STAFF
Lead Pastor
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Todd Benkert is pastor and lead elder of Oak Creek. Pastor Todd and his wife Heidi grew up in Michiana—Todd in Dowagiac, Michigan, Heidi in South Bend. He has a heart for the people of Indiana where he has served in ministry for 20 years. He is passionate about building unity in the body of Christ, racial reconciliation, foster care and adoption, and ministry to those who have experienced significant childhood trauma. He is an advocate for North American church planting and for local church participation in global missions. Todd also teaches for Liberty Divinity School and Indiana Wesleyan University. He enjoys hiking, music, and going to the beach at Lake Michigan. Pastor Todd blogs at sbcvoices.com and behiswitnesses.com and can be followed on twitter at @toddbenkert
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Associate Pastor to Youth & Families
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Mike was raised in the Muncie, IN area for most of his childhood. Mike has a B.A. Degree in Christian Ministries and Biblical Studies from Trinity International University. Prior to working in his first full time ministry job at Oak Creek, he had experience in Camp Ministry, Sports ministry, Worship, Preaching, Non-profit work with students ages K-12, and Youth Ministry. Mike is passionate about bringing about unity within the church and making sure every person (regardless of age, ethnicity, wealth, or background) feels uniquely loved and valued as a child of God. He also loves hanging out with students, studying the bible and other theological/ministry resources, community outreach, and both domestic and international mission trips. Mike also loves all sports, tasty food, movies of all kinds, going to concerts, and is an avid fan of Professional Wrestling.
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Office Manager
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Jen and her husband Deric have attended Oak Creek for 15 years. They have two children. Jen earned her BA. from Taylor University in Urban Ministry and her M.A. from Bethel College in counseling. Jen enjoys opening her home to friends and family, whether for a few hours for dinner or small group or for a few months as exchange students. In her free time she also enjoy reading, camping, and cooking.
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ELDERS
Dennis Brown
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Dennis has attended Oak Creek for many years and has been an elder for the past decade, serving as the recording secretary. He became a Christian through the Young Life ministry as a teenager in his hometown of Colorado Springs and has been actively involved in that organization, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and local churches for some 40 years. He and his wife, Debbie, moved to the South Bend area in 1991 after previously living and working in Phoenix and San Diego. Dennis worked in journalism for 15 years and now is the chief spokesman and assistant vice president for public information at Notre Dame. He and his wife have two adult sons.
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Dale Nagel
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Dale is married to Susan and has two children. He works in telecommunications and part-time in Real Estate. His hobbies include playing golf. He has been a member of Oak Creek for many years. He loves supporting a church that has a mission to win and build followers of Christ and maintains an environment that is comfortable for those seeking God. Over the years Dale has done everything from mowing the lawn to preaching! He has been involved in small group and men's ministry and has done construction projects at the church and in Haiti. Most Sunday’s he can be found serving in the lobby with the greeting team.
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Pete Cerling
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Pete and his wife, Stephanie, have been members of Oak Creek since 2007. They have three children. Pete has been an ordained pastor in the Southern Baptist Convention since 2015 and has been involved in ministry, both professionally and voluntarily, for over twenty years. He has served in a variety of ways as a member of Oak Creek. Pete graduated from Bethel College with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Ministry and is in the midst of attaining a Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary. He enjoys baseball (specifically the Detroit Tigers), hiking, kayaking, and spending time with his wife.
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Jon Joyner
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Jon and his wife Robyn have been members at Oak Creek since 2009 and have twin boys. Jon graduated from Bethel College in 2006 and served with Young Life ministry while in college. He works as a Connection Coachs at Ivy Tech Community College South Bend. Jon leads the worship team at Oak Creek. In the past Jon co-taught the teen Sunday School for several years and has enjoyed helping with the greeting and drama teams and serving as part of a recent Haiti missions trip. In his free time Jon enjoys reading, biking, hiking, camping, DIY home and auto repair, and goofing around outside with the boys.
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