The plurality of Elders, who are gracious servants in leadership at WinCC, and the Deacons serving and leading supportively, are set apart and called to oversee the church in a number of different ways. These men serve Christ and the church family gladly and sacrificially. We invite you to get to know them more below, and in person during worship services, other ministries, and personal times of connection as well.
ELDERS:
Jay Keklak
Jason (Jay) and his wife Jodi care for special needs cats in their West Seneca home. Both of them also hold D.E.C. class 1 wildlife rehabilitation licenses, and in addition to animal rehab, also work with several local organizations providing educational programs featuring live birds of prey. Jay and Jodi enjoy kayaking and photography in their free time. Previously involved in ministry with a fellow Gospel-centered church in Elma, NY, Jay currently is serving as Elder and blessing the WinCC community with his excellence in the Audio/Visual Booth during worship services. He has a drive to express his ministry through the lens of God’s awesome creation. Jay also has a self-declared passion for useless knowledge (along with a wonderful sense of humor!).
Dennis White
Dennis grew up in Tonawanda, NY, and lost interest in the liturgical church as a youth and young adult. As he began to date his future wife, Cindy, he accepted an invitation to visit WinCC (where she attended since childhood). In the summer of 1988, while Cindy was working with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association at an outreach in Buffalo, Dennis invited Jesus into his life. As he grew in his faith at WinCC, he has served on various Elder and leadership teams, doing so since the early 1990’s. In 2011 Dennis headed the Pastoral Search Committee, and his leadership was instrumental in the arrival of Pastor Jason Drapeau as WinCC’s current Senior Pastor. His hobby is collecting and listening to old vinyl records. Dennis lives with his wife and cats in Tonawanda.
ELDER EMERITUS:
Terry Rosenswie
Terry had been a member of WinCC since 2012, along with his wife Sandra and their two adult children and their grandchildren. He was a soldier in the U.S. Marines, then a rock musician, semi-professional football player, and a retired Erie County Deputy Sheriff. Terry was introduced to Christ and the joy of Scripture by his brother-in-law, and had gladly walked with the Lord since. He was an integral member of the WinCC Worship Team, as well as an Elder. Additionally, Terry lead a small group Bible study on Tuesday evenings at 7pm at the church, which is still carried on by his family and faithful WinCC leadership. He was overjoyed to see the legacy of the gospel in his family and at WinCC, with some of his close family members having served the church in youth ministries, small group ministries, as Custodians, and in other manners of blessing as God has lead. Terry went home to be with the Lord in December of 2020, and was posthumously affirmed as Elder Emeritus in 2021. His faithfulness to the Lord exists as an example to many, and his shadow in the church family and around the building will remain for many years, as “by faith he still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4).
DEACONS:
Mike Janiszeski
Michael was raised in a large family of 11 children, and currently has 2 daughters, 1 son, and 9 grandchildren. He joined the U.S. Army for 3 years, then transferred to the U.S. Air Force Reserves, and is now retired with 26 years in service. Mike came to Christ in 1978, and has been following the Lord and serving in churches in Western New York since. A friend invited him to attend a small group Bible study at WinCC, which led him and his wife, Marleen, to become members of the church where he now serves as a Deacon. Mike loves Christian music, reading, and taking walks in the woods with his wife.
Kent Willis
Kent was born in Boston, NY. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps at 18 years of age. He has been married to his wife, Karen, for almost 50 years. Kent and Karen have been attending WinCC since the early 2000’s, with Kent serving as Deacon a number of those years. He has had a long career in the trucking industry, serving on the road for 55 years. Kent now, in his retirement, works part-time in deliveries a few days during the week, and on the team of Custodians at WinCC. Kent and Karen have 2 children, along with 3 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. They also have a small dog that keeps them busy and loves to go for walks.