Get to Know the Leadership Team
Meet the team who has leadership responsibility and
sets the vision of Valley Creek
Nick Kidwell
Senior Pastor
Nick serves as Senior Pastor of Valley Creek Church. Nick is originally from Indiana and attended Indiana University in Bloomington for his undergraduate studies. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and was heavily involved in Campus Crusade for Christ. After moving to West Chester, PA in 2010 to join Covenant Fellowship Church he spent the next decade serving in a variety of ways. Nick attended the Sovereign Grace Pastors College in 2020 with his family and was a member of the ’21 graduating class. He and his wife Happy and two daughters, Anna and Goldie, live in Exton, PA. Nick loves to “tinker” (from home renovation projects to sculpted cakes) and as a family it’s not unusual to enjoy board games or movies together.
Jeff Schinella
Pastoral Resident
Jeff serves on the Leadership Team of Valley Creek Church as a Pastoral Resident. Jeff and his wife Melissa were married in 2011 and have three children. Jeff grew up in Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana before moving to West Chester in 2010. He worked in the insurance industry for several years before pursuing a career in medicine. Jeff and his wife Melissa have a big heart for global missions and a desire to see the nations reached for the glory of God. They also enjoy good food, good conversation with friends, and Korean dramas.
Tom Smith
Pastoral Resident
Tom serves on the Leadership Team at Valley Creek Church as a Pastoral Resident. Tom graduated with a BS in Biochemistry from Penn State and has worked in pharmaceutical research and development for over 30 years. He and his wife Cyndi were married in 1982, and previously served in a variety of ways during their 37 years of membership at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, PA. They are blessed to have raised eight children, and now are blessed with many grandchildren. Tom and Cyndi enjoy traveling, reading, being with their large family, and spending time on the beach.
Alex Ball
Pastoral Intern
Alex serves on the Leadership Team of Valley Creek Church as a Pastoral Intern. He graduated with a BS in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh in 2021 and has since moved back to West Chester, where he grew up. Alex works as an RN at a family practice clinic, and was brought on as a Pastoral Intern in April of 2024 to further discern the calling to pastoral ministry. He enjoys leading the Young Adult and Guest Connections teams at Valley Creek Church, backpacking, and playing volleyball all summer long!
Luke Menser
Executive Deacon
We Don't Do This Alone
Our deacons and ministry team leaders are instrumental in carrying out the mission and values of our church.
Cyndi Smith
Deacon
David Tao
Deacon & Music Ministry Coordinator
Mary Tao
Deacon
Brian Herr
Deacon
Sarah Herr
Valley Creek Kids
Dana Lee
Greeting Team
John Nehra
Function Support
