Our Ministry Staff

Lester has served Countryside as Sr. Pastor since 2001. Prior to coming to Ohio he pastored 15 years in Michigan. He earned a Bachelors of Arts (83) and Master of Arts (85) from Olivet Nazarene University. Following graduation he served Olivet as Varsity Soccer Coach and eventually became the Associate Dean of Students before entering pastoral ministy in 1987.

Lester has been married to Marsha since 1981 and they have 3 children. Their girls live in Tennessee and Florida. Their son is a student at Warren County Career Center. Lester enjoys as many sports as possible, especially golf, basketball, tennis, and biking. You will often find him jogging on the bike trail where he takes regular prayer walks. One of his passions is short term mission trips. He has lead teams to Los Angeles, CA; Mt Pleasant, MI (Indian Reservation); Kenya, Africa; Chontola, Guatemala and Pueto Cortes, Honduras.

Lester is a people person through and through. His passion is to connect people to God and each other through practical teaching and ministry.

Joel, Allison and Parker came to Countryside in 2002 to lead the Youth Ministry. In 2006, after 17 years in youth ministry, Joel moved into his current role as Associate Pastor. Joel not only gives oversight to many of the ministries at Countryside, but also teaches Sunday School and plays in the Praise Band. Allison is a homeschool mom and an active support to Joel’s ministry. Joel and Allison have benefited personally from many of the ministries of Countryside and give them a strong endorsement. Theses ministries include Financial Peace University, Crown Small Group, Love and Respect, First Steps, and Healing and Life Coaching.

 John Stone, Music Director

John has served the family of Countryside for 9 years as Minister of Music. He believes that worship is a way of life and his music encourages all to experience the abundance of that life.

John brings a variety of musical experiences to his responsibility due to his involvement in bands, choirs, and groups throughout his life. He has participated in recording projects through singing as well as producing and song writing. While in the decade of the nineties, he penned a song entitled "Come to the water" which was labeled one of the top forty songs of the decade for Southern Gospel Music. In the year 2000, John left an exciting regional music ministry called "Lighthouse" to begin serving the community of Lebanon and particularly Countryside Community Church. John leads an exciting group of people in progressive, uplifting music in an attempt to usher in the Holy Spirit so that lives can be continually changed through the presence of a Holy God.

Carolyn has been a part of Countryside since 1978, serving in several capacities.

After 35 years as an Independent Insurance Agent, I retired in 2004 and came on staff to form our Listening Ministry. Ist Timothy 5:5-10 verified the calling and passion of my heart that had been part of me for many years.

After raising three children, seeing seven grandchildren grow up, and the death of my husband, I knew it was time to fulfill that calling. My other passion is being a greeter. You will see me each Sunday ready to give love and compassion to those who come through the door.

In 2007 I learned about a career in Christian Life Coaching. In my search for schooling, I became affiliated with PCCCA (Professional Christian Coaching and Counseling Academy) out of Cape Coral, Fla. In September of 2008 I was awarded the designation, Certified Christian Life Coach with the credentials to train other Life Coaches. It is so rewarding using Equipping Ministry Listening and Speaking Techniques, and Christian life Coaching in our “Healing and Life Skills Ministry” at Countryside.

My core belief is “nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care”. The vision I see for our church family is to communicate this to each member of our congregation so we can minister to everyone that come through our doors and they, in turn, minister to people they touch each and everyday.

My name is Rhett Butler. I am a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University and the youth pastor here at Countryside. I love my wife, my youth group, and my church. I enjoy doing just about anything to do with sports and playing video games. I also like to learn more about using video technology in the church and making videos of all of our activities.

My wife Rachel is also a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University with a degree in Chemistry. She serves alongside Rhett with the youth here at Countryside. She rode in the rodeo in high school and still like to do things with horses. She loves her husband and looks forward to all that God has in store for the future.

Ana Seward, Children’s Ministry Director

The Seward family came to Countryside in 2007. Ana has been called into Children’s Ministry and is taking classes toward District licensing. Ron is active in the Youth Ministry and is getting the 2-3-4 Motorcycle Ministry off the ground. Their children, Jimmy and Katie, are right along with them serving with excitement anywhere they can!

The family is very involved with Upward basketball in Maineville, and in the fall the boys are all about football while the girls are at the soccer fields. Ana and the kids will be at the pool every moment possible all summer long and the whole family is looking forward to making use of new camping gear this summer