SHINE

Beth and Kate interview the serving, helpful and kind Jeff Kalina! Jeff is husband to Marcia and dad of two: Marissa and Jarred. Originally from Bergholz, Ohio, Jeff made his way to Columbiana to graduate, marry Marcia and join the Army Reserves. While in the Army Reserves for 21 years, Jeff worked multiple jobs and served at church. Jeff loves his family and loves people. He cares for people ofte...

Beth and Kate interview the compassionate and amazing Kelli Hephner! Kelli is wife to Greg and mother of three kids, Morgan, Ben and Jonathan. Kelli grew up a farm girl, but has since set out to accomplish so much! With people being her life's passion, Kelli has worked in caregiving and serving on the county's EMS team. She is presently Columbiana's chaplain. She's continuing her education to be c...

Beth and Kate interview the wonderful, amazing, one and only Marta Aker! Marta is wife to Greg and mother of two grown kids, Shawn and Leslie. She has three grandchildren. Marta was an art teacher for many years but is now retired and gives so much of her time and love to the Upper Room body and so many others! Apart from  working as an art teacher, Marta spent years homeschooling, hosting sm...

Beth and Kate interview our wise talent and wonderful helper, Cary Pitt! Cary is husband to Gloria and father of three grown kids. Cary is now retired, but worked at GM for 39 years. He now spends his lovely days woodworking, glass working, doing fix-it service jobs at the URF, and spending time with his wife, kids, and grandkids. He also helps to keep the URF looking beautiful through his amazing...

Beth and Kate interview the very-interesting, always-learning, wonderful Michael Keffer! Michael is husband to Denise and dad to Samantha. Michael works as an engineer and has a myriad of hobbies when he's not working! He has tried his hand at timber-framing, sawmilling, metal-working, kayaking, and the list goes on. Michael is great with numbers and details, likes using his mind, and loves h...

Beth and Kate interview one of the founders of the Upper Room - the gracious, patient and Jesus-loving Bruce Stryffeler! Bruce is husband to Monica and dad to Arielle and Owen. Bruce has been with the Upper Room since day one! When he's not working at the church, Bruce is busy running his car-interior repair business. Bruce is great with details - he recently put together our Values in the Ki...

Beth and Kate interview the sweet, wonderful and wise Peggy Chestnut! Peggy lives in Lisbon. She has three adult kids and three grandkids! Peggy cares so much for her family and for people and has spent a good portion of her life caring for the developmentally disabled. She worked at the Developmental Disability Board for 30 years! Peggy has been at the Upper Room for 8 years. We're so gratef...

Beth and Kate interview the kind-hearted, gracious prayer warrior Jean Maxwell! Jean lives with her husband Mark in Columbiana. She has three adult kids and 8 grandkids! Jean cares so much for her family. She has been a teacher in the East Palestine School District for 27 years.  Jean has been at the Upper Room for 5 years! We're so grateful for Jean and all the ways she serves the URF -...

Beth and Kate interview the gifted, passionate and people-loving Greg Aker! Greg is husband to Marta and dad to Shawn and Leslie. After working as an art teacher for 37 years, he is currently the administrative pastor at the Upper Room! Greg cares deeply for his family and for people and for the body of Christ! He desires to see the Church fulfilling its roll in loving the world and bringing...

Beth and Kate interview the faithful, caring and lovely Jessica Hall! Jessica is a wife to Jon and mom to Livia, Eliana, Alexandria, and Jonathan. She is currently a working mom who's at home during the day and does remote accounting work at night! Jess cares deeply for her children, her family, and for people! She desires to see her kids raised up in a way that honors God and creates opportu...

Beth and Kate interview our beloved teaching pastor, the intelligent and talented Chris Holm! Chris is the husband to Kate and dad to Cana and Corinne. He currently works for the Upper Room and for a fire safety company, Fire Force. Chris loves his family. He also loves to learn, to try new things, and being creative in many different ways. He enjoys reading and thinking and good discussions (espe...

Beth and Kate interview the joyful and faithful John Erhart! John was married to Arla for 59 1/2 years. He is the dad of Becky, Connie, Sarah, Eric and Kurt, who passed away at birth. He is currently being a great grandpa, working with oil painting, and continuing to love sports! John cares deeply for his family and participates in his grandkids' lives by attending their games as much as poss...

Beth and Kate Holm interview our favorite Macho Man, Randy Savage, our favorite ZZTop Billy Gibbons --- Brayden Tucker ! Brayden is dad to Lathen and husband to Jen. He currently works for and own his own business, Dying Breeds Diesels. Brayden stays busy buying, selling, and exporting vintage trucks and keeping up with his online-family of about 156 thousand people on the Dying Breed Facebook pag...

Beth and Kate Holm interview the humorous, beautiful and persevering Denise Kuhlman! Denise is the mom to Robert and Ellena. Denise currently works for the Family Recovery Center with Columbiana County teaching prevention and social/emotional skills with K-6th grade. She is about to begin working on her masters degree at YSU. She has been a part of the Upper Room for 9 years. Denise adores her kid...

Beth and Kate interview the knowledgeable, humble and wise Jim Freeman! Jim is husband to Vicki and the dad of two from a previous marriage where his wife had passed. After 60 years in the education field, he is currently in an advisor role with Valley Christian School in Youngstown. Jim cares deeply for children's well-being and their mental and emotional health. In the past, he loved to fly...

Beth and Kate Holm interview the super-fascinating, Jesus-loving and joy-filled Lisa Labon! Lisa is the wife to Ed and mom to Madison, Kira and Zach. Lisa is currently an American Sign Language Interpreter for the deaf and a consultant and webinar co-host for an organization committed to equal access and opportunity for people with disabilities. She just recently finished her Masters degree in Hum...

Beth and Kate Holm interview the fascinating and fun story-teller, Larry Campbell! Larry is the husband to Ethel and father to three children, two boys and one girl, Kassie. Both Kassie and his second wife passed away in 2010 of cancer. Larry served in the U.S. army and was sent to Vietnam for one year. Larry is currently retired and enjoying his days with Ethel as he enjoys feeding the birds and...

Beth and Kate Holm interview the wise, beautiful and fun Milly Acevedo! Milly is the wife to William and mom to Manolo, Diego and Marcos. Milly currently works in financial services with Primerica. She is part of the Upper Room, but is also involved with the Hispanic Ministry and church, Esperanza De Vida in Salem, Ohio. She has been a worship leader, Sunday School teacher, and teacher in the Unit...

Beth and Kate Holm interview the wonderful, present, kind, and adventuring William Acevedo! William is the husband to Milly, step-dad to Manolo and Diego. William is self-employed in the medical field, but his true ministry is serving his family, those close to him, and the Latino community in Salem, Ohio. He currently works with Milly and Manuel Lux (check him out in our previous podcast!) to hel...

Beth and Kate Holm interview the strong, wonderful and caring Lynn Hamilton! Lynn is the wife of Chuck and mom to Chris, Melinda, Adam and Josh.  Lynn loves and serves her family so well, especially all those grand and great-grandbabies! She currently oversees the Sozo ministry at the Upper Room. She loves to see people free, to point people towards Jesus and to love people through dark and t...

Beth and Josh Osborn interview the creative, sarcastic and humorous dreamer - Jonathan Perkins! Jonathan is the husband to Megan and dad to Solomon, Amos and Eve. He currently owns Gentlemen Tattoos and is the new men's ministry leader at the Upper Room. Jonathan cares for his family, for Columbiana and for people who have experienced struggle and hard times. He likes to create spaces that are rea...

Beth and Kate interview the wealth of knowledge, creative, kind and caring Kathy Holm! Kathy is the mom Laura, Chris and Luke. She is currently planting gardens, painting, and serving the church as a coffee lady! Kathy cares deeply for her family and the church. She loves creating and living a peaceful life. Kathy enjoys learning about new hobbies and trying new things! We're so grateful for...

Beth and Kate interview the kind and wonderfully talented Christian Halford! Christian is the husband to Laura. He is currently serving on the worship team as the pianist/keyboardist. Christian cares deeply for people. He loves good conversation, good food, cooking and board games. He and Laura moved from Texas two years ago and have been at the URF ever since! We're so grateful for who they...

Beth and Kate interview the multi-talented, anointed and woman-of-many-experiences, Jen Tucker! Jen is a wife to Brayden and mom to Lathan. She is currently the first woman Sherriff's Chief Deputy in Columbiana County, but has also served as a S.W.A.T. team member and an emergency call operator. Jen cares deeply for children and animals! She loves to rescue animals and loves to create an atmo...

Beth and Kate interview the multi-talented, anointed and man-of-many-experiences, Rich Sheldon! Rich is a husband to Beth and dad to Rebekah, Jesukah, Samuel, Bethany, Justin and Emily. He is a Lyft driver, helps to care for his grandkids, and travels often to visit and work on projects with his kids. Rich has been educated in many different areas - jewelry, pastoring, cybersecurity, missions...