Chad & Julie McAtee, Lead Pastors
Chad grew up in Springfield, Missouri playing sports and going to church. He gave his life to Jesus at a very young age and then, in his teen years, discovered the call to ministry on his life. He invested in this call by attending Central Bible College and graduating with a Bible degree. His passion is to see people fully give their lives to Jesus. Chad met the love of his life, Julie, while attending Central Bible College. Julie grew up in Middlebury, Indiana also playing sports and being involved in church life. She, too, gave her life to Jesus at a young age, and then was called to ministry at 17 years old. She serves as Sweetwater’s Administrator. After graduating from CBC and getting married in 1995, Chad & Julie youth pastored in Indiana for 10 years before coming to serve Sweetwater in 2004. They have three amazing boys…David, Andrew and Jonathan…who bring unbelievable joy to their lives each day!
Chad grew up in Springfield, Missouri playing sports and going to church. He gave his life to Jesus at a very young age and then, in his teen years, discovered the call to ministry on his life. He invested in this call by attending Central Bible College and graduating with a Bible degree. His passion is to see people fully give their lives to Jesus. Chad met the love of his life, Julie, while attending Central Bible College. Julie grew up in Middlebury, Indiana also playing sports and being involved in church life. She, too, gave her life to Jesus at a young age, and then was called to ministry at 17 years old. She serves as Sweetwater’s Administrator. After graduating from CBC and getting married in 1995, Chad & Julie youth pastored in Indiana for 10 years before coming to serve Sweetwater in 2004. They have three amazing boys…David, Andrew and Jonathan…who bring unbelievable joy to their lives each day!
Jeff & Jill Poynter, Youth/ Associate Pastors
Jeff & Jill both grew up in central Indiana. They met in a local teen ministry, fell in love and married in 1993. They enjoy the passionate pursuit of an adventurous life serving Jesus with four fantastic children - Shayna, Brett, Chase, and Erika. Together, their pursuit of God’s will brought them to Sweetwater at the end of 2010. Their hearts desire is to empower people to develop a passion to worship and experience God in a tangible way that cultivates a faith that lasts. The Poynter’s enjoy sports, traveling, new adventures, and any type of outdoor activity.
Jeff & Jill both grew up in central Indiana. They met in a local teen ministry, fell in love and married in 1993. They enjoy the passionate pursuit of an adventurous life serving Jesus with four fantastic children - Shayna, Brett, Chase, and Erika. Together, their pursuit of God’s will brought them to Sweetwater at the end of 2010. Their hearts desire is to empower people to develop a passion to worship and experience God in a tangible way that cultivates a faith that lasts. The Poynter’s enjoy sports, traveling, new adventures, and any type of outdoor activity.
Jeremy & Mandi Jones, Children’s Pastors
Jeremy grew up in North Manchester, Indiana. Mandi grew up in Brighton, Michigan. They both grew up in Christian homes and were both very active in their churches. Jeremy attended Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, while Mandi attended Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan. They met while working at a Christian camp for needy and underprivileged children. Jeremy and Mandi were married in August 1998, and have three boys - Drew, Brayden and Cade. Since being married, they have served in various areas of ministry such as junior high youth pastor, youth/associate pastor, and currently serve the children and their families of Sweetwater since the fall of 2007. They have a strong passion for children and making a difference in their lives by showing them the love of Jesus and teaching them how to apply the principles of the Bible to their everyday lives.
Jeremy grew up in North Manchester, Indiana. Mandi grew up in Brighton, Michigan. They both grew up in Christian homes and were both very active in their churches. Jeremy attended Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, while Mandi attended Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan. They met while working at a Christian camp for needy and underprivileged children. Jeremy and Mandi were married in August 1998, and have three boys - Drew, Brayden and Cade. Since being married, they have served in various areas of ministry such as junior high youth pastor, youth/associate pastor, and currently serve the children and their families of Sweetwater since the fall of 2007. They have a strong passion for children and making a difference in their lives by showing them the love of Jesus and teaching them how to apply the principles of the Bible to their everyday lives.