Pastor Mark Spansel

I’m so excited about being a part of the ministry of Leroy Community Chapel. I pray one simple thing for our church — That we would be God-glorifying worshippers who live in the Gospel. Oh, yeah, and then that we would reach all of Northeast Ohio with the Gospel. I’ve always tried to live by William Carey’s words, “Expect great things from God, Attempt great things for God.” So jump in with me!

I’m a California native, having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area then moving to Southern California to attend The Master’s College where I received my Bachelors Degree in Biblical Studies. After I graduated from The Master’s College I began working there as Director of Campus Ministries and then as the Associate Dean of Students. My time at TMC was the most formative time of my life – I truly learned to love God, love His Word, and love His Church. I was immersed in the discipleship, counseling, and teaching of college students, and loved every minute it of it working with some of the greatest people on the planet. During that time I also earned my MDiv at The Master’s Seminary and began my family.

Michelle and I met in college and married the week after we graduated. I am a man blessed beyond measure. My wife is the most amazing woman in the world and God has given us seven kids to love, laugh with, and prepare to be launched into the world for His Kingdom. Alyssa, Kate, James, Micah, Varney, Emily, and Maggie fill my soul with great joy everyday.

My heart has always been for the local church and back in 2002 I accepted the position of Pastor of Discipleship, Adults and Families at Northpoint Evangelical Free Church in Corona, CA. During those years of ministry, God deepened my heart for the church local and the Church worldwide. I love being with believers around the world (particularly Africa) and joining with them in God’s mission. In July 2008, I accepted the call to join the pastoral staff of Leroy Chapel, moved my family across the country, and am getting to preach the Word to a great group of people.

Come join us, coffee is on me … and Go Angels!

Mark, Michelle, Alyssa, Kate, James, Emily, Micah, Varney, Maggie

Life verse:
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain … Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith.”

Philippians 1:21-25 (NAS)

Pastor Jeff Pierce

Pastor Jeff Pierce says, “Leroy Community Chapel is a great place to be! It’s exciting to be a part of an organization where God’s Word is honored so greatly.”

Jeff serves at Leroy Community Chapel in a multifaceted role. The Worship ministry, Life Groups, assimilation, church promotion and office administration are among his daily agenda. He also preaches and teaches from time to time and can often be found doing discipleship or counseling at his favorite coffee shop.

Jeff grew up as a “pastor’s kid” in Port Washington, WI. He worked on cars, played drums, soccer and hockey. The best decision he ever made was to marry his high-school sweetheart, Angi, in 1990. They have three daughters.

Being a Pastor is actually Jeff’s second career. After high school, Pastor Pierce attended technical school and worked as an aerospace machinist for several years. Immediately after Jeff confirmed God’s call to ministry in 1994, he enrolled at Moody Bible Institute and received a BA in Bible with an emphasis in Pastoral Studies and International Ministries.

Shortly after graduation, Pastor Pierce accepted the youth Pastor position with Leroy Community Chapel. He helped establish the Impact youth ministry from 1999-2005 then moved on to his current position. He also managed the most recent capital campaign and building program.

His primary gifts are in administration and shepherding. “I love to see people serving the Lord,” Pierce says. “I get excited to see people’s eyes light up when they find out how useful they are to the body of Christ.”

Pastor Pierce serves as an elder and has led multiple short-term mission trips to Nicaragua, Bolivia and Mexico.

Life verse:
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)

Pastor Tom Chapman

Pastor Tom Chapman’s main areas of responsibility at LCC include teaching and Biblical counseling.

Pastor Chapman has been attending Leroy Chapel since 1977 when he and his wife, Claudia, first came to LCC at the invitation of a high school friend. Tom and Claudia both responded to the Gospel message and became Christians in the Fall of 1978.

Pastor Tom started in the ministry by working in the Christian Service Brigade. He taught 4th and 5th grade boys’ Sunday School for several years and later became a Deacon of the Church. After several terms as a Deacon, Tom was asked to become an Elder, eventually becoming Head Elder of LCC.

Tom was serving as Head Elder when Pastor Jim Eberline returned to the mission field. In 1997, LCC’s Executive Board and the Congregation asked Tom to officially join the Pastoral staff on a part-time basis when Jeff Allem was the Church’s only full-time minister. Pastor Chapman has participated in several short-term mission trips. He has traveled to Haiti, Cuba, Mexico and the Navajo Reservations in Window Rock, Arizona.

Pastor Tom grew up in Mentor, Ohio and played college football at Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas. He was inducted into Mentor’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. He has a business degree from Lakeland Community College and received a Bachelor of Theology from Trinity College and Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana. Pastor Chapman has also earned a certificate in Biblical Counseling from Master’s Divinity School.

Tom has been an electrical contractor for 36 years and is President of Chapman Electric, Inc. in Grand River, Ohio. He and Claudia have four children and three grandchildren.

Tom is an avid golfer and enjoys reading and studying the Word of God.

Life verse:
“…for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7 (NAS)

Breanna Wolcott

Student Ministries Coordinator

Here at LCC, I have the privilege of discipling middle and high school students and just can’t seem to get enough of it! God has put in my heart a love for His Word and a desire to see others passionately living out transformed lives as they fall in love with the Lover of their souls.

While here at LCC, 24 hours a week, I organize our Sunday morning youth service called 90@9, have a group of young women that I disciple on Wednesday’s, as well as plan large group events for our teens. I also have the privilege of teaching with a team of gifted men and women who love Jesus and desire to see His Word take root in the good and fertile soil of our teen’s hearts. The other ½ of my week outside of LCC, I teach two INSIGHT courses and lead a “coffee shop evangelism” practicum.

My desire is to continually follow His leading, in His strength, in His timing, in order to faithfully and obediently run hard the race to which He hath called me to run. May we all (including our youth) resolve to ”champion His church” as He prepares us for the Great Wedding Day… May we unite, as we are called to be one body… young and old alike.

I believe that parents are the primary disciplers of their children and I get the privilege to come along side and aid them in their glorious call. I desire to see parents, students, and youth workers alike lock arms for the generation and His Gory. I could go on and on forever, He is so good, how can I not? But, for your sake I’ll cut it here. Oh, one more thing… I love coffee and love good Godly conversation so….let’s chat sometime and share vision. I’m always up for a cup of “He-Brews”.

Life verse:
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things to Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

Romans 11:33-36
(NAS)

Debbie Bernot

Administrative Assistant
Kingdom Kids Ministries Coordinator

The first thing you notice about Debbie Bernot is her smile. Debbie has a unique way of making people feel at ease. She is very much at home serving the various ministry leaders as well as playing with the children in the Kingdom Kids classrooms.

Debbie grew up in Euclid, Ohio and attended Euclid High School. Her passion for serving children was born in 1996 when she began working as a recess aide at Leroy Elementary School. Debbie was elected president of Leroy School Association 1998 – 2000. She began working with children in the Riverside Local School District Latchkey Program at Hale Road School in 2000, and two years later became supervisor of the program, a position she continues to hold today.

Debbie and her husband, Bill, began serving in LCC shortly after Pastor Tom Chapman invited them to attend a church service in 2002. In 2004, Debbie accepted a position of part-time secretary in the church office where she really enjoys meeting new people and helping them get involved. Debbie draws on her experience working with children and her love of serving and helping others in her role as Kingdom Kids Coordinator at Leroy Chapel, a position she has held since January of 2008.

Debbie enjoys volunteering and spending time with her husband, Bill, and teenage sons, Jake and Ben. They make her laugh and bring joy to her heart. With God’s strength and daily encouragement from His Word, Debbie lives her life for the Glory of God.

Life verse:
“With God All Things Are Possible.”

Matthew 19:26 (NAS)

Debbie Morse

Office Manager

God has blessed me with a wonderfully supportive husband in Tim and two beautiful girls, Katie and Kristen. Because of their love and encouragement, I am able to do the work God has placed before me.

My family and I have been attending Leroy Community Chapel since July 2001 and I have been the “church secretary” since November 2001. The favorite part of my job is getting to see people “get connected” – both in finding genuine relationships with one another and finding a place where they can serve. The joy of seeing Christians working side by side together with excitement is a beautiful thing!

Life verse:
“… But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him…therefore…Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord”

1 Corinthians 1: 26-29;31
(NIV)