Pastor Walt Walkowski
Senior Pastor
Walt was called to Bethel in 2007. He is married to Sara, and together they have two children, Rachel and Nate. Walt especially enjoys spending time with his family. He is an avid fan of all the Detroit sports teams, especially the Lions, and has been known to participate in a fantasy football league or two. Walt also enjoys listening to music of many different genres, watching movies, reading, and playing board games of all kinds.
Patrick Kelly
Director of Worship Arts
Patrick became a part of the Bethel family in 2012. He is married to Megan, and they have two daughters, Amelia and Colette. Patrick has a passion for Christ, family, people and worship. His mission at Bethel is to help everyone engage in honest, wholehearted worship of God in all of life. He enjoys being with his family, hanging out with friends, studying the Bible, and being active. Some of Patrick’s interests are listening to and writing music, watching movies, reading good books, tinkering with technology, and climbing big hills on his bicycle.
Elders
Carey Collins
Carey has been attending Bethel his entire life. He is married to Julie and has two children, Samantha and Tyler. Carey serves as a Senior High small group leader and as a part of Bethel’s Blessings Team. He also participates with the Worship Team on trumpet and appears in church dramas. He teaches math and drama at Northwest high school and advises the drama club. Camping with the family is one of his favorite things to do for vacation.
Dennis Conant
Dennis and his wife, Jana, came to Bethel in June of 1975. They have three grown children who all attended Bethel and are continuing to walk with the Lord. Dennis has taught youth and adult Sunday school classes over the years, and led a small group Bible study as well. Dennis is an attorney and sees his practice as an opportunity for ministry.
Mark Haavisto
Mark and his family have been attending Bethel since they moved to Jackson in 1999. Mark and Carol have been married 24 years and have two daughters, Meredith and Lydia. He has served on the Elder board for six years prior and has also served in a variety of ministries including Sunday School teacher, AWANA leader, usher, choir and praise team. Mark works as an Electrical Engineer at a contract manufacturing facility in Saline. His hobbies include bicycling, family time and attending his daughters’ sporting events.
John Lemmon
John and his wife, Sherry, both grew up at Bethel. Sherry’s parents were part of the founding group and helped lay tile in the old sanctuary. John and Sherry were married in 1977 and joined Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) the following year. They went to Ecuador in 1980, serving for 12 years at MAF’s Shell base, then accepted an assignment in Quito. In 2001, after 21 years in Ecuador, God orchestrated a move back to the U.S. John now serves as a full-time recruiter for MAF in the Midwest. John and Sherry have three adult children, David, Jonathan and Crystal, and four grandchildren.
David McCallum
David has been a part of Bethel since the summer of 2004. He and his wife, Wendi, are passionate about life and raising their family. Infant loss and a special needs child have forever changed the McCallums’ life. They have been blessed with five sons, four of which they continue to raise here on earth. David currently works at Spring Arbor University as a custodian and enjoys being an influence in students’ lives. David enjoys getting involved in people’s lives by encouraging others to be aware of what God is doing in their lives. Being part of Bethel’s leadership team is an honor and is a position that David takes very seriously. He looks forward to seeing how God is going to use the people of Bethel in our community and around the world to model Christ to humankind.
Dick Minier
Dick began attending Bethel with his family back in 1972. He is married to Carolyn, and together they have three adult children, 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Dick has served Bethel in many roles, such as teacher, deacon and elder, and currently serves as a small group leader in the Grapple junior high program, an Adult Bible Fellowship teacher, a member of the Missions Team, a Gideon and he ministers to senior citizens residing at Arbor North. He enjoys playing tennis, basketball and golf.
John Rockey
John and his wife of 35 years, Sue, met at Bethel while John was the youth pastor in the mid-70s. They have two adult children and three grandchildren. John is a Realtor with EXIT Realty 1st and a part owner in the Jackson franchise. John’s hobbies include mowing the yard, flying general aviation aircraft, woodworking and playing basketball. His greatest passion is evangelism and seeing people come to faith in Christ.
Mike Vanderwalker
Mike and his wife, Beth, have been married for more than 30 years, and they have two adult children. Mike works as an outpatient mental health therapist in private practice and specializes in substance abuse, dual diagnosis (substance abuse and a mental illness), disruptive children/teens and their families, relationship problems, health care professionals and Christians. His hobbies are bike riding and gardening. In his devotional life, Mike prefers topical studies of various kinds. He has read through the Bible numerous times in a year and encourages others to do so because reading it in its entirety brings a different perspective to it.
Neil Veydt
Neil and his wife, Sharrol, have been at Bethel for many years. Neil currently serves as chair of the elder board, and has served in that capacity in previous stints on the board. He has a rich and varied background, with experience in the fields of education, ministry, resource development and sales, and in contexts as far-reaching as universities, publishing and the local church. He is currently semi-retired, serving as a consultant for select not-for-profit organizations. Neil and Sharrol have three adult children—all married—and seven grandchildren. Neil enjoys time with his family, traveling, reading, and is an avid golfer.
