Compassion Staff

Lead Pastor: Al Perry

Pastor Al is married to the love of his life Michelle. Together they have four children (quadruplets): Ellie, Savannah, Will and Madison (who went to be with the Lord in 1998). His greatest joy in life is teaching people about Jesus in an understandable and helpful way. Al loves to make connections with people and see them take their next step toward Jesus. When he is not hanging out with his family, you’ll find him rooting for the UNC Tar Heels during basketball season, cheering for the OSU Buckeyes during football season, and suffering through the NFL season as a Washington Commanders fan. A native North Carolinian, Al has been preaching since 1990 and received his ministry degrees from Mid-Atlantic Christian University and Johnson University.

Contact Al: al@compassiondelaware.org

administrative assistant:

Pam Hurley

Pam has enjoyed serving in ministry her entire adult life. She and her husband, Kent, have three grown children, a son-in-law and three grandchildren. Pam enjoys time with her family, reading, music, painting, cooking, baking, spending time with friends and time with her two fur babies. She has served in music, children’s and women’s ministry and is currently co-leading a women’s life group. She desires to serve and help others to come to know Jesus and his saving power in their lives.

Contact Pam: pam@compassiondelaware.org

Worship Director:

Chelsee Thiele

Chelsee grew up in central Illinois and moved to Springfield, Missouri where she attended Central Bible College. While at school, she met her husband and favorite person, Darwyn. Together they have two children, Adelyn and Asher, and a chorkie named Olive.

Chelsee and her family relocated to Ohio and found Compassion in 2019, where they jumped in to serve right away. In her free time, you’ll find her playing piano, riding bikes with her family, kayaking, or changing her mind. Chelsee’s passion is to lead people into the adventurous story Jesus has designed us for.

Contact Chelsee: chelsee@compassiondelaware.org

Creative Director:

Kelsie Ralston

Kelsie is a dreamer, believer, and celebrator of life through Christ. She has a Fine Arts degree from OSU and a passion for all things creative. She fills most of her time with photography, drawing, and being outdoors with her husband, Michael, and fur baby, Dexter. She and her husband welcomed their first child, Ivy Jean, into the world in February!

Through creativity and vision, Kelsie strives to create an online and in-person church experience that engages people, draws them closer to Jesus, and allows them to step into their purpose. She is the Sunday Morning Youth Coordinator here at Compassion and volunteers on the worship team.

Contact Kelsie: kelsie@compassiondelaware.org

Compassion Kids Team Lead:

Michelle Thomas

Michelle has two daughters that still live with her. She taught high school business for over 20 years and is currently an administrator for a nonprofit that certifies technicians in non-destructive testing. Michelle also works part-time at Delaware Christian School selling tickets at sporting events and running the clock for basketball. Michelle enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to Christian concerts, baking, doing crafts, watching sports, and volunteering to help friends and family with various projects. She is the Compassion Kids Team Leader and the head cook at Northwest Ohio Church Youth Camp.

The Leadership Team

Here at Compassion, we believe God never intended for one person to carry all the responsibility or pressure for a local church or ministry. Team leadership is encouraged all throughout scripture (1 Peter 4:8-10, Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Corinthians 12:17-20, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, Romans 12:4-8, Acts 6:1-7, Proverbs 11:14).

Our current Leadership Team Members are Jim Amber, Lori Flaglor, Darrell Harris, Stephanie Manor, Pastor Al Perry, Margaret Thomson, Jon Waters, and Molly Waters

Jim Amber

Lori Flaglor

Darrell Harris

Stephanie Manor

Margaret Thomson

Not Pictured:

Jon Waters

Molly Waters