Our Staff
Pastor Steve Smithberger
senior pastor
Pastor Steve Smithberger began his working life as an engineer before receiving a call into ministry. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 2002 and has continuously held a call in ordained ministry ever since. He served at Trinity Lutheran Church in Marysville, Ohio as an associate pastor and then at St. John's Lutheran Church in London, Ohio as a solo pastor before receiving his call here at Epiphany in 2012. In 2019, Epiphany and All Saints Lutheran Church entered into an agreement wherein they would share resources and ministries that could enhance both churches, forming the West Toledo Parish and making Pastor Steve senior pastor at both congregations. He has had the privilege of participating in a ministry of renewal in these long standing congregations.
Pastor David Frye
youth and family coordinator
A graduate of the University of Toledo with a degree in Psychology, David Frye accepted God's calling in the fall of 2018. While in seminary, David was installed to serve as a Synodically Authorized Minister for the newly formed West Toledo ELCA Parish (which includes Epiphany Lutheran Church and All Saints Lutheran Church) under the instruction and supervision of Pastor Steve Smithberger and held the title “Vicar.” David is a tennis enthusiast, enjoys technology, prayer, cycling, liturgy, camping, meditation, spending time in Scripture, music, and sharing life with his wife Amy and their daughters Winifred, Willow, and River. Having graduated from Wartburg Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity, focused on Word and Sacrament, David accepted the call as Associate Pastor to the West Toledo Parish in May 2022. Marching forward with a focus on the Missio Dei, David is prayerfully discerning how and where the Holy Spirit is providing new opportunities to "BE" a living witness of the Gospel.
Minister Michelle Detmer
Synod Authorized Minister
Michelle Detmer graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, specializing in Information Systems.
After working in Information Technology for 10 years, she left the corporate world to be a stay at home mom. A few years later, she started an LLC to become an at-home freelance computer programmer.
Michelle, her husband Steve, and their adult children, Sam & Libby, have been active members of Epiphany for many years. Michelle has attended and led Bible Studies, Sunday School classes, and retreats.
She completed the Diakonia/Growing in Faith program in 2021 and Stephen Ministry training in 2024.
In fall 2024, Michelle became a Synod Authorized Minister (SAM) for West Toledo Parish, on a temporary basis. However, as she served, she continued to feel called to Ordained Ministry. She began remote studies at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA in Fall 2025. While attending seminary full time, she continues to serve as a SAM at West Toledo Parish, and still does some computer programming.
She particularly loves studying the Bible and encouraging others to embrace their God-given gifts and talents. She is continually amazed at the way God works in people's lives, including her own.
Michelle's hobbies include rooting for her favorite sports teams, the Cleveland Guardians and Cleveland Browns, going for walks with her dog, reading, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.
Jessica Dennis (Guest Ministries Coordinator) attended Wittenberg University and the University of Toledo, receiving degrees in music education. She has worked in the office at Epiphany since 2007. Her responsibilities as Guest Ministry Coordinator include managing Epiphany's website, developing informational materials for guests, and generally trying to make Epiphany as welcome a place as possible for guests and newcomers to the congregation. She also helps out as a worship leader for The Mission contemporary worship.
Kathy Dennis (Music Director) is an energetic and versatile musician with training as a singer, keyboardist and choral conductor. She felt a calling to her career as a teenager when her piano teacher offered organ lessons in return for playing preludes for services. Kathy encourages congregations to to take singing to a new level and make a joyful noise, entering into worship with Thanksgiving and Spirit. Kathy has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Organ from Miami University of Ohio and a Master of Music Education from the University of Toledo. She is currently the director of Epiphany Lutheran's Theater Arts Ministry.