In place of the printed Conference Packet, we will have all of the necessary materials available online this year. 

This year, delegates will be voting on two constitutional memorials. Both of these received the needed 2/3 majority at General Conference last month. They will be voted on by the delegates at all 22 District Conferences this summer. We are not allowed to amend them in any way. To change any part of the constitutional section of The Discipline, these memorials will need the approval of 2/3 of all delegates at these district conferences.

Sanctity of Life Memorial Study Committee – Overview

53 Constitution-Sanctity of Life

55 Constitution-Gender Identity

MINISTRY REPRESENTATIVES COMING TO 2026 CONFERENCE 

The Wesleyan Church
General Superintendent, Dr. Jim Dunn

Global Partners
Rev. Mindy Tharnish

Houghton University
Wayne Lewis, Dan Noyes

Kingswood University
Dr. Rick Christman

Wesley Seminary
Rev. Alex Mandura

Houghton Academy
Michael Burgett

The Gathering
Kristy Kaufman

Royal Family Kids Camp
Emily Spateholts

You will see a baptism celebration video at conference!

Grace Deitrick Johnson
Global Partners Missionary

Grace first encountered God by marveling at creation as she followed her dad through the farm fields of central Pennsylvania. Her mother, one of her first teachers, cultivated her knowledge of God and helped her say “yes” to God’s grace in her life. As she watched her grandmother (a Presbyterian minister) preach, she began to wonder if God might be calling her to a life of cultivating wonder at God’s work in the world in her own way. A lifelong Wesleyan, Grace’s faith developed in a church which celebrated her calling and empowered her to learn and exercise her gifts. She chose to study both theology and communication at Houghton University to hone her theological instincts and care for people well. The mentors, professors, and friends at Houghton became her spiritual home as she contemplated what part she might play in God’s global story.

Her work with immigrant and refugees in Central Europe, with college students and community members as an assistant pastor at Houghton Wesleyan Church, and as a healthcare chaplain in Washington, DC allowed her to minister to people from diverse faith traditions and instilled a love of global ministry in her. Now, Grace serves as an itinerant missionary with Global Partners. Her husband Cody’s work in public service allows them to discover what God is doing in a new place every 2-3 years. In her role with Global Partners, Grace ministers wherever they currently live and supports the interns and leaders of NEXT, a mentored cross-cultural experience for young adults. Though her work is ever-changing, she remains passionate about cultivating spaces of welcome and accompanying people as they grow into the person God created them to be.

Jeremy Miller
Hospital Chaplain

Jeremy grew up in Amherst New York and is the youngest of three children with two older sisters. Jeremy grew up Roman Catholic and developed a foundation knowing there is a God but never developing a relationship with Him. After completing all his required sacraments for the Roman Catholic Church, Jeremy decided to walk his own path and leave Catholicism. After serving in the Marine Corps for four years, Jeremy was honorably discharged and moved back to Amherst. Jeremy felt lost and broken, and was struggling with depression. When all seemed lost, Christ came and turned his life around, and provided healing and love that Jeremy has never known before. Jeremy surrendered his life to Christ at the side of his bed after encountering the love of Christ.

About a year after surrendering his life, Jeremy received an invitation from God to serve Him in ministry. Jeremy accepted the call to ministry and was led to move to Fillmore, New York where he attended Houghton College (now Houghton University) and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Theology. Jeremy graduated and accepted a pastor position to serve Him as a camp pastor in Halifax, PA. Jeremy then went to Northeastern Seminary and obtained a Master’s of Arts in Ministry. During his time in seminary Jeremy entered into a Clinical Pastoral Education residency program, where he was trained to become a hospital chaplain. Upon completion of the residency program, Jeremy served as a pastoral resident at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church where he found his denominational home. After years of experiencing many different denominations, none of them ever felt like home until Jeremy became part of the Wesleyan denomination. The theology of John Wesley, and in particular the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, resonated with Jeremy, and made him feel like he had found his people, as well as his call to holiness that is motivated by love for God. It was at Eastern Hills that Jeremy met his now wife, Victoria; they have two children together, Beau and Adaline. After getting married God asked Jeremy to serve Him as a chaplain again. God has placed in Jeremy’s heart to focus on the people outside the walls of the church and to bring the love of God to everyone he meets, in particular those who are suffering greatly. Jeremy is currently serving at South Buffalo Mercy Hospital as a Certified Chaplain and remains open to wherever the Spirit of God wants him to serve in whatever capacity God sees fit.

New Licensed Ministers

Mark Harley
Pastor
Fillmore Wesleyan

Kim Holet
Executive Pastor
Revive Wesleyan (Hamburg)

Dylan Hawkins
Assistant Pastor
Forestville Wesleyan

Julia Hotchkiss
Pastor
Peace Wesleyan (Falconer)

Kristy Kaufman
Assistant Pastor (Congregational Care)
Revive Wesleyan (Hamburg)

Edward Piwko
Assistant Pastor (Youth) & Chaplain (Area first responders) 
North Park Wesleyan (Cuba)

Katie Rose
Assistant Pastor (Connections)
Hess Road Wesleyan (Appleton)

Emily Spateholts
Assistant Pastor (Children’s Ministries)
Houghton Wesleyan

Juwan Vasquez-Moore
Pastor
Fellowship Wesleyan (West Seneca)

Jim Wanke
Pastor
Wyoming Wesleyan (Mission of Fillmore Wesleyan)

Kingsley Woods
Assistant Pastor (Youth and Worship)
Orchard Park Wesleyan

Ron Wright
Assistant Pastor
Orchard Park Wesleyan

Licensed Ministers granted permanent status

Pastor Joe Delozier, Assistant Pastor at Eastern Hills

Pastor Andrea Merrill, Assistant Pastor at Eastern Hills

Meredith Ader
Action Committee- Lay

Meredith Ader is a native of North Carolina who now calls Wellsville, New York home. Meredith and husband Monty, pastor of Brookside Wesleyan Church, are the parents of four children and the proud grandparents of three.  At Brookside, Meredith develops and teaches curriculum for both membership and Sunday School classes. She also serves on the Missions Committee and recently joined the Outreach Events Team and the Christian Scholarship Committee.  By vocation, Meredith serves Regent University as the Head of Research and Instruction and as the Developer and Chair of the Master of Science in Library Science program. She is also completing her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction in Higher Education. Her career is shaped by the same convictions that drive her work with the church: that discovery, access, and a commitment to growth are pathways through which people become the unique individuals God designed them to be.  When she’s not teaching, Meredith can often be found working on construction projects, trying to get her plants to grow, or experimenting with restricted-diet baking.

Steve Boothe
DBA- Lay

A life-long WNYer, Steve earned a Bachelors degree in Accounting from SUNY Fredonia and has over 3 decades of service as an auditor for the NYS Department of Tax & Finance, where he is currently a managing Section Head. Steve accepted Christ at an early age and first became active in his church as youth group President where he prepared small sermon programs.  However, his relationship with Christ became stagnant.  His walk with Christ blossomed in the early 2000s, when he began attending Christ Chapel Wesleyan in Silver Creek.  Steve is currently Christ Chapel’s Vice Chair and assistant treasurer, after having served several years as treasurer. He has also served as a Sunday school teacher, usher, and food program volunteer.  Steve has been active in his community, having served in various roles in Hanover Little League. For 11 years, he was also a member of the Silver Creek Central School District Board of Education, including 3 years as Board President.  A passionate advocate for the education of children (especially those who are disadvantaged), Steve helped institute SCCS District programs which provided a weekend food backpack  and also eliminated the yearly parental burden of purchasing school supplies. Steve and his wife of 30 years, Christina, are proud parents of Hannah, Olivia, Sarah, and Thomas.  This past year, Steve and Tina were blessed to become grandparents to Vivienne Noelle, who brings great joy into their lives.  Steve’s newest favorite pastime is providing Vivienne with Grandpa naps. He also enjoys spending time with his family along with rooting on his Buffalo Bills, New York Yankees, and Chelsea FC.

Dr. Timothy Buckley
Action Committee- Lay

Dr. Timothy Buckley (D.W.S.) is a ministerial student in the Western New York District of the Wesleyan Church. He responded to God’s call to the Christian ministry in 2014, first serving in volunteer capacities and later accepting a staff position at Revive Wesleyan in 2022. Dr. Buckley earned a Doctor of Worship Studies degree from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies (IWS) this past March. His approved dissertation outlines the development of a theology of public worship in partnership with worship leaders and campus pastors at Revive. Dr. Buckley was the recipient of the Doris and Gerald Borchert Award, given to students with high achievement in doctoral studies at IWS, in 2024. His main research interests include how people are motivated to respond to God, how public worship is a vehicle for spiritual formation, and how worship leadership extends beyond musical responsibilities.
Dr. Buckley has served as the worship leader at the Bayview Chapel Campus of Revive Wesleyan for the past 10 years. He has also been a full-time music teacher in Western New York for the past 11 years, most recently completing his third year as the band director at Williamsville East High School. He and his wife, Meredith, happily live in Orchard Park. They are excited to celebrate their 12th anniversary in July.

Keith Clark
Action Committee- Clergy

Keith Clark grew up in Springville, NY, the village in which he pastors Revive Wesleyan’s Springville Crossing Campus today. Keith accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in High School. However, Jesus didn’t become his Lord until his mid-twenties. This happened through a series of challenging situations. It was during this season that Keith’s admittance and reliance on the Lord seemed to be all that he had but it proved to be more than enough. The journey that the Lord was leading Keith on and his ever-growing faith eventually led him to be part of a small group (7) who planted the non-denominational Springville Crossing Church in 2007. Just over two years into the plant the founding/lead pastor left, and Keith sensed the calling from the Lord to leave corporate America (Fisher-Price/Mattel) and begin pastoring the church. This was in late 2009. It was at this time that Keith began the appropriate schooling and was licensed to do ministry through The Chapel at Crosspoint. Since that time Keith has led the congregation in Springville through many changing seasons successfully and gracefully. Perhaps the biggest change was the dissolution of the Springville Crossing Church to relaunch as a campus of Revive Wesleyan. That occurred in 2019. Since that time Keith has worked to receive his licensing as a Wesleyan and is continuing to work toward his Ordination. Keith has been married to his wife, Laura, for 28 years and they have two adult children. Keith enjoys the outdoors and loves serving in the community of Springville in many ways as vessel of God’s hope, healing, and grace.

Marcus Dean
Action Committee- Clergy

Rev. Dr. Marcus W. Dean is a professor at Houghton University, Houghton New York. He teaches Intercultural Studies and Missions, and is Director of Off-Campus Studies. He has been a department chair and an academic area dean. He is currently active in the Fillmore Wesleyan Church, where he serves on the LBA, teaches frequently in the adult Sunday School class, preaches occasionally, and leads the missions committee. Before coming to Houghton University, he and his family served for 15 years in theological education with Global Partner as missionaries in Colombia and Puerto Rico. An essential part of their ministry was relationship building with church leaders. Prior to serving as missionaries Marcus pastored a church in Indiana.

Rev. Michael Dwyer
Action Committee- Clergy

Rob Engler
DBA- Clergy

Pastor Rob Engler serves as the Lead Pastor at Orchard Park Wesleyan Church. He has been married to his wife, Amy, for 26 years, and together they have been blessed with six children: Brianna, Madison, Abby, Kiera, Evan, and Hadley. Family life is central to who they are, and spending time together remains one of their greatest joys. Whether fishing, camping, hiking, boating, or simply enjoying everyday moments, they treasure the memories created through being present with one another. Rob has a deep and genuine love for people and for all of God’s creation. This passion naturally draws him outdoors and fuels his love for traveling and experiencing the beauty and diversity of the world. From quiet moments in nature to exploring new places, he finds joy in seeing God’s handiwork reflected in creation and in the lives of those he meets along the way. One of Rob’s greatest passions is living life in authentic community. He has never viewed church as something limited to a Sunday gathering, but rather as a daily expression of faith lived out in relationship with others. He intentionally seeks to include those around him—family, neighbors, strangers, and even those who may be difficult to love—believing that true fellowship reflects the heart of Christ. As a pastor, Rob is deeply committed to equipping others to embrace this same biblical vision of life together. He desires to see people grow in their faith, build meaningful relationships, and actively live out the Gospel in their everyday lives. His heart for ministry is rooted in walking alongside others, encouraging them, and helping them discover the joy and purpose found in Christ-centered community.

Rev. Paul Gartley
District Board of Administration- Clergy

Paul and Holly were married in October of 1999 and have three children: Sydney, 22, Julia, 21, and Jacob, 19. Paul has served at Revive Wesleyan since April 1999. Over his 27 years serving at Revive, he has served as the youth pastor, outreach pastor, disciple-making pastor, and Paul has been the lead pastor of Revive since March of 2021. Paul has lived in Western New York his entire life and has a deep commitment to helping the community he loves experience the Kingdom of God in their everyday lives. He has developed a deep conviction that it will require all Bible-believing churches in Western New York to reach all who are far from Jesus with the truth of the Gospel. Recently, Revive launched a new multiplication strategy that includes starting new campuses and launching existing campuses as autonomous churches while partnering with existing churches and ministries to begin new kingdom endeavors. Paul is keenly aware of the urgency to tell lost and broken people about Jesus and then disciple them as they develop as followers, friends, revealers, and restorers.
Paul is in the later stages of completing his MDiv at Wesley Seminary with three classes remaining.

Rev. Kim Gladden
District Board of Administration- Clergy
Nominating Committee- Clergy

Rev. Kim Gladden, former Director of Discipleship for the Wesleyan Church, is an ordained Wesleyan pastor and graduate of Colgate Rochester Divinity School who is currently serving as President of UMAP, an Urban Ministry Advancement Program. Kim loves to see God’s people transformed through spiritual growth opportunities. She has a heart of service and leads and supports mission projects around the globe. She previously served on staff as the Small Groups Pastor at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church while simultaneously serving as the lead pastor of a church she planted, Zion Quest Christian Fellowship, which she continues to pastor in the Buffalo area. She has also served as an adjunct lecturer for the University of Buffalo, Empire State College, and PCMP (Pastoral Church Ministries Program).  Kim is the founder of VisionQuest Ministries (a mission service organization) and the VisionQuest Community Christian Orchestra. Kim brings 30+ years of ministry experience and a passion for the creative worship arts to her desire to equip the church for ministry.

Todd Glendenning
Nominating Committee- Clergy

Todd has enjoyed 37 years of marriage to Wendy and together they have raised four children and now enjoy a son and daughter in-law and four grandchildren. In regard to his grandchildren Todd says, “I experience joy without effort when I’m with them.” For 25 years Todd served as a full-time pastor — work that shaped him in ways he’s still discovering. The last decade has taken him in a bit of a different direction, managing golf cart maintenance and logistics for the PGA Tour — not exactly seminary training, but he’s learned a lot. He’s a handyman at heart and a farmer in his soul, even if the farm is still more dream than reality. At this time, he finds himself most drawn to coaching — walking with pastors and Christian leaders through the weight and wonder of the work they carry.

Wendy Glendenning
DBA- Lay

Wendy Glendenning has been in the WNY District since childhood. She has been married to Todd for 37 years, and they have 4 grown children, a daughter-in-law and son-in-law. They also have a three granddaughters and a grandson, their latest delights! Her journey to know Christ started in 1st grade summer Bible School at OPWC. She vividly remembers asking Jesus into her heart at the tender age of seven. Her spiritual formation continued, especially after her parents came to Christ and decided to attend there regularly. That decision and the subsequent relationships formed there proved to be life-changing. Wendy would describe her journey as steady (with some bumps, of course!). Opportunities to serve as a teen/young adult, serving alongside Todd in his Youth, Assistant and Lead Pastorates, as well as mothering, were instrumental, soul-searching, and growing experiences. She has both pastoral ministry and laity perspective and her influence has included Youth/Children’s Leadership Teams, Women’s Ministry Team (both local and district), pre-marriage counsel, mission trips, etc. She feels she serves best in supportive roles and her ongoing desire is to remain faithful to and dependent on Jesus.. Wendy would welcome the opportunity to serve again on the District Board, using these experiences to provide input. Wendy received her BS in Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan and worked for 10 years at Spectrum Human Services – ultimately as Social Club Director. She started eldercare about 15 years ago and currently is self-employed, working from Fox Run in Orchard Park. In her free time Wendy enjoys the outdoors, non-fiction books, growing veggies and time with friends and family.

Hallie Harrington
DBA- Clergy

Hallie grew up near Allentown, PA, and she moved to Western New York in 2022. Since then, she has served as the Family Pastor at North Collins Wesleyan Church, overseeing the children’s ministry and partnering with a volunteer to lead the youth ministry. Since working in next-gen ministry, Hallie has felt the burden to teach adolescents how to truly follow Jesus. She doesn’t want them to walk away knowing only what’s in the Bible; her prayer is that they would actually do what it says because they are fully convinced of its truth. Hallie graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in Youth and Pastoral Ministry and a master’s in Practical Theology. She was ordained last October and has loved being part of a district where she can learn from other local pastors and do ministry alongside them.

Karen Hotchkiss
Nominating Committee- Lay

Karen Hotchkiss (neé McKnight), member of Higgins Wesleyan Church since 1993, has been part of The Wesleyan Church since her birth. She grew up in a Wesleyan pastor’s family in the Central Canada District of The Wesleyan Church. Saved at a young age and baptized at Silver Lake Wesleyan Camp, she has endeavored to be a Christ-follower in all things. She began her time at Houghton in the fall of 1989, and met and married her roommate’s brother, Shawn, a few years later. She attended Higgins during her academic years at Houghton and returned after marriage.
Karen and Shawn worked together to raise three amazing children, and she relished her years at home with them before they entered school. As well as spending time serving on the worship team, she served as the treasurer at Higgins for almost 18 years, surrendering that responsibility soon after taking up a full-time job at Houghton University where she has served for 21 years. She began as the Off-Campus Studies Assistant, and now also works more broadly with the faculty in Religion, Humanities and Global Studies.

Bob Rumschik
Nominating Committee- Lay

Bob dedicated his life to Jesus Christ in 1973 while majoring in Health and Physical Education at Findlay University in Ohio. Participation in Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) was instrumental in providing a firm foundation of Bible study, prayer, discipleship, and outreach. He taught and coached at all three levels of education in the Orchard Park Central School District for 39 years and served as the department chair for over 20 years at the middle school level. Bob currently serves on the board of Revive Wesleyan and has been involved in leading a community group, along with teaching discipleship classes and other spiritual growth topics. He has been involved in inner healing ministry since 2010 and has served on advisory boards for Buffalo Iron Sharpens Iron men’s conferences, and Frank Reich’s Call to Courage breakfast in Buffalo. Bob and his bride Pat are approaching 50 years of marriage. They have three sons, one who is a Wesleyan Chaplain in the U.S. Army, one who serves in CRU Athletes In Action hockey ministry, and one who works for Saab on Government defense contracts. Bob and Pat actively grandparent seven grandchildren.

Rev. Paul Shea
Nominating Committee- Clergy

Rev. Shea, now retired, is in his 53rd year as an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church. He has served as Pastor and Assistant Pastor in Illinois and WNY. He and Debbie, with their three daughters, were missionaries with Global Partners in Sierra Leone for three terms in the 1970’s -80’s discipling youth and teaching at Sierra Leone Bible College (now TECT). Paul taught Missions and Intercultural Studies at Houghton University for 19 years. In retirement he filled a gap as Pastoral Assistant at Houghton Wesleyan Church where he continues in various voluntary ministries.

Daryl Stevenson
Action Committee- Lay

A native of Spencerport, NY, (and Spencerport Wesleyan Church), Daryl Stevenson is a fifth generation Wesleyan. He lives in Houghton and has been a member of the Wesleyan church there for nearly 44 years. Daryl joined Houghton’s faculty in 1982, after completing his PhD in clinical psychology in southern California. Professionally, he is a licensed psychologist and has taught psychology and held campus-wide administrative posts. He has assisted The Wesleyan Church’s Global Partners and the New York State Salvation Army with periodic psychological pre-field screening, interviewing, and post-field interventions. As a retiree, he remains engaged in church committees and activities and currently serves as the vice chair of the Houghton Wesleyan Church Board of Elders. He has served three times previously on the WNY District‘s Action Committee. Daryl’s passions include carpentry, fine woodworking, boating and water sports, and sacred/barbershop quartet singing. As Houghton 1970 graduates, he and his wife of 56 years, Gudy, have three sons with families totaling eight grandchildren.

Mindy Tharnish
Nominating Committee- Clergy

Mindy was raised in West Michigan and is a 2015 graduate of Kingswood University. After she graduated, she moved to Hamburg to complete her residency with Revive Wesleyan. She was ordained in 2018 and went on to be a missionary with Global Partners in Mongolia for 2 years. She still works for Global Partners in mobilization, mobilizing and discipling potential new missionaries. She has been married to Dave for 4 years and they have 2 sons, Sam and Billy.

Madelyn Ventre
Nominating Committee- Lay

Awaiting bio

Keith Vergien
Action Committee- Lay

Keith Vergien is Executive Director, Commercial at New Eagle, where he serves as the strategic commercial leader responsible for driving the organization’s vision, growth, and overall market impact. In this role, he oversees business development, strengthens key customer relationships, and ensures the reliable delivery of high-value solutions in advanced autonomy control systems, embedded software, and engineering services. Balancing technical depth with commercial insight and leadership discipline, Keith positions New Eagle as a trusted third-party partner that enables customers to innovate, scale, and succeed.
Prior to joining New Eagle, Keith served as Senior Vice President at Sentient Science, a global software company specializing in digital twins for the renewable energy and electric vehicle markets. Before that, he held leadership roles at EDF Renewables and Clipper Windpower, building a career defined by technical credibility, cross-functional team leadership, and a consistent ability to convert opportunity into long-term growth.  Throughout his career, Keith has led, coached, and developed multicultural teams across the Americas and Europe, working alongside directors, operations managers, customer success professionals, and marketing teams to meet and exceed both individual and corporate goals. He is guided by a deep commitment to customer responsiveness, integrity, and sustainable innovation.  Keith holds technical certifications from BMW and Ford Motor Co., as well as PMP certification — reflecting a career-long investment in expertise and continuous professional development.  A proud resident of the Iroquois Central School district for over twenty-four years, Keith and his wife Jacqueline remain actively involved in their community’s athletics and academics programs alongside their children.

Rev. Jonathan Ward
Action Committee- Clergy

Rev. Jonathan Ward, “Pastor Jon”, has been pastoring for 29 years and a Christian for 47 years. Growing up in the Wesleyan Church, he has a strong sense of dedication to preserving the Biblical and Theological foundations of the Wesleyan Church by growing intentional disciples of Christ. He received his BA in Christian Ministries and in Biblical Literature from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1998 and his MA in Theological Studies from Asbury Seminary in 2003. He has served as a Youth Pastor, a Discipleship Pastor, a Solo Pastor, and as a Sr. Pastor. He has been the Lead Pastor of North Park Wesleyan Church in Cuba, NY for the past 22 years. He has served the District as Men’s Ministry Director, as a member of the District Action Committee, on the planning team for the Team Retreat (formerly Pastor and Spouse Retreat), and is currently serving on the District Board of Ministerial Development and as a teacher of “Advanced Theology”, “The Doctrine of Holiness”, and “Church History” in our District’s Ministry Training Program. He has been married to Ashley Ward for 29 years with whom he has four children (two of whom are married) and three grandchildren. His passions include “rightly dividing the word of truth” through preaching and teaching, hunting, fishing, woodworking, gardening, music, and backpacking. He has been nominated for the position of District Action Committee – Clergy.

Current Board:
DISTRICT BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION (DBA)

DC26 DBA Summary of Actions (3)

2025-2026 DBMD Report

District Board of Ministerial Development
This is the board that oversees ministry candidates in our district.

Western New York Ministry Training Program

WNY Ministry Training Program is an approved program for ordination and licensing courses in The Wesleyan Church.  ANYONE may take the courses for personal enrichment. You do not have to be an official Ministerial Student to enroll.

Refresh Family Camp – July 19-24, 2026

Western New York District Service of Ordination – Sunday, October 25, 2026, 6:00 PM
Orchard Park Wesleyan Church

Heart to Heart Weekend –  (Pastors’ wives and Women Pastors) November 13-15, 2026
Asbury Retreat Center

District Winter Youth Retreat – Date TBD

2027 WNY District Conference – Saturday June 12, 2027