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Deacon Board

If you have a question, concern, or need,  please feel free to contact our Deacon Board at any time.

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Drew Flint, Chairman

Aalden Guilmette, Secretary

Mike Olsen, Finance

Terry Davis, Discipleship

Jeff McLanson, Care & Encouragement

Mark Cole, Facilities

Our Staff

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Cliff Powell, Lead Pastor:
cliff@hillsidebible.org

I was not given the privilege of being born into a Christian home, but my childhood home was very disciplined, with expectations for very high achievement on a human level. My dad grew up in a large family that was very poor. In addition to the poverty, a mean, abusive and disconnected dad who drank away his paycheck; my dad contracted polio that robbed him of the use of his legs for the rest of his earthly life. Yet, through sheer determination he battled back, catching up in school, putting himself through college and then Law School, becoming a successful attorney and Judge.

But all the while God was at work bringing him to the realization that there was a much greater purpose for this life. When he met God personally through faith in Jesus Christ everything changed. The virtually unattainable expectations he once held for his sons, were replaced with a loving gracious standard. God ultimately used my mom and dad to bring my brothers and me under the sound of the Gospel. 

Trusting Christ at the age of fourteen, I got involved in the youth ministries of a Bible teaching church, but like many young Christians, what I didn’t know was that there is more, so much more!  Through a series of devastating events, God changed the course of my life forever! A young naive Christian learned that life here on earth is not an end in itself, but a means to an end (that we might know and love the Lord our God intimately). God taught me that in addition to “having” Christ, we must acknowledge and yield to His ownership of us. He doesn’t merely want to be a “part” of our life, He wants to “be” our life (Col.3:4). 

Having received an undergraduate degree from Briercrest Bible College in Saskatchewan, Canada, where I also met and married JoAnn; and a Master’s Degree from Moody Graduate School in Chicago, we went on to serve the Lord in a number of Churches around Michigan, including Bloomfield Hills Baptist and the River Church of Holly in southeast Michigan where we were blessed to see the church grow to more than 2000 in 10 short years. 

​We now praise God for the privilege of continuing to serve Christ at Hillside Bible Church, and for three grown and responsible children. Sons Chad with wife Wendy, who work hard and serve God as faithful volunteer servants, Justin who serves as pastor of Fieldstone Church with wife Cathi and family, and daughter Tiffany with husband Andrew. We look forward to the exciting journey ahead at Hillside, helping people experience new life in Christ, and seeing God bring “generational change” to families, the way He did for us.

Allan Bennett, Director, Student Ministries:
allan@hillsidebible.org

​Education: 
Bachelor of Science focused on Student Ministries, Church Administration, and Biblical Counseling from Clarks Summit University. 
When I came to Christ:
At the age of five, I remember kneeling next to my bed with my mother and praying for Jesus to save me and cleanse me of all my sin. I did not exactly live the Christian lifestyle until my junior year of high school. I had attended Northland Camp in Wisconsin which is where God and I had our “come to Jesus meeting. Since then I can honestly say that I have really tried to serve and follow my Savior. 
Spiritual Goals:
To serve the families of Hillside in whatever capacity I can. Being able to partner with parents in teaching and raising their children/students and set them up for success in serving Christ while also being a mentor, friend, and leader to the students of Hillside.
Fun things:
Reading, video games, and spending time with those close to me. Most importantly, watching anything UM related…GO BLUE!!!
Bible verse:
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

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​​Mathew Tibbitts, Worship Arts Director:
mtibbitts@hillsidebible.org

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Amber Guilmette, Children's Ministry Director
amber@hillsidebible.org

A little background:
I began attending a small church near my neighborhood where I grew up in Commerce, MI when I was 12. Shortly after hearing the gospel, I asked Jesus into my heart and accepted his gift of Salvation, though I wouldn’t truly understand that gift, or walk with God until after I had graduated High School.  I did, however, feel his presence and pursuit of me during the many trials of my teenage years. Thankfully, He never gave up on me! The day I surrendered my life to Him marked the start of an incredible journey of spiritual growth and a desire to pursue a much deeper relationship with Jesus. 
Fun fact:
My middle name is Sonshyne and Aalden’s middle name is Raine. 
My mom told me we were ‘meant to be’ back when we were young teenagers, working at her restaurant. Little did she know (but God sure did!), we would reunite years later as young adults and get married. 
We have now been married for more than 18 years and God has given us the privilege of raising 4 great kids, an old yellow lab, Jenna and our newest edition, a Springerdoodle named Lottie.
Interests:
I love to take pictures of everything, but only scrapbook a small fraction of them. I enjoy attending Bible Studies, spending time with my family, neighbors and friends, and hosting picnics in our backyard. I love to read and watch way too much TV. My newest interest is bow hunting at our farm in the Upper Peninsula. 
Spiritual Goals:
For me personally, to continue to grow spiritually as a follower of Christ, to show His love to others, and serve Him obediently in the things He asks of me.  More specifically to the Children’s Ministry of Hillside, to love and serve the children and their family faithfully, under God’s direction and blessing, with the servants He provides. ​

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Mary Anderson, Office Administrator
admin@hillsidebible.org
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Education:
School of Hard Knocks
When I came to Christ:
It's truly hard for me to determine exactly when, but I would say in my late 30's/early 40's.  I had several 2x4 experiences over many years where God was clearly trying to reach and change me, but because I'm awful hard headed I just refused to listen.  Thankfully, eventually it sunk in that the only way to obtain salvation is through believing in Jesus Christ and living a life worthy of His calling.  The joy and peace that comes with that is inexplicable.  No one will love you like He does...and He'll never let go!
Spiritual Goals:
To spread the love of Jesus Christ to all I come in contact with.  To live a life worthy of being called His child.
Fun things: 
Golf, boating & home improvement with the hubs, family time.  Work - I actually like to work and love my job.  I have a strange addiction to unique moose paraphernalia.  I have two beautiful grandchildren who I love spending time with!
​Bible verse:  
Ephesians 3:17b-18
...and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

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