Faith Bible Church Staff
Lead Teaching Pastor Mark Lopez Along with his wife Catherine and newborn son, Mark moved to Cincinnati from the Carolinas in March 2014 to serve as the Associate Pastor of Student Ministries at FBC. A graduate of Geneva Reformed Seminary, Mark had previously served as campus pastor/fire department chaplain in Clemson, SC. He transitioned into the role of Lead Teaching Pastor in 2024. Mark's heart is to see meaningful, multigenerational discipleship happen throughout the whole church. He wants to proclaim the Word of God in such a way that everyone responds with their Heads, Hearts, and Hands – to learn with their head, respond in their heart, and live out God’s truth through their hands. Mark dabbles in music and photography, loves hiking and camping in the outdoors, reading C. S. Lewis and Calvin & Hobbes, and enjoys any and all time spent with his wife and four sons. Executive Pastor Rick Bush Rick was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and attended Bowling Green State University (OH). There he met Melissa, and they were married in January 1993. Rick and Melissa served for 13 years on the staff of Student Venture, the high school outreach of Cru, where Rick served most recently as the Cincinnati Metro Director. He worked as associate pastor of administration at FBC from 2006 to 2011, at which time he and his family moved to Kandern, Germany. While there, Rick taught in the high school Bible Department at Black Forest Academy. He rejoined the FBC as an interim youth pastor in September 2013. As Executive Pastor, his current responsibilities include Staff Leadership, Connections, Communications, Child Protection, Finance, and Administration with occasional opportunities for teaching and discipleship. Associate Pastor of Worship & Media Arts James Kenniv James joined the staff of FBC in January 2016. He graduated from Taylor University with a BA in Music Theory/Composition in 1990. He has served as a worship leader and music director for several churches and through an association with the National Bible Bee (2010-2015), James had the opportunity to write hundreds of Scripture Memory songs used by students throughout the country. He and his wife Kristen have led several community choirs providing musical opportunities for kids, youth, and adults. James and Kristen were married in 1991 and have seven children and seven grandchildren. Associate Pastor of Global and Local Leadership Development A. Wayne Lowe Born and raised in Bermuda, Wayne met his wife, Barb, at Philadelphia College of the Bible. They were married in 1978 and have five children:and six grandchildren. As a family they enjoy sporting activities, games and reading. Wayne graduated from PCB in 1979 with a B.Sc. in Bible and Christian education. He completed his Master of Divinity degree at Grace Theological Seminary in 1983 and he has been in pastoral ministry ever since. The Lowes moved to Cincinnati in August 1998 after Wayne was called to serve as Senior Pastor at FBC. One of Wayne's special interests is teaching Bible and theology classes here at Faith Bible Church as well as training current and future pastors in various parts of the world. In 2024, Wayne transitioned out of the Lead Teaching Pastor role and into the role of Associate Pastor of Local and Global Leadership Development. Associate Pastor of Student Ministries Ian Sheidenberger Ian Sheidenberger began serving as the Associate Pastor of Student Ministries at FBC in 2024. Ian and his wife Kinsey were part of the FBC Family and Youth Staff from 2017-2020, then, after moving to North Carolina to pursue his master's degree at Shepherd's Theological Seminary, he served as a youth ministry intern at Redeemer Community Church from 2021-2023. Ian's ministry burden is to make the Gospel and the Bible known in an understandable way so that students and their families may repent and believe, be discipled and fellowship with the body of believers, and ultimately go out and make disciples of the nations, all for the glory of God. Ian enjoys working on all things mechanical, fishing and being a dad to his young sons. Associate Pastor of Shepherding and Family Care Buck Wardle Before coming to Cincinnati in October 2018, Buck had been the founding and lead pastor at Christ’s Church in Martinsville, Virginia since 1994. He and his wife Laurie have been married for over 30 years and have three adult children who are all married and walking with the Lord. “I love helping people connect with God through His Word, as well as deepen in their relationships with one another through Gospel-centered community. I love bringing the Word to bear, whether teaching publicly, leading a small group discussion, or counseling/mentoring one on one.” Children's Sunday School Director Bertie Seebohm Bertie has been providing leadership to the FBC Children’s Sunday School since October 2007. Bertie has a degree in Elementary Education and has been involved in Children’s Ministry for many years as a teacher of 2’s and 3’s. Bertie and her husband Jeff are also very involved in the Connections Committee at FBC. Bertie and Jeff have four adult children and two grandchildren. Office Administrator Joy Shearer Joy and her family began attending FBC in 2014. She and her husband, Grant, have two adult children: Luke (Abigail) and Emma (Elias). Joy began serving as Secretary in 2020 and transitioned to her role as Office Administrator in 2026. Women's Spiritual Care Cynthia Slater Cynthia and her late husband, Dave Hildebrand, began attending FBC in August 2009, when Dave joined the staff as Associate Pastor of Shepherding and Family Care. He served in that role for a short time before becoming ill and passing away in March 2011. In June 2019, Cynthia married Tom Slater, a widower and longtime member of the FBC family. About a year after Dave’s passing, Cynthia joined the church staff as secretary, a role she held until September 2026, when she began a new position serving in Women’s Spiritual Care under Pastor Buck’s leadership. Cynthia’s heart is to encourage women as they journey through life, keeping their eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Secretary Abigail Shearer Abigail began attending FBC when she was 6 years old. She met her husband Luke in the FBC Youth Group, and they married in 2022. After graduating from Toccoa Falls College in 2024, she and Luke returned to Cincinnati. Luke and Abigail have been involved in various ministries such as youth and the worship team. She recently began her current role as Secretary in March 2026. Technical Director Curtis Paulson Curtis and Katie met in Minnesota, where they married in 2014, before moving to Cincinnati in 2019. After relocating, Curtis started his career in cybersecurity and graduated from Arizona State University in 2022 with a B.S. in Information Technology. After moving to Cincinnati, Curtis and Katie began attending Faith Bible Church. They became involved in the Worship Ministry through the Sunday Worship Team, Christmas Choirs, Orchestra, Tenebrae Services, and AV. In November 2025, Curtis joined the Faith Bible Church staff as part-time Tech Director. Working closely with James Kenniv and the Worship Ministry, Curtis's goal for the AV ministry at Faith Bible Church is to faithfully steward technology that supports the proclamation of the Gospel, the teaching of God's Word, and the worship of believers.
Rick and Melissa have four children. Rick enjoys golf, walking/hiking with Melissa, and Sunday afternoon naps.
