Meet Our Team
Our Leadership Team
Libbie Hall
Libbie is the Lead Pastor at Monroe City Church. She and her husband Brian moved to Monroe in 2020 and immediately felt at home. They have 3 grown children and absolutely love being Nona and Papa to their grandchildren.
Libbie has over 20 years of ministry experience as a Worship Director and Creative Arts Pastor prior to becoming a lead pastor.
In addition, she is the founder of Called to More, an author and a speaker. Her desire is to help others step into all that God has called them to be by leading them to follow Christ well.
She and Brian love to travel, and the beach is Libbie’s happy place. Other favs for Libbie are dogs, a hot cup of coffee and a good old fashioned belly laugh.
Cristian Medina-Rivera
Cristian is the Associate Pastor at Monroe City Church. His heart is simple: to help people encounter Jesus in a real way; whether through teaching, worship, or just walking beside them in life.
He was born in Mexico City but has called Monroe home for over twenty years. Nothing excites him more than seeing our church become a place where everyone feels at home and encounters the love of God. Rest assured, Monroe City Church is a safe place for all people.
When he is not at church, he loves playing soccer, spending time outdoors, and enjoying life with his amazing wife, Minda, and their son, Levi. His prayer is that you’ll encounter Jesus in such a real way that it changes everything; your hope, your future, your life!
Dan Strimple
Dan is the Executive Pastor at Monroe City Church. He has lived in Monroe his whole life.
Amy Phillips
Amy is the Kids Pastor at Monroe City Church. She has been serving in kid’s ministry since she was ten years old. She loves to serve kids and their families, and her desire is to support families as they disciple their kids to be followers of Christ. She enjoys sharing resources to help families thrive in all areas of their lives.
Amy spends her free time reading and working out, and she enjoys playing games. She also loves to study the Bible. She and Chad have been married for over twenty years and they spend their time cheering on their three high school age triplets in their sports and music endeavors.
Bethany Gemus
Bethany is the Youth Director at Monroe City Church. She has been serving in youth ministry for the majority of the last twelve years. Her love for Jesus began in youth ministry, and seeing teens learn to love Jesus like she did is her passion. Her desire is to introduce students to the goodness of God so that they can “taste and see” and know the Lord personally and intimately.
Chad Phillips
Chad is the Technology Director at Monroe City Church. He has been passionate about audio and visual technology since he was fifteen, running sound and installing systems in churches ever since. As the Technology Director he sees every wire, speaker and screen as a tool to help share the Gospel and create an environment where people can encounter Jesus. His goal is to ensure that every service and event is clear, welcoming and accessible - so nothing stands in the way of God’s message.
His mother taught him to recognize Jesus as present in every moment, thought and action. Over the years, Jesus has proven Himself to be Chad’s Savior, Friend and Healer. This relationship inspires Chad to serve faithfully behind the scenes, knowing that even the smallest technical detail can help someone experience God’s love.
Chad’s prayer is that Monroe would experience deep healing - mentally, emotionally, relationally and spiritually. His hope is that our church would imitate Jesus in humility and service, loving God and those around us with sincerity and grace.
Mya Ponziani
Mya is a Worship Leader at Monroe City Church. She began leading worship at the church she grew up in when she was twelve and has felt at home since coming to MCC. Her passion in leading worship has grown as she has learned what it truly looks like to worship Abba. She also helps in the youth ministry because she has a desire to share with students the side of God she knew nothing about at their age. Mya knows that there is forever more intimacy and growth to be had, but she is honored to share her gifts as the Lord asks her to.
Dani Pearch
Dani is the Connections & Operations Director at Monroe City Church. She is passionate about serving both her team and the body of Christ through personal relationships, as well as managing the day to day maintenance of the building and events. She loves the church as it were her own family and home.
God has blessed Dani with a variety of gifts & talents, and she finds the most joy when using those to bless others. You will often see her active in many different roles at the church and this is how she feels she best serves others. Dani also desires to see others built up in their faith and encourages them to seek truth in God’s Word and in their identity in Christ!
Dani is a Monroe native and resides here with her loving and supportive husband, Tom, and their youngest daughter Lizzy. Together they have eight children and two grandchildren. Dani enjoys spending time with God each morning in His Word, in worship, journaling and going on prayer walks. She enjoys singing, reading, lifting weights and spending time with family and friends.
Tilly Nemeth
Tilly is the Next Steps Director at Monroe City Church. In this role she oversees the prayer team, small groups, and helping the congregation take their next steps in their Christ following life. Whether it is through Dream Team connections to begin serving, preparing for baptisms & child dedications, or getting connected to a small group, Tilly finds joy in helping others move forward in obedience to God’s direction for their lives.
She and her husband, Steve, have three teenage children and they love to spend time together camping up north. Tilly has been in ministry for over fifteen years and is also passionate about women’s ministry. She currently serves as the President of Called to More, where she finds joy in encouraging her sisters in Christ to become all that God has created them to be.
Tilly is also an author, speaker, and a self-proclaimed nature nerd. She loves photographing the beauty of God’s creation, but spending time laughing with the people God has given her to do life with is truly one of her favorite things.