Staff

The Reverend Donnell Wyche serves full-time as the Senior Pastor and Head of Staff. Pastor Donnell grew up in Washington, DC, and received his B.A. in Computer Science from The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. He is a graduate of Vineyard Leadership Institute. He joined the church staff in 1999 and was ordained in 2004.

Passionate about the intersections of race, faith, politics, and technology, Pastor Donnell is a founding member of the Coalition for Re-envisioning Our Safety, a member of the racial equity team for the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office, a member of the Washtenaw Equity Partnership, and a co-coordinator of the Washtenaw Faith Leaders Forum. He serves on the City of Ann Arbor Planning Commission, where he helps guide the future development of the city.

In addition to his pastoral and civic work, Pastor Donnell is a trained computer engineer and the developer of CareNote, a platform designed to help churches and non-profits organize and deliver pastoral care more effectively. He also partnered with the late Phyllis Tickle to create the online home for The Divine Hoursprayer books and developed Prayetic, an AI-powered prayer meditation tool supported by OpenAI and Microsoft for Startups.

Pastor Donnell has also worked alongside the Washtenaw County Sheriff, Prosecutor, and Public Defender to create the Warrant Resolution Project, providing consistent, equitable solutions for those navigating the criminal justice system. Previously, he served as president of the board for the InterFaith Council for Peace and Justice (ICPJ) and as a board member for the Religious Action for Affordable Housing (RAAH), pursuing issues of fair, affordable, and accessible housing.

Pastor Donnell is married to Maria, an early childhood literacy advocate and speech-language pathologist. Together, they are raising three multi-ethnic, spiritually engaged, peace-loving, politically aware children.

Reach Pastor Donnell via (734) 477-9135 x115 or via his email.

Shaun Garth Walker serves as the church’s Worship Pastor, helping to get as many people worshiping Jesus as much as possible as often as possible. He lives near Depot Town in Ypsilanti with his fabulous wife Mary, along with their four children, Ethan, Sadie, Rosie, and Levi. Shaun graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a journalism degree, but can be found working most nights of the week at various local bars playing rock music (yup, in various local bars playing rock music). He is also an avid supporter of God’s team, Manchester United. You can reach Shaun via email or phone 734 477-9135 x118.

Barbara Hillaker brings a rich background in child development and education to her role as Children’s Ministry Director. With a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from Michigan State University and over 15 years of experience as a Research and Measures Specialist at the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, Barb combines deep academic expertise with a heart for nurturing children’s spiritual growth.

In her role, Barb oversees every aspect of our Children’s Ministry, including staffing, curriculum planning, and building strong relationships with parents and caregivers. She thoughtfully selects and adapts curriculum to create a welcoming and enriching environment where children can grow in faith. Barb is passionate about supporting families, encouraging volunteers, and helping each child feel seen, known, and loved.

Committed to personal and spiritual growth, Barb nurtures her own prayer and discipleship practices and seeks to mentor others as they grow in their service. She is an invaluable partner to parents, a mentor to volunteers, and a joyful presence in the life of our church family.

Dawn Raney serves as the Office Administrator at Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor, where she brings warmth, organization, and care to the heart of our church operations. A lifelong Michigander, Dawn lives in the Dexter area with her husband, David, their three children, a beloved dog, and a flock of chickens. She loves spending time with family and friends, volunteering at her children’s school, learning about homesteading, and cheering her family on in all of their many activities.

With a Bachelor of Business Administration and an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies, Dawn keeps our church running smoothly through her expertise in communication, scheduling, database management, and event coordination. She plays a vital role in supporting our staff, ministries, and congregants through her attention to detail and her heart for service. Dawn is also planning to pursue a graduate degree in Christian Counseling, further deepening her commitment to caring for others.

Outside of work, Dawn enjoys reading, music, podcasts, rollercoasters, and anything classic Disney. She feels deeply blessed to be part of the mission and community at Vineyard and looks forward to serving our church family with joy and excellence.