Geoff Schultz
Senior Pastor
Pastor Geoff has served as Senior Pastor of Friends Church since 1995. He is passionate about helping people discover Jesus and leading the church to reach those who have not yet found a church home. He often reminds the congregation that “this church was not built for those who are in it, but for those who aren’t in it yet!”
Originally from Richwood, Ohio, Geoff attended Asbury College before earning his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary. Throughout his years at Friends Church, he has led the congregation through seasons of growth and change while continuing to look ahead with excitement toward what God has in store for the church.
Geoff and his wife, Mary, have four children: Caleb, Joshua, Micah, and Faith, with two grandbabies on the way! Outside of ministry, Geoff enjoys spending time with his family, working in his yard, taking trips on his flight simulator, and watching Ohio State football. Although an avid Buckeye fan, he still welcomes fans from up north to come and worship!
Originally from Richwood, Ohio, Geoff attended Asbury College before earning his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary. Throughout his years at Friends Church, he has led the congregation through seasons of growth and change while continuing to look ahead with excitement toward what God has in store for the church.
Geoff and his wife, Mary, have four children: Caleb, Joshua, Micah, and Faith, with two grandbabies on the way! Outside of ministry, Geoff enjoys spending time with his family, working in his yard, taking trips on his flight simulator, and watching Ohio State football. Although an avid Buckeye fan, he still welcomes fans from up north to come and worship!
David Hoovler
Elyria Campus Pastor
Pastor David is passionate about exploring and teaching God’s Word and helping others grow in their relationship with God. He oversees Elyria Friends Church and adult discipleship opportunities across both campuses, seeking to equip people to grow in their faith and love others to life in Jesus Christ.
David and his family began attending Friends Church in 2013, and he joined the pastoral staff in 2018 after sensing God’s call into full-time ministry. Before serving at Friends, David spent 14 years working in higher education public relations and communications. He and his wife, Ginger, also spent three years teaching and serving students in Weinan, China.
Originally from Butler, Pennsylvania, David holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from Asbury College and a master’s degree in Intercultural Studies and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Wheaton College. David and Ginger have two children, Wilson and Joelle. Ginger also serves on staff at Friends Church as the morning secretary and bookkeeper.
David and his family began attending Friends Church in 2013, and he joined the pastoral staff in 2018 after sensing God’s call into full-time ministry. Before serving at Friends, David spent 14 years working in higher education public relations and communications. He and his wife, Ginger, also spent three years teaching and serving students in Weinan, China.
Originally from Butler, Pennsylvania, David holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from Asbury College and a master’s degree in Intercultural Studies and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Wheaton College. David and Ginger have two children, Wilson and Joelle. Ginger also serves on staff at Friends Church as the morning secretary and bookkeeper.
Rich Bennett
Pastor of Care & Fellowship
Pastor Rich has a heart for helping people experience the freedom and fullness of life found in Jesus Christ. With more than 40 years of pastoral ministry experience in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Ohio, Rich has served on staff at Friends Church for the past 15 years. He leads the church’s Care Ministries, providing visitation, connection, and support to people throughout the church and community.
Rich sensed God’s call to pastoral ministry as a teenager, and his desire is to continually become more like Christ for the sake of others. Beyond Friends Church, he serves as a chaplain to North Olmsted’s first responders, on the board of LIFT Cleveland, and with Sleep in Heavenly Peace in western Cuyahoga County. He also enjoys leading ministry teams to Malawi, Africa.
Rich and his wife, Elizabeth, have been married for more than 38 years and have six children and nine grandchildren. In his free time, Rich enjoys cycling with Elizabeth, playing golf and pickleball with friends, and spending time playing games with his family.
Rich sensed God’s call to pastoral ministry as a teenager, and his desire is to continually become more like Christ for the sake of others. Beyond Friends Church, he serves as a chaplain to North Olmsted’s first responders, on the board of LIFT Cleveland, and with Sleep in Heavenly Peace in western Cuyahoga County. He also enjoys leading ministry teams to Malawi, Africa.
Rich and his wife, Elizabeth, have been married for more than 38 years and have six children and nine grandchildren. In his free time, Rich enjoys cycling with Elizabeth, playing golf and pickleball with friends, and spending time playing games with his family.
Adam Falkenstein
Pastor of Adult Discipleship
Pastor Adam is passionate about helping people know and follow Jesus and equipping the next generation of leaders in the Church. A North Olmsted native, Adam grew up in a Christian home but came to understand more deeply what it meant to surrender his life to Christ through several formative encounters with God as a young adult. While in college, he sensed God’s call to vocational ministry and began serving full-time after graduating in 2013.
Adam joined the staff at Friends Church in 2016, initially serving as Pastor of Children’s Ministry. In 2024, he transitioned into his current role as Pastor of Adult Discipleship, where he helps create opportunities for people to grow deeper in their faith and become more like Jesus.
Adam and his wife, Sarah, were married in 2015 and have two children, Gwendolynn and Rowan. Sarah serves as the church’s Director of Women’s Ministry, and together they share a love for discipleship and ministry. Adam is also an enthusiastic nerd of both the Bible and popular culture and is always ready for a conversation about theology and apologetics—or professional wrestling, video games, and Marvel comics.
Adam joined the staff at Friends Church in 2016, initially serving as Pastor of Children’s Ministry. In 2024, he transitioned into his current role as Pastor of Adult Discipleship, where he helps create opportunities for people to grow deeper in their faith and become more like Jesus.
Adam and his wife, Sarah, were married in 2015 and have two children, Gwendolynn and Rowan. Sarah serves as the church’s Director of Women’s Ministry, and together they share a love for discipleship and ministry. Adam is also an enthusiastic nerd of both the Bible and popular culture and is always ready for a conversation about theology and apologetics—or professional wrestling, video games, and Marvel comics.
Adrianne Nolan
Pastor of Youth Discipleship
Pastor Adrianne is passionate about creating spaces where teenagers can encounter Jesus, ask meaningful questions, and grow into a faith of their own. She sensed God’s call to youth ministry at the age of 16 and has been serving at Friends Church since 2017. Originally from Berea, Ohio, Adrianne studied Youth Ministry and Bible & Theology at Malone University in Canton.
Adrianne has a deep love for the local church and believes it should reflect the kind of family and belonging described throughout Scripture. As a single adult, she especially values the Church as a place where people in every season of life—single, married, divorced, or widowed—can experience meaningful relationships and find a place to belong. She is grateful to experience that kind of family through her closest friends, Sarah and Adam, and their children, Gwendolynn and Rowan.
When she isn’t spending time with teenagers, Adrianne enjoys being with the people she loves and is always happy to meet someone new. If you see her around Friends Church, be sure to stop and say hello!
Adrianne has a deep love for the local church and believes it should reflect the kind of family and belonging described throughout Scripture. As a single adult, she especially values the Church as a place where people in every season of life—single, married, divorced, or widowed—can experience meaningful relationships and find a place to belong. She is grateful to experience that kind of family through her closest friends, Sarah and Adam, and their children, Gwendolynn and Rowan.
When she isn’t spending time with teenagers, Adrianne enjoys being with the people she loves and is always happy to meet someone new. If you see her around Friends Church, be sure to stop and say hello!
Stephanie Crichlow
Director of Children's Discipleship
Stephanie is passionate about helping children know Jesus and develop a faith that will grow with them throughout their lives. She and her family began attending Elyria Friends Church in 2022, where God began stirring in her a call to children’s ministry. In 2024, she joined the staff at Friends Church as Director of Children’s Discipleship, helping create environments where kids can learn about Jesus, experience belonging, and take meaningful steps in their faith.
Originally from Mayfield Heights, Stephanie grew up attending Willoughby Hills Friends Church. She holds a degree in Business Management from Cuyahoga Community College and a Practical Ministry Certificate from Malone University. She met her husband, Robby, while the two were serving together on a worship team, and they married in 2018.
Stephanie and Robby have six children: Charly, Tommy, Juniper, Violette, Primrose, and another on the way! Outside of ministry, Stephanie enjoys gardening, baking, and playing the trumpet. Catch her playing at Christmas!
Originally from Mayfield Heights, Stephanie grew up attending Willoughby Hills Friends Church. She holds a degree in Business Management from Cuyahoga Community College and a Practical Ministry Certificate from Malone University. She met her husband, Robby, while the two were serving together on a worship team, and they married in 2018.
Stephanie and Robby have six children: Charly, Tommy, Juniper, Violette, Primrose, and another on the way! Outside of ministry, Stephanie enjoys gardening, baking, and playing the trumpet. Catch her playing at Christmas!
Robby Crichlow
Elyria Campus Worship Leader
Robby is passionate about helping people encounter God through worship and creating space for authentic connection through music. He first began serving in worship ministry in 2002, playing bass at Solon United Methodist Church, and music has remained an important part of his life ever since. After spending several years performing with bands, Robby felt God leading him to refocus his time and gifts around faith, family, and ministry.
Robby met his wife, Stephanie, while the two were serving together on a worship team at Garfield Memorial Church. That season of ministry eventually helped lead their family to Elyria Friends Church, where Robby now serves part-time as Worship Director.
During the week, Robby works full-time as a programmer and has spent more than 15 years professionally in the field. He and Stephanie have six children, and in his free time, Robby enjoys spending time with his family, playing video games, and running online tabletop role-playing games.
Robby met his wife, Stephanie, while the two were serving together on a worship team at Garfield Memorial Church. That season of ministry eventually helped lead their family to Elyria Friends Church, where Robby now serves part-time as Worship Director.
During the week, Robby works full-time as a programmer and has spent more than 15 years professionally in the field. He and Stephanie have six children, and in his free time, Robby enjoys spending time with his family, playing video games, and running online tabletop role-playing games.
Support Staff
Ginger Hoovler
Morning Secretary
Morning Secretary
Theresa Stitt
Afternoon Secretary
Afternoon Secretary
Toby Locher
A/V Coordinator
A/V Coordinator
Mark Brewster
Facility Manager
Facility Manager
Rick Rodgers
Custodian
Custodian
Debbie Freed
Events Coordinator
Events Coordinator
Volunteer Leaders
Sarah Falkenstein
Women's Ministry Director
Women's Ministry Director
Naomi Kropp
Elyria Campus Children's Coordinator
Elyria Campus Children's Coordinator
David Cleveland
Life Group Coordinator
Life Group Coordinator
Kim Klima
Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinator
Judy Crandall
Choir Director
Choir Director