OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Sheila Stemen Smith
Director of Administration & Community Engagement
Sheila has served Zion since 2020. She oversees the day to day office and social media management as well as finding opportunities for Zion members to serve in the local community. This includes our annual Share.Feed.Relieve campaign, various drives and donations, and hands-on service projects. Have an idea? Contact Sheila! An Elida native, a few of Sheila’s life’s passions include playing bass guitar, watching football, bicycling, photographing nature and practicing (and leading) yoga. Sheila has a husband Carl and son Eli as well as a supportive extended family.
Samuel Payne
Visitation Pastor
Pastor Sam has served as our Visitation Pastor since 2017. He has earned a BA in Psychology, Sociology and Religion from Midland Lutheran College, a Masters of Divinity from Luther Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Winebrenner Theological Seminary. Pastor Sam also serves as the pastor of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Cridersville and as Hospital Chaplain at St. Rita’s Medical Center and has completed special training in Clinical Pastoral Education through St. Rita’s Medical Center and OhioHealth in Columbus, Ohio. He’s a single father to three beautiful children: Jonathan, Judy, and Galawulu.
Mary Jane Eichelberger
Organist
Mary Jane has served as our organist and choir accompaniment since 2008. Mary Jane is involved with the Lima Symphony Chorus, the American Guild of Organists, and also offers private organ lesson for students at Ohio Northern University, as well as private piano instruction for The Music Factory in Lima.
Marilyn Basinger
Choir Director
For over 30 years, Marilyn has been
Zion’s Choir Director. A now-retired
music teacher, Marilyn works diligently with our adult choir and, in her downtime, explores her passion for registered Corgis.
Zion’s Choir Director. A now-retired
music teacher, Marilyn works diligently with our adult choir and, in her downtime, explores her passion for registered Corgis.
Jennifer Parent
Contemporary Worship Coordinator
Jennifer has served Zion as Contemporary Worship Director since 2022. She has a Bachelor of Music degree from Miami University and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Wright State University. She has 19 years experience teaching choir and general music and currently teaches elementary music at Spencerville. Jennifer is married to Mike and they have three children, Colin, Chloe and Caden. When she isn’t leading worship, Jennifer enjoys singing in a steel drum band named Sojourn Steel with her husband.