Meet Our Staff

Jim Belt Sharon and I have been married for 34 years. We have two children, Andrea McGee and Sean, both of whom are involved in ministry at WHFC. Our granddaughter, Abbigail (19 months old) can be seen around the church usually holding on to one of our fingers. Just recently, January 8, 2008, we welcomed our second granddaughter into the world: Alainah Rae McGee.

You'll see me here in the afternoons and the evenings as part of my responsibilities includes overseeing the church facility. My heart is also with the Seniors as I am their pastor.

Greg Bierbaum I grew up on the Gulf Coast near Galveston, TX.  I went to college in Kansas but now call NE Ohio my home.  I met my beautiful wife Sandy in college.  We were married after our freshman year at the age of 19.  Influenced greatly by my new bride (even more by her actions than her words), I embraced Jesus as God at the age of 20.  We have three children; Marcus (and wife Tiffany), Jacob (and wife Ashley) and Angela, still daddy’s princess as an adolescent.  I love athletics (especially soccer & basketball) and enjoy reading.  Oh yes, I have the fattest beagle in all of northern Ohio.  His name is Wiz.

You'll find me preaching on Saturday evenings and Sunday morning as well as teaching on Wednesday evenings. My heart is also with reaching out to young adults and The Well ministry, an outreach program in the inner city area of Cleveland.

Jim Davis I met my wife Tami when she attended youth group here at WHFC. After she graduated from High School, we started dating and I knew she was the one. I asked her to marry me in front of the whole congregation (including her family) at a Sunday evening service. I wanted to make sure she could not back out! We have been married 18 years and have four children: Jonathon, Jordan, Jeremy and Julian and one white kitten named Bello (Italian for handsome). I love going to Indians baseball games as well as watching almost all major sports.

For 22 years, I have been the Teen Pastor here at WHFC. The Lord blessed me by directing me to a ministry that has held my heart from the day I started. You'd likely find me in the Youth Center or the Activity Center surrounded by a wonderful team of youth workers and sometimes several hundred teens. Unless it is during Youth Explosion and then the number goes up over a thousand!

Tom Fowler My father was an evangelist and my family traveled all across the USA with him. My five younger brothers and sisters and I sang and played musical instruments in the services. I met my wife of 47 years, Esther, through one of my college roommates. We hail from a long line of preachers! Her preacher brother, Merlin, performed our wedding ceremony, her preacher Dad, Lloyd, gave her away & my preacher Dad, Thomas, Sr, assisted in the ceremony. We have two children: Thomas "Thom" the third and Katrina. We have two grandkids: Thomas “Massey,” IV, a sophomore in high school and Megan, a sophomore in college.

Esther & I pastored for 28 years in the Church of the Nazarene. Almost 16 years ago, we decided to come to WHFC to visit and stayed. For 15 of those years, I was in charge of the custodial duties and served as Elder of Outreach. In 2007, first part time then full time, I began serving as Visitation Pastor. Most afternoons you can find me, with Esther by my side, on the road traveling to where the sick and needy are found. My heart is with those who are hurting and need someone to come alongside and pray with them.

Adrian Halverstadt, PhD I have been on staff at WHFC for ten years. I married Lisa, my childhood sweetheart in June of 1980 (only because she declined my first proposal when we were 16!). We have three adult sons Adrian, Joel, and Tim and a daughter-in-law who we delight in named Alana (Joel's wife). We enjoy camping, jeeping together in the Smoky Mountains, and cruising the Caribbean with friends. When I'm not with Lisa, I enjoys riding my motorcycle and shooting guns with men from the church.

I am wearing two hats currently. I am the Family Life Pastor and lean heavily upon an outstanding team who help me in this area. Just this past year, I accepted the opportunity to be the Administrative Pastor of WHFC. You'll find me in the Hospitality room on Sunday mornings greeting newcomers and usually taking the opportunity to greet everyone at services and share announcements.

I am truly honored to be serving your children here at Willoughby Hills Friends Church. It is my desire to partner with you in bringing your children to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to encourage them to love the Lord with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their mind and with all their strength.

Lynn Pierce Scott, the WHFC choir director, and I are profoundly blessed by our son Zachary and our daughter Bethany. They are both active at WHFC and a delight to our heart. You'll find Zac displaying the words to the songs at the Sunday 9:30am service and Bethany playing the part of Savannah in Kid's Church Live. We live in Concord Township and have three pets (Keenan our dog, Webster and Shadow our cats) who are all much larger than we anticipated when we brought them home as babies!

You'll find me behind the scenes at the Easter Musical or leading games in Kid's Church Live when not coordinating Mastering Motherhood and/or tending to Women's Ministries. If you would like to get plugged into Women's Ministries, please don't hesitate to contact me. My hope and prayer is that every women who calls WHFC home feels connected and a part of the family here.

Bill Ruff I met my wife Marlene at a Malone church conference when we were 15 years old. I was never serious about anyone else after that meeting! We have been married 53 years and have four children all of whom are married: Linda Dauterman, Joyce Fletcher, Beth Abbott, and Jim Ruff. We have 11 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and another one due in February 2008. I have lived in Lake and Cuyahoga counties almost all of my life. I find I no longer like the winters. My wife and I have an avid interest in pro baseball and american history is something else I enjoy exploring.

It was my privilege to be involved in the catering business where I served future presidents, sports greats and other notables including Prince Charles. I am retired from the business world and now am involved part time at the church. I do what ever the staff things needs attention. I also am Presiding Clerk at congregation meetings and I appreciate all of you who laugh at my jokes and help put me at ease.

Walt Scheiman My wife Linda (my partner in ministry) and I met in Singles ministry here at WHFC. We have two children Tim, who is single living in Willoughby and Kelly who is living in Chicago with her husband Greg and the two best parts of our lives our granddaughters Haleigh (5) and Aly (21/2). Anytime you see me presenting something with PowerPoint you will see Haliegh and Aly. Linda and I live in Chardon (God´s Country) with our two miniature Australian Shepherds, Zoee and Boee, and our cat Bernie.

Singles Ministry is our passion. We believe that God has great things in store for His children and we look forward with anticipation and expectancy to the blessings He has just around the corner. I also run the church´s I.T. and Drama Departments.

Randy Thornburg I discovered music at the age of 4, around the family piano in Kibimba, Burundi, Africa where my parents served as Friends missionaries. During a family furlough, I first met my wife of 32 years, Divonna, on a tri-cycle outside her home. Years later our paths came together when we both attended George Fox College as music majors. We have been together ever since. We have two daughters: Ravonne and Ranae. I am perhaps the only person in Ohio who has eaten live flying ants and who actually enjoys eating fruit cake for dessert - or anytime at all!

I can be seen walking the halls - preparing for yet another rehearsal or trying to figure out who moved a drum cymbal from one set to another. I always believed God was real - and I could see how He was at work in the lives of my parents, but committing myself 100% to Jesus Christ as a senior in high school continues to be the best, most fulfilling decision I could have ever made! I believe He has put past life experiences, both the good and the bad, to good use in the work he has for me here at WHFC.