Our Leaders

  • Jeremy Johnson | Lead Pastor

    Hello, my name is Jeremy Johnson. I was born and raised in Brookpark, OH and then I moved to Medina, OH for high school. I attended Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI where I graduated with a degree in Young Ministries/Biblical Studies and a Minor in Communications. I also have a Masters of Ministry in Leadership Development & Pastoral Studies from Luther Rice Seminary in Lithonia, GA. I have been married to my wife, Christina, since 1999. We live in Macedonia, OH with our two daughters, Kylee and Alaina. I have been called into various ministry positions over the past 24 years and I have been a lead Pastor for over 10 years and became the Senior Pastor at NEO Church in July, 2018. I enjoy coaching my girls’ soccer team, playing sports and visiting random coffee shops with the family. A fun fact about myself is that I once appeared in Sports Illustrated magazine!

  • Martin Hale | Executive of Ministries

    Good day, my name is Martin Hale and I was born and raised in the Cleveland Ohio area. I attended the University of Michigan (please don’t hold that against me) where I studied business. I married my wife Emily in 2010 and we now reside in Lakewood, OH with our three daughters, Anjaly, Priyanka and Leela. I intensified my relationship with Jesus upon starting to attend NEO Church in 2009. I enjoy reading, writing, playing basketball, and eating ethnic foods. Thai, Indian and Mexican are some of my favorites but I do not discriminate when it comes to food! I also enjoy traveling and have been to 11 different countries.

  • Hunter Petty | Student Pastor

    Hi Y'all, my name is Hunter I was born and raised in South Florida. I attended Ohio Christian University in Circleville, OH where I graduated with a degree in Christian Ministries and a Minor in Biblical Studies. I also completed a degree in Religious Studies while at OCU. I graduated from Ohio Christian University and got married to his wife Megan in the spring of 2019. Megan our son Carson and myself currently live in Medina, OH. While I was in college I had the opportunity to be involved in multiple children and youth ministries. Over the last nine summers, I have worked in various camps across the country as a counselor. I have a passion for creating environments where young people can encounter Jesus! I also enjoys exploring new cities, watching baseball, and creating videos! A fun fact about me is that I played in my middle school's marching band growing up!

  • Jonah Ullman | Worship Leader

    Hello to all, my name is Jonah Ullman. I was born in Cleveland Ohio and was raised in Mentor Ohio. I completed my education at Cornerstone Christian Academy. Through the past decade I have served in many ministry roles and positions including Camp ministry, Para-Church organizations, Youth ministry, College and Young Adult ministry, and Worship ministry. The last 4 years I have had the privilege of serving as a Worship director. It is my ultimate passion and joy in life to serve the Lord, worship him in every aspect of life, and to inspire others to do so as well. I have been married to my incredible wife Breiana since 2016 and have three adorable kids; Ian, Aria, and Liliana. I enjoy the best life has to offer, such as, soccer, music, being anywhere warm with an Ocean, and massive gatherings of people worshiping God. I am also a huge coffee snob *the good kind*. A few interesting facts about me: I used to be heavily into a sport called Parkour/Freerunning and tricking when I was in high school; I am missing two digits on my right hand *yes it helps me play guitar better*, and I made it in an MTV reality show.

  • Christina Johnson | Worship Leader

    Hello everyone, my name is Christina Johnson, and I was born in Garden City, Michigan. But from the age of 9 on, I grew up in Medina, OH. I married my best friend, Jeremy Johnson, on June 5th, 1999. Together we have been in ministry ever since. I attended college for early childhood education and was a nanny for over 12 years. I always loved singing and was involved in many choirs in school and church. I love singing with others, and it took my choir director’s encouragement to start singing on my own. I led worship at Medina First Baptist for several years and then taught myself how to play the guitar. I then lead worship at Stone Creek Community Church for almost a decade, and now currently I am the Worship Leader here at NEO Church. Jeremy and I now reside in Macedonia, OH with our two daughters Kylee & Alaina and our dog Piper. In my spare time I love finding new coffee shops, baking, vacationing to the beach with family, and pouring into my nieces. Quality time with family and the Lord is most important to me and I consider it an honor to lead others in worship every Sunday!

  • Bekah Marr | NEO Kids Director

    Hello, my name is Bekah Marr. I grew up in the Cleveland area and I have lived here most of my life. I made the decision to follow Christ at a young age and I am thankful for the way NEO Church has challenged me to grow in my faith. I attended Baldwin Wallace University where I studied Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I feel blessed to be married to my husband Henry for over 10 years and I love being at home with my three kids, Andrew, Annie, and Peter. I have a passion for the kids of NEO to understand what it means to have a personal relationship with Christ and believes that the NEO Kids ministry is a vital part of the church. I love coffee, books, thrift stores and going on dates with Henry.

  • Donna Smith | NEO Kids Director

    Hi, my name is Donna Smith. I have been a Cleveland native the majority of my life. I have been married to husband Fred for over 34 years. We have two daughters, Jessica and Allison, who have also made NEO their home. I was raised in a Christian home; but it wasn't until I began attending NEO Church in 2012 that I formed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. My faith and love for Jesus continues to deepen through the preaching, worship, Bible studies, and relationships I have developed at NEO. I love to spend time with family and friends, and I have a heart for both the elderly and for children. I enjoy leading Bible study at two local assisted living communities, as well as babysitting for young couples so that they can focus on marriage and time together. I am excited to be a part of the NEO Kids leadership team and the opportunity it gives me to share Jesus and the gospel with these children! I enjoy spending time with my cocker spaniel, Ladybug! I also like reading, eating and coffee!!!

  • Stephen Lauterbach | Tech Director

    Hey guys! I was born and raised in Cleveland, OH. I grew up in the church and have walked with the Lord since I was young. Whether I was playing guitar or running sound in my early years, I was blessed to have God-fearing parents. My passion as a young adult in Christian ministry was anything that had wires and plugs. That developed into theology podcasting, which I started in 2016 and still do today. I work in the tech industry and the Lord in His grace has given me a beautiful wife, Sara, and two wonderful kids, Levi and Felicity. Neo Church has been my home for many years, and I love the people we serve as well as the team we volunteer alongside with! Growing up I played in a Christian metal band.

  • Rob Towns | Tech Director

    Hello, my name is Rob Towns. I started running sound in church when I was in middle school, more years ago than I’d care to admit, at Christ Episcopal Church in Shaker Heights. I got into stage lighting and sound at Shaker Heights High School, and graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Theater Production and Design. That’s where I met my wife, Mary-Jo, who also serves on the tech and worship teams at NEO. I knew *about* the Lord from growing up in church, but it was much later in life before I came to *know* Him and accept Jesus as my savior. I have been serving in churches since then, both in the technical areas and playing guitar in worship teams. I’ve also served on church governing boards in varying roles. My favorite way to de-stress and connect with God is to go into my practice studio at home, turn down the lights, and play hymns and praise songs to Him on my guitar.

  • Ashley Thomas | Host Team Leader

    Hey guys, my name is Ashley Thomas. I was born and raised in Van Wert, OH and graduated from the University of Findlay. I moved to Cleveland in 2013 and now calls "The Land" home. I accepted Christ in 2011 and since attending NEO in 2013, my relationship has strengthened with the Lord. I am thankful for the wonderful relationships I’ve made at NEO and how I’ve been able to grow through small groups and serving in the ministry. I am an avid sports fan, foodie and enjoy being outdoors and reading. I love to serve the community and the people around me. An interesting fact about me is that I love to cook.

  • Corey Jensen | Elder

    Hey, I’m Corey Jensen. I was born and raised in the Cleveland area. My wife, Jan, and I were married in 2005 and we live in Willoughby, OH with our five boys, Luke, Josh, Drew, Sam and Titus. I keep busy! I have been walking with Jesus since the 7th grade and have been attending NEO Church since 2008. I enjoy watching, playing, and coaching all things sports. Something interesting about me is that my grandparents grew up in 3 different countries (US, Sweden, and Italy) but I have never traveled outside of North America.

  • Marc Alvord | Leader

    Hey All! My name is Marc Alvord. I have been with my lovely bride, Kim, since September 30th, 2000. We have 3 kids, twins Luke and Miranda, and our youngest, Trent. Kim and I have called Northfield home since 1998. I have been attending NEO Church since 2018. Although I have been a Christian all my life, my true walk with Jesus started September 20, 2009 at a small church in Macedonia,OH. I grew up in the snow and maple belts of Northeast Ohio, Chardon. After high school, I attended the Univesity of Akron, graduating with a BS in Business Administration. I have worked in the field of Information Technologies for more than 28 years. In my spare time, I pretend to be young, playing in a 40+ men’s softball league. (I am well North of 40, ha!) Baseball has been a life-long passion and I am not uncomfortable in admitting that I cry at the end of “Field of Dreams” every time.

  • Henry Marr | Elder

    Hello, my name is Henry Marr. I was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN where I graduated from Purdue University. I met my wife, Bekah, at my brother’s wedding in Cleveland. We were married in 2010 and have 3 children, Andrew, Annie and Peter. I have been walking with the Lord Jesus Christ since an early age but it intensified during my sophomore year of high school when I began reading the Bible for myself and matured in my faith. I have attended NEO Church since 2015 and my interests include golfing, working on house projects, and spending time with family. An interesting fact about me is that I enjoy gardening.