
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Accompanist Emeritus - Linda Mitchell Linda's background is in Salvation Army and United Methodist Churches, with extensive involvement in church music. Linda's enthusiastic and worshipful music added great dimensions to the worship services. Her responsibilities included playing piano for the 8:30 and 10:00 worship services, as well as accompanying both the Adult Choir and the Gospel Choir. Linda is now working for the Salvation Army full-time but is welcome back here any time. | ||
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