Dr. Steve Van Fossen has been surrounded by ministry his entire life.  Growing up in a pastor’s home, he accepted the call into ministry his senior year of college.  He has spent the past 30 years learning to live out his call to be a disciple of Jesus who makes disciples.  When he’s not serving his local congregation, he works with congregations across the United States as a master course coach for the ministry Emotionally Healthy Discipleship founded by Pete Scazzero.  He is married to his partner in ministry, Marcey Van Fossen.  They have six adult children and enjoy living life to the fullest.  Steve is passionate about living an emotionally healthy and spiritually mature life, and helping others do the same.  He is a diehard Star Wars fan (Episodes 1-6), and the team he roots for from his home state of Ohio, is The Ohio State Buckeyes.  He enjoys cooking, reading, and anything that involves spending time with Marcey.

 Barb grew up in Melrose Massachusetts but fell in love with Maine when she attended St. Josephs College in Windham. In 2008 she and Eric, her husband of 40 years, realized their dream, of building a home in Wells. They have been attending Messiah since moving to Maine. She loves spending time with her two daughters and six grandchildren, especially in winter when they enjoy snowmobiling together. Her passion is motorcycle riding. You can find her “ scorched orange” Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe in the church parking lot each Sunday that weather permits. Barb and Eric are both members of BlackSheep Harley Davidson’s for Christ, a motorcycle ministry, whose mission is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the biker community. She presently serves as Chaplain for the Southern Maine Chapter.

Her favorite scripture is: Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord, your God, will be with you wherever you go.”

Ruth spent most of her childhood in Westford MA, went to college, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Law and Justice and moved to Wells. She had a career in law enforcement and retired after 31 years. She married her husband, Butch giving her two wonderful children and eight adorable grandchildren. Ruth decided to go to Gordon Conwell Seminary and got her Christian Studies Certificate. She enjoys family, friends, baking, crafting and just about anything to help at the church.

 Marcey grew up in Trenton, Michigan…

Linda grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire. She attended Plymouth State and majored in Art. She comes to Messiah having retired as the President of Indian Head Mortgage Company and is responsible for the proper stewardship of all church finances, budget management, employment practices, compensation, and benefits. Linda is a true craftsman; she likes to make jewelry, knit, paint and carve, and her gardens are absolutely beautiful. Linda lives in Kennebunk with her Boston Terrier named Jade.

Her favorite Scripture is 1 Peter 3:4, “Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. “

 Reagan grew up in the small, rural town of Sutton, Massachusetts. She studied songwriting at Berklee College of Music and loves soulful worship music. Reagan feels honored that God has called her to lead His church into His presence through worship, and she blends a true heart of worship with beautiful music. She teaches in the Berwick school system and also gives private music lessons. Reagan’s husband is in the Air National Guard and they live in Wells with their four children. She loves gardening and taking her dogs to the beach.

Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

 Jackie grew up in Agawam, MA and graduated from Springfield Technical Community College. After college she worked in customer service in various settings and in the insurance industry for a combined 27 years.  Her work as a Youth Ministry Leader for over ten years led her to a career change working with local children and youth as a Behavioral Health Professional and Education Technician. Her passion at Messiah is to disciple teens and help them mature in their walk with Jesus.  She is married to Allan, and together they enjoy time with their large family.

Her favorite scripture is Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart.”

 Raised in Texas, Victoria has lived in New England for 24 years where she has been a teacher for most of that time. She has her BA from the University of Texas and her MA from Fitchburg State, both in Education. Teaching in the public schools has allowed her to see first-hand the challenges our children face in our society today. She has a strong desire to help kids overcome their struggles, but knows that the only way is through our Lord Jesus Christ. Victoria feels that the Lord has called her to help children to follow Him. They are the future of the church. She and her husband, Dan, live in Wells and have one daughter. Victoria loves spending time with family and being active outdoors, observing God’s handiwork.

Her favorite Scripture is Prov 3:6, “In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Denise grew up in South Portland, Maine. She has her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Maine and her Master’s in Education and Special Education from Cambridge College. As she leads our prayer ministry, her desire is that we are drawing closer to God as we walk alongside each other in love, seeking Him. “In prayer we seek God, we do not seek peace, quiet, tranquility , enlightenment; we do not seek anything for ourselves. We seek to give ourselves…. to God. He is the all of our prayer “ M. Basil Pennington. She and her husband, Michael, live in Wells and have two children. Denise enjoys early mornings with the Lord, beach walks, flowers, reading and photography.

Her favorite Scripture is Habakkuk 3:19, “The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.”

 Sandi grew up in a the small town of Ashby, Massachusetts and she and her husband have been engaged in building homes and developing new neighborhoods in the Wells area for many years. What Sandi loves most about leading the Care Ministry is that care demonstrates love for people; care opens doors with others and creates opportunity to share and grow together. She has been married to her husband, Joe, for 35 years. They have two grown daughters and one grandson. Sandi enjoys spending time with her family and going on motorcycle rides. She also enjoys interior design and hearing other people’s stories.

Her favorite Scripture is 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Allan Henri

Allan grew up in Biddeford and received his BA in Industrial
Technology from the University of Southern Maine. He has
always liked building things, and has run a successful home
improvement business for many years. Allan comes from a large
family, and enjoys hosting family BBQ’s. He also enjoys getting
away to northern Maine to explore and ride atv’s. His favorite
verse is 1 Peter 4:10, “Each one of you should use whatever gift
you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s
grace in its various forms”.

Dan Bulger
Dan grew up in Pownal, VT and received his BA from the University of Vermont in Secondary Education with a focus in science and his MA from Endicott College in Special Education. Dan works as a Special Education teacher in Haverhill, Mass. Dan has been married to Victoria for fifteen years and they have wonderful daughter in middle school. His hobbies are hunting, fishing, hiking, and just being outside. Dan’s favorite Scripture is Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Butch Farnsworth 

Butch grew up in Portland Maine and had a career in Law Enforcement for many years.

He is married to Ruth and has 2 grown children with eight grandchildren.  Butch’s hobbies include hunting, shooting sports, golf, and just enjoying the outdoors.  Butch is  involved in many different Ministries of the church, from Pickleball to Men’s Breakfast to Snow Removal; you can find him helping at the church all the time.  He’s been with Messiah over 20 years.   

My favorite scriptures is Phil 2:3 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

 
Dan, Allan, and Butch love to serve in a physical sense, get their hands dirty and have visible results of their service towards the lord. They also love to work with others and getting to know them in the working together.

Amanda grew up in Kennebunk. She attended Grove City College and received her BA in International Business and Economics. She returned to Kennebunk with her husband, Werner, to pursue a career and start her family and later received her MBA from USM.

She currently works in affordable housing serving folks looking for safe, cost efficient housing. Her favorite thing about leading our discipleship ministry is seeing others grow confident in who they are in Jesus and building a strong relationship with him.

Amanda loves to go camping and hiking with her family and curl up with a good book in her spare time.

When asked for her favorite scripture she said, “How do you choose a favorite scripture? It really depends on the day and what I need that day, but overall maybe Micah 6:8, ‘He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’”