Elders, Deacons, Evangelists
"It was God who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service." - Ephesians 4:11-12
Elders
Robert Beasley was appointed a deacon in 2001. He served as a deacon until he was appointed an elder on November 21, 2004. He and his wife, Eula, have a daughter and a son. Robert is Director of Mail Services and Purchasing for the National Electrical Contractors Association in Bethesda. Eula is Directory of Pharmacy at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville. Robert is the elder in charge of worship and he teaches adult Bible classes. Eula also teaches Bible classes and Children's Hour, and she has taught in the ladies Bible class. Robert also oversees the Greeters.
Robert Johnson grew up in Huntsville, Missouri, a small town in central Missouri, where he attended a Baptist church. He received a B.S. in accounting from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., and became a Certified Public Accountant 1984. Through the influence of his wife, Sandra, Bob became a Christian in 1987 at the church in Peoria, Illinois. Bob and Sandra have three children: Michael, married and living in Portland, Oregon; Robert, married with two sons, and living in Nashville, Tennessee; and Holly, who also lives in Nashville, Tennessee. They have been member of the Silver Spring church since 1987 where both have taught Bible classes, taught VBS, worked with FriendSpeak and participated in mission trips. Bob is Chief Financial officer for the Jewish Social Service Agency in Rockville.
Carl Peters has served as a deacon for this congregation from 1975 until he was appointed an elder on December 19,1999. Carl and Myrna have two sons and two grandsons. There son, Jeff, and his wife live in Greenbelt, and Craig lives in Amissville, VA, with his wife and two sons. Carl retired in 1994 from a career as a secondary school science teacher. Myrna, a talented seamstress, quilter and crafter, retired in 1998 from her long-term bookkeeping position. The Peters have both been involved in the educational program of the church over the years. Carl usually teaches an adult class, but also teaches the junior or senior high school Bible classes on occasion. As a deacon, Carl coordinated preparation of the Lord's Supper and oversaw the benevolence ministry.
Among the ways Earle West serves the church as an elder is the oversight of the educational program. Earle'sprofessional career was spent at Howard University where he was professor, associate dean of the School of Education, and executive assistant to the VP for academic affairs. He continues to serve Howard on a consultant basis. Earle and Tommie Ann (teacher and math teacher specialist in Montgomery County Schools) have a family of children and grandchildren living in New Jersey, Texas, and Oklahoma. All their children attended Christian colleges. Among Earle's services to the church is the oversight of the educational program. Tommie Ann coordinates the Bible School program for children.
Deacons
Charles Ambrose and his wife, Bernadette, are natives of Union Island in the Grenadines (the Caribbean). They are the parents of seven children: Selrahc (Rocky), Tiem, Doroan & Keyla Ambrose; and Adrian, Carlos and Barry Richards; and have four granddaughters. Charles is a carpenter/joiner with the D.C. Housing Authority. They have been members here since June, 1986.
Akinwale O. Falodun was born in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Wale married Ibironke "Ronke" in 1993 and they have two sons, Akintomiwa (Tommy) and Oluwatitofunmi (Tito). He was raised in the Anglican church, but became dissatisfied with its practices. His search for a church with sound Biblical practices led him to the International church of Christ for about one month but finally he came to the Silver Spring church where he was baptized in 1998.
Alfonso Fernandez and his wife, Marisela, are natives of Mexico, and are the parents of Magda, Liliana and Alfonso, Jr. They have one granddaughter, Delmi. Alfonso is a painter with Astro Painting. They have been members of the Iglesia de Cristo meeting here with us since December, 1987.
Jackie R. Gill grew up in Washington, D.C. and earned a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University and a M.S. degree in Engineering Management from Catholic University. He has been married to Eleanor for 21 years and they have one daughter, India. Jackie became a Baptist at age 11, but later in life a co-worker introduced him to the Jule Miller 'Visualized Bible Study Series" and realized he had been baptized for the wrong reasons, so was "re-baptized" at the Southeast church in 1984, when, he says, "I was really born again." He and Eleanor came to Silver Spring in 1989 where he has served in worship leadership, on the missions committee, taught in VBS and participated in the Houlton, Maine mission trip. He is Deputy Program Manager for the Cruise Missiles Command and Control Program of the Department of Navy.
Joe Hamilton grew up in Scotia, New York, outside Albany. He graduated form Northeastern Christian College and completed a Bachelor's degree in Bible at Harding University. His parents were Christians and Joe was baptized at age 13. He is married to Cecelia (Ceil) and they have two children, Christopher and Lauren. Before coming to Silver Spring in October 2000, the Hamiltons were members of the Olney congregation. At Silver Spring, Joe is probably best known as an excellent song leader, although he and Ceil have served as teachers and in other ways. Joe works part-time at Children's National Medical Center as a respiratory therapist, and also with the Montgomery Public Schools as a school nurse.
Curt Harris and his wife, Julie, are the parents of Clark, Ted, and Nicolé. Curt is a native of University Park and Julie is from Peru. Curt is a Computer Technical Analyst with Taurus Software. Curt has been a member of this congregation since October, 1979, and Julie since February, 1992.
Jerome Kyne is an accountant at Washington Hospital Center. He and his wife Brenda have one son. Jerome coordinates Worshipstaffing.
Andrew Pong is a computer specialist with GEICO. He and Esther have two daughters. Andrew supports the Transportation and Grounds ministries.
Richard Pong is a research scientist with the Naval Research Laboratory. He and Lenora have three children. Richard oversees Building and Grounds, and supports the Community Services ministry.
Cristobal Portillo is in the construction industry. He and Rosa, natives of El Salvador, have three children. Cristobal represents the interests of the Hispanic ministry.
Ken Rothermel grew up in Bowie, Maryland. He was baptized in his sophomore year of High School. While attending the University of Maryland, Ken was active in the campus ministry of the University Park congregation where he met and married his wife, Sondra. They have two children, Danielle (Dede) and Stephanie. At Silver Spring, Ken has been active in various aspects of worship leadership and has worked with the church's web site.
Jody Venkatesan and his wife, Louise, are the parents of Bethanne and Emily. Jody is from Endwell, NY, and Louise is from Hope, AR. Jody is an Information Technology Audit Supervisor. Louise first placed membership here in October, 1987, and Jody in September, 1992. After being away at Harding University for two years, they returned to us in September, 1996.
Secretaries
Lenora Pong
Paula Martin
Evangelists
Evangelists—preachers—are those who publicly proclaim the good news of God, and work to strengthen the churches they serve.
"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." - 2 Timothy 4:2
Mike Anglin came to Silver Spring in March 2000, from King of Prussia, PA, where he served the church as evangelist since 1986. Mike graduated from David Lipscomb College, earned an M.A. from Harding, and an M.S. from Austin Peay State University. He and Ruth have three adult, married children and six grandchildren. Among other places, Mike has been an evangelist for the churches of Christ in Springfield, VA; Arlington, VA; and Rockville, MD. In 1974 he began a prayer breakfast for members of churches of Christ who served in the House of Representatives and the Senate. It continues to this day, meeting on Capitol Hill.
Elmer Pacheco serves us as the evangelist with the Iglesia de Cristo (church of Christ) at Silver Spring.