Staff
Marlene Nathan
Pastor
Marlene was born and raised in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Her family attended a local Presbyterian church, but it wasn't until high school, when she got involved in Young Life, that she gave her life to Christ. While attending college at Case Western Reserve University, Marlene continued to grow spiritually through a local charismatic fellowship and the campus ministry of InterVarsity. It was during fall semester of her freshman year that Marlene met Rich (Senior Pastor). They became close friends, and that spring he gave his life to Christ. The following summer they were married. After graduation in 1977, Rich and Marlene moved to Columbus where Rich attended OSU College of Law, and Marlene worked as a medical social worker. They got involved in a small church of young adults that eventually became Vineyard Columbus. Marlene has always been involved in ministry, leading/hosting small groups and teaching the Bible. She has been on staff at the church since 1991, assisting in the office and later writing Bible studies and teaching materials. Since 2002, Marlene has been the Women's Pastor, overseeing Vineyard's Women's Ministry. She has a passion to see women made whole in Christ and released into ministry, and cares deeply about the things that affect women's lives like sexual abuse and domestic violence. Rich and Marlene have been married for over 35 years and have two grown, married children: a son, Daniel (Melissa), who has three boys; and a daughter, Sharon (Noah), who has two daughters and a son. Marlene loves to travel and take long walks with Rich, hang out at coffee shops and book stores, and spend time with her grandkids.
Contact Marlene
Email: Marlene Nathan
Phone: 614.259.5335
Connie Houchins
Pastoral Coordinator
Connie has been on staff as a Pastoral Assistant to Women's Ministry for the last 4 years, and she is a graduate of VLI. She has been a leader of Women's Bible study groups for several decades. Her passion is discipleship; she loves mentoring and training other women in the things of God and seeing them step into the call God has on their lives. She has been married to her husband, Barney, for 35 years and they have two beautiful grown daughters and two miniature dachshunds, "Gidget and Moon Doggie".
Contact Connie
Email: Connie Houchins
Phone: 614.259.5330
Angela Horton
Ministry Coordinator
Angela began attending Vineyard Columbus in 2005 and became a member the following year. Angela is a VLI graduate and joined the Women's Ministry staff in July of 2009. After becoming a Christian as a teenager, Angela has been involved in small groups for the last two decades. She became a women's small group leader in 2001. Angela has a passion for God's Word and seeing lives transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Angela and her husband Harold have been married for 22 years and they have four children.
Contact Angela
Email: Angela Horton
Phone: 614.259.5345
Liz Ward
Administrative Assistant
Liz is originally from Corpus Christi, TX and is the third to the oldest in a family of seven children. Being an "army brat," Liz had an opportunity to travel across the United States and live overseas twice (Japan and Germany), before settling in Westerville. Liz was married to the late Jerry Ward for almost 40 years. They have one son, a daughter-in-law and three amazing grandchildren. Liz became a follower of Jesus when she was "thirty-something," after a long search for something more than just "religion." Her spiritual journey eventually led her to Vineyard Columbus 11 years ago, at which time she and her husband became members. She has been on staff for over six years, and she graduated from VLI in June 2009. As Administrative Assistant, Liz provides support to the Women's Ministry team, oversees events and assists our Women's group leaders. Prior to joining the Vineyard Columbus staff, Liz worked as a medical secretary, executive assistant, and most recently as a relocation counselor. Going back to her Hispanic roots... "Fiesta" should be her middle name! Liz loves bringing people and food together and will look for any reason to have a party- even if she has to make one up!
Contact Liz
Email: Liz Ward
Phone: 614.259.5335
