staff
Say hello to the leadership team at Compassion Conneaut Lake.
Meet our leadership
Got questions for the lead team at Compassion Conneaut Lake? Contact us here.
Aricka Ladebu - Lead Pastor
Aricka Ladebu and her husband Bruce founded a church together in 1998. In 2018, they joined the Compassion network of churches. Aricka is lead pastor of Compassion Church, Conneaut Lake, while Bruce gives all his time to running the Children's Rescue Initiative, an organization that rescues people from modern-day slavery. Aricka is passionate about every person finding purpose and a place to belong. Together they have 4 spectacular adult children: Elle, Rachel, Christian and Hunter.
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“I’ve been pierced through by love and I will not be turned aside.”
- Song of Solomon 5:8
Mathew Aguilar - Worship Director
Mathew Aguilar moved from Chicago to Conneaut Lake, in 2009, where he attended 2 years of ministry schooling and an internship. Mathew met his wife, Sherah, through that same program and they have been happily married since 2010. Five years later they were blessed with twins: a son named Caleb, and daughter, Lillian. Mathew has been our worship leader since 2014 but has always had a heart for youth as well. He was also youth director for 3 years, and is currently working full time for a teenage probation center where he is able to speak openly about Jesus to the teens he works with.
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretski
Laura Eaton - Kids Director
Laura Eaton has volunteered in children's ministry for ten years, teaching kids from nursery to middle school. She is passionate about creating an environment that is safe, loving, and fun while teaching children the basic fundamental truths of the Bible and planting seeds that they will carry into adulthood. Laura believes children are the future leaders of the church. She has three sons: Kevin, Kyle, and Kristian.
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“What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” - Erin Hanson
Christian Ladebu - Student Director
Christian Ladebu graduated from Iris Theological College in Mozambique in 2016 and went on to rescue people from slavery in the far East. He then felt called back to the local church to help reach the youth as the director of Compassion Students.
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"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkein
Cindy Harry - Connections Director
Cindy Harry has volunteered in nearly every area of ministry since 1985. She began by teaching kids, which lead to teaching students, and then adults. Her passion is worshipping God and praying for people; she has even been a worship leader. She has volunteered at nursing homes and has led bible studies for women in prison. Cindy has been married for forty years and has two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, two grandchildren and one great grandson.
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“The greatest joy in living is giving.” - Tommy Barnett