Our Leaders

We are located at 150 North Oak Street, Ottawa, OH.  Telephone:  (419) 523-3694

Rev. Ben Shaw officially began his ministry here on August 1, 2017.  Actually, he began serving on the Sunday prior to that as far as the congregation is concerned.

Rev. Ben first met us in June when he was voted on by the congregation.  Obviously he was well received.  Rev. Ben provided the following bio before his June visit, and he commented that we were free to edit it.  Nope--we liked it just the way he wrote it! 

Ben Shaw is a life-long Ohioan and Presbyterian.  Growing up he was active in his home church, First Presbyterian of Delaware, a place where he spent years asking too many questions and talking through choir practice.  At Ohio State he joined the Presbyterian Campus Ministry, studied Political Science and French, and mostly ignored his looming call to ministry for as long as he possibly could.  After college he spent a few years loafing around Columbus before packing for the East Coast and Princeton Theological Seminary, where he promptly got involved in everything that would have him.  Though this will be his first call, he’s done a little bit of everything the church has to offer—work with youth and adults, campus ministry, hospital chaplaincy, and administration.  

 When he isn’t in churches, Ben enjoys napping and watching TV.  Sometimes he goes to the gym and reads books.  His interests at the moment include getting a dog, travel, and podcasting.  

 Of himself he says “I promise I’m more interesting in person.” He looks forward to meeting everyone at OPC very soon.

Many thanks to OPC's Session/Search Committee for their amazing efforts in finding Rev. Shaw.

Other Church leaders
In every Presbyterian church, there is a group called the "Session" which is composed of "elders."  Together with the pastor, this group oversees all church programs and activities.  OPC's Session has six elders, with each elder serving a three-year term.  Every year, two new elders are chosen by the congregation to replace those elders whose terms are completed.

Our church secretary is Andrea Mormon (secretary@ottawapresby.org).  She began her work in early December, 2010. 

Beth Myers is our organist and Chas Myers is our choir director.  Janie Font is our financial secretary (finsec@ottawapresby.org) and Dave Crawfis is our treasurer (treasurer@ottawapresby.org). 

We currently have an opening for a childcare provider during Sunday morning worship.