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John Ehst John, as Lead Pastor, focuses on giving leadership to our pastoral team and staff. He leads in shaping the worship and preaching ministry of the Church. John graduated from both Eastern Mennonite University and Eastern Baptist Seminary. He pastored at Ambler and Deep Run Mennonite Churches before becoming Lead Pastor at Franconia. John and his wife, Bev, have three children and five grandchildren: Jeremy and his wife, Melanie, live in Douglasville, where they serve as church-planters with Hopewell churches; they have three sons, Joshua, Samuel and Nathan. Suzanne is married to Mark Goertzen. Mark and Sue live in Constantine, Michigan, where Mark works as a potter and Sue is a high school literature teacher. Doug and his wife, Valerie, live in Lancaster. Doug is a junior high teacher and Val works as a private tutor. They have two daughters, Maya and Lydia. Bev works at the Children’s Center at Dock Woods Community. John and Bev enjoy reading, gardening, and visiting with friends. |
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Steve Landis Steve leads the ministry team in pastoral care and is the contact person for crisis ministries. He is also involved in preaching, music, and counseling. Steve graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He served as pastor of the Mt. Jackson (VA) and Finland Mennonite Churches before joining the pastoral team at Franconia in 1994. Steve’s wife, Rosemary, is a registered nurse and serves as a Nursing Coordinator at Community Home Services. Steve & Rosemary enjoy yard work and traveling. They have three children. David travels extensively as he works in leadership development for Franconia Mennonite Conference. Maria is married to Jesse Rodriguez and is a student in the Masters in Counseling program at Eastern Mennonite University. Jesse is a special education teacher at Harrisonburg High School. Kristina is a student at Eastern Mennonite University, where she is a biology major and art minor. |
Arnold Derstine Arnold is minister of congregational life overseeing Celebrate Recovery and local mission and outreach initiatives within the community including a Spanish ministry. Arnold and his family spent 8 years as missionaries in Puebla, Mexico where he and his wife served as associate pastors at Franconia’s sister congregation, Iglesia Menonita Maranatha. Arnold completed an AA degree from University of Phoenix. Arnold’s wife Marlene also serves on the ministry team at Franconia focusing on prayer and women’s ministries. Their family enjoys traveling, speaking Spanish, and going on walks together. Arnold and Marlene have three daughters. Sara is a Senior at Christopher Dock and enjoys reading and playing tennis. Natalia is a Freshman at Christopher Dock, she plays tennis and enjoys singing. Adrienne is in 7th grade at Penn View, she plays piano and enjoys drama. |
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Mike Ford Mike is the Senior High Youth Pastor (grades 9 – 12). His goals for the Senior High Youth are to help them grow in passion for and maturity in Christ, to touch others for Christ through service and outreach, and to have great fun and fellowship together. Mike graduated from Juniata College with a BA in Communications. Prior to coming to Franconia, he served for 13 years in Christian camping, the last 11 of those years as the Program Director at Camp Hebron, Halifax, PA. Mike’s wife, Valerie, also graduated from Juniata College and has served in college, camping, and homemaking ministry. Mike and Val have three daughters and a son?Nicole, Emma, Rebekah, and Jacob, who attend school in the Souderton Area District. A few of the things that the Fords enjoy are music, sports, people, and outdoor adventure. |
Isaac Landis Isaac is minister to the students in Junior High (grades 6—8). He helps provide activities for youth that are both fun and faith-forming. Isaac graduated from both Hesston College (AA) and Tabor College (BA) with a degree in Christian Ministries and a concentration in Youth Ministries. In his spare time, Isaac enjoys driving truck, playing hockey, and doing just about anything outdoors. Isaac’s wife, Melissa, also graduated from Hesston College and Tabor College with a B.A. in Organizational Communication. She currently works as the administrative services manager for Franconia Conference in Souderton. Melissa enjoys playing piano, being involved in music at church, and reading when she has a spare moment. |
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