Church leadership. 

Co-Lead Pastors

Pastor Ed Simons

Ed Simons is an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene.  In 1993, he graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. During his four years at O.N.U., he participated in the spiritual life program, and held youth retreats and revivals across the educational region as a Life Song Speaker.  Since 1994, Ed has been actively involved in the preaching ministry as a youth pastor, associate pastor, interim pastor, bi-vocational pastor, campus pastor, and pulpit supply.  On the South Central Ohio Nazarene District, he has preached as an evangelist at Camp Meeting in Logan, Ohio and pastored at several churches including, Sciotoville, Portsmouth First, Roseville, and Chillicothe First Church of the Nazarene.  Additionally, he has conducted adult and youth revivals, weekend retreats, men’s ministry, and Father’s day events.

pastor_ed@chillnaz1st.org

Pastor Jeremy Schinkle

Pastor Jeremy Schinkle was born and raised in our community of Chillicothe, Ohio. We are blessed to now call him our Co-Lead Pastor! In 2004, he completed a Bachelors of Arts in Christian Ministries from Ohio Christian University (formerly known as Circleville Bible College). In 2009, he completed a Masters of Divinity Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary (yes THAT Asbury!) In his first year of ministry, Pastor Jeremy served as Youth Pastor at Christ United Methodist Church in Ashland, Ohio from 2010 - 2011. Continuing his ministry experience, he also served as Youth/Associate Pastor for Westside Church of the Nazarene from 2012 - 2016 in Chillicothe, Ohio (now known as Heritage Nazarene - Chillicothe). 


Pastor Jeremy has faithfully served as Associate Pastor here at Chillicothe First Church of the Nazarene since 2017. In March 2023, District Superintendent, Dr. Sam Barber installed both Pastor Jeremy Schinkle and Pastor Ed Simons as Co-Lead Pastors of our church. We are excited for the work these two will do together with our congregation to continue to build the Kingdom of Christ! Just like all of us, Pastor Jeremy firmly believes that his greatest days in ministry are still ahead. 

pastor_jeremy@chillnaz1st.org

Family Pastor

Pastor MICHELLE WILCOX 

Pastor Michelle Wilcox joined Chillicothe First Church of the Nazarene as Family Pastor in June 2024!


Originally from Jackson, Ohio, Pastor Michelle has been serving in ministry in various roles and capacities for over 10 years. Mostly recently serving as Associate/Children's Pastor at Wellston Church of the Nazarene, as well as Kid's Club Leader at Jackson Church of the Nazarene, we cannot wait to see the work that God will do in the hearts of the next generation of Christ followers through the passionate ministry of Pastor Michelle. 

pastor_michelle@chillnaz1st.org

Church Board

In addition to co-lead pastors, Chillicothe First Church of the Nazarene is led by a church leadership team, composed of the below officer positions. All of these officers are elected by the members of the church during the annual church meeting.  



The church leadership team then appoints, for each year, the positions of: 



Having this collaboration of pastors and church leaders ensures accountability and a representative approach to leading the church. Together with our church members and leaders, our church’s task is to make known to all people the transforming grace of God through the forgiveness of sins and heart cleansing in Jesus Christ. Our mission first and foremost is to make Christlike disciples in the nations, to incorporate believers into the fellowship and membership and to equip for ministry all who respond in faith. Our ultimate goal as a community of faith is to present everyone fully mature in Christ at the last day.  

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