Rev. Nina Merkle Nestlerode
Lead Pastor
Pastor Nina joined GSCC in August 2020 with 16+ years of experience in Disciple of Christ (DOC) congregational ministry and is a well established, strong preacher, also drawn to creative worship. She served most recently as Co-Sr. Pastor with her spouse in two different Midwest congregations. She has a passion to preach Gospel love for ALL people, to stand for justice for the vulnerable, and to love our neighbors and ourselves as children of God. She provides pastoral care for those struggling in difficult times, while strengthening the light of Christ in and to us all.
Pastor Nina holds a Master of Divinity degree from Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA. She also holds a degree in Business from the University of Oregon and worked as a Senior Financial Analyst for a large corporation before receiving her call into ministry.
Nina, her spouse Glenn, and their son Gabriel live in Twinsburg. Nina and Glenn also have an adult daughter, Elizabeth, who lives in New York City. Pastor Nina loves hiking, swimming, traveling, reading, watching movies, and listening to music!
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Pastor Nina holds a Master of Divinity degree from Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA. She also holds a degree in Business from the University of Oregon and worked as a Senior Financial Analyst for a large corporation before receiving her call into ministry.
Nina, her spouse Glenn, and their son Gabriel live in Twinsburg. Nina and Glenn also have an adult daughter, Elizabeth, who lives in New York City. Pastor Nina loves hiking, swimming, traveling, reading, watching movies, and listening to music!
Email Pastor Nina
Kaleena Hensley
Administrative and Communications Assistant
Kaleena is the Administrative and Communications Assistant here at Good Shepherd. She and her family have been members of GSCC since 2011. Kaleena helps to bring organization and communication to our ministries, as well as helping to guide us into more efficient use of technology to better serve our members and community.
Kaleena, her spouse Robb, and their children James and Callan live in Bedford.
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Kaleena, her spouse Robb, and their children James and Callan live in Bedford.
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Jennifer Cochran
Director of Music
Jennifer is honored to join Good Shepherd Christian Church as its new Director of Music Ministry, bringing a deep passion for sacred music and decades of worship leadership.
Previously, she served as Director of Music at Medina United Church of Christ and spent 40 years at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Cleveland in roles such as Worship Leader, Assistant Conductor, and Musical Liturgist. An educator for over 30 years, Jennifer has taught music and theater at Hathaway Brown, Trinity High School, and worked with the developmentally disabled through the Cuyahoga County Board of DD. She currently teaches adaptive theater in Lakewood schools and at the Cleveland Sight Center through the Beck Center of the Arts.
Holding both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music with a secondary focus in theater from CIM and Case Western Reserve University, Jennifer looks forward to enriching worship and fostering meaningful musical experiences in the Good Shepherd community.
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Previously, she served as Director of Music at Medina United Church of Christ and spent 40 years at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Cleveland in roles such as Worship Leader, Assistant Conductor, and Musical Liturgist. An educator for over 30 years, Jennifer has taught music and theater at Hathaway Brown, Trinity High School, and worked with the developmentally disabled through the Cuyahoga County Board of DD. She currently teaches adaptive theater in Lakewood schools and at the Cleveland Sight Center through the Beck Center of the Arts.
Holding both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music with a secondary focus in theater from CIM and Case Western Reserve University, Jennifer looks forward to enriching worship and fostering meaningful musical experiences in the Good Shepherd community.
Email Jennifer
Annie Qin
Pianist
Annie comes to us from China. She is currently working on her DMA (Doctorate of Musical Arts) at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She is a phenomenal classical pianist, who relishes the challenge of playing contemporary music. Annie began playing for GSCC on July 5, 2026.
Brendan Bennett
Pianist
Brendan will be starting 11th grade at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, OH in the Fall. Brendan is an incredible pianist for his age, moving from classical to contemporary and Jazz with great ease. Brendan will begin playing for GSCC on July 12, 2026.
Sophia Belli
Youth Minister
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Sophia leads our youth through faith formation and fun activities monthly.
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