Meet our staff:
Pastor Jon Truax is our senior pastor. Pastor Jon came to Science Hill Community Church in 2007. Previously he had served Steels Corners Christian Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Christ UMC in Louisville, Prairie Chapel UMC in Coshocton, and First UMC in East Liverpool. Pastor Jon graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1991 and from Ashland Theological Seminary in 1996. At Science Hill, Pastor Jon preaches and leads small groups, as well as counsels, visits, and advises church committees. Locally, he serves on the board of the Alliance of Churches and volunteers with area missions and the Walk to Emmaus. He and his wife, Debbie, have three children: Daniel, Bethany, and Katie. Pastor Jon enjoys traveling, writing, and spending time with his family.
Theresa Marks is our Secretary/Treasurer. She had been employed in this position here at Science Hill for many years, leaving the office in 2008, and then returning to this position in 2021. She has called Science Hill her home church all of her life and will mark her 50-year membership in 2023. She has served on numerous committees and events over her lifetime. This is her forever church family. She and her husband Chris have two sons, Nick and Nathan, and three grandchildren.
Nancy Harsh is our Director of Children’s Ministries. Nancy was born and raised in Alliance, graduated from Alliance High School, Stark State College and The University of Mount Union. She and her husband Mike are parents of two sons and a daughter, Joe, Andy & Shannon, and are very blessed to be grandparents. She is known around church by the nickname of “Granny Nanny.” Nancy taught Kindergarten for many years at St. Louis School in Louisville, and currently teaches at Regina Coeli School in Alliance. She started in children’s ministry at the age of 15 when she began assisting her mother in teaching a preschool class. Over the years, Nancy has served in children’s ministry in several churches. She has been involved in children’s ministry at Science Hill since 2009 when she became a member.
Nicole Harsh has been a member of Science Hill Community Church for about 12 years. She attends with her husband, Joe, and son Gavan. Gavan is 14, and an 8th grader at Ohio Virtual Academy. He is active with Sunday school, and youth group, and helps run our church A/V and live stream. Nicole grew up nearby in Randolph and graduated from Waterloo and Maplewood JVS. Through the years Nicole has been a Sunday School teacher, VBS Director, volunteer for children’s ministry events, youth counselor, and now Director of Youth Ministries. She is a member of our Christian Education committee and has served as a Deacon. When not at Science Hill, Nicole enjoys camping, traveling, gardening, listening to music, family get-togethers, cooking, shopping thrift stores or clearance racks, and watching movies/binge-watching new TV series with Joe.