Indiana alliance church Team

The staff and leadership here at Indiana Alliance Church is comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for every single person in the church. If you have any questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them or call our church office to speak with them. You can contact the church office at info@indianaalliance.com

Staff & Leadership

  • Marv Nelson

    Lead Pastor

    Marv loves Jesus, his wife Hilary, his three kids: MJ, Amelia and Liam and he loves the church! He graduated from Nyack College with a dual major in Youth Ministry and Pastoral Ministry. He then received his Master’s degree in Intercultural Leadership as well as his Master's of Divinity from Crown College. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Ministry degree at Alliance Theological Seminary. He’s been in full time Ministry for 16+ years and has been ordained in the C&MA for over 12 years. Most recently before being the Lead Pastor at IAC, he was the College and Campus Plant Pastor at Allegheny Center Alliance Church. He has written several books, which include What Good is Jesus? , Unleash- Empowering the Next Generation Of Leaders as well as a forthcoming book: The Anchored Life.

  • Mike groop

    Worship and college pastor

    Mike graduated from Asbury University with a degree in Music Education and earned a Masters in Theological Studies from Liberty University. He is currently working towards a Masters of Divinity at Crown College. He has been in full-time vocational ministry since 2015 with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. With a background in teaching, he loves helping others discover and develop their gifts to serve the Lord. Mike and his wife Kate were married in 2015 and have a son, Michael, who was born in 2022. 

  • lauren bailey

    CHILDREN'S MINISTRY inREACH DIRECTOR

    Lauren graduated from Clarion University with a degree in finance. She married Landon in 2004 and blessed them with 4 children- Hunter, Dylan, River, and Ireland. While being a full-time mom, she has been serving in Children's Ministry for over 13 years. She loves seeing kids get excited about God and His Word and encourages the children to be the salt and light of this world. 

  • Rick Cessna

    youth MINISTRY Director

    Rick Rocks...

  • Alissa Gornick

    children's ministry outreach director

    Alissa is a Junior at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, working towards a degree in Digital Communications. She has been an active volunteer at the IAC for 4+ years, having involvement with Sunday school, AWANA, VBS, and the worship team. She loves working with the kids, seeing them learn about God in creative ways, and watching each child grow in their relationship with Christ.  

  • Candy Deemer

    Church admin

    Candy Deemer enjoys her work as Administrative Assistant since starting in this position in September 2010.  Candy, as her name suggests, was destined to love chocolate.  The sign plague on her office desk of “Chocolate Understands” is very appropriate!

  • Ed & jean Cunnings

    CHURCH clean up crew

    Ed and Jean are long-time attenders of Indiana Alliance Church who are on staff as the Janitorial crew. They love the Lord, His church, each other and this country. Together they are a mighty force for the Lord!