Our Team

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Lead Pastor | 
Pastor Mark Leist

Pastor Mark is originally from Olmsted Falls, Ohio however a lot of his family grew up in the Greater Columbus area.  He graduated from Columbia International University in 1997 and is a 9-year Veteran of the United States Air Force.  Mark is passionate about serving people, coming alongside the needs of the community, and finding ways to better the lives of those around him. Pour a good cup of coffee and he’s ready to hang out with you and hear your story.  Pastor Mark is most passionate about seeing people, no matter where they are in their journey in life, come into a real and authentic relationship with Jesus. 

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Executive Pastor |
Wade Swickard




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Women’s Ministry Pastor

Sandy Swickard

Pastor Sandy and husband, Paul, joined Encounter Church at its birth in 2019, with a passion to follow Christ’s command in Matthew 28:19, “Go and make disciples of all the nations.” She earned her Ordination through the Ministerial Preparation Study Course at CCCU.  She is excited to be a part of encouraging women in their spiritual journey.




Community Relations Director

Lisa Swickard



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EKids Director

Karey Leist

Hi, My name is Karey Leist and I am currently
the E-Kids Director for Encounter Church. I was born in S.C. and moved to Ohio
in 2005 with my husband, Mark Leist, who is also the Lead Pastor of Encounter
Church. We have two children, Dara who is 22 and Gabe who is 9. I have been a
part of Encounter Church since its inception and have been ministering with my
husband since we were married in 2001. My biggest blessing every Sunday is
seeing children learn and grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ!

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Media Director

Dara Leist

Dara has worked with Encounter since it began. She is working through college, focusing on a degree in Psychology. She has 5 siblings, and loves spending time with friends and family. She has a passion for Student Ministry, and seeing teens lives transformed by the love God has for them. She has been the Media Director since the church began, and has a love for problem solving and learning new things about technology! When she’s not working, you can find her with friends, watching Marvel movies, or jamming out to some rock music in her car!