Columbia Heights Staff

Meet Our Team

Here at Columbia Heights we are blessed to have a wonderful team of dedicated and talented staff on our hands. Below are our members of the staff that we have and who dedicate their time and hearts towards the various Ministry areas that make this church a great place for you and your family. We love and appreciate all their hard work and we hope you do too!! Take your time and get to know them.

  • Senior Pastor - Dwayne Shugert

    I went straight from college, at Marshall University, in Huntington West Virginia, to seminary at The Theological School at Drew University in Madison New Jersey.  I am an ordained clergy and have been in ministry for 24 years.  I have served churches in Grove City, Whitehall, Proctorville and Rossford, all in Ohio. 

     

    I am married to the love of my life, Melissa and we have 5 kids (three biological and two adopted).  Grace is 22, Joel is 21, Malachi is 19, Joseph is 9 and Isaiha is 6.  We also have three cats and one dog. 

     

    I can’t wait to be in ministry with you and see what God will do in and through us as we learn and grow and invite others into the love and grace of Jesus Christ, who loves us beyond our wildest imagination.

     

    Pastor Dwayne and family

  • Youth Directors - james & Jonna Harris

        Hello, my name is James Harris; I am the new Youth Leader for Columbia Heights UMC. My wife, Johnna and I are blessed to have been given the opportunity to take on the youth leadership for the middle and high school students.

        Johnna and I will teach Bible Zone and youth group 6th-12th grade. We hope to make this a learning and fun experience about the "LORD".

    A little about me, I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I graduated from Columbus Alternative High School where I was involved in theatre and choir. After graduating from high school I served seven years in the Ohio Army National Guard. I was raised Roman Catholic but converted to the Methodist Community when I was in High School and participated in the youth group and choir.

        Most of my career has been driving, but on particular job I was transporting special needs youth to their schools around central Ohio, which I got to learn and talk to them, which I think that God truly blessed me with this experience. This is why my calling is to work with the youth within our church family.

        Johnna and I have been happily married for 18 years and I have two wonderful stepchildren. Christopher is and artist, and Sarah is lucky enough to be a stay at home mom. Keian is an artist that has been in my life since he was a year old. We have a beautiful granddaughter Cadence who attended vacation bible school here last year.

    My hobbies include gaming (Xbox and PC), building Legos, building models, singing and outside yard projects

  • Office Administrator & Financial Secretary - Kara Pratt

        I am born and raised here in Columbus Ohio. I graduated from Central Crossing High School in 2011, and then went on to Columbus State Community College to pursue my Business degree. I changed majors a few times but ended up graduating from Columbus State Community College with my Associates Degree in Business Office Applications and a Certificate in Baking in 2015. Through my studies I also become certified in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Shortly after graduating I applied and was hired on here at Columbia Heights UMC as their Office Admin. Besides doing my job I also help out with Vacation Bible School as Snack Leader, and  I always try to volunteer for various events here at church. Some of my hobbies include: baking (I especially love to make cakes!), drawing, cross stitching, Zumba fitness, photography, and playing video games with my nephews. Some of my favorite TV shows to watch are: Once Upon A Time, Chopped, Pioneer Woman, The Big Bang Theory, The 100, and Dancing with The Stars. I love my job here at Columbia Heights, I have grown as a person and as a Christian working here in such a loving and caring environment, centered around Jesus and community fellowship.