Jonathan Merki
Lead Pastor
Jonathan & Rondalyn Merki were both born to Nazarene Missionaries in the Republic of South Africa. After graduating high school there, both attended college in the United States, and upon college graduation, Jonathan completed his Masters of Divinity in Kansas City, Missouri.
Their first pastorate was in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, where Jonathan was mentored in vital community involvement in pastoral ministry. Moving to Millville four years later, the Millville Nazarenes encouraged ongoing community involvement and service. Rondalyn has made her own community contribution as an elementary school educator in addition to service in and through Millville Church of the Nazarene.
The Merkis have two children. Their daughter, Hannah, is an educator and is married to Ken Varner who serves in law enforcement. Ken and Hannah have a daughter, Corynne, the joy and delight of Mommom and Poppop. Their son, Jeremy, is an airline pilot and was married in 2020 to Danielle, a personal care provider. Jeremy served in the Navy for 6 years.
Jonathan has had the privilege of serving the Millville Church of the Nazarene since December of 1991. By God’s grace, the congregation has grown and was able to purchase land and build a new facility in 2010. Keeping an outward focus in mission, the congregation hopes to add a building wing soon.
In addition to serving the local church, Pastor Jonathan serves as the Senior Chaplain of the Millville Police Department, a chaplain for the Millville Fire Department, co-leader of the Ministerial Fellowship of Millville and is involved in the Chamber of Commerce. His District responsibilities for the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene include membership on the District Board of Ministries and leading the District Prayer Ministries.
Their first pastorate was in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, where Jonathan was mentored in vital community involvement in pastoral ministry. Moving to Millville four years later, the Millville Nazarenes encouraged ongoing community involvement and service. Rondalyn has made her own community contribution as an elementary school educator in addition to service in and through Millville Church of the Nazarene.
The Merkis have two children. Their daughter, Hannah, is an educator and is married to Ken Varner who serves in law enforcement. Ken and Hannah have a daughter, Corynne, the joy and delight of Mommom and Poppop. Their son, Jeremy, is an airline pilot and was married in 2020 to Danielle, a personal care provider. Jeremy served in the Navy for 6 years.
Jonathan has had the privilege of serving the Millville Church of the Nazarene since December of 1991. By God’s grace, the congregation has grown and was able to purchase land and build a new facility in 2010. Keeping an outward focus in mission, the congregation hopes to add a building wing soon.
In addition to serving the local church, Pastor Jonathan serves as the Senior Chaplain of the Millville Police Department, a chaplain for the Millville Fire Department, co-leader of the Ministerial Fellowship of Millville and is involved in the Chamber of Commerce. His District responsibilities for the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene include membership on the District Board of Ministries and leading the District Prayer Ministries.
Deserea Byrd
Associate Pastor, Youth and Young Adults
Deserea Byrd joined the staff at MCN as the Youth and Young Adult Pastor in May 2020. She desires to see younger generations deeply in love with Jesus and the world around them, experiencing His power and presence in a personal way, and impacting lives for the glory of God.
Pastor Des has been passionate about fulfilling the Great Commission through the arts and discipleship since she was 12 years old. Sensing a call from the Lord to be a minister of His compassion to the nations, she has served in worship and dance teams, Vacation Bible Schools and as a Sunday School and Bible Study teacher. During high school, Deserea became a Youth Coordinator, planning and leading outreaches to Buff Bay, Jamaica.
She received a BA in Dance at Richard Stockton University in 2011 and continued ministry in Southern New Jesrsey. She became a member of Millville Church of the Nazarene in 2015 and participated in local outreach, the church worship team and in various children's ministries.
In 2017, Deserea became a full time Missionary with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), based in Tyler, Texas. She enjoyed teaching dance as ministry as well as discipling young adult missionaries entering the mission field. Deserea served with YWAM faithfully in Texas, Mexico, South Korea and other locations in Eastern Asia until March of 2020.
Since her return to MCN, Pastor Des has loved reconnecting with our teens, young adults and their families. She is thrilled to have received her District minister's license and is in the process of completing the Ministry Preparation Program at Nazarene Bible College. She is looking forward to everything God has in store.
Pastor Des has been passionate about fulfilling the Great Commission through the arts and discipleship since she was 12 years old. Sensing a call from the Lord to be a minister of His compassion to the nations, she has served in worship and dance teams, Vacation Bible Schools and as a Sunday School and Bible Study teacher. During high school, Deserea became a Youth Coordinator, planning and leading outreaches to Buff Bay, Jamaica.
She received a BA in Dance at Richard Stockton University in 2011 and continued ministry in Southern New Jesrsey. She became a member of Millville Church of the Nazarene in 2015 and participated in local outreach, the church worship team and in various children's ministries.
In 2017, Deserea became a full time Missionary with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), based in Tyler, Texas. She enjoyed teaching dance as ministry as well as discipling young adult missionaries entering the mission field. Deserea served with YWAM faithfully in Texas, Mexico, South Korea and other locations in Eastern Asia until March of 2020.
Since her return to MCN, Pastor Des has loved reconnecting with our teens, young adults and their families. She is thrilled to have received her District minister's license and is in the process of completing the Ministry Preparation Program at Nazarene Bible College. She is looking forward to everything God has in store.
Walt Martin
Associate Pastor, Connections, Communications, and Discipleship
Pastor Walt has worked behind the scenes for years to offer technical and logistics support for worship and ministry events. In his new role at MCN, Walt now marries more than two decades of leadership, event management, and business experience with a passion for discipleship and helping others grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Being bi-vocational adds an element of challenge, but Walt continues to balance his corporate job as a product manager for a software company with ministry and his studies. Together with his wife Cynthia, an early childhood educator, the Martins stay busy balancing their schedules and caring for their two teenage sons and twin daughters.
In the past 25 years, Walt has helped countless people achieve their goals related to event production and business process improvements. Now, he prayerfully seeks to help others make connections that will encourage others on their journey of spiritual growth.
Pastor Walt possesses an undergraduate degree in business from Villanova University, an MBA from Eastern University, and in obedience to God's call to ordained ministry, he is pursuing his Master of Divinity at Nazarene Theological Seminary.
Being bi-vocational adds an element of challenge, but Walt continues to balance his corporate job as a product manager for a software company with ministry and his studies. Together with his wife Cynthia, an early childhood educator, the Martins stay busy balancing their schedules and caring for their two teenage sons and twin daughters.
In the past 25 years, Walt has helped countless people achieve their goals related to event production and business process improvements. Now, he prayerfully seeks to help others make connections that will encourage others on their journey of spiritual growth.
Pastor Walt possesses an undergraduate degree in business from Villanova University, an MBA from Eastern University, and in obedience to God's call to ordained ministry, he is pursuing his Master of Divinity at Nazarene Theological Seminary.
Charles Serbeck
Associate Pastor, Compassionate Care and Outreach
Pastor Chuck began his Pastorate in Vineland, NJ at The Ramoth Church of the Nazarene. He was born to Charles and Alma and raised in Dorothy, NJ where he resides today with his wife, Jane. They married in 1977.
They have two daughters, Stephanie and Brandi. Stephanie (Jesse) and Brandi (Scott) are married and have children and step-children. Pastor Chuck and Jane adore their grandchildren and step-grandchildren. They raised their children in a loving Christian home and continue to model Godly character to their family.
In the late 1990's, after losing a dear friend and ministering to his widow and family, Pastor Chuck felt a calling to ministry. His compassionate heart and his wife’s dedication to others blossomed into a deep calling to serve the Lord and love others well.
Pastor Chuck has served in the trauma field in Critical Incidence for the Department of Corrections, where he retired as a Correctional Officer. He worked in the search and rescue of the Twin Towers’ victims during the tragic events of 9/11. When he came home, he dove deep into providing compassionate care at the Ramoth church. He and Jane provided many meals, loving words, and displayed a dedicated grit in serving those at the Ramoth church and the community.
Pastor Chuck also served as a chaplain at Inspira hospital, spending time with patients and their families. He loved to just sit with those who needed a companion. Pastor Chuck is not afraid to work. He and Jane have served the Lord everyday of their lives.
In 2021, Pastor Chuck thought he was going to retire as a pastor, but God had a different plan. Pastor Chuck and Jane are joyful to serve the Millville Nazarene Church community.
They have two daughters, Stephanie and Brandi. Stephanie (Jesse) and Brandi (Scott) are married and have children and step-children. Pastor Chuck and Jane adore their grandchildren and step-grandchildren. They raised their children in a loving Christian home and continue to model Godly character to their family.
In the late 1990's, after losing a dear friend and ministering to his widow and family, Pastor Chuck felt a calling to ministry. His compassionate heart and his wife’s dedication to others blossomed into a deep calling to serve the Lord and love others well.
Pastor Chuck has served in the trauma field in Critical Incidence for the Department of Corrections, where he retired as a Correctional Officer. He worked in the search and rescue of the Twin Towers’ victims during the tragic events of 9/11. When he came home, he dove deep into providing compassionate care at the Ramoth church. He and Jane provided many meals, loving words, and displayed a dedicated grit in serving those at the Ramoth church and the community.
Pastor Chuck also served as a chaplain at Inspira hospital, spending time with patients and their families. He loved to just sit with those who needed a companion. Pastor Chuck is not afraid to work. He and Jane have served the Lord everyday of their lives.
In 2021, Pastor Chuck thought he was going to retire as a pastor, but God had a different plan. Pastor Chuck and Jane are joyful to serve the Millville Nazarene Church community.