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District Leadership Team

LEADERSHIP TEAM CHAIR, JAN ORNDORFF

(Woodstock, Va.) Jan is the pastor of the Sunrise Church of the Brethren in Harrisonburg. She has served the District as moderator, Discipleship Ministries Team Chair, Ministerial Leadership Team Chair, Springs of Living Water Chair, and Witness Commission Chair under the old organization. In addition, she has been an Annual Conference table facilitator and has had several pieces published in “Messenger.” Jan’s deepest desire is to serve God by helping others to know Jesus Christ and grow in discipleship.

Biblical Vision

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

– Hebrews 13: 7

Description of Work:

  1. Serve as a conduit for denominational and district communication;
  2. Development of pastoral leadership;
  3. Resourcing existing congregations and encouraging new church development;
  4. Resourcing congregational leadership;
  5. Facilitate district-wide fellowship and worship opportunities;
  6. Serve as trustee of all district property and of endowment and other funds.
CONGREGATIONAL CARE TEAM CHAIR, TIM CRAVER

My name is Tim Craver and I have been asked to serve as the Congregational Care Team Chair. I have served as the pastor at Summit Church of the Brethren for 11 years, and during that time I spent several years serving on the CCT. I pray that the coming year will be one of revitalization for our committee as we seek to reach out to individual congregations to strengthen communication and relationships between the district and congregations.

Biblical Vision:

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
– Galatians 6:2

Description of Work: The Congregational Care Team will have two representatives from each district section with an emphasis on building and nurturing healthy relationships within their section. They will work at duties which include:

  1. Facilitate meetings with congregational caregiving leadership in their section to listen for joys, concerns, and challenges.
  2. Sponsor a yearly training/seminar event focusing on caregiving/deacon/wholeness themes.
DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES TEAM CHAIR, E.B. SHOEMAKER

I am married with 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.  I grew up in the Harrisonburg area and graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and attended Eastern Mennonite Seminary & Bethany Seminary. I was licensed into the ministry of the Church of the Brethren in 1986 and was ordained in 2021.  I have served various churches as a pastor for 38 years in Rockingham County, Augusta County, Highland County, Roanoke County, Roanoke City, Franklin County, WV, and Waynesboro City, where I am currently the pastor of the Waynesboro Church of the Brethren.  I currently reside with my wife in the city of Waynesboro, VA.

I seek to follow Jesus Christ daily as a servant, following God’s Holy Word and live by the leading of the Holy Spirit.  I try to follow the Great Commission from Matthew 28:19-20 in my ministry, seeking out lost souls and leading them into a relationship with Jesus Christ, baptizing them and making disciples and teaching them how to walk with Jesus.  Jesus is my Lord, Savior, and friend, and I will always place my faith and trust in Him.

Biblical Vision

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
– Matthew 28:19-20

Description of Work

  1. Work with congregations to connect them with resourcing, consulting, and networking that support evangelism, discipleship, and congregational revitalization. This could include assistance in developing the following:
    a. Evangelism and outreach ministries;
    b. Resources for those seeking a deeper connection to the congregation;
    c. Youth/Adult discipling process materials;
    d. Other.
  2. Provide training in the form of district-wide workshops or events that pertain to these specific ministries.
  3. Develop and deepen discipleship opportunities for pastors working in partnership with the Ministerial Leadership Team. This could include:
    a. Specific enrichment seminars for pastors;
    b. Creation and maintenance of systems to respond effectively to pastoral needs;
    c. Other.
MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP TEAM CHAIR, PHIL STONE JR.

(Linville, Va.) Phil is a member of Sunrise Church of the Brethren, where he has served as Leadership Team chair, moderator and deacon. He grew up in Rockingham County and graduated from Bridgewater College (1987). After practicing for two years as a CPA, he obtained his law degree from Washington & Lee University School of Law. He now practices with his father and brother, advising individuals, businesses and other organizations, including the Shenandoah District. He currently serves on the District’s Ministerial Leadership Team.

Biblical Vision

“How can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”
– Romans 10:14-15, NIV

Description of Work

The District Ministry Team is responsible for credentialing potential pastoral candidates in the Shenandoah District. Their tasks include:

  1. Interviewing candidates for licensing and ordination. The interviews should uphold existing educational guidelines and examine the candidate’s beliefs in relationship to Anabaptist/Pietist understandings of faith and practice;
  2. Updating existing pastoral lists through periodic reviews;
  3. Promote educational and growth opportunities to district pastors.
NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT TEAM, VERNE LEININGER

Vern has been an active participant/member of churches in 7 COB districts.

Previously he served New Covenant (now Peace COB) as Sunday school teacher, witness chair, church board chair. He was also the Southern Ohio/Kentucky camp board vice chair. Currently Vern is at Linville Creek and has served as: Sunday school teacher, worship & music chair, finance chair, church board chair, deacon, moderator. 

He is currently Associate Professor of Math and Computer Science at Bridgewater College.

Biblical Vision

“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?
– Acts 2:5-7

Description of Work

  1. Work with emerging churches in helping them move from Project level to Fellowship level and finally, to Congregational level;
  2. Work with the existing Church of the Brethren congregations in providing resources and leadership to assist congregations in reaching and including folks from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds;
  3. Partner with existing emerging ethnic congregations to work in collaboration regarding things of mutual encouragement and interest;
  4. Explore opportunities to partner with other denominations/groupings in the creation of new ministries.
OUTDOOR MINISTRIES TEAM CHAIR, NANCY BOWMAN

(Fishersville, Va.) Nancy Bowman has been a member of the Church of the Brethren since birth, having been raised in the Summit congregation. She is currently a member of the Staunton congregation where she serves on the Witness Commission. She is retired after 38 years in state and local government working in human resources. Nancy has served in various capacities including service on church board, working with disaster relief, and serving on the denomination’s Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee. Nancy is married to Bruce Bowman and has two adult children and three adorable grandchildren.

Biblical Vision

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…And God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”
– Genesis 1:1; 31

Description of Work

Members of this team are specifically charged with oversight and development of the ministry of Camp Brethren Woods. Their tasks include:

  1. Identifying growth and capital needs for the camp and work at raising necessary funds in conjunction with the Development Advisory team;
  2. Resourcing camp staff and providing growth opportunities for staff;
  3. Functioning as a liaison between the camp and congregations;
  4. Developing a vision for long term stability and growth.
SERVICE MINISTRIES TEAM CHAIR, DON DRIVER

(Timberville, Va.) A member of Timberville Church of the Brethren, Don has served as deacon chair, administrative board chair, and moderator. He retired as agency director of the Harrisonburg Rockingham Social Services District, where he had the opportunity and pleasure of working with many local organizations developing services for local citizens. He has served previously as Services Team chair. Don enjoys spending time cattle farming and woodworking. 

Biblical Vision

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.
– Matthew 25:40, NRSV

Description of Work

  1. Partnering with the Disaster Response Auction;
  2. Assist/support in organizational updating;
  3. Assist/support in communications to district congregations;
  4. Assist/support in calling/mentoring/training new members;
  5. Partnering with Brethren Disaster Ministries;
  6. Assist/support in communications to district congregations;
  7. Assist support in mentoring/training/calling new members;
  8. Administer the Service Grant fund;
  9. Envision new areas for service, locally and/or non-locally through information gathering and sharing of ideas among district congregations.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TEAM CHAIR, RAMONA PENCE

(Port Republic, Va.) Ramona R. Pence was born and grew up in Port Republic, the daughter of Jack and Peggy Raines. She was baptized at Mill Creek Church of the Brethren where she met and married (51 years) Wayne Pence. Wayne was pastor at Pine Grove, Lebanon, and Mountain View, where Mona was an active member and served on district committees and the General Board and was the Television Awareness leader for the district and denomination. She served as principal at Elkton Middle and Ottobine Elementary for 18 years. She is happy in retirement to be with her children and grandchildren.

Biblical Vision

“…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…”
– Ephesians 4:12, NRSV

Description of Work

  1. Assist congregations to identify individuals who have the passion and gifting for nurturing the spiritual development of the congregation, and providing training events and mentoring for those mandated with the task of fostering spiritual growth in congregations;
  2. Assist congregations in developing a culture of discernment and call;
  3. Assist congregations in developing the practice of spiritual disciplines, e.g., prayer life;
  4. Assist congregations in shaping processes for calling and training leaders and provide training events, e.g., retreats for congregational leadership.

EX OFFICIO

CO-DISTRICT EXECUTIVE MINISTER, REBECCA HOUSE & KEVIN DAGGETT

 

DIRECTOR BRETHERN WOODS, LINETTA ALLEY

(Keezletown, Va.) Linetta began as the Brethren Woods Executive Director on September 1, 2022 after serving as the Acting Director for 9 months.  She grew up as a camper, junior counselor, summer staff member, and volunteer at Brethren Woods. She also served as the Program Director from 2003-2013 and Assistant Director from 2019-2021. In addition to her experiences here, Linetta has worked as a counselor, lifeguard, program coordinator, and administrator at ten different Church of the Brethren camps, was part of the 1998 Youth Peace Travel Team, and has served two terms on the Church of the Brethren Outdoor Ministry Association board. Linetta is a 2002 graduate of Bridgewater College and earned her MDiv degree from Eastern Mennonite Seminary in 2009. Since 2013, Linetta has been an ordained minister within the Church of the Brethren. Linetta has a sincere belief in the importance of outdoor ministry and senses God’s call to serve God and the church in this type of ministry setting. She enjoys traveling and outdoor recreation with her family.

STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBER, CAROL SCHEPPARD

Carol Scheppard grew up in the Congregational Church in Thomaston, CT, and became Brethren in 1986 at the Genesis Church of the Brethren in Putney, VT.  Carol came to the Valley in 1998 when she joined the faculty at Bridgewater College as a member of the Philosophy and Religion Department. She is a former Shenandoah District and Church of the Brethren Moderator, and a member of the Lebanon Church of the Brethren in Mt. Sidney. 

STANDING COMMITTE, JERRY RUFF

(Bridgewater, Va.) Jerry Ruff served in Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) in Puerto Rico, then returned to the area to eventually become a pastor and interim pastor in many congregations throughout the Shenandoah District. He has also served with the District’s Disaster Ministries, going on project trips, overseeing the Kit Depot and serving as the coordinator of the local response to national and area rebuilding and accessibility projects. Jerry is married to Bernice and allegedly retired, but he is always in the middle of something when he is called upon for assistance, helping others to know Jesus Christ and grow in discipleship.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, GARY HIGGS

(Harrisonburg, Va.) Gary joined the district staff in November 2015 as director of finance. He attends Melrose Church of the Brethren where he has served in various roles, including moderator. He has also served on the District Leadership Team. Gary is retired, having most recently worked at Wetsel Inc. for 30 years in accounting and finance. He resides in Harrisonburg with his wife Mary.

MODERATOR, BOB JOHNSON

Bob is a pastor of 32 years, serving the Church of the Brethren in Virginia. He is currently the pastor at the Briery Branch Church of the Brethren and is serving on the Ethics Committee for the Shenandoah District. Bob serves as a law enforcement chaplain for the ATF, USSS, and Bridgewater Police Department. He has served with the International Conference of Police Chaplains for over 31 years, having served at 9-11 at Ground Zero as chaplain for two tours. He is a certified life coach through the American Association of Christian Counseling. He is married to his lovely wife Gail for 38 years. Pastor Bob looks forward to serving the Shenandoah District with God’s guidance in Wisdom, Love, and Truth.