Leadership

Mark grew up in the western suburbs of Cleveland, OH, where he was raised Roman Catholic until the age of 22 when he heard the gospel for the first time and by grace responded with faith and repentance to God’s glorious Gospel. Before coming to Wheatland Community Church in 2025, he served with great joy as a lay elder/pastor at Substance Church in Ashland, OH while also working in the marketplace in the planting industry.

Mark has over 30 years of ministry experience both vocationally and as a lay leader in the church. He pastored two church plants in the EFCA Allegheny District from 2008 – 2016, where he learned that God had given him a heart to shepherd and lead God’s people through the preaching and teaching of the Word, combined with equipping, disciple making and outreach.

He and Kendra have been married over 25 years and have 4 amazing kids. They consider themselves half empty nesters with two in college and two still at home. He loves weekly date nights with Kendra as well as his two girls still at home. He enjoys exercise, hiking with Kendra, watching movies, working on puzzles, and he loves reading. He is looking forward to exploring the finger lakes in beautiful western New York.

Mark loves the local church and his passion is to help the church to make followers of Jesus who will make other followers of Jesus to the glory of God.

Mpetras@wheatlandchurch.com

Sean serves as the Associate and Youth Pastor at Wheatland Community Church, a role he has joyfully embraced since 2025. Sean has a deep passion for discipling youth and young adults, helping them grow in their knowledge of the gospel and confidently live out their faith in light of God’s saving grace.

With a heart for family discipleship, Sean is committed to equipping parents—especially fathers—to recognize and embrace their God-given role as shepherds in the home. His ministry is fueled by the belief that strong families, rooted in Scripture, are foundational to a healthy church and a vibrant Christian witness.

Sean is married to his wife, Nicole, and together they are blessed with five children. Their home is filled with laughter, learning, and a shared desire to know and follow Jesus Christ faithfully. Outside of church, their family enjoys spending time together outdoors, camping, watching movies, and playing board games.

Whether preaching, teaching, or walking alongside others in everyday life, Sean’s greatest desire is for people to know the gospel, treasure Christ above all else, and joyfully live in response to God’s grace.

“But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” —Galatians 6:14

sweigel@wheatlandchurch.com

Shannon Conner has served as the Worship Director at Wheatland Community Church since August 2025. Growing up in the Catholic Church, she had a basic understanding of God, but started to question her faith as she left for college. During her internship, a friend invited her to church and she shared that her faith had been on the back burner. Later while eating takeout, she opened a fortune cookie that read “take something off the back burner.” This felt like a sign from God, and Shannon agreed to go. That week during the first worship song, she cried as she felt the Holy Spirit wash over her. She was singing the truths of the trinity she had learned at a young age, but her eyes had been opened and her heart was made new by the grace of God.

Shannon was baptized in 2015 and met her husband one month after. Since then, God has strengthened her faith through bible studies, church community groups, and intentional friendships. God also continues to sanctify her through marriage and motherhood. The Holy Spirit is growing her in boldness to share her faith in her everyday life.

Shannon has studied music from a young age and currently runs the music therapy program at a local university. Now in her role as a worship director, giving God the glory with the musical gifts He has given her brings her much joy. Shannon enjoys collaborating with her teams to lead the congregation in God’s truths. She carefully selects songs that are gospel centered and God-glorifying. She believes God is honored by our worship whether we sing alone or together, in gratitude and joy, or in weeping and weariness. God is Good and Sovereign, and deserves all the Glory and Praise!