Lake ann united methodist church
About Us:
Welcome to Lake Ann United Methodist Church!
Nestled in the heart of the charming village of Lake Ann, Michigan, our church is part of a community rich with history and heart. Did you know that Lake Ann was once a bustling hub of sawmill activity, even before Traverse City began to flourish? If you're curious about our vibrant past, we invite you to explore the village and stop by the local museum—there’s so much to discover.
Lake Ann UMC began as a grassroots effort, built on the vision and faith of committed individuals who longed for a place to worship together. Their determination led to the construction of our first church building—and now, more than 103 years later, we continue to serve this wonderful community with that same enduring spirit.
Our Community Center is a lively space that brings people together for connection and celebration. It hosts everything from pickleball and youth basketball to weddings, banquets, meetings, and retreats. The Neighborhood Play Group gathers here on the 2nd and 4th Fridays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. We also enjoy regular open-gym hours, movie nights, and family fun days that foster togetherness throughout the year.
At Lake Ann UMC, you'll find a welcoming and diverse group of people from all generations and backgrounds. We believe living as the Body of Christ means being real with each other—sharing laughter, life, and love in an atmosphere of authentic community.
We’d love to meet you—stop by and say hello anytime!
our STAFF:
Pastor Ishmael Kithinji
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Pastor Ishmael Kithinji Mathiu, his wife Mercy, son Matt, and daughter Joy, come to us from Meru, Kenya. Ishmael met his wife Mercy as he was studying to become a Methodist Pastor, and she was serving as a Sunday school teacher….it was love at first sight and they married a couple of years after meeting.
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In 2018, Ishmael graduated with a Master’s degree in Theological Studies. He served in the North Texas Conference until June of 2021 when he received an appointment to serve in Lake Ann, Michigan at LAUMC. After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, Ishmael and his family made the journey to their new home. We are feeling so blessed to have them as a part of our LAUMC family.
Ishmael loves traveling, meeting new people, listening to various genres of music, and sharing the word of God.
Mercy enjoys singing, painting, walking and looks forward to serving the church community in various roles.
Matt (18) likes swimming, listening to music and exploring the IT/tech world, and he looks forward to serving the church in those capacities.
Joy (14) enjoys acting, dancing, and rock painting, and she is excited to see all of the sights that Northern Michigan has to offer.
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LAUMC is blessed and excited to have Pastor Ishmael and his family.
Jon Zawodny
Director of Children and Youth Ministry
My name is Jon Zawodny, and I am thrilled to be the new Director of Children and Youth Ministry! I am excited to join your community and begin caring for the children, youth, and families here. As I step into this role, I want to share a bit about myself and my journey.
I was born in Toledo, OH, and raised in Columbus, OH, where I grew up in a Lutheran Church. My faith journey was shaped by several mentors, including a Sunday School Volunteer, a Youth Pastor, and various youth group volunteers. I served in numerous ministries, such as Vacation Bible School and Middle School Youth Group, which ignited my passion for working with young people. Initially pursuing engineering in college, I soon realized my calling was to support children and youth in their faith journeys.
After interning at my home church and studying Biblical Studies online, I became the Director of High School Ministry at my childhood church. This role provided both growth opportunities and obstacles to overcome. In 2020, I moved to Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Indiana to rebuild their youth program. My wife, Abby, and I later started a non-profit to support youth leaders. Now, I am excited for this new chapter and what God has in store for us. Outside of ministry, I enjoy cooking, reading, video games, and spending time with my wife and our two pitbulls, Rex and Luna.
Aaron McBride
Administrative Assistant
Aaron is a lifelong member of the Methodist Church! "To serve this Christ centered, welcoming and genuine Congregation, is truly a blessing!", he says. Make sure you stop and say hi to him in the office. After hours you can find him enjoying the wonderful outdoor bounty the area provides; biking, golfing, kayaking and bowhunting!
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