Our Team
Ságares and Melissa Martins
Ságares Martins – Sr. Pastor:
Ságares and Melissa served for many years in Brazil working with the Alliance for Renewal Churches (Brazil). Meeting at a Bible school in Brazil they married, had 4 children (sadly one, Kyle, died in a tragic accident). They moved to a small community southeast of Manáus, Amazonas called Maués. They joined a ministry that serves the local community, the local tribal people, the Sátare, and the river communities. They have been drilling safe water wells (35 so far) so that the people can have clean drinking and cooking water. Feeling God was calling them to a new place, they began to search for His will.
At the same time, we were looking for a new pastor to take us into the next season at Harvest. We put a call out to them, and after prayer and counsel, they accepted. We welcomed them to Harvest February 3, 2019.
Ságares can be reached at olasagares@gmail.com
Gary and Lori Christofferson
Gary Christofferson – Elder:
Gary and his wife, Lori, are founding members of Harvest Christian Church. They have raised their 5 daughters, Natalie, Melissa, Monica, Amy and Becky and 1 son, Luke, in their home in Elyria. Gary currently is self-employed as a New Life service man repairing cars. Lori is an Occupational Therapist in a local school system. Gary has a heart for seeing men’s hearts repaired and healed while Lori’s creative nature makes her asset from working with children to decorating our sanctuary. Both have faithfully served the Lord for over 40 years. Both of their hearts are turned toward missions with their daughter, Melissa and her Brazilian husband Ságares Martins, living in Maués, Amazon, Brazil.
Ed and Monica Padley
Ed Padley – Sr. Pastor:
Ed and Monica were married in 1975, the same year that they became born-again Christians. They have three children and five grandchildren. Ed and Monica have been in ministry for over 30 years including 15 years in missions work in the U.S. and Brazil. As a bi-vocational pastor, Ed is also the U.S. Director of International Association of Missions, USA (www.IAMUSA.org). Ed has served on the pastoral staff of Harvest since 1985, has been licensed and ordained since 1993.
Ed may be contacted at epadley@gmail.com
Jim and Sandee Mazey
Jim Mazey – Elder:
Jim has been involved in ministry for over 33 years while working full time and retiring from BF Goodrich after 41 years of service. He was licensed to the ministry by the Church of The Brethren in 1977, ordained under Grace Fellowship of Mansfield in 1985 and again by the Alliance for Renewal Churches in 1988. Jim and Sandee were married in 1965 and have two children and two grandchildren. Sandee also has been involved in ministry for many years.
Jim may be contacted by phone at 440-366-1986 or at jimmazey@windstream.net
Rick and Joanne Widener
Rick Widener – Elder Emeritus:
The founding pastor of Harvest Christian Church, Rick and his wife Joanne have two children, Mark and Rachel, and 6 grandchildren. After 23 years as the pastor of Harvest, Rick and Joanne responded to a call to the mission field and spent almost 4 years working with the ARC in Brazil. After returning, he continues as the Missions Director of the ARC and working with church planters and caring for pastors, both in the USA and on the mission field. “Our passion is to see young leaders raised up to take up our places as we move on in our own ministry.”
You can contact Rick at rickwidener@gmail.com
Mike and Elissa Nawotniak
Elissa Nawotniak - Worship Leader:
Elissa and her husband Mike have a son (Correy) and two daughters (Myla and Emma). Elissa was raised in Harvest and served on the worship team for many years before becoming its leader. Mike and Elissa share a love of music and worship and Mike is also on the worship team, as are their two daughters. Her leadership has been instrumental in our walk with the Lord. Elissa is the daughter of Ed and Monica Padley.