Dr. Steve Slagel
Steve is the founder and managing principal of Missional Momentum LLC and, for over a decade, has served congregations as a transitional pastor and consultant, guiding communities through seasons of change with wisdom and care. Prior to this, he dedicated more than 25 years as a settled pastor with three congregations in Northern Indiana.
He and his wife, Barbara, now make their home in Traverse City, Michigan. They love to spend time with their three married children and four grandchildren.
Ordained in the Mennonite Church USA, Steve is a graduate of Goshen College and Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS). In 2020, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Theological Seminary. He is also part of the Design Group International community of practice.
Outside of ministry, Steve finds joy in baseball umpiring, golfing, and exploring the beauty of Northern Michigan. His greatest passion, however, is spending time with people—meeting them wherever they are and sharing life together.
Dr. Barbara Slagel
Barbara is a seasoned, mission‑driven healthcare administrator and educator with more than two decades of experience advancing clinical education, post-secondary education, leadership development, and project management. She has guided multi‑department teams, implemented systemwide process improvements, and specialized in competency assessment and verification, significantly strengthening organizational efficiency and regulatory readiness.
Her career has been rooted in both post-secondary education and not‑for‑profit healthcare organizations, where mission‑aligned leadership and community impact shape both strategy and daily operations. Recognized for outstanding dissertation work and international research presentations, Barbara earned her Doctor of Health Administration from Central Michigan University and remains deeply committed to continuous professional development. She is also a Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR), bringing added expertise in workforce development and organizational leadership.
Barbara co‑founded Missional Momentum LLC in 2015 together with Steve. After serving as a silent partner for many years, she is now stepping into a newly created role as Chief Operating Officer, where she looks forward to contributing more directly to the organization’s mission and strategic growth.
Outside of her professional work, Barbara treasures the beauty of Northern Michigan and the time she shares with her husband, Steve, their three married children, and four grandchildren. She also brings her love of music to the community as a dedicated organist and pianist at Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City, Michigan.
Missional Momentum LLC 