"My favorite thing about volunteering is knowing that the Lord can use me to be a blessing to others."

At Friendship we believe the Church is not a building, it’s people, serving together to glorify God as an effective and influential church. So, each week, we’ll highlight a volunteer or staff member who serves at Friendship, because our volunteers and staff make everything we do possible! We’ve asked each person some fun questions to help you get to know them better.

Some call him “Banana Man,” but we like to call him Dean. Today’s volunteer highlight is Dean Nowacki, and he has some great stories to tell!

Scroll down to learn more about Dean.

What do you do for a living/career?

Retired Pediatric Nurse. Dean’s Quality Painting. Fruit Route which makes me known as “the banana man” at church. I have access to approximately 100,000 bananas in a year.

What would be your dream vacation?

To visit every Major League ball park and, along the way, stop at theme parks to ride the best roller coasters in the country.

If you had a super power, what would it be?

To be able to fly because it would just be fun.

What is your favorite scripture?

Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.”

Who inspires you the most?

My wife, Sheilagh. She has given me almost 45 years of inspiration that has helped me become a better person down through the years.

Name one person, living or deceased, that you would like to have a conversation with.

My brother Chris. Many years ago he went with his Mom (my step-mom) and I stayed with my Dad. We completely lost contact until Sheilagh found his wife on Facebook. We have discovered that during these years he has become a Christian and he and Lynda are both walking with the Lord. I would love to spend time just catching up on so much that has happened in both of our lives.

Do you have any pet peeves? If so, what are they?

People who seemingly have no common sense.

What is your favorite thing about volunteering?

Knowing that the Lord can use me to be a blessing to others.

What is your favorite part of Sunday mornings at Friendship?

Meeting and greeting regulars and guests before and between services. But it’s a toss up between that and the praise and worship time.

What is your proudest moment in life?

Teaching our granddaughter, Ellie, how to read when she was about five.

What are you guilty pleasure foods?

None! I never feel guilty when I eat.