Meet Our Elders in Training
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Dear Friends,
We recently shared with our church members that we have invited four men as Elders in Training for a 12-month process. Throughout the next year, these Elders in Training will undergo preparation and mentorship, guided by our existing leadership team. By investing in their development, we hope to continue to provide support and care to our growing number of members.
We have included a short “bio” for each of the new Elders in Training below. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to these men and in upholding them in prayer, as together we seek to glorify God by helping people become committed followers of Jesus Christ.
With gratitude,
The Parkside Westside Elder Team
Dave Cottenden
David was born in New Jersey and spent his childhood in NJ, overseas and in PA. He received a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI where he met his wife Courtenay. They and their three children, George, Maria and Calvin now reside in Westlake, OH, where David manages a logistics company. Work, family, reading, sports, travel and two rambunctious dogs more than fill his time.
Wesley Croft
Wesley grew up in south GA, graduated from the University of Georgia, and received his M.Div. from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. He is a husband to Heather and father to Olivia, Hudson, Mattie, and Sawyer. They found Parkside Westside in 2017 after moving to the Cleveland area in 2015. Being avid outdoors-people, you can often find them on long walks, or hikes in the National Park.
Jon Mathoslah
Jon is a Cleveland native. He attended Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA where he enjoyed competing on the men's soccer team. He now works in medical device sales. He met his wife, Rachel, in high school and they have been married since 2017. They have one daughter, Brooklyn, born in 2020. God-willing, they will continue to build their family through adoption which they are currently pursuing. Jon is blessed to be invested in both men's discipleship and the Welcome Ministry at Parkside Westside. In his free time, you will find Jon at the park with his family, DIYing around the house, or cheering on all things Cleveland sports.
Michael Yurkovich
Mike received his undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve University and a Masters of Divinity degree from Columbia International University. He began attending Parkside Church in Bainbridge in 1979, eventually being sent out from Parkside with his wife Cindy to serve as missionaries for 25 years in eastern Europe. He returned to the U.S. a few years ago and is currently working in math education. In his free time Mike enjoys hiking in God’s nature with Cindy and spending time (especially playing board games) with his four adult children and (soon to be) eight grandchildren.