MEET OUR STAFF
Pastor Dean Myers
Senior Pastor
Pastor Dean Myers
Pastor Dean Myers came to Harbor of Hope in December of 2001 from an Assembly of God pastorate in Moran, Kansas. Pastor Myers has been ordained with the Assemblies of God since 1996, and has served in pastorates in both Kansas & Missouri prior to coming to St. Clairsville, Ohio.
Pastor Myers and his wife, Terri, have been married for over 35 years. They have 4 married children & 10 grandchildren. Terri works locally for a health facility.
Pastor Myers is a 1987 graduate of Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible. He has taught Eschatology and the Book of Acts at the Ohio School of Ministry, as well as being a Teaching Partner with the Ohio Valley Bible Prophecy Conference. He is a lover of the Nation of Israel, and traveled there with AIPAC in early 2014. He now serves on the national council of AIPAC, lobbying our congressional leaders on behalf of the American Israeli relationship. Pastor Myers was honored to speak at the 1995 General Council Home Missions Luncheon in St. Louis, Missouri. He has served the Assemblies of God in many different capacities at the Sectional & District levels over the past 30+ years of ministry.
Nikki Smithberger
Connections Pastor
Nikki Smithberger
Nikki started to attend church in 1996 here at Harbor of Hope. After several years of being churched and accepting Jesus as her savior, she fell away into a variety of sins. This path almost led to her destruction, but Jesus radically saved her once again and brought her out of a life of sin and utter hopelessness. This brought her back to Harbor of Hope and she started once again to serve the Lord, but with much more love and passion.
In November of 2008 Nikki started to attend the Ohio School of Ministry and sought after a place in full-time ministry. While in school she was able to start to teach and preach in the church and share her personal testimony with a multitude of people.
In March 2010 Nikki was hired as a full-time Connections Pastor here at Harbor of Hope where she connects people to Jesus through evangelism, to their faith through discipleship, and to the church through ministry. Nikki is also the Women's Ministry leader. In 2018, Nikki got her licensing credentials with the Assemblies of God. She has a burning passion for Jesus and a heart for the lost. Pastor Nikki’s husband Justin is the former Men’s Ministry leader and now he occasionally fills the pulpit for Pastor Myers when he is away. Together they have two beautiful children, Elliana and Aiden.
Jodie Cameron
Childrens Pastor
Jodie Cameron
Jodie lives with her husband and three children in Morristown, Ohio. Besides being actively involved with church, Jodie and Joseph are highly motivated parents.
In 2001 her fervent love for the Lord and desire to serve Him led her to the Main Street Methodist Church where she taught “Kid’s On The Move”, their children’s ministry. She also organized Vacation Bible School for the Barnesville area churches and was Swim Program Co-ordinator for BAMA ( Barnesville Area Ministerial Association) for several years.
Beginning in 2008, Jodie assisted the former Children’s Pastor of Harbor of Hope before accepting the postition of Children’s Pastor, Bookkeeper and Secretary in 2009. Jodie is always eager to share the love of Jesus Christ with others and would like nothing more than for you to join her in experiencing a personal relationship with Him.
Tim Forte
Youth Pastor
Tim Forte
Tim lives in St. Clairsville, Ohio with his wife Jen and his daughter Kya. He is a US Army veteran and also worked as a correctional officer at Belmont Correctional Institution for over 13 years. He enjoys fishing, hunting, riding motorcycles, and golf. Most of all, serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Tim felt the tug of God calling him into ministry at the age of 21, but ran from his calling off and on for 26 years. At his previous church in Steubenville, Ohio, Tim facilitated the services, served as the local and regional youth president, brotherhood treasurer, Sunday school teacher, and sang in the choir.
Tim has attended Harbor of Hope since 2010, and now serves as the Youth Pastor. Tim has a passion for youth, having coached them in in football, basketball, baseball, and track for over 20 years. He is excited to serve his church and his community as God leads him
Mark Smith
Associate Pastor
Mark Smith
Mark A. Smith was born and raised in Cadiz, Ohio. As a child Mark’s plans were to be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. After graduating high school Mark went to the Police Academy first to follow in his father’s footsteps. After working the road for a couple of years he left for the U.S. Army and served almost 7 years. While in the service Mark travelled all over the world and had the honor of working with the Secret Service conducting Presidential duty in Washington D.C. Mark also married his wife Christina and they had their first of three sons, Mark William Smith.
The tragedy of Mark’s father dying in 2001 while still serving in the military started him thinking closely about heaven and hell. While the testimony of Mark’s father’s salvation had some impact it didn’t lead him to make any decisions for Christ.
After getting out of the Army in 2003 Mark continued with his law enforcement career working toward a spot as a Chief. While in pursuit of this dream one of Mark’s long time friends shared with him that he had received Jesus Christ and wanted Mark to Attend his church. Reluctantly, Mark went and sat through a couple of Sundays with little to no effect on his life.
In March of 2004 Mark’s friend invited him to watch the Passion of the Christ with the church. Again, Mark reluctantly went with the church group to watch the film thinking, “just another movie about Jesus”. Little did Mark know that on March 3rd, 2004 his life would be changed forever.
Mark says that when Jesus was carrying his cross in the film and going through all the abuse he went through he simply just cried out, “why did you do all this”?! The Lord spoke to him and said, “I did it for you”!
This event changed Mark’s life in every way. He began to seek the Lord in all areas of his life and simply couldn’t get enough. At his home church, Harbor of Hope his Pastor, Dean Myers took him under his wing and helped him with his spiritual growth and study. Before he knew it he was enrolled in the Ohio School of Ministry and preaching sermons on Sunday nights. He served as a Trustee, Deacon, part-time Youth Pastor, and was the full-time Associate/Youth Pastor.
Mark also found a great love for the nation of Israel and has defended Israel’s interests in sermons, public speaking, and partnering with AIPAC. Mark even had the opportunity to attend the 2014, 2015, and 2017 AIPAC conference in Washington D.C..
Currently Mark is an Assistant Pastor at Harbor of Hope. It’s Mark’s desire to continue on in the ministry and tell everyone about the Love of God that has no boundaries and lead people to Jesus Christ.
Mark also found a home at Harrison Hills City Schools working with kids and their attendance and counselling in 2014.
Eric Woods
Worship Pastor
Eric Woods
Eric entered into a relationship with Jesus at an early age and is a second generation worship leader. Eric starting playing drums in middle school, which led to a desire to learn piano, guitar, bass, etc. He started the contemporary worship movement at his church as a youth and felt led to further develop his talents for teaching and leading, resulting in a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on biblical studies.
Throughout that time Yahweh continued to develop Eric’s heart for worship and placed in him a deep longing for intimacy with the Father. Eric’s passion is for everyone to receive a revelation of the love and immutable goodness of God and then be able to express that in praise and worship when they adore and magnify Jesus as well as walk it out in their everyday lives. “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5
Eric came to serve as worship pastor at Harbor of Hope in 2014 along with his wife, O’Linda. Eric and O’linda have been married for 8 years and have two children, Brylee and Bastian.