youngstown metro church Details on activities and more

Youngstown Metro Church, 801 Wick Ave., Youngstown, is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Joshua Shank, pastor, has a master of divinity degree in Biblical languages from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C., and a bachelor’s in biblical studies and world religions from Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Volunteer staff: Shane Pelanda, elder in training and member of Metro leadership team; Scott Sailer, oversees interior design projects and member of Metro leadership team; Jesse Fellows, worship director and audio-visual team leader; Rob Maine, elder in training, worship co-leader and Metro leadership team; Jess Wilson, children’s ministry director; Cece Edwards, missions director; Dave Knowlden, prayer team leader; Jessie Pelanda, women’s ministry director; Tiff Sokol, events director; Stacy Fisher, hospitality team leader; Lauren Hess, Youngstown State University international student team leader; Rich Newton, watchmen co-leader; Aaron Smith, watchmen co-leader; Crystal Stanton, street team leader; Christina Lesicko, ministry assistant; Brooke Sailer, connections director; Aimee Shank, business administrator; Tracie Fellows, financial secretary; Kevin Stanton, Web site administrator; and Kati Patton, administrative assistant.

Get connected: The Connect Class, offered every other month, is designed to show participants how to connect into the life of the church and move from spectator to participant.

Life groups are small groups that promote faith and friendships and are for different interests.

Women’s group: Meetings at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in the church sanctuary with leaders Cece Edwards and Jessie Pelanda. Women of any age and marital status may attend. Child care will be provided.

Men’s group: Meetings at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in the church bell tower with leader Rob Maine. Men of any age and marital status may attend. Child care will be provided.

Co-ed groups: The group, open to all, meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Coyoacan in Youngstown. Another group will begin meeting at 7 p.m. May 24 at the home of Shane and Jesse Pelanda. This group is based on the message given the prior Sunday.

Couples group: Gatherings are at 7 p.m. Fridays at the home of Scott and Brook Sailer. Fellowship, food and games are featured for married or engaged couples.

Activities: A work day is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and participants will be cleaning, organizing and moving items.

A fund-raiser, 10 Miles to Cure Thirst, is planned to raise awareness and money to build clean water wells in villages in Liberia. The event will be May 17 with registration at 8 a.m. in downtown Youngstown’s USA parking lot at the corner of Federal and Commerce streets. Runners start at 9 and walkers at 10. Cost is $25.

A picnic will be May 31 at Boardman Park.

Contact information: Web site is www.loveismycause.com and phone number is (330) 758-8085.