Meet Our Staff
Pastor
Michael Farmer
​Pastor Michael grew up in the North Westside of Akron, attending Akron Public Schools and participating in the arts and athletics. He attended college at Mount Union College, earning a Bachelors of Science in biology. He then earned a Masters of Science in Education from the University of Akron. After being in medical sales, coaching soccer, and education, he finally stopped running from God’s call on his life to serve God and the community.
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He went on to earn a Masters of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio with a concentration on eco-theology and social justice. Prior to his appointment in 2024 to Family of Faith UMC, he served as the associate pastor at Crossroads UMC and managing director for Canton For All People, youth minister at Uniontown UCC, and pastor at The Vine UMC in Alliance. Pastor Michael was commissioned as a provisional elder at the 2024 East Ohio Annual Conference and proudly serves on the conference trustees and as the chair of Church and Society. Outside of the church, he is a NCAA and amateur soccer referee serving as the State Youth Referee Administrator. He enjoys soccer, singing, being in nature and Cleveland sports.
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He and his wife, Lauren met at church in Akron and were married in 2013. Together they have two beautiful daughters, a horse, 2 cats, a dog, 2 hedgehogs, 10 chickens and the number of fish are always changing. They enjoy spending time as a family outside on the water boating and swimming, going to arts events, and attending various Cleveland sporting events.
Choir Director
Ellen Budd
Ellen Budd has been serving as Choir Director since 2000. She has a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the Kent State University, and is a music specialist in the Kent City School District.
Organist
Richard Shirey
Richard Shirey was born in Akron and has degrees in organ and organ literature from The Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the University of Illinois. He is Professor of Music Emeritus at the University of Akron and has served as organist for a number of churches in the Akron area.
