Staff | Millville Church of the Nazarene

Lead Pastor: Rev. Jonathan Merki

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, 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.

Pastor Wendy Hughes, Counseling and Family Ministries

Pastor Wendy Hughes is on staff as the Pastor of Family Life Ministries and Counseling. Wendy has been part of the church of the Nazarene since 1989 and over the years served in the areas of children’s ministry, small group discipleship, women’s ministries, Church Board Secretary and teacher.

Wendy received her Masters of Christian Counseling from Cairn University in 2013 and was licensed to counsel by the state of New Jersey in 2014. Wendy worked in clinical practice from 2014 to present and has furthered her education in counseling by receiving a certification in trauma counseling through the International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP) and training for the treatment of anxiety through the University of Pennsylvania.

Wendy served as an intern pastor of counseling at Millville Church of the Nazarene from 2013 to 2016 which was when she received her ordination. She was hired as the Pastor of Counseling in 2016 and then transitioned to her current role in 2019. Her passion is discipleship and small group ministry. Wendy has been married to Rev. Jim Hughes, who is a registered evangelist with the Church of the Nazarene, since 1989. They have three children and three grandchildren.

Pastor Deserea Byrd, Youth and Young Adult Ministries

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 local ministers license and is in the process of pursuing a second BA in Pastoral Ministries at Nazarene Bible College. She is looking forward to everything God has in store.