“As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with ministers of word and sacrament, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships.”

To contact any church Ruling Elder, please call our office at the number below

The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, of exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies and sound judgment should be chosen for this office.
It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith. They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to them from time to time by the session, such as leading the people in worship through prayers of intercession, reading the Scriptures, presenting the gifts of the people, and assisting with the Lord’s Supper. Book of Order, G-6.0401–02

To contact any church Deacon, please call our office at the number below

 Rev. Dr. Kenneth Ngwa is the inaugural Donald Casper Professor of Hebrew Bible and
African Biblical Hermeneutics at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Previously the John Fletcher Hurst Professor of Hebrew Bible at Drew Theological School, Rev. Dr. Ngwa carries multiple passions for biblical scholarship, spiritual growth, and flourishing. Born in Cameroon, Rev. Ngwa earned his Master of Divinity in Yaounde, Cameroon (1994), and his Master of Theology (2000) and PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary (2004). He has taught at Pacific Lutheran
University in Tacoma, Washington (2004-2005), Wabash College in Indiana (2005-2007), and Drew Theological School in Madison, NJ (2007-2024). He is an ordained minister inspired by spiritualities, theologies, faith traditions, and hermeneutics that are liberative and just. He has served multiple congregations in Cameroon and in the United States. He is the founding director of the Religion and Global Health Forum (RGHF) – an organization that examines the intersections of spirituality, faith, medicine, and health. The RGHF explores religion/spirituality as a social determinant of health, seeks to address healthy disparities, and works for health equity. He is also the founder of Never Stop Breathing (www.neverstopbreathing.org), an organizing working to advance spiritual, social, and ecological equity and wellness.

He and his wife, Jole, and their two sons, Michael and Etin, have been members of this
church for many years.

Some of his publications include:
• Co-editor of Life Under the Baobab Tree: Africana Studies and Religion in a Transitional Age (2023)
• Let My People Live: An Africana Reading of Exodus (2022)
• Co-editor of World Christianity, Urbanization and Identity (2020).
• Co-editor of Navigating African Biblical Hermeneutics: Trends and Themes from our
Pots and Calabashes (2018)
• The Hermeneutics of the ‘Happy’ Ending in Job 42:7-17 (2005)

 Cynthia Ritter Parker earned her undergraduate degree from Hanover College, a Presbyterian school not far from the Presbyterian Church, USA headquarters. She graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1994 with her M. Div. She served as a Deacon at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, a Youth Director at the Presbyterian Church of Pluckemin in Elizabeth Presbytery and a member of the Session of Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton. She was the Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Englishtown in New Jersey. When she retired from ministry, she joined Witherspoon as an office manager.

Fumi was certified as a Yamaha Music School Grade 5 instructor from Osaka, Japan. She was trained in classical music in Japan and has studied jazz and performed for University of Hawaii Jazz Ensembles along with local celebrities and professional musicians. She has also performed classical and worship with a professional band at private functions in Hawaii.
She has served as a keyboard player for Outreach Ministry Worship Team for New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, Hawaii, performing for a prison, homeless shelter, and River of Life (a ministry to feed hungry) prior to her relocation to NJ.  She has served as a Minister of Music at Holy Lutheran Church in Canford, NJ and St. John’s Baptist Church in Jamesburg, NJ.