Didi Bacon
Senior Minister & Elder
Didi Bacon
Senior Minister/Elder
I’ve been married to Shannon since 1992. We have four adult children – Valerie (wife to Justin & mother to Lucille), Madeline (wife to Ben), Christian, and Andrew (husband to Kailey).
I was born and raised in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Africa. While I lived there, I came to Christ through the work of missionaries. In 1988, my family left Africa to study ministry in England. My personal studies were completed in 1990 at Cincinnati Bible College (Cincinnati Christian University). Then, in 1994 I was called to serve as Youth Minister at Bethel Church of Christ. Three years later, I joined the staff at Mount Carmel as Family Life Minister and became Senior Minister in 1999.
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
I love how our church family loves to give and bless others. We have such a HUGE heart for God and for serving people. Also, we love to have fun – usually around delicious food!
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
Shannon and I love to discover unique places to eat. We love discovering new restaurants that have unique and delicious menus.
One quirky thing about you:
I hate emails sitting in my inbox, texts unanswered, update notifications still showing (you know the red circle with a number in it, for us iPhone users). To me, there is nothing better than an empty inbox, a cleared iMessage list, completed updates, and a screen free of notifications!
Contact Didi
Rick Anderson
Pastoral Care Minister
Rick Anderson
Pastoral Care Minister
I am a native Californian (yes, there actually are some of them out there…). At the age of nineteen, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. God had other plans. I became a Christian at 26, met my wife, Barb, the following year, and within a couple of years we felt the Lord calling us to move to Ohio to be close to her family.
From Easter Sunday 1990 until the end of 2021, Barb and I had the privilege of leading worship together at Mount Carmel. During the past couple of years, I felt God directing me to hand off leadership of the worship ministry and to move to another area of ministry here at the church. Following that prompting, I now serve as Pastoral Care Minister and as chaplain to the staff. Our three children, Hannah, Moriah and Noah were all raised in Mount Carmel and continue to be involved in various areas of ministry at their churches. We cherish the love and compassion of this church family and consider it a privilege to call this our church home. It is an honor to continue to serve here.
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
It is a blessing to offer support, care, prayer, and encouragement to the congregation and staff of Mount Carmel. Sometimes it is not necessarily knowing what to say but just, “being there” for them that provides the most comfort.
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
To enjoy the various cultural attractions in this city and, of course, to savor a good cup of coffee!
One quirky thing about you:
When I surrendered my life to Christ, I was the lead vocalist in a heavy metal band in L.A. Yes, it’s true.
Contact Rick
Arlan Howard
Associate Minister of Discipleship Ministries
Arlan Howard
Associate Minister of Discipleship Ministries
I was born in Kentucky, but grew up in Cincinnati. Except for the time I was in the Army, I’ve lived in the Greater Cincinnati area my entire life. After my Army service, I attended the University of Cincinnati and began a career as a design engineer. Thirteen years later I felt the call to be in full-time ministry at Mount Carmel. I haven’t looked back since!
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
I love seeing the engagement the church has in the local community. I love the spirit of our volunteers. They make it possible for us to serve multiple organizations in the Cincinnati area.
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
My wife, Tara, and I live in Bellevue, Kentucky and love walking to Newport on the Levee or riding a trolley downtown to enjoy the Banks or Fountain Square.
One quirky thing about you:
I have a faux Dell laptop. Really do! I pasted a Dell logo over the Apple logo on my laptop. Does that really mean I’m a non-conformist?
Contact Arlan
Jeff Perrine
Associate Minister of Operations Ministries
Jeff Perrine
Associate Minister of Operations Ministries
I come from a very large family. I have over 30 aunts and uncles and more cousins than you could count. Growing up, I actually thought some of my cousins were aunts and uncles as they were my parent’s age.
I graduated from Wright State University with a degree in accounting. With that, I worked with IBM. After spending 20+ years in the Information Technology industry, a sister church of ours, SouthBrook in Dayton, invited me to join their staff in the administration/operations area. From there, I served in Indianapolis with East 91st Street Christian Church as Finance and Operations Director. Now, I am here at MCCC!
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
I like that while a big congregation, Mount Carmel folks have a unique warm and friendly style. The environment here is so welcoming that visitors have a sense of belonging on day one of being here.
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
Finding tasty, unique, and locally owned restaurants. I also enjoy visiting Fountain Square!
One quirky thing about you:
I love the accents of different countries. I can almost sound as British as Didi.
Contact Jeff
David Rimarski
Student Minister
David Rimarski
Student Minister
My name is David Rimarski and I am the Student Minister here at Mount Carmel Christian Church. I am originally from Virginia Beach. I went to college at Mid-Atlantic Christian University, where I studied Youth and Family Ministries.
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
As a student Minister, I have always had a desire to help students with their spiritual growth and relationship with God. I love being that spiritual mentor that the students can rely on when they are in need.
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
My favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area is to go to the different attractions with my wife, Jordan, and my two daughters, Kennedy and Emery. This place has so much for us to do and we are always looking for new places to try out.
One quirky thing about you:
One interesting fact about me is that I am a big foodie. I love to try new foods, talk about different foods, and cook fun food.
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Aaron Adams
Group’s Minister
Aaron Adams
Groups Minister
My wife, Elyse, and I have three boys, Cameron, Cole, and Casey. I’ve served full-time at Mount Carmel since 2012. Before Mount Carmel, I was on full-time staff at Woodland Lakes Christian Camp for seven years.
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
I love working with students because they’re at the point in life where they’re beginning to figure out who they are and who they want to be.
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
I love attending Reds baseball games and finding new food joints around the Cincinnati area.
One quirky thing about you:
I’m an adrenaline junky. I’ve jumped out of an airplane three times!
Contact Aaron
Lisa Davis
Children’s Minister
Lisa Davis
Children’s Minister
My husband, Brian, and I have 3 adult daughters who are married to 3 wonderful men. Our children have blessed us with two grandsons! I have a Master’s degree in Ministry Leadership from Cincinnati Christian University and have had the blessing of serving two other congregations in the areas of Student and Children’s Ministry.
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
I love the vibrancy of our ministry. The commitment our KidCity team has to our families is second to none!
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
I love all the Cincy foods, the Cincinnati Nature Center, Museum Center, and King’s Island!
One quirky thing about you:
I’m left-handed; which also means I’m in my right mind!
Contact Lisa
Barb Anderson
Creative Director
Barb Anderson
Creative Director
I was born and raised in the Cincinnati area, then moved to Los Angeles in 1986, where I met my husband Rick. We both had worked as musicians for a number of years, and I was also trained as a graphic artist. I initially worked as an illustrator for a greeting card company, and then independently as a graphic designer. Rick and I married in 1987 and moved back to Cincinnati in 1989 to begin our family.
We began leading worship at Mount Carmel on Easter, 1990. At the end of 2021, we both moved out of leadership positions in the Worship Ministry to our current roles. It has been a blessing and a privilege to serve God with this awesome church family. Rick and I have raised our three children here at Mount Carmel. All are now adults who have been involved in various ministries over the years, both here, and now at other area churches. Our daughter, Hannah, began leading worship with us, and now leads at another Cincinnati church. Our daughter, Moriah and her husband, Lavelle Thompson, serve at a church on the northwest side of Cincinnati, where he is on staff as their Worship Minister. Noah, and his wife, Reagan, continue to serve on Mount Carmel’s worship team, and also lead our Young Adults Ministry. God has blessed us beyond measure through each of them!
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
Rick and I fell in love with Mount Carmel the first time we visited. We felt loved, accepted and welcomed. My prayer is that our church will continue to show Christ’s love to all who walk through our doors.
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
My favorite thing to do in Cincinnati is to go to the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo. I also love all the choices in great cuisine! And there’s always Skyline and Graeter’s!
One quirky thing about you:
Rick and I pick up on lines of songs that people will unknowingly say in general conversation and we will break into whatever song that line is from. Our family also does that with movie lines.
Contact Barb
Joe Hubbell
Worship Minister
Joe Hubbell
Worship Minister
I am the second oldest of five siblings in a crazy, weird family. I’ve had a love for music ever since I was a kid. My primary goal in life is to glorify God with the gifts that He has given me and to love others the way I’m called to love.
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
I absolutely love the Body of believers here at Mount Carmel. I enjoy the opportunity to work alongside them, combining my gifts with theirs.
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
I enjoy eating all of the great food in the Cincinnati area.
One quirky thing about you:
I am a pun enthusiast!
Contact Joe
Leslie Benton
Administrative Assistant
Leslie Benton
Administrative Assistant
My husband, Jeff, and I were married at MCCC in 1991. We have four adult children; Alyson, Kristine, Margaret, and Jeffrey. We are so thankful that our three dogs and one cat allow us to live in their home.
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
I love helping to make people feel welcomed and comfortable whenever they come through Mount Carmel’s doors.
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
I am a country girl (raised in KY), so whenever I am in Cincinnati there is always something new and exciting for me! My husband, though, would definitely say Graeter’s Ice Cream and hometown teams, in that order, are his favorites.
One quirky thing about you:
I do not have a Facebook account and that is just one of my many quirks.
Contact Leslie
Erin Dobson
Bookkeeper
Erin Dobson
Administrative Assistant
My husband, Craig, and I have been married since 2010 and have two children. We moved from Nashville in September of 2015 and we have been attending Mount Carmel ever since. I have a Social Work degree from the University of Cincinnati and have been working in the mental health field for over the last 10 years. I love tennis, musicals, and spending time with family and friends.
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
I love the generational diversity that Mount Carmel offers. I love our small group, we truly live life together and have become a family.
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
My family and I enjoy bike trails, the zoo, Coney Island, Cincinnati Nature Center, and finding unique food spots.
One quirky thing about you:
I love to dance and enjoy dressing my family in matching pajamas.
Contact Erin
Tim Pride
Campus Manager
Tim Pride
Campus Manager
I was married in 1993 to my wife, Cindy. I was a fireman for the City of Cincinnati for 40 years and retired in 2017! I’ve attended Mount Carmel since 2003 and have been on staff since 2007.
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
I have a wide variety of responsibilities, so most of the time, no two days are alike. I enjoy the opportunity to do a lot of hands-on work and problem solving.
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
I love to golf.
One quirky thing about you:
People say I hold a sandwich wrong when I eat it. My thumb is on top while my other fingers are on the bottom. Why do I need four fingers to hold the top of my sandwich? I want them underneath to support everything.
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Kailey Bacon
Children’s Ministry Assistant
Kailey Bacon
Children’s Ministry Assistant
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
My favorite thing about my position is teaching children about Jesus alongside the most servant-hearted staff and volunteers.
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
My favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area is eat at yummy restaurants, like The Eagle and Condado Tacos. I also enjoy riding scooters downtown.
One quirky thing about you:
One quirky thing about me is Riley The Dog, our staff mascot, does not like me. He likes everyone in the office EXCEPT for me. It hurts my feelings.
Contact Kailey
David McGuire
Worship Technology Director
David McGuire
Worship Technology Director
My wife, Jenna, and I have been married since July of 2017. We went to church together growing up, at the same church as Lisa Davis! We both graduated from Cincinnati Christian University and chose to stay in Cincinnati. Jenna is a kindergarten teacher, and outside of my job here, I play drums in a few bands around the city. We have a cat named Merlin who alternates between being a mischievous goblin and the cutest fur ball we’ve ever seen.
Your favorite thing about your position or the church family at Mount Carmel:
I love getting to use both the problem-solving and creative parts of my brain to make a worship experience the best it can be. I’m also glad I get to work with people I have done ministry with before, and for the opportunity to form new relationships in the Church.
Favorite thing to do in the Cincinnati area:
I love going to shows! Cincinnati has some great local bands and I try to show support when I can. Our go-to local eatery is Keystone.
One quirky thing about you:
I can lick my elbow. It’s not very dignified, but I can do it.