Leadership

Say hello to the leadership team at The Harbor Church

Meet our leadership

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Keith Mlyniec - Lead Pastor

Keith is our lead pastor. As the drive and point person behind our church’s growth, he has the vision and passion to see our church grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ as well as impact our community in practical and creative ways so that the kingdom of God may expand.

 

Pastor Keith came to faith in his sophomore year at the University of Rhode Island. He has been married to Ruth (his college sweetheart) for forty-four years. They have three children and nine grandchildren. He has attended the University of Rhode Island, the University of Maine, and the Seminary of the East. He and his family were involved in a church planting effort in Iceland for ten years. His interests include global travel, playing first base on the church softball team, fitness (he’s at the gym four days a week), rollerblade marathons, and gardening. Most recently, he authored a book entitled, Breathe on Me: 101 Bible-based devotions on the Holy Spirit (available on Amazon). 

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Ruth Mlyniec - Pastor's Wife

Ruth is the pastor’s wife whose main role is to be a support and encouragement to her husband, Pastor Keith. Together they serve in the areas of visiting and counseling. Beyond that, she’s also involved in leading women’s ministries, the creative arts ministry, and helping with children's ministries as "Amma Ruth." 

 

Ruth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Science from URI, as well as a Certificate of Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute. Her passion now is to share the love of Christ through teaching and encouragement, to help others find their role in ministry, and to be an example for the coming generation. Ruth interests include a good cup of coffee, photography, her art & flower garden, and visits from her grown kids and nine grandkids. 

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Justin Heim - Family Pastor

Justin is our family pastor. He is the head and lead support of our children, youth and family ministries. Justin is passionate about guiding families in the Biblical upbringing of their children, parenting support, and connecting our youth into the Church body.


Justin is a graduate from Elim Bible College and NYACK College with degrees in Biblical Studies, Youth Ministry, and Organizational Management. His passion for youth ministry started as a teenager and has continued into adulthood. He has served as a youth pastor in various churches across New England and the Mid-Atlantic. He's lead countless youth camps, mission trips, VBS events, and the like. One of his favorite Bible verses and ministry motto is Malachi 4:6 "He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers."


Justin has been married almost 20 years to Rebecca (his college sweetheart). They have 3 biological children and are also licensed foster parents, having many other children living with them over the past years. Justin has this past year taken up running, currently training for his first half marathon. He also loves Buffalo Bills football and the Yankees. He manages his son's little league teams and plays on the church softball team.

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Rebecca Heim - Missions Chair

Rebecca is our Missions Chair here at The Harbor Church. Rebecca is a graduate of Elim Bible College with a Major in Ministry and minor in Missions. She has served overseas in a variety of missions capacities.


Rebecca is married to Justin Heim, our family pastor. They are approaching 20 years of marriage. They have 3 biological children and are also licensed foster parents, having many other children living with them over the past years. Rebecca loves children and is active in our children's ministry, having been a preschool teacher for many years.

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Joe Schrader - Elder & Worship Leader

Joe is an elder and our worship leader here at The Harbor. He is married to Ali, and they are expecting their first child in November!

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Glenn Russell - Elder

Glenn is an elder here at The Harbor Church. He works as a software engineer for Hexagon Metrology which specializes in high precision measurement machines and software. Glenn is passionate about skiing, volleyball, and…apologetics! He and his wife Kathy have been married for 20 years and have three wonderful children.

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Chris Williams - Elder

Chris serves on the Elder Board and has the joyous job of interviewing and welcoming new members. He is married to a lovely lady, Danielle, and together they have 4 precious children.

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Keagan Pearson - Elder

Keagan is an elder here at The Harbor. He is married to Mahria, and together they have 3 beautiful daughters. Aside from teaching and facilitating small groups at the church, he works in marketing for the tech industry and owns a small business in the digital space.

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Jim Nooney - Benevolence Committee Chair

Jim has been the chair of the Benevolence Committee since Oct. 2020. Jim and the committee have a passion for meeting the needs of the Harbor church family and the local community. His goal is to be the hands and feet of Jesus whenever and wherever God leads. A passage of scripture, Matthew 25:31-40 guides Jim and the committee. He considers it a privilege to serve the Harbor Church in this way. Personally, Jim has been a member of the Harbor Church for 29 years. He and his wife Linda of 35 years raised their 4 daughters at the Harbor. Recently retired from business ownership, Jim serves on multiple boards including FCA, C12, Harmony Women's Care Center, Rhode Island Family Institute, and mentors men at the medium security prison in Cranston. He enjoys time with his grandchildren, a lot of road biking, saltwater fishing, international travel, and most of all, more time with his wife and best friend.

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Gregg Pennington - Lead Deacon

Gregg is the organizational and vision leader of our team of deacons who help perform all of the maintenance and upgrades to the church facility as well as helping out in areas of service and need. You can find Gregg doing all sorts of things at church such as welcoming guests, counting cars in the parking lot, and anything else that make our worship services run smoothly.

Gregg has been married for 20 years to Jessica, our office manager. Together, they have 3 beautiful children.

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Jessica Pennington - Office Manager

Jessica is the office manager here at The Harbor. Her role includes collaborating with the different leadership teams to provide support, managing church wide communication, essential to meeting the needs of the ministry and church. Jessica is married to Gregg, lead deacon, and is a homeschool mom.

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