Our church constitution states that Christ is the head of Calvary Church
…and is governed by Elders or Overseers, who are appointed by the Holy Spirit, recognized by the Church, and identified jointly as the Elder Board.
The Elders are spiritually mature and biblically qualified men who serve as leaders of the ministry. The Elders are assisted in their role by Deacons, who are spiritually-minded servants, who serve the membership under direction of the Elder Board.
The congregation of Calvary Church is invited to suggest the names of qualified candidates to serve as Elders and Deacons/Deaconesses.
Each year, the Nominating Committee identifies and evaluates individuals to serve as Elders and Deacons/Deaconesses at the church, including those recommended by the congregation.
Many more Calvary members are qualified than can be selected. The Nominating Committee submits its recommendations to the Elders for their approval, and then for the approval of the congregation. The following names have all been unanimously approved by both the Nominating Committee and Elders.
These nominees are now being presented to the members of the church for consideration with a congregational vote, set to take place at the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, August 26.
What is an Elder?
A spiritually mature and biblically qualified man (and member of the church) who serve in leadership of the ministry; oversees the ministry, vision, strategic plan, and philosophy of ministry, and guards the doctrine of the church.
New Elder Candidates
Candidates being considered for their first, three-year term.
Rick Grunden
While Rick grew up in a Christian home and became part of Jesus’ family at a young age, he really grew in his faith and relationship with the Lord in college through the ministry of Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) at Penn State. That was when everything he had heard growing up started to make sense in the context of learning how to study, teach, and share the Bible. Rick met his wife, Kim, during those years, and discipleship became their passion. Now, Rick works as a family physician, and he and Kim homeschool their six children—Ella, Corban, Hosea, Ana, Malachi, and Moriah—on a farmette. They began attending Calvary Church in 2016 and helped begin the Starting Point class before becoming part of the teaching team for the Marriage Builders ABF. Their family has been richly blessed by the deep community of Calvary and has matured by the teaching at every level—from the Calvary Kids and CSM to the ABFs, parenting classes, and main worship service. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
Patricio “Pat” Paredes
Pat was born in Costa Rica and raised in a Christian home. He put his faith in Jesus Christ at 10 years old through the influence of his parents and Sunday School teachers, and he began to grow in his relationship with Christ and love for the Word of God. At 19, Pat went to seminary in Guatemala, where he met his wife, Sandra. After seminary, they went to Costa Rica, where they served for 18 years before moving to the U.S. Their family began attending Calvary Church after moving to Lancaster in 2004. Pat spearheaded Calvary’s Hispanic Ministry (Koinonia), he previously served two terms as an Elder, and he is now a Global Partner serving with Word Partners. Pat and Sandra have been married for 40 years, and they have two daughters, Monica and Stephanie (both born in Costa Rica), and two sons-in-law, Jeremy and Edwin. They love the solid, Bible-based teaching evident in all ministry areas of Calvary Church, as well as the focus on world missions.
Continuing Elders
Candidates being considered for their second, three-year term.
Cliff Hurter
Cliff was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts. When he was 16 years old, his family moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where he graduated in 1972 from Cherry Hill High School East. In 1979, Cliff received his B.S. in business administration from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University). In 1975, Cliff met Carol Brady on a blind date. A short time later, through witnessing from his brother, Steve, and from Carol, Cliff received Christ as his Savior. He and Carol were married in June 1976. They have three married children and seven grandchildren, and they are blessed to have them all live nearby, In 1980, Cliff started at Calvary Homes as Business Manager. Then, in 1986, he was named the Administrator of the Health Care & Personal Care Centers. Two years later, he was appointed President & CEO. In December 2022, Cliff retired from Calvary Homes after 42 years of ministry. He and Carol have been attending Calvary Church since 1977. Over those years, he has served in fourth through sixth grade, on the Finance Committee, as Financial Secretary, and on the Deacon Board. He appreciates that Calvary Church values solid Bible teaching that helps us pursue life in Christ.
Mike Smucker
Mike was raised in Manheim, PA, within a Christian home that emphasized dialogue and the value of biblically based thinking. He trusted Christ as his Savior at the age of eight, due to family and radio influence. Mike and his wife, Maegan, were married in 2005 and began attending Calvary Church regularly at that time. They have had the privilege of serving in various ministries throughout Calvary, but primarily with Calvary Kids. Mike and Maegan have six very active children—Isaac, Elianna, Marcella, Isaiah, Marilys, and Eva—who enjoy the ministries provided at Calvary Church. As a parent, it brings Mike great joy knowing that Calvary Church is intentional and proactive about being an intergenerational church that emphasizes children being an integral part of the health of the body today.
What is a Deacon/Deaconess?
Assists the elders in their role; a spiritually-minded servant who serves the membership under the direction of the Elders; primarily serves and cares for the practical needs of the people of Calvary Church.
New Deacon Candidates
Candidates being considered for their first, three-year term.
Nathan Isaac
Nathan was born and raised in Southwest Kansas in a Christian family. When he was eight years old, he made a decision to believe and trust in Jesus at a summer church camp. By God’s provision, he served after college on a one-year short-term mission in the Southern Philippines. Upon returning to the U.S., he accepted an engineering position with CNH Industrial in New Holland. He learned of Calvary Church through the radio and soon became a member in June 2005. Since then, he has served in C4, in 4th grade as a table leader, on the Global Ministry Transplanting Life committee, and as a Deacon. He currently serves in C56 as a table leader and as the 6th grade Discovery Clubs coordinator, and he is a member of the His Hands ABF and part of a small group. Nathan met his wife, Nancy, at Calvary Church, and they were married in 2008. They have five children: Mary, Emma, Edith, Omega, and Cornelius. He appreciates Calvary’s emphasis on sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and that everyone is invited to participate in these efforts both locally and globally.
David Marshall
David was born and raised in Central Pennsylvania within a family that attended church each Sunday. When David was in his early 20s, he tuned in to Billy Graham on television. Under Graham’s ministry and teaching, David believed and received Jesus as his sin-bearing substitute, believed and received the Bible as God’s inerrant Word, and realized the Holy Spirit anointing as a gift of God. After 54 years of marriage, David’s wife, Karen, died in July 2022. Together, they have four daughters—along with several other children that lived with them for seasons of their lives and are now all loved as part of their family— 3 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Upon moving to Lancaster County, he and Karen were initially attracted to Calvary Church in the early 2000s, and shortly thereafter became members. He says that Calvary’s genuine initial attraction was, and continues to be, experiential worship, transformative Biblical teaching, dedication to global missions, and the experienced love-exchange with the Body of believers at Calvary.
Continuing Deacon Candidates
Candidates being considered for their second, three-year term.
Jeff Ibach
Jeff was born and raised in Manheim, PA. His parents took him to church, but he didn’t understand or respond to the gospel until 15 years of age, when his older brother invited him to evangelistic meetings at Calvary in 1969. Jeff and his wife, Pam, live near Lititz and have three adult children and eight grandchildren. He has worked for more than 50 years as a self-employed arborist. At Calvary, Jeff has served two previous terms on the Deacon Board, taught in Calvary 56, and serves in Guest Services. He and Pam enjoy traveling, biking, and walking. Jeff also enjoys reading and attending his grandchildren’s activities. He loves the Bible teaching, worship music, and multi-generational aspect of Calvary Church.
Pam Shellenberger
Pam grew up in Lancaster County in a loving Christian home. She knew Jesus’ love for her at a very young age, however the Holy Spirit convicted her of her sins as a 4th grader during an annual Revival Meeting at her family church. It was then that she asked Jesus’ forgiveness. When Pam began attending Calvary Church in 1975, under the Bible teaching of Pastor Eric Crichton, she started to understand the importance of a relationship with Jesus. In 1977, after marrying her husband, Dick, she became a member of Calvary Church. Currently, Pam attends the Cross Roads ABF and serves in Care & Prayer Ministry, Calvary Care Direct, as a mentor to young women, on the Moldova Missions Committee, and as a Global Missions Prayer Partner. Two things that keep Pam at Calvary Church are the faithful, solid Bible teaching throughout the church and the commitment to sharing God’s Word right here and around the world. She has been personally challenged through the Art of Neighboring Small Group to grow in “loving her neighbor.”
Questions or Comments?
If you have questions or comments about the suitability of any of these candidates, please contact our Elders.