Meet the The Leadership Board of Harvest Chapel. The role of leadership is to maintain order and health in the church so that the work of the kingdom can move forward without distraction. We'd like to introduce you to the members of our Leadership Board. Click Here to read the job description and qualifications for members of the Leadership Board.  
Pastors Alma and Brent Thompson, LB ChairsTogether, our co-pastors lead and guide our Leadership Board. Their bio information is on our Staff page and can be found by clicking here. |  | Donna AllesiBoard Position: Reserve Delegate Length of Term: through 2010 About Donna: Donna is the wife of Chick Allesi, to whom she hase been married for 44 years. Chuck served four years in the United States Navy, and worked at the Niagara Mohawk Power Plant for 33 years before retiring as a Plant Maintenance Manager.
Chuck and Donna have two children, Tammy Lynn and Charles William. Tammy works for National Grid in the Fredonia office, as a clerk. Chuck is a partner in Lawley Benefits in Buffalo. Donna and Chuck have four grandchildren; Dylan 15, Noel 10, Alex 8, Charlie 1.
Donna enjoys golfing. She is an avid reader, terrific cook and enjoys exercising. She enjoys spending quality time with her beautiful grandkids. She likes traveling with her family and friends. Donna has had foster children through CCF for over 30 years.
Donna came to Harvest five years ago. She attended for a year before deciding to look into membership. With the kindness and direction of previous and current Pastors, she was introduced to the teachings and the heart of the Church. She came to understand that the purpose of the church is: Bringing people to Christ, Building people up in Christ, Sending people out for Christ.
Donna became involved with MOPS, Friendly Kitchen, nursery, Club Jam and other Courtney Street programs. She has also been involved in various small group meetings such as; Purpose Driven Life, and a women’s study on Mind, Body, Soul and Heart. She has found there are so many ways to plug in at Harvest. She continues to look for ways to plug into Harvest.
Attending here every Sunday, except when she’s on family vacations, has given her a great sense of belonging. It has also given her wonderful opportunities to reach out to other people who are in need.
Discovering Christian music has been a big part of her connection. Serving in ways that The Lord has chosen for her has brought a great sense of well being and fellowship with others. These tools have been a blessing both to her and to others. |  | Jim ClearBoard Position: Delegate Length of Term: through 2011 About Jim:
I have been married for just over 23 years to my wife Lynn. We have two great kids, Jimmy & Catie who both attend Fredonia High School. Jimmy is a senior and Catie is a sophomore. I just recently retired (July 2008) from the New York State Police were I was a Trooper for just over 20 years.
My family and I have been part of Harvest Chapel since 1992. I have served on the Leadership Board in the past and was just recently elected to a 3 year term. I enjoy being involved at Harvest and currently I attend bible study on Thursday mornings, "All the Kings Men" on Monday evenings and have been in a small group with my wife for the past 16 years on Friday nights.
I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 16 years old and don't regret one day of it - God is good. My desire is to be a man after God's own heart and I want to serve him wherever he wants me to. I love spending time with my wife,kids and friends,either camping or being out on Lake Erie in our boat. If I'm not with my family you can find me at the gym or with my best friend Mike Karlson. I consider it a real privilege to serve God at Harvest Chapel on the Leadership Board. |  | James DetwilerBoard Position: Delegate
Length of Term: Through 2013
About Jim:
My name is Jim Detwiler and I live in Fredonia with my loving wife, Gwen, and our two children, Jacob (age 10) and Katelyn (age 6).
I am currently the Elementary School Principal for the Fredonia Schools where I have been an administrator for the last seven years. My wife, Gwen, is an Associate Professor of Voice at SUNY Fredonia.
At Harvest Chapel, I am actively involved in a weekly small group in my home, frequently play piano in the praise band, and have recently joined a weekly men’s group.
My spiritual journey and relationship with Jesus began as a young child in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. My parents were, and continue to be, wonderful Christian role models for me; I pray that I can do the same for my own children. My spiritual growth has blossomed while attending Harvest. I am thankful for the fellowship with other Christians and for the celebration of God’s love and grace evident every Sunday morning. I feel spiritually fed by the work God has done at Harvest Chapel, and I am encouraged by the church’s commitment to reach out to the community at large. If it His will, I would gladly serve on the church’s Leadership Board as the church continues to grow and spread God’s message and His grace throughout the community. |  | Dottie GrantBoard Position: Treasurer Length of Term: Eternity :-) ... Harvest Chapel has been very blessed to have such a wonderful treasurer for so many years. About Dottie:
Being born and raised in the Free Methodist Church, I have learned to appreciate the church as an important part of my life. My mother’s parents began the Free Methodist church of Sugar Grove, Pa in their living room. However, it wasn’t a church that was revered by my family, but a relationship with Jesus Christ was held up as the most important part of one’s life. As a young child, I gave my heart to the Lord and renewed that desire as a teenager. My relationship with the Lord continues to be a sustainer of my life. Even though I have my struggles, I cannot imagine life without knowing the Lord.
After high school, I attended Roberts Wesleyan College and became an English teacher. I taught English at Warren Area high school for nine years before marrying Sherm and moving to the Fredonia, NY area. I became a stepmother to two little boys who spent summers with us. Sandy is a manager of a commercial dairy and Randy works at a local factory plus is a part time farmer. Sherm and I have now been married 30 years and have three children together. Beth is a music teacher in Winterhaven, Fla.; Tim and his wife Rachel live in the Forestville, NY area where he raises grass-fed beef and works for a greenhouse; and Emily is a graduate of the nursing program at Roberts Wesleyan College. I have not totally given up teaching, as I have been a substitute teacher in the Fredonia School for the past ten years.
Since Sherm’s and my marriage, I have been a member at Harvest Chapel. As a member of Harvest, I have been involved in a number of ministries at Harvest, some of which were Bible studies, women’s ministries, MOPS, nursery, children’s Sunday school, missions, etc. Life’s changes have made my involvement somewhat limited recently, but I continue to be Treasurer of the church and a member of the Leadership Board. My husband and I have seen Harvest go through difficult times and good times. We’ve been through two building projects and have seen the church grow from about 13 people to the church of today. God has been faithful and we have been a witness to His faithfulness! We serve an awesome God!! |  | John Hilliker
Board Position: Board Member
Length of Term: Through 2013
About John:
I am John Hilliker. My wife, Judy and I have been married for 19 years and have lived in Silver Creek for over 20 years. We have four grown children; Tara, Brianna, Jonalee, and Jake, four grandchildren and a cat.
I am currently employed by the Seneca Nation of Indians working with Native American students in the Silver Creek Central School District, and have been with them for over ten years. I also coach girl’s high school sports, basketball, softball and volleyball and am co-owner with my wife of Hae Jude Custom Signs in Silver Creek.
My hobbies include movies, die cast cars, RV-ing and spending time with our grandchildren.
In regards to serving Christ, I was Youth Director at Harvest Chapel for ten years and previously at Christ Chapel in Silver Creek for five years. I have participated in several mission’s trips, including trips to England and taking teens to area youth conferences including Kingdom Bound for about 16 years. I currently lead a small home group which meets Friday nights. I have previously taught the Teen Sunday School class for many years and have also enjoyed several years of teaching adult classes.
I have a strong personal passion for those who are fighting addictions because I myself fought through addiction and in the midst of it found the saving grace of Jesus Christ. |  | Jerry NealBoard Position: Legal Trustee, and Liaison to the Facilities Ministry Team Length of Term: through 2010 About Jerry: Jerry and his wife Nancy have been lifelong residents of the area. Jerry graduated from Fredonia Central High School, Jamestown Community College, and S.U.N.Y Fredonia. He has been employed at SKF Aeroengine for 34 years and currently serves as a Senior Process Engineer. When not working he enjoys classic cars, woodworking, and summers at the lake.
He was first drawn to Harvest Chapel by the music and now serves on the sound ministry team at church. Fellowship is important at Harvest and he regularly participates in the Men’s breakfast on the second Saturday of each month. This fellowship has been extended by helping with projects such as set building for the Easter musical, painting the Friendly Kitchen, and various maintenance projects at the church as a member of the Facilities Ministry Team. Jerry has attended Harvest Chapel since 1998 and been a member since 2004. |  | Nicki Nearhoof
Board Position: Board Member
Length of Term: Through 2013
About Nicki:
My husband Tim and I were married here at Harvest Chapel in June of 2008. We feel that God has richly blessed our lives, our marriage and our journey together as we grow closer to Christ as one. We live in Silver Creek with our two dogs, Buster and Bodie. I am the office manager for State Farm Insurance in Fredonia, where I have worked for the past nine years. Tim is an operating engineer out of Local 17 in Lakeview. We enjoy camping, fishing and spending time at our home together.
Tim and I first began attending Harvest Chapel in the fall of 2005. I remember feeling overwhelmed by the warmth of the fellow worshippers and we both felt that this was the place for us to grow in Christ. What a journey it has been! Shortly after that I joined a small group bible study which has enriched my life through God’s word more than I could ever express. The sense of family and the love of scripture that I have gained from that study has become a large part of my life and my Christian walk. Praise the Lord!
In 2008 I joined the leadership team for Girlfriends God’s Way. Girlfriends has given me so much insight into God’s plan for us to love others and to share fellowship with other believers. The support and encouragement that I feel in that group of women is a real reflection of God’s love. Tim and I also enjoy volunteering in the nursery on Sunday mornings. I feel very blessed to have found Harvest Chapel and I am so excited for the future of our Harvest family. |  | Dannette PelzBoard Position: Reserve Delegate Length of Term: through 2010 About Danette: My husband, Chris, and I built a house and moved our two children, Angel & Christopher, to Silver Creek in the fall of 2004. After settling into our new home, school and area we started to visit local churches in search of a church we felt comfortable attending regularly for Sunday service. It took awhile but, upon the suggestion of a friend we ventured over to Fredonia in April of 2006 to Harvest Chapel. I immediately felt welcome and Harvest soon became a real home to me- socially, mentally, spiritually and lovingly.
By fall I had joined the Children's Ministry by volunteering in the nursery. I also started to attend the monthly W.O.W. (Women of the Word) Bible study. My husband and I took the Harvest 101 Membership Classes and became members on July 20, 2008.
Together we regularly attend the Small Group Greenhouse and are greeters for church services. I also enjoy volunteering at the Welcome Center.
I feel very blessed that God has led me to Harvest Chapel and chosen me to be a member of the church and the Leadership Board. |  | Judy PresuttiBoard Position: Lead Delegate and Secretary Length of Term: through 2011 About Judy... |
Job Description and Qualifications for those serving on the Leadership Board... Service on the Leadership Board of The Harvest Chapel Free Methodist Church is a role of spiritual leadership, defined as: The role of leadership is to maintain order and health in the church so that the work of the kingdom can move forward without distraction. The Biblical mandate to the church can be encapsulated in the words of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. The Leadership Board’s understanding of the work of the kingdom, in and through Harvest, is communicated by the establishment and implementation of our welcome and purpose statements: Harvest Chapel: A place where… God is seen, Love is felt, Lives are changed, and the Church is Family! We purpose to be about the business of inviting people to: COME as you are to Christ GROW and become all Christ has for you SERVE and live out Christ's design for you
Harvest Chapel Leaders commit to be: Authentic people who empower one another to follow Christ as He leads us deeper in and further out. In this way, and by discipline, the Leadership Board is the direction-setting body for the church. Therefore, it is expected that Leadership Board Members will: - Be HCFMC members in good standing who:
- Live consistently within the scriptural guidelines for leaders (Exodus 18:21, Acts7:3, I Timothy, 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9)
- Express Christlike attitudes in life and in relationships (Matthew 20:26-28; John 15:12-17; Acts 6:1-7 and Ephesians 4:1-17)
- Model faith in life as they seek to live out the goals for their maturing life in Christ.
- Be vital in faith, faithful in attendance and financially supportive of this local body at least to the level of the tithe.
- Spend daily time in prayer and Bible reading.
- Build relationships that allow for conversation about spiritual things with people both inside and outside the Church.
- Be an active member of a small group or another setting in which they are actively engaged in spiritual nurture with others who desire to grow in Christian maturity.
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