General Board
The central role of the General Board is to function as the Fellowship’s administrative overseers. This includes employment, finances, properties, and organizational purpose, policies, and practices.
Levi Stuckey, Chair – Napoleon, OH
Monica Matheny, Vice-Chair – Hilliard, OH
Marc Friesen, Treasurer, Newton, KS
Greg Grimwood, Secretary – Wooster, OH
Randi Bignell – Reading, MI
Marc Buwalda – Kendallville, IN
Nate Hamblin – Fort Wayne, IN
Lindsey Rupp – Lawton, MI
Nate Schumacher – Fort Wayne, IN
Ed Wright – Normal, IL
Elder Board
The central role of the Elder Board is to function as the Fellowship’s spiritual overseers. This includes interpretation and application of bylaws & Article of Faith, credentialing, and counsel, correction, and care to credentialed personnel.
Mark Clausing, Chair – Toledo, OH
Eric Coblentz, Secretary – Hartville, OH
Sam Andres – Defiance, OH
Matt Boyers – Wauseon, OH
Nate Hamblin – Fort Wayne, IN
Jack Napier – Newton, KS
Stuart Rex – Gridley, IL
Nate Schumacher – Fort Wayne, IN
Scott Wildenberg – Cannon Falls, MN
Our Staff
Nate Hamblin
President
N.Hamblin@fecministries.org
Nate grew up loving movies like Lean on Me (the story of Joe Clark who turned around a school), Braveheart (the tale of the rag tag leader William Wallace) and Remember the Titans (Coach Boone leading an integrated high school football team in segregated VA). It’s no wonder Nate is drawn to leaders who pull together unexpected teammates to accomplish great change, like Jesus. We think Nate is also one of those leaders who can pull together a diverse group of teammates to accomplish great change. That’s why he’s a perfect fit to lead as FEC’s president. It’s in this role that Nate has the opportunity to help FEC function as a team and be sure we are serving and supporting our churches as faithfully and effectively as possible. Nate lives in Fort Wayne with his wife Amanda and his two sons – Eli and Oliver. When asked what a typical day looks like for him, his response is that he prefers non-typical days. This fact alone makes Nate the perfect fit at FEC.
Tom Bennardo
Executive Director of Church Multiplication & Leadership
T.Bennardo@fecministries.org
Tom Bennardo is a native of Brooklyn, New York who has lived on both coasts and various places in-between. In 35 years of ministry he has served as a staff pastor, youth pastor, church planter, and senior pastor. Tom holds a B.A. and M.Div. from Grace College & Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana, and a doctorate from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. After more than 21 years as founder and lead pastor of Life Community Church, an FEC church in Hilliard, Ohio, Tom joined the staff of FEC in 2017. Now residing on the west coast, Tom’s role is multi-faceted: serving as Executive Director of Church Multiplication & Leadership. Tom and his wife Marcia have two daughters.
Linda Burton
Accountant
l.burton@fecministries.org
Linda Burton, a Fort Wayne native, considers herself to be both privileged and blessed to be a part of the FEC team. After many years at Raytheon followed by a short season at a local bank, Linda was extremely thankful to join the FEC. “I feel that I am able to use my analytical nature in this position, and it fits me well,” Linda shares. When Linda needed to move into full-time work, FEC had an opening, and Linda was able to fill in the gap, working part-time for CSF and part-time for FEC. “God orchestrated the perfect scenario at just the right time. In a season when I needed “family” and an encouraging atmosphere, God provided abundantly through an organization I already loved.” Linda lends accounting assistance to Nate Zimmerman, the Administrative Director, in a variety of accounting responsibilities and some special projects. “I love that my position with FEC provides a variety of tasks and also has given me the opportunity to serve God alongside people that I consider to be like family.”
Eric Hall
Director of Church Relations & Communications
E.Hall@fecministries.org
Having spent 15 years in the non-profit world as a pastor and then 15 years in for-profit world in digital marketing, Eric is a unique mix. And, that’s what makes him such a good fit to be the Director of Church Relations and Communication. In this role, Eric helps tell stories for FEC while also building relationships with FEC churches and leaders. Eric and his wife Becky have been married over 30 years and have three grown children and two grandchildren. If you ask him to describe himself, he may look at you somewhat confused and say “It depends.”
Abby Hyde
Executive Assistant
A.Hyde@fecministries.org
Abby and her mom were first invited to an FEC church when they visited the lead pastor’s garage sale. Her family started attending and it was the church where Abby met her husband, the youth pastor! She’s been a part of FEC ever since. That “random” encounter might be the best thing event found at a garage sale. And, it’s proving to be quite a benefit to the FEC office as well. Abby works to help manage all things office at FEC. Abby is a regular attender at Pine Hills Church in Fort Wayne where she is regularly involved with the worship team. When asked about her special skills and abilities, Abby said that she can make three loops in her tongue. We’re not really sure what that means, but we think it makes her a perfect fit for the FEC team.
Hal Lehman
Director of Cross-Cultural Church Multiplication
H.Lehman@fecministries.org
He’s been in 29 countries and six of the seven continents. He speaks three languages. He’s flown a plane in remote jungles, rugged mountains, and isolated rain forests. And he’s served on staff as a pastor. So, we think Hal is uniquely qualified to serve FEC as Director of Cross-Cultural Church Multiplication. After graduating from Fort Wayne Bible College, Hal spent several years at Crossview Church in Grabill, IN, followed by serving in both the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. After completing his degree in mission aviation technology from Moody, Hal served in Indonesia for four years before joining the FEC team in 2002. He consistently seeks new cross-cultural opportunities that God may open for FEC, and desires to resource local churches seeking international involvement. When asked what one thing he would like to do before he dies, Hal answers that he would love to climb the pyramids in Egypt. That sounds like the answer we’d expect from someone passionate about planting churches around the world. Plus, it would increase his number of countries visited to 30.
Jared Mehrle
Director of Church Multiplication
J.Mehrle@fecministries.org
Jared Mehrle serves as the Director of Church Multiplication for FEC. With over 20 years of pastoral experience, much of his ministry has been centered around church planting. Jared’s calling to vocational ministry began in high school, leading him to pursue a degree in Bible and Ministry from Johnson University in Knoxville, TN. As a fun fact, Jared shares that his grandfather was one of the engineers who helped with the Mercury and Gemini space missions, putting a man into space. We look forward to Jared continuing the family legacy—perhaps by planting the first church on the moon!
Rocky Rocholl
President Emeritus
R.Rocholl@fecministries.org
Growing up in a pastor’s home may have set the stage for Rocky to eventually become President (and now President Emeritus) of the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches. This foundation has helped develop a passion in Rocky to see FEC churches live out the Great Commandment by fulfilling the Great Commission. With experience in the for-profit sector as an Operations Manager as well as a long history of pastoral ministry, Rocky has been uniquely prepared to provide leadership, vision, and guidance to FEC. Rocky graduated from Bethel University where he played football, baseball and basketball. After some graduate work in business and economics, Rocky began work as Operations Manager for Specialty Feeds in Omaha, Nebraska. It was during this time that he distinctly heard the call to full-time ministry. This call eventually led to Rocky serving at Brookside Church in Fort Wayne, IN as Executive Pastor for over twelve years. Rocky, then, became the President of FEC in 2010 and moved into the role as President Emeritus in 2026. When asked, what, as a child, he wanted to be when he grew up, Rocky answers, without hesitation, a football player. While there’s not a lot of passing and blocking at the office, his vision and leadership are helping to move the ball for something that matters a whole lot more than any game.
Darla Rupp
Director of Operations & Ministry Resourcing
D.Rupp@fecministries.org
Darla joined the FEC staff with a heart for service, a spirit for teamwork, and a gift for making ministry systems hum. She’s been married to Mark for over 28 years, as well as a mom to two sons. Darla first connected with FEC through Crossroads Evangelical Church in Wauseon, where she began serving in 2010 and grew to love the fellowship’s close-knit community. Known for her intensity, curiosity, and fun-loving nature, she also delights in tracking down hidden gems—like great local donut shops—wherever she goes.
Nate Zimmerman
Director of Finance & Benefits
N.Zimmerman@fecministries.org
Nate is FEC’s glue. It’s as simple as that. He gets things done, holds everything together, and fills in the gaps wherever needed. Nate’s also a lifelong member of FEC. His grandmother was from Sterling Church and his grandfather from Salem Church. Nate grew up attending Brookside Church in Fort Wayne where he is still heavily involved – more evidence of his glue-like character. Nate graduated early from Taylor University with a degree in business management. After graduation he began working in his family’s financial business until joining FEC team in 2015. Nate handles all the financials for FEC and provides back office support to missionaries, planters, and pastors literally around the world. When asked to describe himself in three words, Nate responds with “loyal, willing, and fun-loving.” We agree and would add sticky, like glue.
Steve Adriansen
Pastoral Care Coordinator
S.Adriansen@fecministries.org
A born & bred Buckeye, Steve has served through a wide variety of pastoral positions since placing his personal trust in Christ as a high school student in the 1970’s. While serving on 4 different church pastoral staffs in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana between 1984 and 2010, Steve experienced a growing burden to personally encourage pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders. In 2010 Steve launched Behind the Scenes, a ministry to “serve those who serve our Savior” in various leadership capacities. His work most often finds Steve in the Midwest, while 1/3 of his ministry is currently devoted to those serving on foreign soil. Steve joined the FEC team in 2021 as a part-time staff member to focus on encouraging pastors & leaders in FEC churches. Steve is a graduate of Grace College & Grace Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana and lives with his wife Kathy near Detroit, Michigan, where he has developed a cadre of fellow Buckeye fans.
Jaime Farrell
quizzing@fecministries.org
Quizzing Coordinator
Together with Jonathan and their four kids, Jaime lives in Morton, IL, where they are part of the Grace Church family. Having grown up at Grace, the Quiz Ministry was one of the most formative parts of her growth as a young Christ-follower. Her passion for knowing, teaching, and living out God’s Word continues to grow amidst managing her household, being a family taxi driver, cheerleading for the kids, serving at church, and now leading the FEC Quizzing program with grace and energy.
Along with navigating the fullness of life, Jaime and Team Farrell love welcoming others into their home for a meal and playing games (board games, card games, yard games, and now pickleball!). She’d welcome the chance to share with you, whether as a pastor, student leader, or parent, the richness and rewards of our Bible Quizzing Ministry.
Rick Lessing
Education Coordinator
R.Lessing@fecministries.org
When describing Saul of Tarsus from the Bible, Rick says that Saul was “forever a misunderstood genius. Even after his miraculous transformation, he seemed to always be a lightning rod of controversy. Yet, because of him, the course of Christianity, and even history, was significantly altered.” Rick’s focus on education at FEC allows him to alter the course of pastors who need to continue their own training. As a graduate of Fort Wayne Bible College with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies as well as Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with an M.Div. & Th.M. in Systematic Theology, Rick is clearly in his sweet spot of ministry. Rick lives in Fort Wayne with his wife Darlene. He has two grown sons (both married) and six grandchildren. When asked to describe himself in three words, Rick says he is loyal, encouraging, and shepherding. And, if that isn’t enough, he was also trained with the FBI and is a member of their “Citizen’s Academy.”