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!).
Peter Scharf, Sr.
(Bio coming soon!)
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:
Rob Brant
(Bio coming soon!)
Joel Hacker
Joel was born in Korea and adopted at 15 months old by loving parents who believed in the Bible and the salvation of Jesus Christ. He attended a Christian church with his family, which laid a good biblical foundation and led to his growth with Christ. Over time he attended Winchester Community Church, spending time growing up here, and eventually becoming a member in his later years and a leader in various roles as an adult. Winchester, through its church members and Pastors, showed him the love of Christ, and this makes it a familiar home church today. Joel wanted to be a preacher as a young kid, and this fervor for Scripture still is evident in how he serves as a Deacon and shares God’s Word from his heart through men’s ministry, small group Bible studies, his prayers during Communion services, and many other ways. Joel is married to a loving wife and has a wonderful adult daughter.
Mike Goodell – Deacon-in-Training
Mike is a lifetime resident of Western New York. In early 2022 Mike and his wife Mary Anne walked into Winchester Community Church for the first time, and they became members of WinCC later that year. Most Sundays Mike can be found at the church front door greeting people as they arrive. He recently retired from a career of 37 years in facility management, and is currently serving as a Deacon-in-Training at WinCC. Mike and Mary Anne live in Cheektowaga with their two playful Havenese dogs Desi and Milo. They have a son, Chris, who also lives in West Seneca. Mike enjoys reading and nature walking, and has plans on taking up golf.
DEACON EMERITUS:
Mike Janiszeski
Michael was raised in a large family of 11 children. He joined the U.S. Army for 3 years, then transferred to the U.S. Air Force Reserves, and retired with 26 years in service. Mike came to Christ in 1978, and had 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 served faithfully as a Deacon. Mike went to be with the Lord in November of 2022, yet his legacy and memory remain among the church even after he has joined God’s “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1).