Meeting Your Needs: Our Chaplaincy Program

Countryside YMCA's Chaplaincy Program demonstrates our commitment to incorporating Christian principles into all facets of our programs and offerings. Chaplains seek to make Christ and His values present throughout the Y by listening to people, helping to answer questions, providing spiritual guidance, praying for people and leading in various ways throughout the community.  If you would like to find out more about this program or speak to a chaplain, contact any of the chaplains at chaplains@ymcastaff.org.  Prayer requests can be submitted to our chaplains at chaplains@ymcastaff.org.

David Newman serves as pastor of Antioch, The Church of the Y and is a board member at Countryside.  He and his wife, Ashli, consider it a privilege to spend their lives ministering to their church, their Y community and to their four young sons. He coaches youth sports, serves on various leadership boards and is often seen around the Y, helping people grow in their faith. He has a life-long commitment to the mission of the YMCA and has completed doctoral studies focusing on the history, mission and purpose of the YMCA.

Chris Johnson has been a pastor at Antioch since 2009. He, his wife Allison, and their children, have been active members at Countryside Y since 2005. With two sons and two daughters ranging from pre-school to pre-teen, the Maineville family is a frequent presence at the Y. As part of his ministry, Chris finds particular joy in interacting with kids in the Y’s childcare classes, and engaging them, “in ‘deep’ and fun conversations.” An Ohio State University graduate, he was associated with General Electric prior to joining the Antioch staff.

Doug Pollock and his wife, Martha, serve Countryside in many capacities. Doug is committed to showing the love of Christ in practical ways and loves to listen to people’s “real” questions about the faith. You will often see him with Countryside staff or playing ping-pong early in the morning.  An author, inspirational speaker, and workshop leader, he also has ministered with Athletes in Action for the past 28 years. Doug has an undergraduate degree from Kent State University, and graduate degrees from Miami of Ohio, and Columbia International University. He and Martha live near Oregonia with their sons David and Jonathan.

Jim Ludwick brings more than 30 years of involvement with pastoral care to his role in the Y’s chaplaincy program. Jim is the Senior Pastor/Chaplain at Otterbein Retirement Home.  He has experience as a hospice chaplain, and works with bereavement support and counseling. He and his wife have two adult sons and two granddaughters.

Mary Lou Sims is an encouraging presence to all at Countryside. She loves to be around children and adults and you will often see her spending time serving the teachers and kids at the Y’s childcare program. She has been in children’s ministry for almost 10 years and she has led this ministry at Antioch since 2007. She and her husband, Mike, are parents of an adult son and daughter.

Gale Kernitz is one of the most loved and respected teachers in the Y community. She and her husband, Bill, lead annual marriage conferences and teach many Bible studies throughout the year. She has a passion to help women grow in their own faith journey with God. The Loveland area couple has been involved with Countryside for about five years after moving to Morrow from Chicago.

Steve Newman brings many years of chaplain experience to Countryside. Steve served as the chaplain for the Green Bay Packers for 25 years before moving to Lebanon to establish Athletes in Action’s Training Center in Xenia. He has served as a chaplain to Miami University’s athletic teams for nine years. He has a particular passion for working with coaches to help them fulfill their potential as spiritual leaders. He and his wife, Lin, are the parents of David Newman and three other sons.

Justin Staten has been the Youth Pastor at Countryside Church of the Nazarene since 2011.  His passion is helping students become fully devoted life long followers of Christ, and know's that the Y is a great place to build relationships and encourage students to grow in their faith. His wife, Jennifer, is a big part of his ministry. In addition to serving at the Y and Countryside Nazarene, Justin loves to spend time with his family going to the Aquarium and hanging out at the park.