Chairman: Wayne Pence
(McGaheysville, Va.) Wayne has been a pastor in Shenandoah District since 1977. He has been involved in church planting and was the founding pastor of Mountain View Fellowship in McGaheysville. He has served numerous roles in the district including moderator and current chair of District Leadership Team.
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
The Leadership team shall manage and administer the work of the district (page 5 of By-laws). This includes:
- Serve as a conduit for denominational and district communication;
- Development of pastoral leadership;
- Resourcing existing congregations and encouraging new church development;
- Resourcing congregational leadership;
- Facilitate district-wide fellowship and worship opportunities;
- Serve as trustee of all district property and of endowment and other funds.
CONGREGATIONAL CARE TEAM
Congregational Care Team Chair: Jonathan Fletcher
(Woodstock, Va) Jonathan Fletcher, 53, has lived in the Shenandoah Valley for 25 years and now resides in Woodstock. He has been married to wife Crystal for 23 years and they have two sons, Jacob (19) and Justin (14). Fletcher is the pastor of Valley Pike and has actively served there for nearly 10 years. He has been in the ministry for 17 years. In addition, he serves as a volunteer Chaplain at the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital and has served as chaplain for the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s office since 2011. Fletcher is a born-again Christian and accepted Christ at the age of 12. He currently serves on the Congregational Care team for the Shenandoah District and is a graduate of the Christian Growth Institute in the Shenandoah
District. His hobbies include playing golf, fishing and spending time with my family and friends. Fletcher’s favorite script is Philippians 4: 13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
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:
- Facilitate meetings with congregational caregiving leadership in their section to listen for joys, concerns, and challenges.
- Sponsor a yearly training/seminar event focusing on caregiving/deacon/wholeness themes.
DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY TEAM
Development Advisory Team Chair: Paul Davis
(Verona, Va.) Paul has been a member at Staunton Church of the Brethren since 1995. Paul is a graduate of Bridgewater College and the University of Virginia. He taught 7th grade in Augusta County schools and was an elementary school principal from 1965 to 1995.
Biblical Vision
“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.”
-1 Corinthians 4:2, NRSV
Description of Work
The Development Advisory Team will assist the Leadership team with resource development. This includes:
- Development of policies and procedures for fundraising;
- Assisting in the education of churches about the district’s ministry and resource needs;
- Familiarizing Leadership Team members with fund-raising skills and techniques;
- Cultivating and approaching major donors;
- Providing resources for local congregations for fundraising.
DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES TEAM
Discipleship Ministries Team Chair: Dave Chappell
(Stuarts Draft, Va.) Dave Chappell is a disciple of Jesus with an abiding passion to disciple others as they pursue their relationship with God and their calling to serve in God’s kingdom in whatever capacity. After receiving his MA in counseling, he worked over four years as a Child and Family Counselor in various agencies within Augusta County, Virginia. He was then called into the ministry in 2000, first as a youth pastor and then as senior pastor of White Hill Church of the Brethren in Stuarts Draft. As a part of the
Shenandoah District of the Church of the Brethren, he has served on the District Board as Chair of the Church Development and Evangelism Team and currently serves as a member of the Discipleship Ministries Team. He and his wife, Tracey, live in Stuarts Draft, with their six children, Taylor, Kendall, Katie, Josie, Silas and Tessa.
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
- 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. - Provide training in the form of district-wide workshops or events that pertain to these specific ministries.
- 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
Ministerial Leadership Team Chair: Matthew Fike
( Va.) Biographical information forthcoming.
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:
- 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;
- Updating existing pastoral lists through periodic reviews;
- Promote educational and growth opportunities to district pastors.
NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT TEAM
New Church Development Team Chair: Daniel House
(Weyers Cave, Va.) Raised in the Manassas congregation, Daniel House served as pastor with the Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren from 2016-2022. He met his wife Rebecca as a student at Bridgewater College, and they have been pastoring in the Church of the Brethren since 2002. In 2009, they celebrated
the birth of their daughter Bethany. His passions are in the vitality of the church and seeing people grow in their faith and love of Jesus. He served as moderator in 2021, led the planning of District Continuing Education events in the Mid-Atlantic District from 2007-2011, and has mentored several individuals exploring calls to ministry. In 2017 and 2018, he served on the Shenandoah District Church Planting Team.
House loves participating in Brethren Disaster Ministries trips, and during his free time likes to flyfish in the mountains surrounding the Shenandoah Valley. In the coming years, he hopes to see the Shenandoah District renew its testimony to God’s love as expressed in Jesus Christ.
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
- Work with emerging churches in helping them move from Project level to Fellowship level and finally, to Congregational level;
- 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;
- Partner with existing emerging ethnic congregations to work in collaboration regarding things of mutual encouragement and interest;
- Explore opportunities to partner with other denominations/groupings in the creation of new ministries.
OUTDOOR MINISTRIES TEAM
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 one adorable granddaughter.
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:
- Identifying growth and capital needs for the camp and work at raising necessary funds in conjunction with the Development Advisory team;
- Resourcing camp staff and providing growth opportunities for staff;
- Functioning as a liaison between the camp and congregations;
- Developing a vision for long term stability and growth.
SERVICE MINISTRIES TEAM
Service Ministries Team Chair: Don Driver, Jr.
(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. 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
- Partnering with the Disaster Response Auction;
- Assist/support in organizational updating;
- Assist/support in communications to district congregations;
- Assist/support in calling/mentoring/training new members;
- Partnering with Brethren Disaster Ministries;
- Assist/support in communications to district congregations;
- Assist support in mentoring/training/calling new members;
- Administer the Service Grant fund;
- 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
Spiritual Formation and Leadership Development Team Chair: Jane Baker
(Strasburg, Va.) Jane Baker is a member of Round Hill Church of the Brethren where she has served for over 30 years. An educator by profession, she is principal of Blue Ridge Technical Center and the director of Career and Technical Education for Warren County Public Schools. She and her husband Larry reside in Strasburg close to their children, grandchildren, and grand-dog. She is in her second term.
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
- 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;
- Assist congregations in developing a culture of discernment and call;
- Assist congregations in developing the practice of spiritual disciplines, e.g., prayer life;
- Assist congregations in shaping processes for calling and training leaders and provide training events, e.g., retreats for congregational leadership.
EX OFFICIO
District Executive Minister: John Jantzi
(Harrisonburg) John is married to Bonnie and has two children, Katie and Adam. John enjoys his work and relaxing with a good book at home. John also enjoys collecting baseball cards, old sports books and fishing. His favorite scripture verse is Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” NIV
DIRECTOR BRETHREN WOODS: Linetta ALLEY
Linetta returned to Brethren Woods in 2019 as the Assistant Director. She grew up as a camper, junior counselor, summer staff member, and volunteer at camp. She also served as the program director from 2003-2013. 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 is the chairperson of the Outdoor Ministry Association. 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.
Jonathan Prater
(Linville, Va.) is pastor of the Mt Zion Church of the Brethren in Linville, Va. He and his wife, Jessica, are parents to four amazing kids. Jon studied theology at both Liberty University and Bethany Theological Seminary, where he developed a love for Scripture and church renewal. Jon is also the co-host of the 2 Preachers Talking Podcast, and in his spare time, he enjoys playing music, fishing and working on restoring his Foxbody Mustang.
Nathan Rittenhouse
(Greenbank, W. Va.) Nathan is a member of the preaching team at the New Hope congregation in W. Va. After graduating from Bridgewater College, he attended OCCA – The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and holds an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has served the District by spending three summers at Brethren Woods and by being a member of the committee that worked to present the District’s church property policy. He enjoys a wide variety of outdoor activities with his wife, Erin, and their four busy children.
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.
Jonathan Brush
(Fort Defiance, Va.) Jonathan Brush is a member at Lebanon Church, where
he is a deacon and has served previously as chair of the Ministry Commission
and the District Board. He was also District Moderator. Jonathan is the
President and CEO of Unbound, a project-based education company that
provides elite training in real-world skills and education for motivated young
adults. Most importantly Jonathan is a husband, a father and servant of Christ
who is the Lord. Jonathan strives to bring his gifts of leadership, vision,
communication and empathy to whatever he is called to do.
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
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
Moderator: Regina Cyzick Harlow
(Bridgewater, Va.) Regina Cyzick Harlow is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren and a member of Mountain View Fellowship Church of the Brethren. She has served as interim pastor, associate pastor, and pulpit supply in the Shenandoah District. She co-founded the Sadie Rose Foundation with her husband in memory of their firstborn daughter, a non-profit organization providing a peer support community for those in grief. Regina, her husband, Lee, and their four children, Eli, Elsie, Korana, and Reese, live and homeschool in Bridgewater.
MODERATOR-ELECT
Moderator-elect: Duane Painter
(Luray, Va.) Duane Painter is a pastor at Newport Church of the Brethren, a farmer with Pilgrim’s Pride and a school board member in the Page County Public School System. He has served on the board of directors for The Life Center of Page Valley and Living Legacy – West Luray Recreation Center for the underserved diverse community in Page County. He is currently serving a ministry through Newport called Free Indeed helping people with life recovery.
Newport Church supports the Lybrook Mission in New Mexico, Christian Love Fellowship in the Philippines, and recently sent Bibles to Rejoice African Ministries in Kenya.
He worked for 30 years in the commercial construction industry with Kawneer Co (Harrisonburg, 27 years) and GPR – Glass Projects Resource (Sterling, 3 years) in technical services and management. He graduated from EMU with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Organizational Development and an associate degree in Mechanical Design from BRCC. He is married to Tonja Painter and has two daughters, Joelle Painter and Krystle DeMeritt and two grandchildren Lily and Maverik DeMeritt.