OUR LEADERS
WHO LEADS IN BENEDICTION CHURCH?
Leadership is expressed in three teams: the STAFF TEAM, the LEADERSHIP TEAM, and the SERVANT TEAM. Each has an important, distinct part to play in keeping this old bus on the road, moving safely and faithfully in the right direction.
OUR STAFF TEAM
The staff are the most visible leaders in Benediction Church. They’re paid to use their gifts, education, and experience to serve us every day. The staff are usually the ones you’ll see up front on Sundays, or hear from during the week. If you think of the church like a school bus full of people exploring their way across the country, then the staff are the tour guides.
NATHAN SCOTT (WORSHIP DIRECTOR)
Nathan was born and raised here in Hamilton by Jamaican immigrant parents, who first had him sing and serve in church music at age 8. Throughout his adolescence and teen years, Nate sang in choirs; as a young adult, he sang lead in a 1950s Motown band. Nate’s musical influences include Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, André Crouch and The Grace Thrillers, but you’ll also find Nate bobbing his head to Jazz, Gospel, Hip Hop, RnB and Reggae.
Nathan and his wife Rachel met while working together at a restaurant; after they married in 2007, they joined YWAM and traveled to San Francisco and Italy together. They have two amazing sons: Titus and Silas.
Besides his family and music, Nate’s other passion is food: He attended chef school, obtained his Red Seal and has cooked all over the city for more than 25 years. He loves to barbecue, make soups and smoke any meat available. Nathan’s jerk chicken is life changing. (Pray you have the chance.) Nathan’s sports interests include the NFL, NBA, and attitude-era WWE.
MICHAEL MILESKI (PASTOR / PLANTER)
Mike is the fifth of eight kids, born and raised here in Hamilton into a Maltese / Ukrainian family that attended Catholic school and church. Before pastoring, Mike was an elementary school teacher in Hamilton, Guelph, and Ottawa.
He met Heather at U of Guelph where both were involved with the campus ministry of Power to Change. They married in 2001 and have three children: Maggie, Stella, and Simon-James (Jamie). They served together at Hughson Street Baptist Church (FEBCC) until Mike finished seminary. (Mike’s M.Div is from Heritage Theological Seminary and McMaster Divinity College). Mike served seven years as Associate Pastor and was ordained at Philpott Memorial Church (AGC), before planting Benediction in 2017.
Mike loves art, drawing, theology, thrifting, music, Star Wars, comic books, Masters of the Universe, vintage WWF wrestling, and, action figures - as you’ll see from his office.
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Our Leadership Team (aka the ‘Board’) are volunteers who meet regularly for planning and governance. All legal authority resides with them. When we have our Annual General Meeting, it’s because the Board has prepared it. When we receive or manage donations, it’s because this team has prepared the budget. The Leadership Team drives the bus, and we’re so thankful for all they do!
Our Leadership Team: Emily Wright (Chair), Jordan Moss, Mike Lewis
OUR SERVANT TEAM
The spiritual authority of the church resides in the Servant Team, aka the Elders. If the Board drives the bus, the Elders hold the map. These men carefully and prayerfully discern God’s will for us, guard our teaching, and keep our leaders accountable. Our Elders meet the biblical qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4.
(L-R) Jordan Moss, Mike Mileski