Bill McConnell
Lead Minister
Our Lead Minister, Bill McConnell, has been ministering in Harrison since December of 1991 and has been the Lead Minister of Legacy Christian Church since January 2008.
Bill grew up in Beargrass Christian Church, a Disciples of Christ church in Louisville, Kentucky. In high school Bill was involved in sports where he lettered in football, baseball and crosscountry. He has two brothers and three sisters.
Bill has four adult children (Mack, Meg, David and Robin) and Nancy has three (Klint, Josh and Jackie). They have twelve grandchildren. Dr. McConnell has been serving in the ministry since 1970 and was ordained in his home church in 1972. He has served congregations in Kentucky, Iowa, Illinois and Ohio.
Bill says he has gone to college and seminary but he has shown us nothing to prove it. We do allow him the title of Dr. because, as his younger son explained it to a childhood friend, "My daddy's a doctor, but he isn't the kind that can help you."
Both Mark and Bill are EMTs and Firefighters which comes in pretty handy around the church. Mark puts out the fires caused by Bill's inflamatory sermons and Bill stops the bleeding every time Mark falls on his face.
THE THINGS YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT BILL
Favorite Music - Worship music, Leonard Cohen, Pink Floyd, Emmy Lou Harris, Bob Dylan, 3rd Day, Jars of Clay, The Beatles, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, The Eagles, The Crash Test Dummies, Don Williams, Mark Knopfler, John Prine, Vince Gill, Bebo Norman
Favorite Movies - Field of Dreams, The Princess Bride, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, Ferris Beuller's Day Off, Night of the Living Dead (The first time I saw it around 1969 it scared the bejebbers out of me, now I think it is funny.)
Favorite TV Shows - Most Dangerous Catch, LOST, Still Standing, The History Channel, The Discovery Channel, Two and a Half Men, Ghost Hunters
Some Favorite Books - The Divine Conspiracy, His Needs; Her Needs, The Signature of Jesus, The Road, Sultree, Wobegon Boy, Boundaries, The Ragamuffin Gospel, It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It, No Perfect People Allowed, The Purpose Driven Church.
Favorite Quote - "As my good friend Dave Hussing used to say, 'There are two kinds of good ideas. You, my friend, have had a bad good idea.'"
Published - Several articles in clergy journals and three books. His books are You Can't Scare Me; I Have Kids, Born in a Barn, Renew Your Congregation; Healing the Sick and Raising the Dead.
Contact Bill McConnell @ bill@harrisonlegacy.com
Mark Garrett
Senior Minister
Legacy Christian Church's Senior Pastor is Mark Garrett. Mark is a native of Hamilton, Ohio, and is married to Judith. They have two beautiful daughters, Rebecca and Tori.
We are still trying to get Mark to write some info about himself.
Contact Mark @ mark@harrisonlegacy.com
Nancy McConnell
Director of Worship and Women's Ministries
Nancy McConnell joined the staff of Legacy Christian Church in January of 2008. She has been married to our Lead Minister since 1988 and is the mother of three grown children and the grandmother of 12.
Nancy worked many years in the legal field as a legal secretary before joining the H. J. Heinz Company in 1990. She last served that company as the Manager of Sales Communication and Planning. When their offices were moved to Pittsburgh in July of 2000, Nancy chose to leave the company at that time to remain in Harrison and continue serving the church.
Nancy, and the many Church Worship Teams are available for worship workshops in your area. Nancy is also available for worship consultation for churches. Just drop her an e-mail to check on her availability.
Contact Nancy @ nancy@harrisonlegacy.com
Willisa F. Redford
Director of Youth and Children's Ministries
Our Director of Children's Ministry is Willisa Redford. Willisa and her husband Mike Mains have been a part of Legacy Christian Church since it's inception.
Mike and Willisa met each other while attending Harrison High School. They have been married for 16 years and have 4 children: Alex, Joshua, Lizabeth and Zhen (Jenn).
Willisa has both bachelor's and master's degrees in education from the University of Cincinnati. She taught for four years in a public school system in a special education classroom. She left the classroom to begin and raise her family and now has four beautiful children.
Mike and Willisa have served the church in many areas. Willisa has volunteered as Christian Education Director, Small Group Leader, Leader of Children's Worship, and Assistant Leader of the High School Youth Group. Mike has been involved in Promise Keepers, the Small Group Ministry, served as the webmaster and has lead the High School Youth Group for four years.
Mike and Willisa started Upward, a basketball and cheerleading ministry for grade school aged children. In its third year, Upward served 325 children and has been extremely well received by the community.
Willisa enjoys running and reading. She is able to run three miles three to five times a week and recently completed running a second time in the Flying Pig Marathon.
She loves to stay up late into the evening reading a good book. Willisa has been able to stay in touch with her desire to teach by tutoring and working at the University of Cincinnati's Literacy Center. She is also able to homeschool the children. Mike and Willisa share the joy of coaching their son Joshua's soccer team. She will freely admit that she knows absolutely nothing about soccer, but that doesn't stop her from coaching.
Contact Willisa @ willisa@harrisonlegacy.com
Willisa's Blogg
Larry Nielsen
Pastor of Administration and the Director of Small Groups Ministry
Larry has been a full-time staff member since 2007. He previously served as the founder and Director of Jail and Prison Ministries. Larry retired from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department in 2001, after a 28-year career, retiring as Patrol Section Commander. His wife, Teri, is also very involved in the ministry of the church. They are the parents of Emily, who works for a mortgage company, and Ethan, a Cincinnati Firefighter.
In 2007 Larry completed the requirements and was Licensed as a Minister by the Ohio Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Larry has completed his course work for a degree in Church Administration, and is currently pursuing a certification in Ministry to the Aging from Anderson University School of Theology, and recently completed a gerontology certificate program with Cincinnati State.
Larry became our Pastor of Administration in 2007. He takes care of all the administration of the church. In addition to these duties he continues to oversee Legacy Christian’s Life Groups and other small groups, selecting and training leaders, researching curriculum and connecting new members with groups, as well as encouraging groups to live out the five purposes: Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism, Fellowship and Service.
Larry has a passion for ministry to the institutionalized and remains active in Jail and Nursing Home Ministries, and is the author of Thinking About Jail and Prison Ministry; a Guide for the Lay Volunteer.
One of Larry's current projects is planting a church at the Shawneespring Health Care facility in Harrison.
Larry is a voracious reader of books on leadership and administration, but his favorite novels are Moby Dick, One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest, and Lonesome Dove. His favorite movies include "Grapes of Wrath," "Stand by Me," and "O Brother, Where art Thou?" Larry likes to listen to Gospel, Jazz and old time radio mysteries. "Mythbusters," "Dirty Jobs," and "Deadliest Catch" are his favorite TV shows, and he also passes time watching college football. Larry enjoys outdoor activities including kayaking and fishing. "I got a part time job at Bass Pro when I retired," said Larry, "until I couldn't afford to work there anymore." Every fisherman knows what he means. Larry and Teri own a tandem kayak with which they have explored the Outer Banks and the Florida Keys. They hope to take it to the Oregon coast someday.
Contact Larry @ larry@harrisonlegacy.com
Ada Crosby
Parish Caller
Ada Crosby has been a part of a local Christian Church since the mid 1940's and has served her church in many volunteer positions. For many years she served as church treasurer.
In the early 1990's her beloved husband succumed to cancer. In response to this difficult and life changing event Ada chose to invest her time and life into the service of the church. Beginning as an assistant to Dr. McConnell, she accompanied him on nursing home visits. Within a year she had taken on the visitation to shut-ins and those in nursing homes as her full-time, volunteer ministry. She was added to the staff in 1996.
Ada is mother to two grown sons, several grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an Elder in Legacy Christian for several years before retiring. She is also very involved in the Life Group ministries.
By the way fellas, she is still single.
Tom Friermood
Budget Counselor
In addition to serving on Staff, Tom presently also serves the church as it's volunteer Treasurer.
Tom and his wife, Pam, have been active in a Harrison church for over 20 years. Pam is a retired educator and serves the church as an Elder and as the Alpha Ministry Team Leader.
Tom graduated from Purdue University with BS and MS degrees in chemical engineering. He worked for many years for the Monsanto Company. A few year ago, the Bayer Company bought Monsanto. It was soon after that change of hands that Tom chose to take early retirement.
In search of God's leading in ministry, Tom began to gain an education in finances and financial planning so he could help others in this area of conflict and difficulty. For three years Tom has been teaching classes, leading seminars and counseling couples in finances and financial planning. He also assists Dr. McConnell in premarriage counseling.
Support Staff
Sue Haenning
Office Manager
Sue Haenning started working in the life of the church as the church secretary in June of 1992 as a part-time secretary. She became a full-time employee in 1994. In 1999 she was promoted to the position of Office Manager.
Sue is a 1991 graduate of
During her time at Legacy Christian she has become the center of all that makes Legacy Christian Church function well. Her job includes being Dr. McConnell's secretary, publishing the monthly newsletter and managing an ever growing office and volunteer staff. Sue says, "I have made many wonderful friends here at Legacy Christian. It's like another family to me."
Sue has been a Young Life Leader and 4-H Advisor. She and her family reside on a farm in
Contact Sue at sue@harrisonlegacy.com
Kathy Conly
Ministerial Assistant
Kathy has been involved with the church for several years in both volunteer and paid positions. She serves as Rev. Garrett's administrative assistant, helps with communications and is a part of the Worship Ministry Team.
Contact Kathy at kathy@harrisonlegacy.com
Jim Smith
Maintenance
Jim is married to Debbie and they have two daughters and one granddaughter. Their youngest daughter, Andrea, attends Harrison Jr. School.
Jim works full-time at a nearby nursing home and part -time at Legacy Christian. Jim says, "I enjoy the opportunities both of my jobs provide in allowing me to help others while meeting new and interesting people."
Debbie Wolf
Custodian
Debbie joined the Church staff in 2005. Her husband, Todd, works in the Harrison area and serves a nearby church as an Associate Minister. They love to ride motorcycles and spend time with family. Todd and Debbie are involved in a motorcycle ministry and also provide leadership for a prison ministry in Indiana.
Missionaries
Alison Draper
Youth With A Mission (YWAM)
Missionary to
Click on Picture to see more
Alison Draper is a member of Legacy Christian Church who is serving as a missionary in several Asian countries with Youth With A Mission. Alison has been serving with YWAM since October 1999.
As a part of her work she organizes and teaches classes at the University of the Nations in
The Legacy Christian Church Service Team provides partial support for Alison's missionary work. She is also supported, both in prayer and financially, by several individual members of First Christian.
If you would be interested in helping with her support, please contact the church office (513-367-4316) or contact Alison at her e-mail address alisondraper@hotmail.com. Check out Alison's web site at www.ywamconnect.com/sites/DraperAlison.
Tate and Brooke Johnston
Young Life
Missionaries in England
Tate & Brooke
Your support via letters and e-mail is greatly appreciated. Your prayers and financial support is also greatly appreciated as they are in need of our support to continue their work in
Tate & Brooke Johnston
Clapper Lane
Honiton,
England
Phone: 011-44-1404-47414
E:mail: tate.brooke@virgin.net