Elders
Elders (pastors)
- Mark Petras
- Aaron Howard
- Eric West
- Dan Smith
- Sean Weigel
Mark Petras, Staff Elder/Senior Pastor
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.
Sean Weigel, Associate and Youth Pastor
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
Deacons
Deacons are currently in process of being selected and will be updated here after member approval
Ministry Leaders
- Elizabeth Shaff – Awana/Wheatland Kids
- Shannon Conner – Worship Leader
- Laurie Tilson – Care Team Leader
- Sean Weigel – Youth Group Leader
- Bill Tilson – Men’s Group Leader
- Josef Scheel – Church Secretary
- Jeremiah Shaff – Family Small Group Leader and Technology Coordinator