Joe Graves (he/him): Lead Pastor
Meet Joe! He enjoys almost anything creative—he’s dabbled in poetry, writing, art, painting, and woodworking—but if you ask him, he’ll tell you he’s hardly good at any of them. Joe loves watching T.V. and movies, and for fun, writes science fiction. He grew up in Hicksville, Ohio as one of seven (!) kids, but recently moved to Franklinton with his wife Allyssa and their son Finn.
Joe got his Mdiv in Church Renewal from United Theological Seminary and Bachelor of Biblical Studies from Taylor University. He is an ordained Elder in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Since 2011, he’s been serving as a pastor in the United Methodist Church. First, in Defiance, OH, then when his mentor, Paul Risler, at Central Avenue UMC in Athens, OH, before moving to Columbus. In 2017, Joe and his wife planted Central City Church which later merger with St. Luke’s UMC to become Cityview Church.
Joe is passionate about issues of justice, effective communication, and responsible generosity. Along with leading as a pastor, Joe is the President of the Ohio Writers’ Association, and founder of Little Bottoms Free Store. Joe is a commissioner on the 5th by Northwest Area Commission for the City of Columbus
Meet Joe! He enjoys almost anything creative—he’s dabbled in poetry, writing, art, painting, and woodworking—but if you ask him, he’ll tell you he’s hardly good at any of them. Joe loves watching T.V. and movies, and for fun, writes science fiction. He grew up in Hicksville, Ohio as one of seven (!) kids, but recently moved to Franklinton with his wife Allyssa and their son Finn.
Joe got his Mdiv in Church Renewal from United Theological Seminary and Bachelor of Biblical Studies from Taylor University. He is an ordained Elder in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Since 2011, he’s been serving as a pastor in the United Methodist Church. First, in Defiance, OH, then when his mentor, Paul Risler, at Central Avenue UMC in Athens, OH, before moving to Columbus. In 2017, Joe and his wife planted Central City Church which later merger with St. Luke’s UMC to become Cityview Church.
Joe is passionate about issues of justice, effective communication, and responsible generosity. Along with leading as a pastor, Joe is the President of the Ohio Writers’ Association, and founder of Little Bottoms Free Store. Joe is a commissioner on the 5th by Northwest Area Commission for the City of Columbus
Jen Shuey (she/her): Administrator
Jeni is a mom of four and a psychology student at Columbus State. Her own experiences with mental health have led to a passion in mental health advocacy. In her "free time" she enjoys being outdoors with her children, a multitude of crafts, and photography.
Jen is a mom of four and a psychology student at Columbus State. Her own experiences with mental health have led to a passion in mental health advocacy. In her "free time" she enjoys being outdoors with her children, a multitude of crafts, and photography.
Dan Heidt (he/him): Contemporary Worship Leader
Dan grew up in WV, but has been a Columbus resident since 2008, settling comfortably into the community of musicians and artists and creative folk that make Columbus the quirky and beautiful place we all love! He has been involved in worship music for most of his adult life, and has always found his worship in leading others into worship. In addition to Central City, he is an associate with Honda East Liberty Manufacturing Plant, building SUVs. In his little free time, he produces a podcast called Flies in the Kitchen, a show about Creators and their Stories. He lives with his wife Diane, their 4.5 cats, and a slew of musical instruments.
Dan grew up in WV, but has been a Columbus resident since 2008, settling comfortably into the community of musicians and artists and creative folk that make Columbus the quirky and beautiful place we all love! He has been involved in worship music for most of his adult life, and has always found his worship in leading others into worship. In addition to Central City, he is an associate with Honda East Liberty Manufacturing Plant, building SUVs. In his little free time, he produces a podcast called Flies in the Kitchen, a show about Creators and their Stories. He lives with his wife Diane, their 4.5 cats, and a slew of musical instruments.
Molly Rule (she/her): Director of City Kids
Meet Molly! She loves thoughtful conversations, stand-up comedy, reading, and travel. A music teacher by trade, her children, Miriam, Jonathan and Isaiah, roll their eyes when asked to participate in family drum circles, folk dances and singing. In addition to her role as a director with the Columbus Children’s Choir, Molly has enjoyed working with kids of all ages, from teaching music at the Hilltop Preschool to teaching college students at OSU. Molly lives on the west side of Columbus with her husband, Ben, their kids and their CoronaDog.
Meet Molly! She loves thoughtful conversations, stand-up comedy, reading, and travel. A music teacher by trade, her children, Miriam, Jonathan and Isaiah, roll their eyes when asked to participate in family drum circles, folk dances and singing. In addition to her role as a director with the Columbus Children’s Choir, Molly has enjoyed working with kids of all ages, from teaching music at the Hilltop Preschool to teaching college students at OSU. Molly lives on the west side of Columbus with her husband, Ben, their kids and their CoronaDog.
Delanie Ray (she/they): Fresh Expressions Coordinator
Meet Delanie! She enjoys reading, eating tacos, and hanging out with friends! She is most passionate about Spiritual Formation, and learning about what makes our faith meaningful! That is why she believes this new role as Small Group Coordinator at Cityview is a perfect fit, and she is excited to make Columbus her new home, with her husband Travis Ray. She recently obtained her Masters in Practical Theology, and has previously led several Bible studies and small groups in college and in the local church.
Meet Delanie! She enjoys reading, eating tacos, and hanging out with friends! She is most passionate about Spiritual Formation, and learning about what makes our faith meaningful! That is why she believes this new role as Small Group Coordinator at Cityview is a perfect fit, and she is excited to make Columbus her new home, with her husband Travis Ray. She recently obtained her Masters in Practical Theology, and has previously led several Bible studies and small groups in college and in the local church.
Timothy Smith (he/him): Media Producer
Tim has been part of the Central City tech team since the beginning when we loaded in and out of the Grandview Theatre. He enjoys board games, video games, and very recently has begun a RPG campaign with the other members of the tech team. Tim also volunteers some of his time at Coffee Connections as a coffee roaster. He was born and raised in the Hilliard/Columbus area, a 2015 graduate of Ohio Northern, and now resides in Hilliard with his wife Kara and their 3 kitties.
Tim has been part of the Central City tech team since the beginning when we loaded in and out of the Grandview Theatre. He enjoys board games, video games, and very recently has begun a RPG campaign with the other members of the tech team. Tim also volunteers some of his time at Coffee Connections as a coffee roaster. He was born and raised in the Hilliard/Columbus area, a 2015 graduate of Ohio Northern, and now resides in Hilliard with his wife Kara and their 3 kitties.
Christy Campos (she/her): Connections Coordinator
Christy is a Master of Divinity student with Fuller Theological Seminary and mom to three super wonderful kids. Her family started attending Central City in 2021 and she joined the staff as a Pastoral Apprentice in 2022. She's passionate about congregational care and honoring Jesus' call to love our neighbors. Her favorite things are theater and long conversations with friends! She lives with her husband and kids in Whitehall.
Christy is a Master of Divinity student with Fuller Theological Seminary and mom to three super wonderful kids. Her family started attending Central City in 2021 and she joined the staff as a Pastoral Apprentice in 2022. She's passionate about congregational care and honoring Jesus' call to love our neighbors. Her favorite things are theater and long conversations with friends! She lives with her husband and kids in Whitehall.