Our Team
Meet Our Church’s Staff & Leaders
We’re here to serve you!
Our dedicated team of pastors and church staff are here to provide spiritual guidance and support, as well as resources to help you on your faith journey.
Rev. John Paddock
Priest-in-charge
Rev. Connie McCarroll
Deacon
Mr. Sam Bennett
Parish Musician
Geoff Buckner
Director of Operations, Adult Day Program
Rev. John Paddock
Priest-in-charge
Born in Rochester, New York. Lives in Dayton. Loves to play pickleball.
The Rev. Dr. Paddock began his ministry at St. Christopher’s in October, 2018. He has served churches in Whitehall, Greenville, and Dayton, Ohio, as well as Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and Bath, Maine. His position is part-time although he is generally available for pastoral calls and emergencies. Father Paddock has a doctorate in the study of racism and served for many years on the Montgomery County Homeless Solutions Policy Board. He and his wife Ann live in Dayton. They have eight children and seven grandchildren. Among other activities he is a downhill skier, bicycler, and pickleball player. Father Paddock is usually in the parish office on Tuesdays and at other times by appointment. Cell Phone: 937-470-7123
- Email: priest@stchrisfairborn.org
- Call: 937-470-7123
Rev. Connie McCarroll
Deacon
Lives in West Milton. Loves to exercise and to travel.
The Rev. Dr. McCarroll has had a long career as an Air Force doctor, Pediatrician and Neonatologist, and Deacon. She has served as deacon in four area congregations. Deacon Connie is also a sister in the Religious Community of St. Gregory. She has led numerous medical and youth mission trips to Guatemala and is deeply engaged in a life of service and prayer. She is now retired from medical practice and lives near relatives on their family farm in Miami County. She enjoys working out with her Ohio State All American Trainer at the YMCA and riding her bicycle. She even participates in the annual Tour de Donut! She loves historical novels.
Mr. Sam Bennett
Parish Musician
Lives in Dayton, Ohio. He and his wife work with companion dogs.
Sam Bennett graduated from Wittenberg University in 2022 with degrees in Piano and Environmental Science. In addition to piano and organ, Sam plays trombone and guitar. He also sang in the Wittenberg chorus. Sam and his wife Ashley own a home in Dayton. Sam holds choir practices on Wednesday afternoons at 2:30 pm and on Sundays before worship at 9:30 am (except in the summer). He welcomes new choir members and is always looking to include other musicians. If you play an instrument and would like to offer your music to the glory of God, please let Sam know. Sam also teaches piano lessons at the Church as well as tunes pianos.
Stephen Buckner
Director of Operations, Adult Day Program
I live in Middletown with my cat Booboo. I have a passion for learning about other cultures and would like to learn another language.
I have 20 years of experience in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. I am a graduate of Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati with a background in Business administration and behavioral psychology. I am a strong advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Amana Koeler
Parish Secretary
Amana, originally from Wapakoneta, OH, has lived in Fairborn since starting at Wright State University's Dayton campus. She graduated in December 2025 with a Bachelor's in Political Science, and minors in Legal Studies and Spanish. Amana spends a lot of her time in the Fairborn community helping and participating in a variety of causes she's passionate about. Some of these include working in local politics, volunteering at the Fairborn TNR Cat Shelter, and playing in the Fairborn Civic Band as a Flute and Piccolo player. In her free time, Amana enjoys spending time with her friends, watch new shows and movies, and listening to music.
Scriptural Insight
Pilgrimages of the Spirit
In a rapidly evolving world, the only constant is change. Nowhere is this truer than in the realms of technology and innovation. As we stand on the precipice of the fourth industrial revolution, it's essential to understand and adapt to the seismic shifts shaping our future. It's no longer enough to innovate incrementally; we must be ready to disrupt ourselves.
Religious Choir
Join us on this insightful journey as we uncover the tactics that drive progress.
Innovation Hub
We dive into the world of effective planning, execution, and success in various fields.
Prayerful Communion
Pastoral Counselling
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Dawn McCool
Adult Day Array, Team Leader
Lives in West Milton. Loves to exercise and to travel.
Dawn studied philosophy and classical cultures with a focus in Homeric and Classical Greece and comparative mythology at Southern Illinois University and has worked in retail, food service, and hospitality. She is dedicated to providing opportunities for growth and learning within the community and the broader world. In her free time, she enjoys roleplaying games, camping, and critical analysis of media and pop culture.
Nakia Francis
Adult Day Array , Direct Support Professional
Nakia is an experienced direct care worker that has a passion for helping others. Since becoming a team member, Nakia enjoys supporting all the members and learning something new each day. Nakia is a mother of 2 boys and enjoys taking them to new places, watching movies and having lots of outdoor adventures.
Nicole Myers
Homemaker Person Care , Direct Support Professional
Nicole brings almost a decade of home health care experience to the team. Nicole's calling of helping others came during her High School years where she volunteered to be an aide in the special education classroom. After graduation, she furthered her education and experience by studying speech therapy and learning sign language. Nicole is a mother of 3 boys and enjoys baking, crafting and traveling to new places.
Melinda Day
After School Latchkey , Direct Support Professional
Melinda is a graduate of The Ohio State University in public health administration. Melinda brings over a decade of experience working with diverse populations. Melinda has a passion for helping people achieve their highest purpose. Melinda is a mother of 2 boys and enjoys watching movies and traveling.