Our team of experienced pastors and church leaders make the difference
Chemistry Staffing is made up of a group of church professionals that are passionate about helping churches and candidates make great long-term fits.
Co-Founders
Todd has invested over 30 years in serving churches, having served as a worship pastor for over 15 years, a church elder for more than a decade, and in various ministry leadership roles in both the business and non-profit sectors. As the original founder and developer of ChurchStaffing.com, Todd fundamentally changed the way thousands of churches search for pastors and staff on the internet. Most recently, Todd’s work with Leadership Network has provided him exposure to the innovative trends in today’s church and inside knowledge of how healthy churches operate and uses it to help churches find a healthy, long-term fit for their next team member. A graduate of Cedarville University, Todd lives in Bryan, OH with his wife, Dawn.
Matt has served the local church for over two decades as a youth pastor, church planter, and executive pastor. Originally from Baltimore, Matt currently lives in the Orlando, FL area with his wife Theresa, and has a B.S. in Youth Ministry from Nyack College and an M.Div. and MBA from Baylor University. Certified as an Urban Church Planter Coach by Redeemer City to City and as a StratOp facilitator by the Paterson Center, Matt has made a career of helping churches thrive through intentionality, clarity, and creating healthy cultures. He is convinced that a healthy church is led by a healthy team with great chemistry, and loves partnering with Chemistry’s churches to do great things for the Kingdom.
Church Coaches
Jason is an insightful, strategic leader with more than twenty-six years of experience in leading churches from the second chair. He has served churches in Middle Tennessee, South Mississippi, and North Texas. Jason is a synergist, who works to weave the strengths of the team together to achieve the church’s agreed-upon purpose. He brings a diverse set of business acumen and talents in leadership, management, analysis, and execution. Jason has earned master’s degrees in business, marriage and family counseling, and Christian education, as well as a Ph.D. in Human Capital Development. He is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with International Coaching Federation (ICF) and has certifications in church consulting and church revitalization. Jason enjoys helping churches navigate the complexities inherent in growing staff teams.
Allan has been involved in church ministry for the past 30 years in a variety of roles and settings: church planter, Pastor of Disciple Making and Adult Ministries, Executive Pastor and Coach/Consultant. Allan has experienced many transitions in ministry from a variety of different perspectives. He understands that as painful and stressful transitions can be, they have the potential to transform you more than most things can! Allan, along with his wife of 35 years, Gloria, young adult daughter, and Luna (family Lhasa Apso), lives in Jacksonville, Florida. His son serves as a campus pastor in Virginia Beach with his wife and two daughters. Allan and his family are originally from Canada, where he earned his Master’s in Biblical Studies (Regent College) and Doctorate in Missional Leadership (Carey). Additionally, he is certified as an MBTI, CPI 260 and StratOp Practitioner, and as a Vision Strategist trained by Auxano. He is an avid runner who loves to hang out with family and friends and is committed to serving pastors and local churches to help them to live out their unique calling.
Greg Moore
Church Coach
Greg is passionate about coming alongside the local church at large to help it revitalize, move forward, gain momentum, and thrive despite the challenges of today’s world. He graduated with a B.S. in Business from Eastern Illinois University, an M.B.A. from Lewis University and a Master of Divinity from Michigan Theological Seminary (Now Moody Seminary). After 22 years in the corporate world, Greg answered the call to full-time ministry and left his career to become the small groups pastor at a church in metro Detroit where he had the opportunity to build a small group ministry from scratch and see it grow over his 13-year tenure to include thousands of people being led by hundreds of small group leaders. Most recently, Greg served six years as an executive pastor at a church located in suburban Indianapolis where he focused on putting the right strategies, people, plans, processes, and systems in place to accomplish the vision of the church while at the same time shepherding the staff. Greg and his wife Paula currently live in Avon, Indiana. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.
Tim Nations serves as our Lead Church Coach at Chemistry. He most recently served as the Director of Facilitation and Leadership Community Director at Leadership Network. Tim has served in full-time ministry in churches across the north Texas area for over 15 years. He brings with him broad experience in communication, organization, planning, and facilitation.
Dan Navarra has over fifteen years of experience in vocational ministry in sunny California. He received his undergraduate degree from CSU East Bay in Philosophy with a Religious Emphasis before going on to finish his Masters of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary in 2015. In addition to being a pastor, Dan has expertise specializing in church finances, HR, and Youth Pastor compensation; having run the largest-ever national compensation survey of over 4,000 Youth Pastors to-date. His work with Youth Pastors has been featured at Church Law & Tax, the National Network of Youth Ministries, and he’s held coaching calls all over the country to help Youth Pastors turn their calling into a sustainable career. His full-time ministry role is currently as the Northern California Area Director for The National Christian Foundation, where he helps generous Christians with tax-smart giving strategies. He and his family of five reside in the Central Valley of California, where they can access the ocean, ski slopes, lake cabin, and desert all within a two-hour drive.
Julie has always had a passion for growing healthy organizations, and she has dedicated much of the last 24 years to that very task. After spending many years focused on growing her own successful business in mortgage lending and real estate in California, Julie began her service in ministry in 2007. Working at Saddleback Church enabled her to use her gifts to help lead the church, training ministry leaders and staff at all 19 campuses and as well as 1000s of churches through the Purpose Driven network. Julie has helped develop and supervise small and large church staff and has helped churches from many denominations, from all over the world, with the setting and execution of strategic goals. Her latest role being called to serve as Executive Pastor in a local Colorado church. Julie’s infectious passion for Jesus and His Bride comes across just as much as her knowledge and excitement for building strong, long-lasting teams.
Caleb Smith
Church Coach
Along with being a Pastor’s Kid, Caleb has been in vocational ministry for over 20 years. From family ministries to executive leadership, from church mergers to multi-site to church planting, Caleb brings the experience of multiplicative ministry in a variety of cultures and contexts. Caleb and his family live in Rochester, MN where he serves as Executive Pastor of Strategy & Culture at Autumn Ridge Church. He is also a certified coach and facilitator for both Auxano and Ministry Insights. Caleb’s passion in ministry is helping people and local churches maximize their Gospel impact.
Tisha Smith
Church Coach
Tisha knows firsthand how exhilarating and anxiety-ridden it can be in a season of transition; she’s navigated and nurtured her family through eight job transitions in eight different states (eight congregations, eight towns, eight school districts, eight dentists, eight DMVs, etc.). Tisha has been embedded in ministry over the past 20 years since graduating from Cedarville University with a degree in Organizational Communications. She serves as a candidate coach and a Church Coach, alongside her husband, Caleb, who is also a Pastor. They and their two sons, Jackson and Tucker, live in Rochester, Minnesota.
Lee Stephenson has served the local church for nearly 25 years as a youth pastor, young adults pastor, and church planter. Most recently, he has spent the last seven years leading Converge as the National Vice-President of Church Planting. Currently, Lee resides in Orlando, Florida, with his wife Melissa and three kids where he leads a multi-congregational church he planted in 2018. Lee also operates as the owner of The Church Guru, a pastoral coaching company. Lee holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Christian/pastoral ministry along with certifications in DISC personality instruments, StratOp, Auxano (God Dreams and Church Unique Navigator), and in non-profit transformational leadership from the University of Notre Dame. Lee has made a career of helping the local church stay on mission and loves helping churches find the right staffing fit to increase Kingdom impact.
Steve VanPoolen
Church Coach
Steve is currently helping churches thrive as organizations, pursuing his PhD in Organizational Leadership from Concordia University (24′ candidate), and running two coffee-related family businesses with his wife and daughters! Growing up in a Christian household, God instilled in Steve a love for people, place, and organizations. After getting his B.A. in Business Administration from Calvin University and working in several businesses, Steve was called to serve as Executive Pastor at Crossroads Bible Church, where he spent nearly 11 years watching God move and the church grow. During that time Steve earned his M.A. in Ministry Leadership from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, developing a love for the church as an organization, for para-church ministries, and for the health of the people that serve them.
denominational partnerships
Andrew Ford
Church Coach
Andrew has been in pastoral ministry for thirty years serving as an associate, senior, and co-pastor in two different churches. He presently serves as the Director of Church Strengthening for Michigan and Indiana for Converge MidAmerica and leverages what he as learned over the years to help pastors and churches move toward greater health and impact. From 2007 to 2024 he served in a unique pastoral model as a co-pastor with two other pastors – sharing leadership and the pulpit together. He is married to Jill (a fourth-grade teacher), and they have three adult children and one Golden Doodle. On Andrew’s days off, you will find him on his motorcycle, searching for roads that twist and turn.
A native of Pennsylvania, Joel has served as a part of the Converge North Central office in St. Paul, MN since 2004. Prior to that, he served a number of churches as pastor, church planter, and intentional interim. In his role at Converge North Central, he has assisted and served multiple churches in their pastoral searches. From this comes the conviction that one of the greatest determinators to congregations health and effectiveness is the pastor. He finds tremendous satisfaction in helping candidates and congregations make that match. A graduate of Bethel Seminary, he also has a D.Min from Fuller Seminary. He and his wife, Denise, have three grown sons, three wonderful daughter-in-laws and are grateful that they all live within 20 minutes of their home in Lino Lakes, MN.
Seth Sundstrom
Church Coach
Seth serves as a regional minister for the Midwest Network of the Alliance of Reformed Churches. The goal of his work is “healthy leaders, healthy churches.” A part of his strategy for healthy churches has been guiding search teams in finding the right leader for their particular congregation. Before serving as a regional pastor, Seth planted and served a church in Sioux Falls SD where he and his wife continue to worship Jesus.
Operations
Nia Gillott
Chemistry
Coordinator
Nia has a rich history of serving in churches of various sizes (from church plant to mega church) for the past 20 years. Her roles encompassed serving in both a volunteer and staff capacity. She deeply appreciates the hard and rewarding work to which church staff commit their lives. Nia studied Elementary Education and Biblical Studies at the University of Valley Forge and later received her Bachelor of FA in Visual Communication from InterContinental University. Her husband serves as the Worship & Executive Pastor at a local church (after 15 years of Youth Ministry). Having had the experience of candidating and considering various opportunities with a variety of churches, she has a unique understanding of the process of finding the perfect fit. Nia is passionate about serving and supporting churches as they walk through the process of expanding their teams to continue the mission God has for their communities.
Chris Mattix
Search
Coordinator
Over the past 20 years, Chris has had the privilege to partner with leaders ranging from executives of large companies to pastors of small local churches. She knows that each leader needs a partner to encourage their leadership, help them focus their time and energy on the things only they could do, and stay organized, efficient, and effective all at the same time. Chris has previously served as a Director of Senior Pastors at Leadership Network, a Leadership Development Coordinator for her local church, as well as an Internal Operations Manager for a coaching and consulting organization. She lives in Coastal Virginia with her husband and two rescue labs. Her greatest leadership moments, though, have come from being a mom to their three fabulous daughters as they all navigate life together trusting in the One who holds it all together.
Kelly Norris brings with her over 30 years of extensive experience in various fields including Children’s ministry, Communications, Church Planting, Worship/Creative Arts, Associate Pastor roles, and Executive Pastoral positions. Currently, she serves as an Executive Pastor in her local church. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, is a graduate of the Ohio School of Ministry, and has certifications as a Transformational Coach. Residing with her family in central Ohio, Kelly leverages her expertise and diverse background in coaching and ministry through her work with Chemistry Staffing as the Director of Strategic Initiatives. Her passion is to equip and empower people and organizations to do the work of the ministry.
Candidate Relations
Holli Lehman
Recruitment
Manager
From a young age, Holli has served in the local church, first as a pianist/vocalist and most recently as a Human Resources Manager. With a background in Marketing, Recruitment, and Human Resources, as well as a love for Jesus and the church, Holli supports Chemistry Staffing as the Recruitment Manager. She aids the team in developing new strategies to find great candidates and then support them as they navigate their search process. Holli lives in South Carolina with her husband, Shawn, who is a pastor, their three kiddos Ruthie, Emma and Micah, and their faithful dog, Fynnigan. She loves reading, weight-lifting, spending time in nature, and can almost always be found with a cup of coffee in hand!
Joy McBurney
Position Marketing
Coordinator
Joy has an extensive background in varied ministry roles within the church, as well as more than a decade of experience in communications and graphic design for churches, non-profits, and businesses around the country. Her passion is seeing people healthy and fulfilling God’s call. She loves the sometimes surprising ways that God works and enjoys watching Him unfold His plan. Joy lives in central Ohio with her husband, two kids, and two cats. Some of her favorite things are dark roast coffee and hanging out with family and friends.
Trevin Rhoades
Candidate Research
& Development
Trevin is a Cedarville University graduate and is currently the Production Director at Restoration Park Church in Dayton, Ohio. He is passionate about enhancing worship experiences both in-person and online by leading a team dedicated to creating a seamless environment. Trevin’s role at Chemistry Staffing is in helping identify candidates in transition and getting them connected to our Chemistry process.
Candidate Coaches
Tyler Arp
Candidate Coach
Tyler’s passion is equipping and discipling the next generation of leaders for the church by helping them take their next steps to find their place to serve and belong. With over 15 years of ministry experience in adult discipleship and senior leadership positions, he loves watching teams work together by bringing their collective gifts, skillset, and experience to grow the church. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Tyler loves spending time outdoors with his wife Dee and their 3 kids, Ellie, Aislyn, and Wyatt. He became a Christ follower as a young adult in 2003, pursuing Jesus with the hope of helping others do the same. He is a passionate Tennessee Volunteer who loves the color orange, rock climbing, running, and biking.
Brent Brooks
Candidate Coach
Brent has spent over four decades serving in various ministry roles. During that time, he has served four local churches as a church planting founding pastor or senior lead pastor. These churches have ranged in age from brand new to 50 years old and in size from 7 couples meeting in a living room to 1,200 people meeting In a brand new building on 50 acres in a church with no majority race. His ministry has taken him from the East Coast to the West Coast. In addition, he has served as the mentor/coach of 8 additional church plants and has served as a church consultant, seminary professor at 4 seminaries, and a leader in both citywide and national multicultural, prayer, and revival ministries. Currently he serves as the President and Executive Director of Partner4Pastors, providing pro bono mentoring, coaching, and consulting ministry to small and ethnic churches in the Reno, Nevada area that otherwise could not afford such ministry. Brent is also a former trial attorney and has lived with a kidney transplant for four decades. In all of this, Brent’s continued passion is to serve pastors, the local church, and the greater church.
Jaime Castañer-Weiss
Candidate Coach
Jaime loves helping people find their sweet spot and seeing them thrive there. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, he served in local and national leadership for church and para-church organizations before moving to the mainland US in 2008. Since then, he’s transition from a career in engineering into full-time ministry, spending eight years with a campus ministry organization, leading students and staff along with being an associate pastor at Christian and Missionary Alliance church in NY. Since 2018, he’s been on staff as a Campus Teaching Pastor at Chatham Community Church in North Carolina. In addition to an engineering degree, Jaime holds an M.Div. and is pursuing a D. Min. from Alliance Theological Seminary.
Nick Dalgardno
candidate Coach
Nick has been in full-time church ministry for over 18 years on the West Coast. An M.Div. graduate of Multnomah Seminary, he is married with two children and now is the Lead Pastor of a church in Reno, Nevada, enjoying all the area offers year-round. He has served the church in various roles, from worship and youth intern to Executive Pastor of a large, multi-site church in the Seattle area.
Nicholas Dunn
CANDIDATE Coach
Nick has served for close to 15 years in local church ministry in the North East. The son of a church planter, Nick looked to go into Education following his completion of undergrad at Cedarville University before God redirected him into the serving in the local church. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor at New Hope Fellowship in Westminster Maryland. Prior to coming to Maryland, Nick served for over 11 years at a church in upstate NY in a variety roles and leadership positions. Starting ministries from scratch, revitalizing other ministries, and creating a collaborative network of pastors in the area he lives, is a passion and heartbeat of Nick’s. During his time in NY Nick completed his Masters of Divinity in Pastoral Leadership at Liberty University.
Doug Ferguson
CANDIDATE Coach
Doug is originally from Charleston, SC and after earning a Master of Architecture from Clemson University, spent a decade practicing architecture in Orlando, Florida. During those years Doug and his wife Kim were part of a church plant which God used to ignite a love for the local church and a call to full-time ministry. Doug received a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary and for more than two decades has served churches from the Carolinas to California (and places in between) as an executive and senior pastor. Doug and Kim currently live in Davidson, NC and have three grown daughters, two son-in-laws, and four grandkids. Doug’s continuing deep love for the local church is expressed by helping connect candidates to calls that result in thriving ministry.
John Gregory
Candidate Coach
John grew up in Alabama but has lived in Florida all his adult life. Following his first career in education, he served three churches for over 20 years in various roles from music to administration to missions to community outreach. John is now the Community Care Director for Samaritan Counseling Services of the Gulf Coast in Sarasota, Florida. John also holds coaching certification with the International Coaching Federation equipping him to serve candidates searching for positional chemistry. John volunteers in various roles in a church plant in Sarasota, and he is on a quest to run a race in all fifty states.
Daniel Howard
Candidate Coach
Danny has served in student ministry for the past 11 years. He is currently part of the student ministries team at LCBC Church in Pennsylvania. He is passionate about seeing students’ lives changed by Jesus, and empowering leaders as they pour into students helping them take their next steps. He’s a husband, a dad to 3 girls, and a huge sports fan.
Josh Howard
Candidate Coach
Josh is a church planter in Raleigh North Carolina, along with his wife Christy and their three kids. For over fifteen years, Josh has served the local church in a variety of roles that vary from student ministry to campus pastor. His true passion in life is seeing people take their next step spiritually and then watching them help others do the same! He is a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan, so heartache and pain is never too far away.
Joey Jernigan
Candidate Coach
Two words can summarize what Joey is most passionate about as a pastor: life change. He loves leading someone to Jesus or seeing a follower of Jesus take their next step of obedience to Jesus; and he loves hearing the stories of those who lead another person to Jesus. Joey currently serves as Lead Pastor of Bear Valley Church in Lakewood, Colorado.
Chet Klope
Candidate Coach
A graduate of Springfield College, Chet served as a navy helicopter pilot, flying off of the back of frigates and destroyers in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. During the last four years of his 10 on active duty, Chet sensed a growing call to ministry that led him to leave active duty for the Naval Reserve and attend Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. After graduating with a Master of Divinity, Chet served at a non-denominational church in New Jersey for 25 years serving as the youth pastor, associate pastor, and senior pastor. Chet and Margot have been married for 40 years, have three children and four grandchildren. Having retired from the navy and the church, Chet currently resides in New Jersey and serves as a Candidate Coach with Chemistry Staffing where he enjoys the opportunity to come alongside the next generation of church leaders and help them find their next place of service.
Jeff Kossack
Candidate Coach
Jeff is the lead pastor of Trilogy Community Church that he and his wife, Melissa, planted in Dallas, TX in 2016. He has previously worked at Church on the Journey and the Assembly of God District Offices. He has 20 years of leadership experience. Jeff and Melissa have been married for 16 years and have six children. Jeff works with Next Generation Pastors that Leadership Network serves.
Kip Nanninga
candidate Coach
With over 26 years of full-time ministry in the local church in Next Gen, Executive, and Teaching Pastor roles, Kip Nanninga has played a crucial role in the continued success of equipping leaders, pastors, and organizations becoming healthy in all areas of ministry . His exceptional skill set, true passion for leaders and pastors and creativity for ministry has inspired massive growth in the ministries where he has served. Kip coaches leaders and organizations and is a sought after speaker at conferences and events.
Jeremiah Olson
Candidate Coach
Jeremiah Olson has been in pastoral ministry for 20 years, but in only two churches. His passion to create engaging environments that set the stage for life change has led him into multiple roles including Worship Pastor, Campus Pastor, Teaching Team, and he currently leads the creative teams as Pastor of Weekend Services at Grace Fellowship in Columbus, OH. He and his wife Marcie have 4 kids and love to travel and try new foods, but nothing beats having everybody home for pizza and movie night.
Ian Rock
Candidate Coach
Ian’s favorite leadership moments are when he’s helped others find opportunities for impact that match their passions, talents, and resources. He has two decades of ministry experience, serving as a student pastor, campus pastor, and in executive leadership. His sweet spot is helping churches and ministries identify the right balance of effective strategy and caring well for staff teams. Ian met his wife, Gina, while in school at Texas A&M. They now live in Houston with their son and daughter. As a family, they love spending time outside, traveling, playing games, and watching college sports.
Craig Smee
Candidate Coach
Craig Smee has over 25 years of extensive experience in church leadership, coupled with his secular workplace history, predominantly in banking, technology, and telecommunications. Craig has led and planted churches and is truly enthused by seeing the church step into its full redemptive capability. Craig has been strategic in helping churches and church leaders thrive from both a strategic and visionary perspective. Craig has a results-driven approach has consistently contributed to achieving organizational goals and vision. He has successfully implemented strategic initiatives, provided effective pastoral care, motivated and guided teams, and employed digital strategies to enhance communication and engagement. Craig holds a Doctorate in Christian Leadership and Business.
Scott Tinman
Candidate Coach
Scott has been in full time ministry for the past 29 years serving in churches throughout the Midwest in Minnesota, Illinois and Ohio. He has served the church in various pastoral roles including youth pastor, family ministry pastor, small groups, and disciple-making ministries. Currently he is serving at Living Hope Church in Findlay, OH as Student Ministry and Family Group Pastor overseeing the disciple-making ministries from birth – adult. He is married to Terri and they have 3 sons.
Matthew VanGent
Candidate Coach
Matt has been serving the local church in a variety of roles for all of his professional career, from youth ministry, to church planting, to his current role as Executive Pastor at CrossWinds Church in Livermore, CA. On the side, he is also the founder of Beyond Seminary, providing leadership coaching to pastors (seminary teaches you how to study the Bible, it doesn’t always teach you how to manage a staff!). Matt lives in the Bay Area with is wife and two daughters. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry from Azusa Pacific University and a Master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Seminary. When he’s not with his family or serving the church, you can find Matt out on the trails training for an ultramarathon.
Craig Whitney
Candidate Coach
Craig is a leader, trainer, strategist, and coach. He planted a church over 30 years ago in an era when few resources were available for development and training of church planters.. This experience fuels his passion for providing today’s leaders with the training and support they need to effectively start and multiply churches. He is the founder of Multiply Project. An organization committed to preparing pastors and churches to fulfill their calling as disciple-making and multiplication centers. Craig lives in Sacramento, California with the cutest girl in his 4th Grade Sunday School class who he has now been married to for over 35 years. When he is not reading, writing or talking about ideas for developing leaders, he likes to spend time roasting and drinking coffee, cycling in the Sierra Foothills, and cheering on his favorite Formula 1 driver.
Shay Wood
Candidate Coach
Shay has been serving in the local church for over a decade as a student pastor, campus pastor, teaching pastor, multisite director, and church planter. A West Texas boy who grew up in Midland/Odessa, Shay is now living in Fort Worth, TX with his wife Robyn and their three sons. They are currently planting Mercyhill Church, with a vision to see Jesus in every heart and home. Shay has a B.S. in Youth Ministry, an M.A. in Evangelism & Church Planting, and an M.Div in biblical studies from Liberty University. He is currently working on his dissertation for a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies through the Cook School of Leadership at Dallas Baptist University. Shay’s ministry experience in building teams and restructuring church staff for long-term health and vision alignment informs his work with Chemistry in helping candidates navigate their next steps and find a church where they can both fit in and stand out.