OUR Leaders

Pastors

Jimmy Nimon | Lead Pastor
Lydia Nimon | Operations Pastor

Jimmy Nimon is the founding and lead pastor of Lifeway Church.
Along with his wife, Lydia, he has a passion to reach the lost with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, equip God’s people with biblical training, develop quality leaders, and plant life-giving churches.
Previous to establishing Lifeway Church, Jimmy founded and led the Gateway House of Prayer, a 24/7 worship and prayer center that is committed to honoring Jesus Christ and praying for transformation of the Lancaster County region.
During his time leading Gateway House of Prayer, Jimmy was gripped with the need to make disciples with practical training methods. He has created three discipleship programs as well as helping to develop the Kingdom Ministry School.
He also serves on the leadership of HarvestNET International, which partners with other churches and ministries to fulfill the Great Commission.
Jimmy and Lydia have five children, enjoy their beautiful grandchildren, and reside in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

Vern Martin | Lead Care Pastor
Alicia Martin | Groups & Care Pastor

Vern serves as the Lead Care Pastor at Lifeway Church. He oversees all “Care Ministries” which includes Life Groups, Care Teams, Youth and Young Adults Groups, and Outreach Ministry. Alicia serves as the Care Pastor of Groups. Vern and Alicia have four children and enjoy bike rides, trips to the beach, family movie nights, and riding roller coasters!

Toby Burris | Community Pastor
Kim Burris | Community Pastor

Toby and Kim moved to Pennsylvania in 2000 and have lived in Lebanon since 2009. They have a testimony of seeing the healing, health, and life breathed into their marriage and family. Because they experienced God’s loving kindness in a desperate situation, they are inspired to come alongside those in need of inner healing and encouragement.
They have been married for 37 years and have three daughters and twelve grandchildren.

Gary Groff | Community Pastor
Renee Groff | Discipleship Pastor

Gary and Renee relocated to Lebanon County in 2015 to help launch Lifeway Church. They share a heart to encourage others and consider it a privilege to serve the Lifeway family. He loves mentoring and meeting with people of all ages. Renee directs the CORE Discipleship Intensive and assists with other discipleship projects. They have been married for 31 years and enjoy doing premarital coaching together.
The Groffs have two daughters and a son-in-law. They enjoy movie nights, family vacations, antiquing, and home renovation.

Dean Lengel | Community Pastor

Dean Lengel is a Community Pastor at Lifeway Church. Upon retiring from pastoral ministry at a church in the Myerstown area, Dean and his wife, Vicky, decided to look for a new church as a start to the next season in their lives. It did not take long. Upon their first visit to Ephrata Community Church, they discovered that a new church would be planted in Lebanon County – Lifeway Church. The Lengels felt called to take part.
In Dean’s previous experience, he did all the typical pastoral duties and felt that his strength was in visitation, particularly in hospital visitation. Dean served 14 ½ years in full-time ministry and 7 years in part-time ministry. One of Dean’s goals at Lifeway Church is to have people know they are loved and cared for by the Church family.
The Lengels love to help and serve at Lifeway in any capacity. They have two daughters and six grandchildren, residing in the South Lebanon area.

Aaron Patches | Community Pastor
Brittany Patches | Community Pastor

Aaron and Brittany Patches currently serve as the pastors of student life for Lifeway Church.
Aaron and Brittany have an immense desire to see the next generation know Christ, belong to a family of believers, and discover their purpose in order to impact and ultimately change the world around them. They have both served in student ministry prior to coming to Lifeway Church, and they love spending time with people. Aaron is one of the most energetic people you will ever meet! Brittany has a discerning and prophetic gift coupled with love. They both love to worship and their love for people and Christ is quite contagious.
Aaron and Brittany currently have three young children: James, Jael, and Graham.

Steve Sabol | Community Pastor

Steve Sabol is a Community Pastor at Lifeway Church. He stepped away from the role of full-time lead pastor in 2014 after thirty-four years of uninterrupted service. In 2017, Steve and his wife, Nancy, decided to search for a new church. After their first few visits to our church that summer, they were convinced that Lifeway was the place where God wanted them to be.
Steve and Nancy have lived in Lebanon since January 1, 1990 and served a local congregation in the city for 24 years. The Sabols love their Lifeway family and are eager to use their gifts and experience to make an impact for eternity.
They were both born and raised in the Greater Philadelphia area and have been married for fifty-one years. Nancy and Steve have a married son and daughter, five granddaughters, three great-granddaughters, and two great-grandsons. They reside in North Lebanon Township.

Elders & Wives

Bill & Kathy Dubble

Rob & Ashley Dubble

Gary & Renee Groff

Ed & Hannah Hoover

Vern & Alicia Martin

Jimmy & Lydia Nimon

Jesse & Kim Rothacker

Overseers

The Overseers for Lifeway Church are senior pastors of churches or ministry leaders who provide our Lead Pastor with advice, outside accountability, and elder team support.

Kevin Eshleman

Ephrata Community Church

Ron Kairdolf

Christian Life Church

Wayne Kauffman

Gates of Praise

Barry Wissler

HarvestNET International