Our Staff

Pastor Mike Dennis | Lead Pastor

Pastor Dennis and Debbie began their ministry at Canton Nazarene in September of 2005.  They moved here from Guatemala, where he served as the Field Strategy Coordinator for the Central Field of the MAC region, overseeing the ministries of over 1000 congregations in 3 countries. Pastor Dennis has also served as Senior Pastor in the states for over 25 years, the most recent being at the Xenia Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Dennis has also been involved in other ministries such as speaking for revivals and camp-meetings and has been involved heavily in mission projects all over the world. Pastor Dennis and his wife Debbie have 3 children, Paul, Rob and Rachael, as well as 5 grandchildren.

Dan Hanson | Administrative Pastor Pastor Dan Hanson holds a BA degree in religion from Olivet Nazarene University as well as two masters’ degrees in religion and teaching. He felt a call into ministry in February of 1991. Dan, his wife Andrea (who has her degree in social work) and their two children Mac and Marlee, came to Canton from Kankakee, IL, where he served for four years as the Defensive Coordinator for the Olivet Nazarene University football team. They moved to Canton when he accepted the assignment of Defensive Coordinator at Malone College.  After two seasons, Dan was named the Head Football Coach at Malone College and served in this position for four years.  Dan joined the Canton First staff in the fall of 2000 as the part-time Children’s Pastor and in 2006 accepted the full-time position of Administrative Pastor here at Canton First.  He continues to assist local high school football teams as part of his ministry to the community.

Paul Dennis | Youth Pastor Paul comes to us from Dayton Ohio where he served as Youth and College pastor at Parkview Church of the Nazarene. Before his pastorate in Dayton he served as youth pastor at Brentwood Church of the Nazarene in Brentwood Tennessee. Paul earned his BA in Religion from Trevecca Nazarene University. He and his wonderful wife Tiffany (Gainer)met at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University and have been married for 4 years and now have a rambunctious and somewhat temper mental son named Vaden. Paul and Tiffany serve as pastoral team to our youth ministry.

 

Doug Medley | Choir Minister and Discipleship Coordinator Married Rose Mary Young in 1973 while attending Mt Vernon Nazarene college. Doug holds a BA in Music education from Saginaw Valley State College, I was active in full time youth and music ministry from 1975 – 1981 District Youth Camp Director, Impact Team director (Michigan & Ohio), camp meeting song evangelists (Anaheim District/Akron District) Teen Work and Witness director (3 trips – Michigan) Worked in the import tool business as vice president, operations for a multi location company, lived in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles during those years 1981 – 1992 Began business with co-owner father Bill, here, in Canton Ohio in 1992 until the present. D & B Wholesale, Inc. Began attending Canton first in 1992, was hired as a part time temporary minister of music in 1993 and has held the position except for a two year period since that time. Enjoys many sports, softball, basketball, football (asst’ coach at Malone for two years) Three wonderful daughters, Amanda – teaching voice and grade school music (Lousiville/Massilon), Allison – teaching high school math (Indianapolis), Andrea – attending college w/an accounting major

Tim Pitzer | Worship Leader  Tim came to Canton in the summer of 2008 to become the Director of Constituent Programs at Malone University.  Tim, his wife JoAnn,  and their teenage children Ashley and Jordan come to Canton from Richmond, VA where Tim served as the Pastor of Fine Arts at Southside Nazarene Church.  He is originally from Nashville, TN and received his B.S. in Music from Trevecca Nazarene University.  After traveling with SpiritBound, a southern inspirational group for 3 ½ years, he served as Minister of Music at several Nazarene Churches across the U.S.

Joy Witte | Children’s Pastor Joy Witte joins the team at Canton Nazarene Church with a genuine passion and contagious enthusiasm for the Lord and for kids!  She graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University with a BA in Elementary Education.  During the past 10 years, she has been involved in various aspects of children’s ministry.  Most recently, and for the past 7 years, she served as Pastor of Families With Children at Bucyrus Nazarene Church.  Not only was she responsible for the children’s department of the church, but she also served as the administrator of Sonshine Child Care and Preschool Center.  Outside of her time spent with kids, she enjoys jogging, rollerblading, spending time outdoors (in God’s beautiful creation), shopping, eating, and hanging out with family and friends!