Riverside Mennonite Church
Staff & Leaders

  • James Schlagel
    Associate Pastor

    James Schlagel has served as our associate pastor since 1993. James grew up in this area, part of a farm family, and he and his wife Lesa have continued that farming tradition. A man of energy and purpose, he also is a full time supervisor at a local factory. James and Lesa have four children and one little grandson. James enjoys joking, often says, "You know, the book of James is the best book in the Bible." His heart, though, is for people, those who do not know Jesus Christ and the way of salvation. He witnesses to that faith in his messages at Riverside, his daily work-life at the shop, and as he 'rubs elbows' with others. Like Pastor Ron, James also enjoys this good earth in which he farms some acreage and has livestock

  • Ron Swartz

    Ron Swartz, our lead pastor, has been with us since the summer of 2006, when the family moved here from the Upper Peninsula. He and Lucretia have been married for 30+ years and are well able to understand the blessings and challenges that come with marriage and family. They love their five adult children and nine grandchildren. Even more importantly, Pastor Ron loves the Lord. He walks with God, listens to the Holy Spirit, and follows Christ. He speaks truth to us, validated by the Scriptures. An excellent storyteller, his sermons are full of real life experiences. He is a man of thought and of prayer. He also enjoys this good earth, a keeper of bees in the UP and now a U-Pick berry farmer.