About Us
Rev. Jay Anderson, Senior Pastor pastor@chmaster.org
I am a third career pastor, having spent nineteen years in management with the Kmart Corporation and eight years in residential real estate with HER Realtors before entering the ministry. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN in 1982 and my Masters of Divinity Degree with a specialization in Church Leadership from the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, OH in 2009. I am an avid reader and enjoy playing golf, doing yard work, traveling, and spending time with my wife, kids, and grandkids. One of the things I most love about ministry is the opportunity to help people see, hear, and think about the Gospel of Jesus Christ in new and inclusive ways, and I do that primarily through preaching and teaching. My wife, Lynn, and I live in Westerville, OH, and have four daughters and six grandchildren.
Erin Flory, Director of Children's Ministry children@chmaster.org
I am a teacher at heart! I earned my bachelor's degree in early childhood and special education from Miami University and my master's degree in curriculum and instruction with a focus in literacy from Ashland University. I taught 2nd grade and reading intervention for 10 years before staying home with my boys (now 7, 5 and 3). Our family loves camping, exploring the Metro Parks and making many trips to the library!
I oversee everything related to Children’s Ministry for our infants through 5th graders. You will find me leading the Children’s Moments in worship, teaching on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings for M&Ms, planning VBS and Day Camp and helping children and families fully engage in the life of the church at Church of the Master.
Kitty Laurich, Director of Children's Choir childrenmusic@chmaster.org
I have called Church of the Master my home since relocating to Westerville with my family in 1980. I have two grown children and 4 fabulous grandchildren who unfortunately (for me!) live in North Carolina and Oregon. Music has always been an important part of my life. I love listening to music, playing music, and singing music. I have fond memories of participating in both Jr. and Chancel Choir in the church I grew up in, and I still remember many of the songs. These days, I do most of my singing with the children in Cherub and Jr. Choir at Church of the Master. I love getting to know the children and watching them grow into the beautiful beings they were created to be. I have always thought that I have the best job in the whole church! My hope is that the music I choose will plant seeds of faith, hope, and love in their hearts, and that in their young lives now or down the road, when they are particularly joyful or sad, angry or confused, a song will come to mind that will encourage them on their way.
Bev Pancoast, Director of Youth Ministry youth@chmaster.org
I was born and raised in NJ and moved to Ohio while in high school. I received a BS in Education from Valparaiso University and a Master of Arts in Christian Education with a Youth Ministry specialization. I met my husband, Erik, in a Church history class while in seminary. We were married in 2001 and had our son, JD, in 2008. I have been in youth ministry since 1994 serving churches in Gahanna, Mt Gilead, and Medina before joining the staff at Church of the Master. My hobbies include knitting, cooking, coloring, and Music. I play the bass clarinet in the New Albany Winds and love other opportunities to share music with others. I consider myself a life time marching band junkie and love to go to football games and band competitions.
I joined staff on April 1, 2009 (no joke). I primarily work with youth (grades 6-12), but you can also find me working with Campus Ministry and the U2s (grades 4-6). I am passionate about helping youth find their faith in Jesus Christ and claim it as their own. I love to teach confirmation. I am known on the Otterbein Campus as the “Spaghetti Lady” as I lead the Spaghetti Dinners and Midnight Pancakes. I love the relationships I have nurtured with the youth and our summer mission trips with Reach. Random things about Bev and her ministry: You may find rubber chickens in Bev’s purse … only a youth pastor!
Lucy Kelly, Director of Campus Ministry campus@chmaster.org
I am a child of God, a parent and wife, a seminary student, and an animal lover. I am passionate about social justice and spreading the love of God. I believe that God created and loves all living things, and that we are called to be better stewards of God's creation. I believe that love is love and everyone is welcome at the table. My house and my heart are inclusive.
I am a link in the bridge between Church of the Master and Otterbein University. I help plan and facilitate Prisms Campus Ministry (formerly Crossroads), Monday Morning Coffee, and many of the programs offered at Church of the Master for Otterbein students. I also assist in children's ministry in a variety of ways.
Christopher Bowling, Director of Music Ministry/Organist music@chmaster.org
As a graduate of Marshall University, where I studied vocal music, and Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University, where I studied congregational ministry, I have spent most of my life in some form of church music. I grew up in Flatwoods, KY, where my family still resides and I visit regularly. I have served United Methodist churches in both the Kentucky and West Virginia Annual conferences, before moving to Columbus, OH, to attend seminary. I find joy in many forms of music outside church music, but I have a special place for musical theatre having music directed many community theatre productions over the years.
At Church of the Master my time is shared between worship planning with Pastor Jay, the organ console, and our Praise Team and Chancel Choir, all the while looking for ways to expand our music ministry for our congregation and our community. My philosophy of church music has always been that there is a place for everyone in the music ministry of our church, and that I am happy to help you find that place.
Kim Hoessly, Handbell Director handbells@chmaster.org
I have been involved in Church Music most of my life, beginning with choirs as a child and handbells as a teenager. I majored in Music Education in college and have worked with musicians as a piano technician since 1985. Music is one of the most important ways I relate to the Holy and I love using music to enhance worship for the congregation and for the ringers.
Tyler Domer, Music Associate choir@chmaster.org
I went to Capital University for Keyboard Pedagogy and graduated in 2014. I have been the staff accompanist at both Olentangy High School and Worthington Kilbourne High School for 5 years and I consider myself to be a huge musical theatre nerd. In my role at Church of the Master, I assist the music director by accompanying the choir for various rehearsal and worship services.
Amber Johnson, Office Administrator office@chmaster.org
I am a southern girl born and raised in Memphis, TN. I relocated to Columbus, OH almost 4 years ago. I am a mom of a two-year old daughter and soon to be married. I received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Southern Illinois University and currently continuing my studies for a Master’s of Science in Psychology. I oversee everything office related here at Church of the Master. I am always just one phone call or email away if you need any assistance with anything.
Bill Ruff, Financial Secretary finance@chmaster.org
I come to the Church of the Master as a retiree from the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks System. I worked for Metro Parks for twenty years as their finance director. Prior to joining Metro Parks, I was a partner in the accounting firm Nipps Andreas Brown & Ruff. My earlier years were spent in a variety of accounting positions in private and public accounting. I am a native of Baltimore Md., but have spent most of the last 49 years in Ohio attending college and raising a family. I am a graduate of Wittenberg University, where I met my wife and we have two grown children.
April Smith, Facilities Manager facilities@chmaster.org
My role at Church of the Master is to maintain a safe, secure and welcoming place for all who come through our doors. I insure equipment and furnishings are available for our ministries and worship services as we live out our calling to love, grow and serve in the name of Jesus.
I am a native of Liverpool, New York and moved to Westerville from the island of Oahu, Hawaii in December, 2017. My twin brother and his family are long time Westerville residents and I have an older brother who lives with his family in Trinity, Florida. I began working for churches in late 2007 as Sexton for The Parish of St. Clement (Episcopal) and then with Lutheran Church of Honolulu, Joy of Christ Lutheran Church and Rainbow Schools – preschools who are tenants on the campuses of several Methodist churches on Oahu.
I have been a flutist for more than 50 years, am a United States Army veteran and served with the Infantry Center Band at Ft. Benning, Georgia. As a civilian, I am a charter member of the University of Hawaii West Oahu concert band and performed as a member of the Pearl Harbor 75th Anniversary Honor Band.
David Campbell, Custodian
I have been the custodian at Church of the Master since 1981. I enjoy being outdoors and love being a husband to Elsie and father to Chris and Danielle. My favorite part of working in this position is that I get to serve God and serve the people of Church of the Master to make everyone feel welcome. I like to be helpful and show kindness to all people to give Glory to God.