Brian Straub grew up in Toledo, Ohio. After graduation from high school, he attended Ohio State University. His two greatest accomplishments there were playing in the Ohio State Marching Band and marrying his beautiful wife, Kat. Kat is a retired high school and college math and science teacher. They have two children: Rebekah, who lives near them in Upper Arlington with her two sons, and John, who married a California girl and lives with her in Yorba Linda, along with their three sons.
In 1972 Brian started his seminary education at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. He has served churches in Marion, Marseilles, Findlay, Toledo, Columbus, Maumee, and Bethany. In 2013 they retired and moved to Upper Arlington to be close to family and friends. Since then, he has been busy pastoring churches on an interim basis, and serving as president of the West Ohio Wesleyan Covenant Association for the past five years.
Hobbies include playing softball, playing (along with Kat) in the Ohio State Alumni Band, and flying his airplane. Last summer they flew themselves all the way to California! Attending Buckeye football, basketball, and baseball games helps fill their days.
Hello everyone! My name is Haley Waller and I am excited to be the director of Children's Ministry for the Walnut Grove Children's Ministry. My family has attended Walnut Grove since 2007 and primarily attends the first service. My husband Travis and I have six kids. We live outside of Kenton and enjoy being outside as a family with our various farm animals. I work as a registered nurse instructor at University of Findlay; I teach various aspects of nursing but especially enjoy teaching pharmacology, pediatrics, maternal childhood classes and anything hands-on. I feel that working in the children's ministry program at Walnut Grove will be greatly rewarding and is something that will benefit our church and community. The thing I look forward to the most about this position is Kid's Club, which is from 4:30-6:00 on the first and third Sundays of each month. I think this program will teach the younger generation about Jesus and those classic Bible stories while also connecting families in our community to our church. If you'd like to help out, just reach out and ask!
Co-Director of Children's Ministry
Cheryl Purdy-Crowe
Rebecca is a 2020 graduate of Ridgemont High School & a 2024 graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. She began leading the youth group in 2025. Rebecca has been a member of Walnut Grove Church since 2001 and was an active member of the youth group when she was in junior high and high school. Rebecca is also a 6th grade teacher at Hardin Northern.
