--- title: "The Right Partnership: Celebrating a New Season at Epikos Church" description: How Chemistry Staffing guided Epikos Church in Milwaukee through their search process, connecting them with their new Lead Pastor Mark Deering. image: https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/Epikos%20Church%20-%20Mark.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/the-right-partnership#main-content) [![cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95.webp?width=342&height=95&name=cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95.webp "cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95")](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/) - [How We Help](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/what-we-do/) - [How We Help Candidates](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/) - [How We Help Churches](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/church/) - [Our Team](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/team/) - [Our Mission & Strategy](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/what-we-do/) - [Churches](https://chemistrystaffing.com/church) - [Hire New Staff](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/2021-churches-new-staff-hiring/) - [Free 30-Minute Church Consult](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) - [Chemistry Solutions – You Don’t Have to Do Ministry Alone](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/solutions/) - [Final Fit Assessment](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/final-fit-assessment/) - [Senior Pastor Succession](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/succession/) - [Job Seekers](https://chemistrystaffing.com/candidate) - [Add My Resume / Profile](https://chemistry.fyi/kwq) - [Current Openings](https://chemistrystaffing.com/jobs) - [Free Resume Assessment](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/free-resume-self-assessment/) - [Step-by-Step Job Search](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/cjb) - [How Chemistry Can Help](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/) - [Resources](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/) - [Free Playbooks & Downloads](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/) - [Chemistry Blog](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/) - [2024 Youth Pastor Compensation Survey](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/2024-yp-compensation-survey/) - [Contact Us](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) - [Candidates](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate-contact-page/) - [Churches](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) - [Find a Job](https://chemistrystaffing.com/jobs) - [My Church is Hiring](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) [Staff Search](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/tag/staff-search) # The Right Partnership: Celebrating a New Season at Epikos Church How Chemistry Staffing guided Epikos Church in Milwaukee through their search process, connecting them with their new Lead Pastor Mark Deering. ![Celebration, Epikos Church, New Lead Pastor](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/Epikos%20Church%20-%20Mark.png) Chemistry Staffing is excited to share another successful church staffing story. The team recently helped Epikos Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, find their new Lead Pastor, and it seems to have been a great match! Cory, an elder at Epikos, had high praise for the work of Matt from Chemistry Staffing. "I knew from the minute we started working with Matt that this was going to be a good fit for Epikos. Matt was friendly and also very diligent in his work," Cory noted. "The guidance Matt provided on navigating the hiring process was particularly helpful." One key piece of advice Cory said they received was to not "go rogue" during their search. With years of experience facilitating hundreds of church hires, Chemistry Staffing understands all the potential pitfalls. They strongly recommend listening to their professional recommendations. It was clear from the beginning that Mark was the right pastoral candidate. Cory shared, "First of all I would highly recommend Chemistry Staffing to any church looking for a search firm. But also, I would say, listen to what they say."  Both Cory and the church are thrilled with how the process led them to Pastor Mark. Cory mentions that "Mark seems like a great fit for Epikos Church. He brings to the table a breath of fresh air. He is very personable and friendly, and he really has a shepherd's heart which is just what we need in this next season." Cory was also enthusiastic about potentially working with Chemistry Staffing again in the future... "We look forward to working with Chemistry Staffing for future needs. They were great to work with both professionally and relationally." It's partnerships like this that are so rewarding for the Chemistry Staffing team. If your church is seeking outstanding team members, let's collaborate. With our expertise and guidance, we can assist in shaping the team that aligns with the vision God has for your ministry. [ Let's talk.](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/)   ### [![Kelly Norris](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/KellyHeadshot2024%20Edited.png) Kelly Norris](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/author/kelly-norris) Kelly Norris brings over 30 years of extensive experience in various fields, including Children’s ministry, Communications, Church Planting, Worship/Creative Arts, Associate Pastor, and Executive Pastoral positions. Currently, she serves as an Executive Pastor at Northgate Church in Sunbury, OH. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, is a graduate of the Ohio School of Ministry, and has certifications as a Transformational Coach. Residing with her family in central Ohio, Kelly leverages her expertise and diverse background in coaching and ministry through her work with Chemistry Staffing as the Director of Strategic Initiatives. Her passion is to equip and empower people and organizations to do the work of the ministry. [![Facebook Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/facebook.svg)](https://facebook.com/kelnorris) [![Twitter Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/thekellynorris) [![Linkedin Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-norris-79150915) ## Latest Resources Browse Articles ![What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_158.png) #### What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis Church decline isn't what you think. Discover what's really threatening the church today vs. 1776 and the 1900s—and why low numbers aren't ... ![What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) ###### Todd Rhoades July 07, 2026 ![Stop Apologizing for Small Groups: Why Your ](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_126.png) #### Stop Apologizing for Small Groups: Why Your "Failed" Bible Study is Actually a Discipleship Goldmine When attendance drops in your small group discipleship ministry, don't panic. Discover why smaller groups create deeper disciples and stron... ![Stop Apologizing for Small Groups: Why Your ](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) ###### Todd Rhoades July 06, 2026 ![Stop Screening Out Your Best Candidates: Why Competency Matters More Than Seminary Degrees](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_142.png) #### Stop Screening Out Your Best Candidates: Why Competency Matters More Than Seminary Degrees Church hiring practices may be filtering out incredible candidates. Learn why competency should trump credentials in your ministry staff se... ![Stop Screening Out Your Best Candidates: Why Competency Matters More Than Seminary Degrees](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) ###### Todd Rhoades July 06, 2026 [![Elements Logo](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/logos/logo.svg "Elements Logo")](http://chemistrystaffing.com) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteturor adipiscing elit. Tincidunt donec vulputate ipsum erat urna auctor. 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