Leadership

The leadership team at Hillcrest has deep roots with both our church family and the local community where they live out their faith in Jesus and serve others in His Name.

Mark Hinman, lead pastor

A native of Randolph, NY, Pastor Mark has served the Hillcrest church family since 2013 as Lead Pastor.  After graduation from Cedarville University and Jamestown Community College, he spent  26 years in business management and sales overlapping with nine years as Hillcrest’s Associate Pastor of Worship and Music before stepping into his current role.  He and his wife Danielle are the parents for four daughters.

Pastor Mark is passionate about preaching God’s Word in a way that practically answers the “So What?” of everyday life.  His years at Hillcrest have made him grateful for our rich heritage but also longing for our church to thrive in making disciples of Jesus Christ in our region and around the world.

Dan Soderberg, associate pastor

Another Jamestown native, Pastor Dan visits with home bound and hospitalized members of our church family,  is developing our “Growth Group” Bible studies, assists in leading worship and teaches in our adult Sunday School.   Dan is deeply connected to our local community through his work as director of Impact Campus Fellowship at area schools, service on the Board for UCAN Mission  and  involvement with the local YMCA (past board president).  His work at Hillcrest and in the community reflect his two primary passions:  developing and equipping leaders to be strong servants of Christ and bringing the good news of God’s love found in Jesus to thousands of faculty and students in our public schools.  He holds degrees from Toccoa Fall College, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and North Park Theological Seminary.  Dan and his wife Karen are the parents of four adult children.

Ben Soffel, director of student & young adult ministries

Ben is from Bemus Point and currently lives in Jamestown with his wife Abbey and son Micah.  After graduating from North Park University in Chicago with a degree in Music Arts Administration, he returned to Chautauqua Co. where he worked in real estate marketing.  He brings with him five years of ministry experience at Camp Mission Meadows and as a volunteer with several local youth groups.  At Hillcrest he oversees the Outbound Youth and Young Adult programs.  Ben is passionate about mentoring and discipling young people by walking alongside them in their relationship with Jesus.

Wendy Roof, connections coordinator

It’s usually Wendy’s cheerful voice you hear when you call the church.  Besides answering the phone, she assists our pastors and ministry leaders and handles many day-to-day tasks that keep things running smoothly at Hillcrest.  Along with their involvement at Hillcrest, she and her husband Lyle stay busy with three active young adult children.

Barb Hanson, preschool teacher

Barb’s love for children and skill in teaching them are evident as she interacts with our preschool students and their families.  She has a special way of making every opportunity a teachable moment.  Barb and her husband Todd have five children:  one married, one at West Point and three at home…and three of her children attended Hillcrest Preschool.  “My passion is working with little ones and watching them learn as they explore their surroundings,” says Barb.  Besides preschool, Barb has also taught 5th and 1st grades.

Laurie Lassinger, preschool administrator/family ministries assistant

For over 15 years Laurie has been an encourager and friend to our preschool students nurturing their growth as she ties shoes, holds hands and helps out where ever needed.  She also assists Pastor Jeff and other family ministries with a variety of clerical tasks.   She and her husband Craig are active members of the Hillcrest family.  They have raised two sons at Hillcrest.

Kathy Osgood, bookkeeper

As our bookkeeper, Kathy pays the bills and keeps our financial records up-to-date.  She works alongside Wendy in our church offices and works closely with our Finance Committee.  Kathy and her husband Lyn are long-time members at Hillcrest.  They are the parents of three adult sons.

Our leadership team also includes our Deacon Board, Trustee Board, Christian Education Board and church officers.