Meet the Lead Team

Pastor Jerry Bader

Pastor Jerry Bader

After a 35-year radio career, I heard the call to ministry in 2018. In 2019, my life partner, my wife Ramona, became my ministry partner as God blessed us with a ministry in the Seymour Park neighborhood. In March 2021 that fledgling ministry became Samaritan’s Heart Mission Church. Six months later the ministry acquired the building that is now Samaritan’s Heart Mission Church. After proudly proclaiming that I would never be a church planter, God called Ramona and me to plant a church.

I spend most of my free time these days studying the Word to get to know God better and to better share Him with others, praying for all those God has brought to Samaritan’s Heart, and praying for my two adult children. And I pray often that I will live up to what I say almost every Sunday: the moment you walk through the door of Samaritan’s Heart Mission Church, you are loved.

Ramona Bader

Ramona Bader

I am, first and foremost, a child of God and a sinner saved by grace through Jesus Christ. As a Christ-follower my goal is to love as Jesus loved. I am married (1991) to my husband, best friend and ministry partner, Jerry. We lived in Sheboygan when first married and moved with our two children to Green Bay in 2004 and love calling it home.

Jerry and I were called to ministry in 2018 and started in the Seymour Park neighborhood. We never imagined that the ministry would become a church. But God has his marvelous plan and Jerry and I founded Samaritan’s Heart in 2021. I now work as Director and Administrator for Samaritan’s Heart, spending days and evenings at the church.

Samaritan’s Heart Mission Church is focused on loving people the way Jesus loves us, so you are loved the moment you walk in the door. You become part of the SH family. Our greatest desire is to help people heal and grow in their walk with Jesus.

Mike Dockum

Mike Dockum

Before Christ lifted the scales from my eyes, I was proud to call myself a man of the world. Now I am blessed to call myself a child of God. I have been justified by His grace through faith in the saving sacrifice of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and every day I’m being sanctified by the Holy Spirit of the true and living God. I look forward to the day when I will be glorified, so I can spend eternity giving thanks, praise, and worship for all He has done for His children who love Him. I have a passion for the Word of God, inspired and preserved throughout the centuries so that we can know Him. I love to learn all I can about the depths and riches of His mind and His plans, and to share that knowledge with saints and seekers of truth, alike. Please pray with me that God would strengthen me with might in my inner man by His Spirit, helping me release more and more of my will to the Lord each day so that He can work through me to advance His Kingdom one soul at a time. Amen!
Cindy Pelnar

Cindy Pelnar

While I have always considered myself a Christian, I really committed my life to Jesus about 15 years ago. During this time, He has used me to serve food to the underprivileged, travel to Haiti on mission trips, lead Bible studies, serve breakfast on Sundays before church, organize fundraisers, assist with planning outreach events and church events, and simply praying with others and for others. My personal mission is to glorify God in all that I do.

I have been blessed to have served on the Board and Lead team of Samaritan’s Heart Mission Church for several years. It has been a privilege to work on these teams alongside other Christ followers who share my passion for the people who live near the Samaritan’s Heart church building.

I am the mother of one wonderful adult son, Alex, and am blessed to have a kind and loving daughter-in-law, Reanna. I enjoy walking and hiking outdoors, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Pastor Jerry says that when you walk through the door of Samaritan’s Heart, you are loved, and that is so true. I love the passionate messages and the joyous time of singing and worshiping our Lord together. I would love to meet you at Samaritan’s Heart sometime soon!

Diane Heinly

Diane Heinly

I’ve been with SHMC since the beginning of the church’s inception as a member of the Lead Team. In 2023, I joined the board.

I married Daniel Leahy (also a board member and on the Lead Team) on November 7, 2021. We have six children and nine grandchildren.

Dan and I enjoy visiting Wisconsin state parks, walking and weekend getaways at the family cabin in Florence, WI.

When you walk through the doors of SHMC, you are loved and respected!

Dan Leahy

Dan Leahy

I love the outdoors and spending time enjoying God’s creation. I met Pastor Jerry while on a mission trip in Haiti and have been supportive of Jerry and Ramona’s ministry ever since its inception.

My wife Diane and I are both active in answering the call of SHMC’s growing ministry. Together, we contribute to the development and roll-out of spiritual pathways designed to offer loving support to the church body and its surrounding community. We also tend to the general upkeep and maintenance of the SHMC premises.

Jose Ortega

Jose Ortega

A long-time resident of the neighborhood, I was part of the original team 20 years ago to remodel our building into a church. Recently I became the mainstay of the Jesus Van Ministry, transporting people to Samaritan’s Heart’s Sunday services.
Angella Palmisano

Angella Palmisano

I’m Angella and I’m a born-again Christian and addict in long-term recovery. My goal in life is to help people the way Jesus commands us to. Jeremiah 29:11 has been a scripture that has been speaking to me for a long time now. I know that God will help me be prosperous in Him if what I am doing is according to His word and what He wants for my life.
Adam Haen

Adam Haen

I’m Adam. I’m an addict in recovery. That’s how I found Samaritan’s Heart. I’ve always believed in God, but had a hard time wrapping my head around Jesus. One day, I decided to pray to Jesus, and He answered. Since that day, my life has completely changed! 1 Peter 1:3 ESV – ”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” I was baptized at Samaritan’s Heart in June 2025, and the Holy Spirit is in me. I volunteer at church in any way I can and I want to give back and help people who are in need.