Meet our Pastors

Phone: 440.255.3496
Email: Contact Our Office

Our ministry staff exists to serve, equip and empower people to know, grow and show God's love in Christ Jesus. 

Tune in each Wednesday on YouTube for our video series, 'Pastor Capture' where our three pastors get together to discuss worship and more!

If you have any needs, questions, or concerns, don't hesitate to contact any of them.

Fill Out a Connection Card      

To contact a Committee, click here for a list of emails. 

Rev. Steve Stultz Costello

Lead Pastor effective July 1, 2023
Phone: 440.255.3496 ext. 107
Email: sstultzcostello@mentorumc.org

Steve Stultz Costello grew up in Northern Virginia attending Dumfries UMC where he was confirmed and baptized. In high school, Steve played trumpet in the band, sang in the choir and loved science and math. Steve received a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA. It was during the summers of his college years that Steve worked as a camp counselor at Camp Alta Mons – a United Methodist Camp south of Roanoke, Virginia. It was at camp that Steve began to feel a call to ministry. Steve and his wife Cara met at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. After serving as the associate pastor of Leesburg UMC in Leesburg, Virginia for three years, Steve and Cara moved to Ohio where they raised their two sons Eli and Atticus. Steve loves serving God with the people of God in the local church. In his spare time, he enjoys going on walks, working with wood, reading, camping and traveling.

Favorite Scripture: 1 John 4:19

“We love because God first loved us.”

Rev. Dr. Ivy Smith

Associate Pastor effective July 1, 2023
Phone: 440.255.3496 ext. 111
Email: ismith@mentorumc.org

Ivy Smith grew up in the United Methodist Church. Her hometown is Mingo Junction, Ohio.  Ivy is a graduate of Mingo High School; Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, Florida; United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. She has served Canfield United Methodist, Canfield; Simpson United Methodist, Crossroads United Methodist and James S. Thomas United Methodist all of Canton, and Pearl Road United Methodist, Cleveland. She is married and has a daughter. 
 

Favorite scripture: Romans 8:35, 38-39 (KJV)

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rev. Tammy Palermo

Pastor of Children & Family Ministries
Phone: 440.255.3496 ext. 110
Email: tpalermo@mentorumc.org

Tammy Palermo grew up nearby in Troy Township and graduated from Berkshire High School in Burton. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with a vocal emphasis from Otterbein University in Westerville Ohio. Her college summers were spent at Camp Asbury in Hiram where she began her Methodist journey. Tammy taught music at Groveport Madison Middle School South and Riverside High School before becoming a mom. In 2007, she joined the staff after being involved with various teams. Tammy graduated from Methodist Theological School in Ohio and was commissioned as a Provisional Deacon at the East Ohio Annual Conference in 2023.

She is married to Michael Palermo, and they have two adult children, Eliana and Evan. Tammy is thankful for the opportunity to serve the children, youth, and families of Mentor UMC.

Favorite Scripture:

Micah 6:8​ "No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 

Mackalyn Figgins

Youth Director
Phone: 440.255.3496 ext. 114
Email: mfiggins@mentorumc.org

Mackalyn Figgins is from Fayette, OH and attended Ohio Northern University before getting her Masters of Divinity at Methodist Theological School. She is passionate about Youth Ministry, community, and spiritual growth. She also enjoys gardening, reading, music, and more.