Lake ann united methodist church
About Us:
Welcome to Lake Ann United Methodist Church! We have a rich history rooted in the small village of Lake Ann, MI. Did you know that Lake Ann used to be the bustling center of sawmill activity before Traverse City grew? If you’re curious about our vibrant past, come visit the village and stop by our fascinating museum.
Our church began as a grassroots initiative, with dedicated individuals coming together to fulfill their vision of a place of worship. Through their determination and effort, the first church building was erected. Today, we worship in our second building, which was renovated in the 1980s. As our congregation grew rapidly in the late 1990s, it became evident that a larger space was needed. In 2001, we completed our Community Center, which now serves a variety of purposes.
The current purpose of The Community Center is to serve as a place for people to come together and play pickleball, as well as a venue for youth basketball and other events. It is available for weddings, receptions, banquets, local group meetings, and retreats. The Neighborhood Play Group meets there on the 2nd and 4th Fridays from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Additionally, we host community open-gym sessions, movie nights, and family fun days.
At Lake Ann UMC, you’ll find a diverse group of people from all walks of life. We believe that being the Body of Christ means being genuine with one another. We are a multi-generational community that works hard and loves to have fun. We’d love to meet you—come on by!
our STAFF:
Pastor Ishmael Kithinji
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Pastor Ishmael Kithinji Mathiu, his wife Mercy, son Matt, and daughter Joy, come to us from Meru, Kenya. Ishmael met his wife Mercy as he was studying to become a Methodist Pastor, and she was serving as a Sunday school teacher….it was love at first sight and they married a couple of years after meeting.
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In 2018, Ishmael graduated with a Master’s degree in Theological Studies. He served in the North Texas Conference until June of 2021 when he received an appointment to serve in Lake Ann, Michigan at LAUMC. After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, Ishmael and his family made the journey to their new home. We are feeling so blessed to have them as a part of our LAUMC family.
Ishmael loves traveling, meeting new people, listening to various genres of music, and sharing the word of God.
Mercy enjoys singing, painting, walking and looks forward to serving the church community in various roles.
Matt (18) likes swimming, listening to music and exploring the IT/tech world, and he looks forward to serving the church in those capacities.
Joy (14) enjoys acting, dancing, and rock painting, and she is excited to see all of the sights that Northern Michigan has to offer.
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LAUMC is blessed and excited to have Pastor Ishmael and his family.
Jon Zawodny
Director of Children and Youth Ministry
My name is Jon Zawodny, and I am thrilled to be the new Director of Children and Youth Ministry! I am excited to join your community and begin caring for the children, youth, and families here. As I step into this role, I want to share a bit about myself and my journey.
I was born in Toledo, OH, and raised in Columbus, OH, where I grew up in a Lutheran Church. My faith journey was shaped by several mentors, including a Sunday School Volunteer, a Youth Pastor, and various youth group volunteers. I served in numerous ministries, such as Vacation Bible School and Middle School Youth Group, which ignited my passion for working with young people. Initially pursuing engineering in college, I soon realized my calling was to support children and youth in their faith journeys.
After interning at my home church and studying Biblical Studies online, I became the Director of High School Ministry at my childhood church. This role provided both growth opportunities and obstacles to overcome. In 2020, I moved to Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Indiana to rebuild their youth program. My wife, Abby, and I later started a non-profit to support youth leaders. Now, I am excited for this new chapter and what God has in store for us. Outside of ministry, I enjoy cooking, reading, video games, and spending time with my wife and our two pitbulls, Rex and Luna.
Aaron McBride
Administrative Assistant
Aaron is a lifelong member of the Methodist Church! "To serve this Christ centered, welcoming and genuine Congregation, is truly a blessing!", he says. Make sure you stop and say hi to him in the office. After hours you can find him enjoying the wonderful outdoor bounty the area provides; biking, golfing, kayaking and bowhunting!
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