Zach is a grateful disciple of Jesus Christ. He’s also a happy husband to Becca and father to two irrepressible kids, Junia and Timothy. Zach has lived and ministered on the east side of Dayton since 2011, having planted a church here (The Shepherd’s Table) which eventually merged with the East Dayton Church of the Brethren to become the East Dayton Fellowship – whose website you’re looking at right now.

Zach loves the Scriptures and church history and has pursued those interests academically, holding an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in theology from the University of Dayton. His dissertation focused on how the ancient Christian teacher, Origen of Alexandria, read the Bible. He’ll talk your ear off anytime you like about the ancient church!

Zach enjoys spending time with his family, baking, reading, lively conversation, and learning new things. He counts it a privilege to serve the church among his fellow disciples, following together in the footsteps of Jesus.

CONTACT: zach.spidel@gmail.com

PHONE:  (937) 234-7028. Ext. 102

Susan has been Associate Pastor at East Dayton Fellowship in the inner city of Dayton, Ohio since 2020.  An ordained minister of the Church of the Brethren, she is a 2020 Graduate of Bethany Theological Seminary and a life-long member of the Church of the Brethren.

In previous times, she was an accountant, university professor, and eBay seller (still does some online selling). She has been a local church treasurer, a district church treasurer, a district clerk, and a member of the Church of the Brethren's national board - the Mission and Ministry Board.

CONTACT: susan@eastdaytonfellowship.org.

PHONE:  (937) 234-7028. Ext. 104

Dr. Chinyereugo (Chi) Adeliyi serves as the Community Development Director at East Dayton Fellowship in Dayton, Ohio, where she leads holistic outreach initiatives among the homeless and underserved. A licensed minister with the Brethren in Christ Church U.S., Chi integrates spiritual formation with community development, embodying a vision of restoration, dignity, and discipleship.

Originally from Nigeria, Chi brings over three decades of ministry experience in missions, intercultural training, and discipleship. She served with Calvary Ministries (CAPRO) for 30 years, training more than 400 missionaries, developing curriculum for language and culture acquisition, and founding the Women in Missions movement. Her work spanned Nigeria, Sudan, and other regions across Africa and the Middle East, with a focus on empowering unreached women, discipling believers, equipping missionary candidates, offering hospitality, and strengthening missionary teams.

Since relocating to the United States in 2013, Chi has earned both her Master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Her current role reflects a deep commitment to incarnational ministry—bridging theological reflection with practical service in East Dayton’s most vulnerable communities.

Chi and her husband, Dami, met while serving as missionaries in Northern Nigeria. Together, they are blessed with three children: two young men and a teenage daughter.

CONTACT: chi@eastdaytonfellowship.org.

PHONE:  (937) 234-7028. Ext. 103