Mail Processing Clerk

Kurt Reeter began working for the Church in March 2015. His primary job functions include preparing and sending outgoing mail, operating the inserting machine (which inserts letters, booklets, etc. into envelopes before mailing) and stocking literature. Kurt lived in Rock Hill, South Carolina, before moving to Cincinnati. He has a bachelors of arts in English language arts with a minor in philosophy.

His previous jobs included working in logging, landscaping, food service and substitute teaching. When asked what he loves most about working for the Church, he said: “I am not micromanaged. Tim Sipes, my supervisor, is very good at letting me do what I need to as soon as I have learned.” He added: “It is a job that matters to me. I believe the literature that is sent out really helps people.”

Mail Processing Clerk—International

David Salek was hired last May to work in the mail processing department. He is training under Alec Surratt. His primary function is to track and maintain the database of the day-to-day literature requested from areas outside the U.S. and to assist Mr. Surratt with personal correspondence. “It is particularly interesting to deal with and try to help prisoners,” David commented.

David hails originally from Colombia, where he took courses in property management at Inuniversitas in order to assist in running his family’s real estate company, before working at a bank and working his way up to chief of CD terms. He immigrated to the United States, living first in Orlando, Florida, then Buffalo, New York, where he and his wife Cathy were immediately prior to coming to work at the home office in Cincinnati. “What I love most about working for the Church is the opportunity to serve God in ‘preaching the gospel and preparing a people’ while I prepare myself for His Kingdom,” he said.

Web Content Editor

Melanie Morris began working in August 2015 with the Web team. She works with Internet manager Aaron Booth to, as she put it, help him do “whatever needs to be done to help implement [his] vision of giving people the right content in the right way at the right time for what they need.” That means managing the content on the Church’s website, including sermons, Beyond Today Bible studies, transcripts, television programs and more in order to have a wide array of material available for anybody looking for the truth at whatever stage of understanding they may be in. Currently her big project is transitioning the Church’s local congregation websites to the new, mobile-friendly sites, which are fully integrated with the main UCG.org website.

Melanie originally hails from Arkansas, but was living in Boston when God called her into his Church in 2011. She began attending the Seabrook, New Hampshire, congregation in 2012, then moved to Cincinnati to attend ABC in 2013. Besides graduating as part of the ABC class of 2014, she also has a bachelor of arts in psychology and masters of science in cell and molecular biology from Louisiana Tech University. Her previous jobs included working for a software startup company, as a research compliance administrator at Ball State University, and also teaching at various institutions.

“Every day I get to work with an incredible group of people. They make Monday mornings worth it. The home office is a reflection of one body composed of many parts,” she said. When asked what the most important reasons were for wanting to take this position, she responded: “When God was calling me in 2011, a friend sent me to the UCG website. Through the months to follow, it was my lifeline for answers to questions that I’d had for so long. God opened my mind to His truth, and the website was there to catch me and teach me and challenge me to heed His call. Many people had given generously of themselves and their time to create and maintain that resource, and those same people were willing to let me give back to others whom God will call.”

Assistant Video Editor

Chaz Leathers began working in November 2015. His primary functions are editing and building sermon DVDs and CDs, recording and shooting Jorge de Campos’ weekly Portuguese sermons, operating cameras on-set for Beyond Today television and working on the personal appearance campaign tech crew.

Chaz was born and raised in the Dayton, Ohio, area, where he studied environmental studies at Sinclair Community College before moving to Cincinnati and graduating as part of the ABC class of 2014. He is currently attending the University of Cincinnati, working toward a degree in electronic media. His previous jobs included working in foodservice and retail, with a brief stint on a horse farm, “which leads me to where I am now,” he joked. When asked what he loves most about working for the Church, he replied: “This is the first job I’ve had where I am consistently excited to arrive to work. There is a respect at the home office that most other establishments do not offer. They’ve created a real environment for growth. Plus, at the end of the day, you know the time and effort you’re putting forward is going to preaching the gospel.” He added: “I have always had a passion for media. I knew that, were I to be offered the job, I would be able to put my heart into the work, and that I could trust the work I was doing served an honorable purpose.”

International Mail Fulfillment Clerk

Josh Raudenbush began work in December 2015. He is training under Donna Surratt, who plans to retire, at which point Josh will take over for her. In that role, Josh makes sure international literature requests get fulfilled, arriving to those who have requested them. Much of his job so far has been making corrections to the addresses supplied by people in international areas who have requested literature (that is, standardizing their contact information).

Josh is originally from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and obtained a bachelor of arts degree in history from Mansfield University in 2011. He then attended Ambassador Bible College, graduating as part of the class of 2013. His previous jobs included working in landscaping, retail, data quality analyzation and customer service before beginning work for the Church. “I love the positive atmosphere at the home office; a place where people aren’t complaining that they have to be at work! And the fact that I get to work with my friends! I also love the fact that the work I’m doing is in some way helping spread the gospel around the world,” Josh said. He added: “I knew this specific position was a good fit for me because I’m a detail-oriented person, and it was perfect that this was an open position in the Church. I wanted to work for an organization that I fully support, and one where I never have to be asked to do anything morally questionable.”

Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Matt Hernandez began working in January 2016 in a new role for Media and Communications Services: graphic designer and illustrator. In that capacity, he produces illustrations and graphics for the Church’s many media efforts including Beyond Today magazine and television, study aids, Web infographics, Compass Check and more.

Matt hails originally from California, but he grew up in Ohio. He graduated from ABC in 2006 and is currently completing his degree in advertising and graphic design at Wake Community Technical College. He moved to Cary, North Carolina, when he married his wife, Kristin, and they attend the Raleigh congregation along with their newborn son, Levi.

Matt previously worked in the customer service field across many industries, most recently in the printing industry. He loves working for the Church, saying: “It’s been rewarding knowing that what I am doing is to help the work of the Church be more effective. The imagery that corresponds to an article or book cover can heavily sway people’s interest. I pray God uses me to help draw people’s interest with the work that I do.” When asked why he took the position with the Church, he added: “For me it was about using my talents toward something that can have a real impact. I could produce graphics for any company, but the outcome is, as Solomon put it, in vain. In working for the Church I feel my talents and skills are helping fulfill the commission to preach the gospel.”

Assistant Administrator for Ministerial and Member Services

Kathe Myers began work in February 2016. Her primary job functions are to assist Chris Rowland with administration of human resources and Ministerial and Member Services. Kathe has lived in Cincinnati for the past five years, moving there from Minnesota when her husband Steve was transferred there to be pastor of the Cincinnati East congregations (in addition to his multiple other job roles). She has a bachelor of arts from Ambassador College and has 15 years experience working in accounting, HR and business administration. “It’s exciting to be a part of such a wonderful team in supporting the ministers, employees and members,” she said, adding, “It’s a wonderful opportunity to work with God’s people doing something I really enjoy!” UN