Staff

Senior Minister – Rev. Dr. Michael J. Ford

Rev. Dr. Michael Ford is our Senior Pastor. His educational preparation for ministry

began with a BA degree in Religious Studies from Concordia University College in

Alberta, Canada. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from McMaster Divinity

College in Hamilton, Ontario and completed a second Masters Degree from Wilfred

Laurier University in Waterloo with a concentration on Comparative Religion and

Interfaith Dialog. He was awarded his Doctor of Ministry at Colgate Rochester Crozer

Divinity School in Rochester, NY on May 19, 2012. Prior to coming to Lake Avenue, he

served seven years as Pastor at Dundas Baptist Church near Hamilton, Ontario and two

years as the solo pastor for two Baptist churches in close proximity in Ontario. He is

recognized as a person with strong commitment to Baptist principles and works eagerly

and collaboratively with ecumenical and interfaith partners. While in seminary and

graduate school, he gained experience as a teaching and research assistant and as a

Youth Minister.

Myanmar Fellowship Pastor - Rev. Simon Aung Kui

Photo and Bio Coming Soon.

Assisting Minister - Rev. Susan Maybeck

Susan graduated from the University of Rochester in 1958, majoring in English. She and Ed, her

husband, met on the integrated campus in 1955, and were married in 1957.

Susan was a stay-at-home mom and an enthusiastic volunteer in school libraries, church, and a

Scandinavian Society. She went back to work as a secretary to the Dean of Students at Colgate

Rochester Crozer Divinity School. Loving the atmosphere she she enrolled in Seminary and

graduated with a BD in 1979. She served in Interim positions in two churches and in 1980 moved to

Washington DC to become Minister of Congregational Development at Calvary Baptist Church. A

call to the United Church of Pittsford brought Susan and her family back to the Rochester area.

Susan retired from UCP in 2000. In retirement Susan taught at the Divinity School and served on the

General Board of the American Baptist Churches, as President of National Ministries.

And now Susan has another opportunity to serve at LABC. Not bad for a senior citizen! Susan and

Ed have 2 children (a minister and an engineer) and 2 grandchildren.

Director of Youth and Children's Ministry - Austin Pettigrew

Austin Pettigrew is our Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry. His passion for ministering to young

people began in 2001 when his family went into Christian Camping Ministry. This led Austin to pursue

studying Recreation and Christian Ministry in college. After a 3 month mission experience working with

people in Alta Verapaz Guatemala, he enrolled at Huntington University in Huntington, IN. There he

obtained a B.S. in Recreation and Sports Ministry. Part of the program was a 7-month internship in

California, that he did with World Impact at their camp, The Oakes, and at their city program in Fresno,

CA. After graduation, Austin worked at two different rehabilitative homes for youth and as a

Children/Youth Pastor at Salamonie Church of the Brethren in Warren Indiana and Faith Community

Church of God in Huntington Indiana. Austin moved to Rochester NY in 2012 where he now works as a

Recreation Coordinator with DePaul Community Services. Austin is also the Co-founder of Sweet Beez,

Inc, and a member of This Common Life Intentional Christian Community.

Music Educator, Director of Chancel Choir and Organist – Dr. Lee Foster

Lee was born in Illinois, grew up in Iowa, and graduated from Drake University with a major in Church

Music. In 1969, Lee moved to Rochester where he attended the Eastman School of Music. At ESM, he

earned his MM in Organ Performance and his DMA in Organ Performance and Pedagogy.

He retired from the Penfield Central School District in 2005 where he taught music, and later, computer

applications to students and faculty/staff. Lee also worked as a consultant on student information

systems for Chancery Software of Vancouver, BC. He was wedding organist at Colgate Rochester Divinity

School for many years and was organist for the Penfield Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his work at

LABC, Lee currently works as a greeter at Harris Funeral Home in Irondequoit.

Lee has two sons, two lovely daughters-in-law, and three loving grandchildren. He lives on Irondequoit

Bay in Irondequoit with his wife, the Rev. Dottie Yoder whom he married in November 2015 after coming

to LABC. He enjoys gardening in the crevices of a rock wall and in pots, cooking and eating good food,

and jewelry making - among other artistic pursuits.

Refugee Outreach Coordinator – Hkadin Lee

Hkadin Lahtaw Lee serves as LABC’s Refugee Mission Coordinator. She formally began her work on July

1, 2008. Hkadin’s work focuses on coordinating volunteer efforts and providing support to families and

individuals from Burma who have come to this city as refugees. Her primary focus is with those who are

past the three months that mark the conclusion of their formal sponsorship by Catholic Family Center.

Hkadin brings enormous talent and a wealth of personal experience. Fluent in both Burmese and

English. She has been a part of LABC for two decades; coming herself originally from Burma, with

LABC’s support. She is committed to working with leaders of the diverse Burmese communities to

empower them to support their own people in reaching self-sufficiency.

Office Manager – Ken Setera

Ken has served as the Office Manager at LABC since 1996. He is the first face that people see when

they enter the office, and is always ready and willing to help out. He is a fan of coffee, and almost

always has at least one on the go. In his spare time (which is limited), he loves to sing and is part of a

local walking group.

Bonaventure Moulogho - Church Accountant

Photo and Bio Coming Soon

Custodian – Lloyd Cuyler

Lloyd and his team are responsible for keeping the church and it’s grounds in tip-top shape. Lloyd

can often be seen popping in at all hours of the day and night, checking over the church to make

sure things are clean and ready for the next use. He is a valued and important part of the LABC staff

team.