Staff Bios
STAFF BIOS
Brian Richard, senior minister (brichard@lovedtolove.org)
Brian has had a long association with our church, beginning as an associate/youth minister in the early 1990’s. After a few years of children’s ministry in Indiana, he returned as our senior minister in 2003. In 2006, he received the Excellence in Ministry degree from his alma mater, Cincinnati Christian University, and in 2010 published a set of devotionals.
His wife and two children are his priority and he loves various “minimum impact” sports: golf, bowling and wii. He also enjoys camping and is an avid weather-watcher.
Life verse: Proverbs 3:5, 6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Dan Ponchot, associate minister (dponchot@lovedtolove.org)
Coming from a background in business, Dan joined our staff in 2005. However, Dan is no stranger to the church and his need for it. He is the son of a preacher, though he refers to himself as the black sheep. He serves in a dual role, working within two of his passions: discipleship and student ministry. Dan is a graduate of Milligan College and previously served on a committee of the North American Christian Convention.
Dan married his high school sweetheart and they have three children. He fancies himself a sport-minded person and has a secret passion for Dunkin Donuts coffee.
Life verse: Romans 5:7, 8 “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Jared Adamson, worship arts minister (jadamson@lovedtolove.org )
Jared has been on our staff for more than a third of his lifetime, which is significant when you realize he’s not yet 40. Beginning in 1995, Jared started as a part-time piano player and has grown and matured into his current position taking leadership over all areas of the arts in worship. He is an adjunct professor in the Music & Worship department of his alma mater, Cincinnati Christian University, and is active in the arts in our local community, as well as throughout greater Cincinnati. He stands in a great heritage of ministry, being the son and grandson of preachers.
When he’s not working, you’ll often find Jared in his kitchen. “We don’t only share meals around the table, but we share precious time preparing the meal together.” He and his wife have three children and delight from being the American demographic known as “a multi-racial family”.
Life verse: Philippians 3:12-14 “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Holly Kern, director of children’s ministry (hkern@lovedtolove.org)
Holly is a native Lovelander and will forever be a kid at heart. She joined our congregation in 1998 and volunteered in our children’s ministry for 10 years before stepping into the full-time position of director. She finds great joy in helping children spiritually grow, develop and find their place in the Kingdom of God. Holly hits the high marks each summer through her labors of love: vacation bible school and church camp!
As a wife and mother, Holly values her time with husband and sons, especially when she goes to Florida in the winter to visit her oldest son. She enjoys reading, but recently had her first taste of a Caribbean cruise and therefore predicts more of them in her future.
Life verse: Jeremiah 29:11, 12 “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’”
Michael Carpenter, minister to seniors & director of Turning Point Ministry (mcarpenter@lovedtolove.org)
Michael is the newest addition to our staff. He worked for most of his career in
engineering service industries, but later in life felt a call to ministry. He enrolled at Cincinnati Christian University, earning a degree in Ministry Leadership and now continues his education, working towards a degree in pastoral care. Before his ordination, Michael served as deacon and elder at one of our sister congregations in the greater Cincinnati area.
Michael loves spending time with family and friends, especially, of course, his wife, Shirley, and their dog, Cody. He also is a voracious reader, especially in
the fields of psychology, philosophy and Christian literature.
Life verse: Philippians 4:12, 13 “I know how to be brought low and I know how to
abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”