Meet Our Staff

Lead Pastor - JOHN W. NIELSON

Pastor John came to Melwood in August, 1994. Prior to that he was Associate Pastor for Worship and Lay Development at St. Paul's Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, MO. He is a graduate of Eastern Nazarene College (B.A. in Religion), Nazarene Theological Seminary (M. Div.) and an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. He is currently working on a Doctorate of Ministry degree through NTS. He and his wife, Amy, have three daughters; Bethany (a student at MVNU), Kathryn and Jenna. Pastor John has a passion for worship, spiritual formation and authentic Christian community.

Christian Education Pastor - JANET M. JOHNSON

Pastor Janet has served as Associate Pastor for Christian Education since 1999. She is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Janet oversees our Discipleship Ministries, including Sunday School, and serves as Director for Melwood Nazarene Day Care Center. She is married to Charles "Chuck" Johnson. They have five grown children and six grandchildren.

Youth Pastor - HENRY H. SWEENEY, III

Pastor Henry serves as our Associate Pastor for Youth. He has been at Melwood since 2001. He is a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University with a major in Religion and an emphasis in Pastoral Ministry. Pastor Henry is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. He also teaches Bible/Church History at Grace Brethren Christian School in Clinton, MD. He is also a part of our teaching team at Melwood. He is married to Pastor Amber and they have two children, Elizabeth and William.

Children's Pastor - AMBER M. SWEENEY

Pastor Amber serves as our Associate Pastor for Children. She is also a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University with a major in Religion and an emphasis in Compassionate Ministries. She is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. She is married to Pastor Henry and they have two children, Elizabeth and William.

Pastoral Care - HENRY "BUTCH" SWEENEY, II

Pastor Butch serves as our Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care. He works with hospital visitation and other pastoral care needs. He also assists in a variety of special events as well as in the area of music ministry. He and his wife, Paula, have been part of the Melwood family for many years. They have two grown children and two grandchildren.

Administrative Assistant - AMY NIELSON

Amy has served as Administrative Assistant in the Melwood Church Office since 2008. She is a graduate of Eastern Nazarene College with a major in English Literature. She is involved in Children's Ministry and is corrdinator for Children's Bible Quizzing at Melwood. She has a passion for worship, praying with people and connecting kids to Christ. She is married to Pastor John and they have three daughters; Bethany (a student at MVNU), Kathryn and Jenna.