Woodland Church

Dennis & Becky Clanton
Senior Pastor

Dennis Clanton and his wife Rebekah began their journey with Woodland in 1999 enjoying life with their four children, now ranging in ages from 15 to 21. Pastor enjoys hiking, golfing, jogging, canoeing, traveling, books and “good” coffee. Beginning their 30 years of life together as alumni of Southeastern University and Valdosta State University, their life has taken them down many paths. From the diversity of youth ministry to traveling 23 countries working in areas of missions, church planting and leadership development, Pastor Clanton’s passion has always remained: “Persuading people to become passionate followers of Christ."

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AJ & Amy Fagan

Pastor of Church Ministries

AJ grew up in rural Missouri. He attended Central Bible College in Springfield where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Studies. He came to Woodland in 1998; he and Amy were married that year as well, and they worked with the youth for five years, Amy was born and raised in Northern California. She attended Evangel University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in English Education and a minor in French. In 2003, they moved to the position of Church Ministries Pastor where they are able to develop teams to do the work of the church. They both enjoy traveling, camping, movies, food, and playing with their daughter Daphne.

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Rick & Norma Sutherland
Connections Pastor

Rick Sutherland is a native of downriver Michigan. Rick spent 35 years working for Chrysler where he retired from an Area Manager position. Rick and his wife Norma have raised three daughters and bring 40 years of marriage experience and wisdom to Woodland. Rick became the Woodland Connections Pastor in 2001 and has developed Woodland's small group ministries into a thriving part of the church.

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Mark & Kyra Warda
Creative Arts Pastor

Mark Warda grew up in the Macomb County, Michigan area. He joined the Woodland staff in August 2005. Mark leads worship and directs the Creative Arts Department. He is credentialed with the Assemblies of God, having taken theology classes through Berean University. Mark also studied music at Wayne State University and plays primarily keyboard, saxophone, clarinet, flute, and percussion. Other skills include songwriting, composing and arranging music, and fine arts with an emphasis in calligraphy. Mark served as minister of music at his former church since 1991. It was there that he met his wife Kyra and has been happily married since 1993. They have two children, Phillip and Melody. Both children sing and are very artistic. Kyra grew up in Napa, California. She earned her Bachelor's Degree at University of the Pacific; performed with the Stockton & Napa Valley Symphony Orchestras; taught in public and private schools in California and Michigan; served as co-director of both a daycare and a crisis pregnancy center. Kyra sings and also plays and teaches the violin. Mark enjoys spending time with his family, books, music, art, board games and spicy foods. He and Kyra love people and feel blessed and privileged to be a part of Woodland.

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