Leadership

SCOTT LONG

Elder/Pastor of Worship Arts and Operations
scott@substance-church.org

Scott is an Ashland native who has been a part of Substance since 2015. He has served as a CG leader since late 2016 and as our Deacon of Music and Ministry since 2017. Scott has been an elder since the beginning of 2022. He has been married to Cathy for eight years and they have two sons. Scott enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing and being outdoors. This also includes mowing his lawn in his prized New Balance’s.....And no one loves a good dad joke more than he does.

RONNIE MARTIN

Elder/Lead Pastor
ronnie@substance-church.org

Ronnie is the founding planter and pastor of Substance Church, which launched in 2013. In addition to his role at Substance, Ronnie has authored seven books, including Pastoring Small Towns (B&H Publishing), and serves other church planters around the country as part of Harbor Network. Ronnie has been married to Melissa for 28 years and they have one daughter, Beth. Ronnie's interests include songwriting, reading, hiking, and biking. And eating, let’s not forget that one.

MARK PETRAS

Elder/Pastor
mark@substance-church.org

Mark is a native of NE, OH. He served as a pastor in the Evangelical Free Church of America in the Allegheny District for 8 years. Prior to joining Substance in February 2016, He pastored two church plants in the District: one in central PA and the other in North East Ohio. Mark has served in various roles at Substance from CG leader, teaching Substance kids, greeting, and serving as Deacon of Communion and Ushers. Mark works in the market place as a Senior Buyer with Express Seed Company in Oberlin, OH, part of the supply chain in the planting industry. Mark has been married to Kendra for 22 years. They keep busy with four children. Mark enjoys date nights with Kendra, and spending time with his kids. He also enjoys hiking, reading, basketball, volleyball, and golf. Mark's passion is to see people get connected to Jesus and to one another in the Church.

JEFF POWELL

Elder/Pastor Emeritus
jeff@substance-church.org

Jeff was a District Superintendent with The Evangelical Free Church of America for 18 years before retiring in May of 2020. Before taking the role, he spent seven years as the lead pastor of Christ Community Church in Savannah, Ohio. Jeff has been married to Kim for 42 years. They have two children and two grandchildren. Jeff enjoys watching football, playing golf, spending time with Kim and being a grandpa. In retirement he hopes to spend more time studying the life of Christ and making disciple-makers!

ZACH WATSON

Elder/Pastor
zach@substance-church.org

Part of the original core team that planted Substance Church in 2013, Zach has served in various roles, including leading a Community Group and Growth Group. Previously serving as the deacon of Facilities, Zach joined the Elder team in early 2018. Zach has been married to Jillian for 16 years and they have three children. Employed as a Nurse Practitioner in Ashland and Mansfield, Ohio, Zach also enjoys hiking, reading and woodworking.

DEACONS & INTERNS