Pastor Mark Spansel

Lead Pastor

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

Community Pastor

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 has been on staff at Leroy Community Chapel since 1997. His main area of responsibilities include teaching, counseling and oversight of our Men’s Bible studies, the “Champion’s Tour”, our seniors ministry and our Jail Ministry. Tom is a member of the Board of Directors of the Lake County Jail Ministry.

Tom and his wife, Claudia, have been attending Leroy Community Chapel since 1977 when they were invited to the church by one of Claudia’s High School friends. They both responded to the Gospel and became believers in Christ in the Fall of 1978.

Pastor Tom started in the ministry by working in the Christian Service Brigade. He also taught 4th and 5th grade boys Sunday School for several years. He served several terms as a Deacon, then as an Elder and eventually served as Head Elder of LCC. In 1997 the Executive Board of Leroy Chapel asked Tom to join the staff as a Staff Pastor, which he accepted. He still owns and operates his own electrical contracting business as well as his pastoral duties.

As a member of Leroy Community Chapel, Pastor Chapman has participated in several short-term mission trips. He has traveled to Haiti and Mexico on missions trips several times as well as Cuba and the Navajo Reservations in Window Rock, Arizona.

Pastor Tom grew up in Mentor, Ohio and graduated in 1967 from Mentor High School. He played college football at Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas and was inducted into Mentor’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. He graduated with 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 since 1971 and is President of V. L. Chapman Electric, Inc. in Grand River, Ohio. He and Claudia have four children and four grandchildren, expecting two more grandchildren this year.

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

Life verse:
“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)

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the Rock.”
Matthew 7:24 (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  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)

 Michael Huffman

 Community Ministry Intern