AND WE KNOW THAT IN ALL THINGS…
GOD WORKS FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. —Romans 8:28
Olivet Lutheran Church Staff
Rev. Dr. Robyn Schmitz
Interim Pastor
Pastor Robyn is a Lutheran convert who fell in love with Luther’s message of bold grace and God’s extravagant love. Ordained in 2002, Robyn graduated from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary before earning a doctorate in 2010 from the Episcopal Divinity School. She has served congregations in California, Colorado, Texas and Ohio. Interim assignments have become her specialty, guiding congregations during times of transition and discovery. She and her husband Jude live in Wauseon with their two Shih Tzus, Archie and Bindi. She’ll proudly tell you that she loves accordions. Pastor Robyn is taking a break from retirement to help Olivet discover its growing edge as they pave the way for their future pastor.
Pastor Robyn is a Lutheran convert who fell in love with Luther’s message of bold grace and God’s extravagant love. Ordained in 2002, Robyn graduated from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary before earning a doctorate in 2010 from the Episcopal Divinity School. She has served congregations in California, Colorado, Texas and Ohio. Interim assignments have become her specialty, guiding congregations during times of transition and discovery. She and her husband Jude live in Wauseon with their two Shih Tzus, Archie and Bindi. She’ll proudly tell you that she loves accordions. Pastor Robyn is taking a break from retirement to help Olivet discover its growing edge as they pave the way for their future pastor.
Pr. Melissa Micham
Associate Pastor
Olivet welcomed her in 2016. Pastor Melissa Micham was ordained as an ELCA minister in 2007. She served as the pastor of Glenwood Lutheran Church from 2007 – 2015 and as Site Director for Abundant Life Together, a gap year ministry for young adults from 2015-2016, both in Toledo, OH. Pastor Melissa and her husband, Marvin, share their home in Berkey with two cats. They raise hens for eggs. Pastor Melissa also enjoys lifting weights and Sudoku puzzles.
Olivet welcomed her in 2016. Pastor Melissa Micham was ordained as an ELCA minister in 2007. She served as the pastor of Glenwood Lutheran Church from 2007 – 2015 and as Site Director for Abundant Life Together, a gap year ministry for young adults from 2015-2016, both in Toledo, OH. Pastor Melissa and her husband, Marvin, share their home in Berkey with two cats. They raise hens for eggs. Pastor Melissa also enjoys lifting weights and Sudoku puzzles.
Shannon Walker
Director Of Operations
Shannon is responsible for the daily operation of the building, supervision of staff as well as various activities and ministries happening in our busy congregation. She has been serving Olivet since 2003 and enjoys her 2 children and 4 grandchildren as well as traveling with her husband of 49 years, Skip. You can reach her daily (Monday-Friday) 8-4:30 by phone 419-882-2077. Also via email at operations@olivetsylvania.org
Shannon is responsible for the daily operation of the building, supervision of staff as well as various activities and ministries happening in our busy congregation. She has been serving Olivet since 2003 and enjoys her 2 children and 4 grandchildren as well as traveling with her husband of 49 years, Skip. You can reach her daily (Monday-Friday) 8-4:30 by phone 419-882-2077. Also via email at operations@olivetsylvania.org
Jill Hepner
Membership Coordinator
Jill has served at Olivet in many capacities over the span of 13 years: as nursery caregiver, office volunteer, and on the youth & family ministry team. Presently, she rings in the Jubilee Handbell Choir, is a Minister of the Word (reader), and also Vacation Bible School helper. Her professional experiences include 3rd grade teacher for 10 years, classroom aid, and math intervention specialist. Jill and Jon are parents of Emily and Abigail.
Jill has served at Olivet in many capacities over the span of 13 years: as nursery caregiver, office volunteer, and on the youth & family ministry team. Presently, she rings in the Jubilee Handbell Choir, is a Minister of the Word (reader), and also Vacation Bible School helper. Her professional experiences include 3rd grade teacher for 10 years, classroom aid, and math intervention specialist. Jill and Jon are parents of Emily and Abigail.
REBECCA CRESS
Director of Faith Formation
Becky has degrees in American Culture Studies and Spanish, and Biology with an emphasis in Ecology and Conservation Biology. She got started working with kids as a Family Service Coordinator with Texas Migrant Council in northwest Ohio. While there she registered infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children of rural migrant workers for local Migrant Head Starts and connected their families with local financial, social and health services. After earning her biology degree, she joined Metroparks Toledo as a naturalist and informal educator, designing programs for and working with kids aged 2-18 at school, library, and on-site programs as well as at summer day camp. A lifelong Lutheran, she was baptized in 1979 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ravenna, Ohio, and has been a proud member of Olivet since 2016. Becky was honored and humbled to be called to Olivet’s team as Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries in the fall of 2021.
Becky has degrees in American Culture Studies and Spanish, and Biology with an emphasis in Ecology and Conservation Biology. She got started working with kids as a Family Service Coordinator with Texas Migrant Council in northwest Ohio. While there she registered infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children of rural migrant workers for local Migrant Head Starts and connected their families with local financial, social and health services. After earning her biology degree, she joined Metroparks Toledo as a naturalist and informal educator, designing programs for and working with kids aged 2-18 at school, library, and on-site programs as well as at summer day camp. A lifelong Lutheran, she was baptized in 1979 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ravenna, Ohio, and has been a proud member of Olivet since 2016. Becky was honored and humbled to be called to Olivet’s team as Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries in the fall of 2021.
Mike Vince
Financial Secretary
Mike has served in this capacity since 2002 and is appointed by Council. Responsibilities include check writing, banking processing, managing various systems related to contributions, income and expenses. He serves on the Finance Team and is instrumental in the budget process. Mike and his wife, Karma, have three daughters and are long-time Olivet members. He may be reached by email: kvince@bex.net.
Mike has served in this capacity since 2002 and is appointed by Council. Responsibilities include check writing, banking processing, managing various systems related to contributions, income and expenses. He serves on the Finance Team and is instrumental in the budget process. Mike and his wife, Karma, have three daughters and are long-time Olivet members. He may be reached by email: kvince@bex.net.
Sara Martin
Communications Specialist
Sara began at Olivet in February 2024 and is responsible for creating Olivet’s communications content. Her duties involve helping design Olivet’s weekly worship bulletins, monthly and bi-monthly newsletters, and other media for use throughout the church. Sara and her husband, Tyler (who you’ll find in the Christian Life Center tech booth on Sundays), enjoy spending time at home with their son and three cats. Sara welcomes your articles to include in publications, which can be emailed to her at communications@olivetsylvania.org.
Sara began at Olivet in February 2024 and is responsible for creating Olivet’s communications content. Her duties involve helping design Olivet’s weekly worship bulletins, monthly and bi-monthly newsletters, and other media for use throughout the church. Sara and her husband, Tyler (who you’ll find in the Christian Life Center tech booth on Sundays), enjoy spending time at home with their son and three cats. Sara welcomes your articles to include in publications, which can be emailed to her at communications@olivetsylvania.org.
Dr. Stephen Hodge
Adult Choir Director
Steve has a long history with Olivet as the Adult Choir Director. Dr. Hodge was Professor of Music at the University of Toledo and Director of Choral Activities. He welcomes people with a love of music and singing to consider joining Olivet’s Adult Choir. He can be reached at stevehodge7464@gmail.com.
Steve has a long history with Olivet as the Adult Choir Director. Dr. Hodge was Professor of Music at the University of Toledo and Director of Choral Activities. He welcomes people with a love of music and singing to consider joining Olivet’s Adult Choir. He can be reached at stevehodge7464@gmail.com.
Ash Lovegood
Praise Band Leader
Ash Lovegood, who joined Olivet’s music ministry team in March of 2020, has been leading worship in a variety of settings for over 20 years. She grew up in Toledo and discovered a passion for music very early in life. Ash enjoys performing in a variety of settings around the Northwest Ohio area and is a proud staff member at Toledo School for the Arts. She lives with her wife and two adorable hound dogs and enjoys spending time with them whenever she can.
Ash Lovegood, who joined Olivet’s music ministry team in March of 2020, has been leading worship in a variety of settings for over 20 years. She grew up in Toledo and discovered a passion for music very early in life. Ash enjoys performing in a variety of settings around the Northwest Ohio area and is a proud staff member at Toledo School for the Arts. She lives with her wife and two adorable hound dogs and enjoys spending time with them whenever she can.
Carol Miller
Handbell & Children’s Choir Director
Carol has a long history with Olivet’s music ministries dating back to 1994. Currently she directs two handbell choirs (Jubilee and Rejoice). She also assists with children’s worship programs. She is employed as an Insurance Agent at a Sylvania agency. Carol is long-time Olivet member. She may be reached by email at carolamiller5@hotmail.com
Carol has a long history with Olivet’s music ministries dating back to 1994. Currently she directs two handbell choirs (Jubilee and Rejoice). She also assists with children’s worship programs. She is employed as an Insurance Agent at a Sylvania agency. Carol is long-time Olivet member. She may be reached by email at carolamiller5@hotmail.com
Sarah Lewis
Organist
Sarah has a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Hope College and master’s degree in church music from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. After almost a decade of teaching piano, she spent 12 wonderful years as Minister of Music for a church in North Carolina. Sarah is a Sylvania native and has moved back to Ohio to be closer to her parents. She enjoys short distance hiking, taking her kids to the playground, and kayaking. Please say hello to her son Rhys and daughter Ellie; husband Matt is still in North Carolina but coming soon!
Sarah has a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Hope College and master’s degree in church music from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. After almost a decade of teaching piano, she spent 12 wonderful years as Minister of Music for a church in North Carolina. Sarah is a Sylvania native and has moved back to Ohio to be closer to her parents. She enjoys short distance hiking, taking her kids to the playground, and kayaking. Please say hello to her son Rhys and daughter Ellie; husband Matt is still in North Carolina but coming soon!
John Casper
Custodian
John joined the Olivet custodial team in 2006 and he is responsible for event set ups/tear downs in the Christian Life Center. He also is multi-talented as our fix-it guy and various maintenance projects. John and his wife, Pam, are long-time Olivet members and have 3 children and 6 grandkids.
John joined the Olivet custodial team in 2006 and he is responsible for event set ups/tear downs in the Christian Life Center. He also is multi-talented as our fix-it guy and various maintenance projects. John and his wife, Pam, are long-time Olivet members and have 3 children and 6 grandkids.
Andrea Laws
Custodian
Andrea has been a staff member since 2009 and is dedicated to maintaining Olivet’s large facility along with other members of our custodial team. Andrea works Monday through Friday mornings. She tackles her daily chores with a friendly and accommodating nature. Andrea and her husband, Rich, have 3 daughters and 3 grandsons.
Andrea has been a staff member since 2009 and is dedicated to maintaining Olivet’s large facility along with other members of our custodial team. Andrea works Monday through Friday mornings. She tackles her daily chores with a friendly and accommodating nature. Andrea and her husband, Rich, have 3 daughters and 3 grandsons.