Leadership

Todd Shafer is the Lead Pastor of Living Waters.  He and his wife, Noreen, are originally from Kalkaska and raised their five sons there.  They also have 3 granddaughters.  Prior to answering his call into ministry in 2007, Todd worked as a dispatcher and safety manager for a construction and paving company.  He was also a lieutenant on the Kalkaska Fire Department.  

Todd and Noreen both LOVE the area here in Northern Michigan and are ecstatic to be serving in Indian River.  The Shafers both enjoy outdoor activities.  Todd likes golf, hunting and fishing, while Noreen enjoys snowshoeing and camping.  You also might see them out boating quite often.

Todd is here to be a pastor not just to Living Waters, but to the community as well.  He looks forward to meeting you on a Sunday, or at a weekday event, very soon!

I am the Office Administrator here at Living Waters.  My role is to support the congregation, staff, and pastor in their ministries.  My duties range from everyday office work to bulletin preparation, graphics and advertising, as well as managing the pastor’s schedule.  I believe God has called me to this position for such a time as this.  

I thoroughly enjoy administrative tasks and use it as my way of “Reaching Up, Reaching Out – God’s Love in Action”.  I do whatever I can on a daily basis to help those I come in contact with to feel God’s love in this place.

My family includes my wonderful husband, and 2 amazing young adults.  I enjoy walking, singing, fishing, boating and visiting extended family.

My name is Rhonda Goode and I love Jesus, black coffee, the mountains, hiking, and late night conversation with students.  I have a snap streak of 481 and love to head-bang to hard rock Christian music, my all time favorite band is Disciple.   In 2014, my husband (Bob) and I answered the call to serve in youth ministry.  Our desire was and still is for students to have a friend/relationship with Christ, become disciples of Jesus, and to take Christ love into the world to share with friends, family and beyond.  
We believe our purpose is found in Matthew 28:18-20, the Great Commission and that portion of scripture is referred to in 99% of the conversations with students.  We love students and all the “crazy” that goes along with youth ministry and believe this gen Z is worth fighting for. Jesus as our example, left the flock of 99 to rescue the 1.  We all need a Savior!  My favorite part of youth ministry is planning activities that mix Jesus with fun.  We have done Spring Hill winter retreats, hosted archery tag events, muck fest, and game nights.  We have been on two out of state mission trips and are planning to go again at some point. We would love to get to know your students very soon!

I am the Children’s Ministries Coordinator here at Living Waters.
Pastor Todd and I are originally from Kalkaska where we raised our 5 sons.  We are also blessed with five grandchildren.
I often refer to my single mom life as BT, before Todd.  During my single mom years, I was fortunate enough to have a licensed daycare in my home. It was extremely important to me to be home for my own children before and after school, as well as providing a safe and loving environment for other children while their parents we busy during the day at the occupations.
While living in Kalkaska I had to opportunity to start an after school program at our home church. As well as promoting and fundraising the community built playground, Imagination Station.
As my own sons grew older, I also decided to work out of the home.  I was drawn to the Hospitality industry where I worked at Shanty Creek in Sales and Conference Services.  Then moved on to the Grand Traverse Resort to develop a department for them, Destination Management.  During this time I implemented events, activities, tours, transportation and program logistics.  During my last few years there, I experienced a shift to become more involved in my spiritual life.  I then attended Course of Study to become a United Methodist Pastor. Upon completion of that I was appointed to the Manton United Methodist Church, while Pastor Todd was serving the Mancelona and Alba churches. Together, we served here in Indian River where I again felt a strong nudge to leave my position in pastoral care and work hands on with the older and aging.  I became a Certified Nursing Assistant, where I cared for our elderly for over 7 years.  This calling was also very near and dear to my heart.
In closing I will share with you a saying that has been on my refrigerator for over 30 years.
What Matters. One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much I had in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like. But the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child.

My position as the Church / Financial Administrator entails processing our finances and supporting administrative tasks for our Church.  My main responsibility is to manage, process and support the Ministry Team’s financial activities, along with other miscellaneous administrative tasks.

I have 38 years of business experience which includes EDS Account Service Manager,  Asset Management & Facilities for a GM Bld., Supervisor of Customer Support Groups Supporting GM Dealership Software Systems, Customer Support Representative, Accounting Specialist Supporting EDS/GM Fisher Guide Plants, Administrative Assistant  for a Account Manager,  Accounting/Payroll  for Guardian Glass Ind.

I have been a part of the Methodist Church all my life.  Growing up watching my Mom process Church Finances and Dad was the Chair the Staff Parish Relations Committee while participating in Sunday School, Youth group and the Church choir.  I met and married my husband Mark at Christ UMC and have two adult sons, Tyler and Austin.  

After traveling to Indian River on weekends and Holidays for over 25, years we moved up to the area and have lived here for the past 20+ years moving from Rochester Hills, MI.