Leadership
Jesus Christ is the head of the church, both locally and universally. Our leaders seek to follow Him in every action, word, and choice they make for Veritas. The Elders/Pastors work under Jesus, taking responsibility for the spiritual growth and leadership of the church body through prayer, teaching, and vision. The Deacons and Staff work under the Elders in specific church ministries, carrying out the mission of the gospel as lead servants. The Members carry out the mission of the gospel to Columbus and beyond.
All Church Leaders
PastorsDeaconsStaffCommunity Group Leaders
Pastors, Deacons, and Staff
Joe Byler
Short North
Lead Pastor
Full-Time Staff
Joe is responsible for preaching and leading the Short North staff/leaders and congregation. Joe and his wife, Renee, were part of the core team that started Veritas in 2008. Before becoming the lead pastor, Joe was the worship pastor at the Short North congregation since 2014. Joe has a Masters of Theological Studies with a concentration in Urban Ministry from Grimké Seminary.
Ryan Coholich
Tri-City
Community Life Pastor
Full-Time Staff
Ryan is responsible for shepherding Community Group leaders at the Tri-City congregation. He and his family began attending Veritas in 2013. Before joining staff, Ryan worked as a Biblical Counselor. Ryan holds an MA in Biblical Counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is also certified through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
Liz Cuffman
Short North
Executive Assistant to Short North Lead Pastor
Full-Time Staff
Liz assists the Short North Lead Pastor both administratively and executively. She moved to Columbus in 2017 and started attending Veritas shortly after and has been on staff since 2020. She graduated from Word of Life Bible Institute in 2010 and obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Religion from Liberty University.
Geoff Davis
Central
Executive Pastor
Full-Time Staff
Geoff oversees operations and finances for all congregations. He and his family started attending Veritas in 2009. Before joining staff, Geoff worked with students with special needs. He started an internship with Veritas in 2009 and has been working full time for the church since 2010. Geoff has a Master of Business Administration from Capital University and attends the Short North congregation.
Josh Edwards
West
Deacon
Non-Staff
Josh assists with a variety of needs in the life of the church at Veritas West, particularly helping to create opportunities for service in the community and fellowship for our members. Josh is a licensed social worker and takes great pride living, working and worshiping on the west side.
Christine Ferch
Central
Bookkeeper
Part-Time Staff
Christine is the bookkeeper for all congregations and attends the Tri-City congregation with her family. She started attending Veritas in 2009 and served as one of the church’s overseas missionaries for 4 years before returning to Columbus. She has been on staff with Veritas since 2021. Christine has a Bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University and has been working in the accounting field since 2014.
Mark Ferch
Tri-City
Deacon
Non-Staff
Mark has been serving as a Deacon at Tri-City since 2014 and has been involved in missions since he was a kid, living most of his life overseas as a missionary kid and living in Nepal as an adult. Mark and his wife Christine are passionate about cross-cultural ministry and enjoy living that out both locally and globally.
Jonathan Giordano
Central
Facilities Coordinator
Part-Time Staff
Jonathan is responsible for performing general maintenance and repairs at all Veritas Community Church properties. This role functions as the liaison between the church and all vendors relating to building function.
Lauren Goubeaux
West
Worship Director and Administrator
Part-Time Staff
Lauren is the worship director and administrator at the West congregation. She has been attending Veritas since 2013 when the congregation began at the Refuge church. She has been on staff with Veritas since 2021. Lauren and her 4 children live on the West side and love being a part of the community. #westsidebestside
Dan Harless
Tri-City
Pastor
Non-Staff
He is passionate about helping Veritas parents dazzle their teens with the gospel and is currently overseeing the development of our ministry to students. Prior to he and his family joining Veritas in 2013, Dan served in the planting of Sovereign Grace Church Dayton. Dan earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University and has contributed to the design, development and manufacture of Honda automobiles since 1991. Dan and his wife Denise have two married sons, a son in college and two daughters in high school.
Jeremy Hart
Central
Pastor
Non-Staff
Jeremy and his family have been attending Veritas since 2010. Jeremy currently works as an attorney. He has a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Juris Doctor degree from The Ohio State University. Jeremy attends Veritas with the Tri-City congregation.
Katie Jackson
Tri-City
Deacon of Worship
Non-Staff
Katie is a deacon of worship at Tri-City and deeply desires to lead the church to grow in their love for the Lord, expressed in music and liturgy. She enjoys helping with weekly liturgical development. Katie leads a community group with her husband, Matt, and organizes Student Ministry for high school girls. Katie loves God’s word, loves people, has a Bachelor’s degree in music and is certified to teach early childhood education. Katie and Matt live in Hilliard and have four kiddos.
Patrick Knable
Short North
Pastor
Non-Staff
Patrick is a lay elder and offers leadership at the Short North congregation. He and his family began attending Veritas in March of 2009. Patrick worked in the financial industry before launching a woodworking business, which he now operates and runs full-time.
Rob Linville
Tri-City
Deacon of Operations
Full-Time Staff
Rob oversees operations for the Tri-City congregation. He and his family began attending Veritas in 2013. Before joining Veritas, Rob and his wife worked with college students as part of student outreach. He has been full-time at Veritas since 2014. Rob has a bachelor’s degree in Bible from Clark Summit University.
Noah Madsen
West
Deacon
Non-Staff
Noah is responsible for the connect ministry at Veritas West.
Matt Martin
Short North
Pastor
Non-Staff
Matt is a lay elder and offers leadership at the Short North congregation, specifically in areas of mercy and racial reconciliation. He and his family moved to Columbus in 2008 to be part of the core team that planted Veritas. Matt currently works at the Columbus Foundation as a Community Research & Grants Management Officer. Matt has a B.A. in Urban Affairs from Wright State University and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from the Ohio State University.
Chris McConaughy
Short North
Associate Pastor
Full-Time Staff
Chris cares for, equips, and develops lay leaders within the Short North congregation. His focus is primarily on Community Groups, Sunday morning Hospitality, and Veritas’ Mercy & Justice ministries. He and his wife Tara have three children. Prior to joining Veritas in 2017, they served on staff together at a college ministry on OSU’s campus.
Derek Nicol
Central
Communications & Creative Director
Full-Time Staff
Derek oversees the communications infrastructure and produces a variety of digital and print materials for all congregations. Derek manages the website, email marketing, social media, and other communications channels. Derek has a B.A. in Film Studies from the Ohio State University.
Lauren Raper
Short North
Worship Director
Full-Time Staff
Lauren oversees the Worship Ministry and Prayer Ministry. She is passionate about leading and encouraging the church to worship the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Lauren has been attending Veritas since 2013 and on staff since 2016. Before becoming the Worship Director, Lauren was the Administrative Assistant to Pastor Joe Byler. She graduated from the University of Akron with a B.A. in Vocal Performance.
Jason Seiple
Short North
Family Life Director
Full-Time Staff
Jason oversees the Family Life ministry of the church, comprised of the Kids’ and Student ministries. Jason has been a member at Veritas since 2013 and was the Kids’ Ministry Director at Veritas East. He has a B.A. in Middle Childhood Education and an M. Ed. in Teaching & Learning from the Ohio State University. His wife, Marty, and two boys live in North Linden. Jason & Marty are founding board members of The Parable Project, an after-school teen discipleship program based in the Linden community. Jason has a combined 11 years of ministry experience with children of all ages.
Parris Payden
Short North
Pastor
Non-Staff
Patrick is a lay elder and offers leadership at the Short North congregation. He and his family have been attending Veritas since 2015. Before joining staff, Parris worked as an IT Analyst at Nationwide.
Andrés Sauceda
Tri-City
Worship Director
Part-Time Staff
Andrés oversees the Worship Ministry at the Veritas Tri-City Congregation. He has been leading cooperate worship since high school, studied classical guitar performance at the University of Dayton, and was a co-leader at Apex Community Church in Kettering from 2010-2017. Andrés is passionate about investing in and raising up new leaders and worshipers to humbly and joyfully serve the Lord. Andrés relocated to Dublin Ohio in 2017 with his wife Allison. They have two sons Alex (17) and August (7), and a daughter Ana (5).
Emily Stiving
Short North
Community Care Director
Part-Time Staff
Emily oversees Soul Care Ministry, Community Group Leader Care, and general Member Care – including Pre-marital Mentor Couples, Grief Care, and Missionary Care. She is passionate about equipping the church to care compassionately, humbly, and wisely for one another. Emily has been attending Veritas since 2009 and on staff since 2012. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in Psychology and completed the Foundations of Biblical Counseling Certificate from CCEF (a division of Westminster Theological Seminary).
Phil Shimer
West
Lead Pastor
Full-Time Staff
Phil is responsible for preaching and leading at the West congregation. He and his family have been attending Veritas since 2012. Before joining staff, Phil was a customer service supervisor at Kenyon’s Glass. Phil was part of the Biblical Studies department at Cedarville University and graduated with an International Studies Degree with a Foreign Missions emphasis.
Derek Stone
Tri-City
Deacon of Connect
Non-Staff
Derek’s role includes training, coordination, and organization of the Connect ministry and its volunteers. He and his family have been attending Veritas since 2015. He is a family practice physician, community group leader, and certified biblical counselor through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
Josh Toohey
Central
Technical Director
Full-Time Staff
Josh oversees audio, video and media production for each congregation.
Brad Snyder
Tri-City
Lead Pastor
Full-Time Staff
Brad is responsible for preaching and leading the Tri-City Congregation. He and his family moved to Columbus in 2008 to be part of the core team that started Veritas. Brad has a Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs from Miami University.
PJ Wenzel
Tri-City
Pastor
Non-Staff
PJ has a passion for teaching and discipleship, and loves to read. He and his family have been attending Veritas since the fall of 2015. Prior to attending Veritas, PJ was a Deacon and teacher at Dublin Baptist Church. PJ works full time for the marketing company that he owns. He has a Bachelors in Political Science from the University of Toledo, a Masters in Political Management from George Washington University and has completed half of a Masters of Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. PJ has five children and is married to Kate. They live in Powell.
Susan Williams
Tri-City & Central
Tri-City Kids Ministry Director & Childcare Director
Part-Time Staff
Susan is responsible for the Kids Ministry program at the Tri-City congregation and finds sincere joy in seeing children learn about Jesus. She minored in Family and Consumer Sciences and graduated from Liberty University in 2008. Susan has been attending Veritas since 2012 and has been on staff since 2018. She lives in Reynoldsburg with her husband and 3 girls.
Greg Showalter
Central
Asset Manager
Part-Time Staff
Greg is responsible for the stewardship of Veritas real estate and financial resources. A former military linguist with 15 years of diversified real estate and finance experience, Greg draws upon a broad background to help solve business problems, defend church interests, and ensure financial sustainability. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Real Estate from The Ohio State University.
Other Ministry Leaders
Gwen Nordman
J.W. Reason Grant Liason
Maria Caracciolo
J.W. Reason Grant Liason
Carly Lambert
Coordinator with Foster Care, Adoption, and My Village Ministries
Other Staff
Andrew Rush
Short North Production Coordinator
Russ Irish
Tri-City Production Coordinator
Devon Abdon
West Production Coordinator
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