Mike Neely - Lead Pastor

Our Lead Pastor, is happily married to Mickee, his high school sweetheart of 33 years. Mickee is a successful mother, mentor to mothers and a part-time realtor.

His daughter, Micole, is a Physician Assistant in Phoenix. His son, Micah, is a student at UNO. His youngest son, Morgan, is a remodeling contractor and studying to be an EMT. Katelin Joy is the 8 year old blond whirlwind who loves everyone and doing everything at once.

Mike enjoys reading and many outdoor sports for soul refreshment. Mickee enjoys all things connected with home and house, including hosting hospitality events.

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Gary Schulte - Executive Pastor
As Executive Pastor, Gary provides regular supervision of our capable ministry staff and oversees the fiscal and facility resources of our church family. Additionally, he directs the area of Welcoming Ministries, attempting to create an open and comfortable place for people to connect. It is his desire to help newcomers begin to feel as though this is truly their church home. He also oversees print publications, the church website, video communications, and a variety of administrative areas.

Sports and travel are two of his greatest loves – next to his wife, Stephanie, of course!

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Paul Hofrichter - Music Ministries
Paul Hofrichter is Minister of Music and Worship, and also serves as General Director of the annual Singing Christmas Tree. Paul blends contemporary and traditional music by groups, solos, and from the congregation to impact people with the gospel message. He longs to see the church worship God with their whole lives, not just with music and church attendance.

Paul is a Grand Island area native who grew up in our church, he studied music in Seattle, found his wife Diana in Portland, worked 17 years in missions in Europe, and then returned home to join our staff. He also has an M.A. with an emphasis in theology, and enjoys occasional teaching. He and Diana have four children.

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Paul Canady - Adult Discipleship Pastor

Our Adult Discipleship Pastor, Paul Canady, oversees Adult Ministries. Paul is an avid reader, likes to play golf (although he's not any good at it), works a little bit with wood, enjoys all flavors of music and loves to ride his Harley. His wife, Mary Lou, is a great wife and mother and perhaps legendary, as a grandmother. Paul has been married to Mary Lou for almost 34 years and together they have raised four children and now have eight grandhchildren.

Previous to coming here, Paul served as a pastor with an organization called Village Missions for 32 years. Paul received his Bachelor of Biblical Science degree at Western Bible College in Denver and his graduate degree at Moody Graduate School in Chicago.

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Josh Casey - High School Pastor

Josh became the High School Pastor in June 2009. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2007 and is currently working on a M.A. in Christian Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Prior to pastoral ministry, Josh interned at Grand Island Evangelical Free Church under Pastors Matt Whitman and Micah Salmon. He loves hockey, music and the Cornhusker State.

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Scott Moore - Middle School Ministries
Scott “Buffalo” Moore came as the Middle School Pastor in the summer of 2006.  He and his wife Hannah are native to Nebraska, but moved back here from Nevada.  Prior to that Scott was at Denver Seminary where he received his M.A. in Youth and Family Ministry.

Scott spent nine formative summers on staff at Timberlake Ranch Camps near Central City, where he cultivated a heart for student ministry.  Hannah has also worked with students, both at camp and as a teacher, and they enjoy doing student ministry together.

Scott’s hobby’s include softball, baseball, music, the outdoors, and playing with his daughter Shalom, who was born in 2005 and his son Calvin, who was born in 2008.

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Matt Whitman - College/Young Adult Ministries

Matt is generally a blur - he's always moving. His heart for those 18-25ish young adults is obvious in his leadership of The City (Thursday night hangout/discussion/worship/Bible Study group). His blurriness is also due to his enjoying teaching History at Central Community College. He smiles alot (and is not as much of a blur) around his wife, Camilla, and their daughters, Helena and Monica. He's a hockey fan, plays disc golf, and loves to make people feel tall.

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Dawn Feely - Children's Ministries

Dawn Feely coordinates our Children's Ministries. She directly oversees kindergarten through 5th grade ministries. She was blessed with a Godly, faith-centered upbringing and strives to instill the foundational beliefs she has held close since childhood into the students she serves. She and her husband, William, have three elementary children of their own. Dawn loves traveling, cooking, reading, and is always thinking of new ways to introduce God and His many attributes to children.

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Saffron Buettner - Preschool Coordinator

Saffron Buettner brings a tremendous love for young children to her ministry as Nursery Coordinator. Saffron has many years of experience in child daycare. Her desire is to make little ones feel welcome and loved while in our well equipped preschool suite. She and her husband, Darren, have three daughters.

Stacy Sands - Nursery Coordinator

Stacy Sands brings a tremendous love for young children to her ministry as Nursery Coordinator. Stacy has many years of experience as a nanny, home daycare provider and foster parent. Her passion is to teach and make little ones feel welcome and loved while in our spacious and well-equipped nursery facility. She and her husband, Mark, have two biological children, Haylee and Micah, and many foster children.

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Thomas Thipek - Sudanese Congregation Pastor

Pastor Thomas and his family came to Grand Island in 2002. Shortly after arriving here, they began ministering to the Sudanese Community. Thomas has a great passion to share Christ with his native country. Worship services in the Nuer language take place at 1 p.m. each Sunday in the Chapel.

Support Staff

Sue Moran
Membership and Publications
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Nina Strickland
Administrative Assistant/Receptionist
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Carolyn Knee

Administrative Assistant/Receptionist

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Lori Vaughn
Administrative Assistant/Financial
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Tony Casarez
Custodian

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