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Our Staff GERRY CLEMMERSenior Pastor, 215-723-3088 x18 • send email
"I am discovering that the Christian life is an exciting journey of discovering and becoming the person God made us to be in Christ Jesus," says Gerry. "I feel called to use the gifts that God has placed in my life to help others experience God's grace and healing, and to invite each person who is called to be a part of Souderton Mennonite Church (SMC) to find his or her unique place in the mission of God and service in the church and in the world to God's glory."
Gerry grew up in Souderton and attended SMC growing up. He graduated from Eastern College, St. Davids, Pennsylvania, (B.A. in Sociology and Youth Ministries); Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, Virginia, (M.Div); and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, (D.Min). He has served as a pastor at SMC for 26 years. Along with his wife Lydia, Gerry resides in the house built by his great-grandfather. He enjoys traveling with his wife, "living and dying" with the Philadelphia sports teams, and being a father to three adult daughters - Elisabeth, Mary, and Sarah.
Sandy loves to laugh, bike, bake, do music, read, watch water, and have parties with lots of people in her home! She says, "The central call on my life is to soak God's love so fully into my soul that it overflows back to God and to everyone else my life touches. Through leading worship and congregational care, my mission is to help every person own Isaiah 43:1-3 in a personal way: 'I have called you by name. You are Mine. Don't be afraid. I will be with you. I love you.'" Born in Ohio, Sandy spent most of her growing up years in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, with her sister, three brothers and her parents, John and Betty Drescher. Since graduating from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Sandy's experiences have included prison chaplaincy, voluntary service, mental health and crisis counseling, pastoring, writing devotional books, getting a masters degree in Social Work and Christian Education, being a wife to John, mother to Maria and Jonathan, and volunteering in her church and community.
 MARY BENNERPastor of Children and Youth, 215-723-3088 x15 • send email
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord." Colossians 3:23
"I believe that whatever God has called us to do deserves the best we have to give," says Mary. "God has given me a great love for children and youth and a passion for children and youth ministry. I feel called to provide opportunities for children and youth to use their gifts, to learn, to grow, to ask questions, to wonder, to play, and to discover their unique value in Christ. My prayer is that each child and youth, at some point in their life, will accept Jesus as their Savior." Mary grew up in the Souderton/Telford area and has attended Souderton Mennonite Church (SMC) since birth. She attended Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas, and Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Mary is enrolled in the Youth Ministry Certificate Program at Princeton Theological Seminary and has taken continuing education classes from Eastern Mennonite Seminary and Lancaster Bible College. For two years, Mary and her husband Steve participated in voluntary service through the Mennonite Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Mary started a day care center and ran neighborhood recreation and club programs for children and youth. Following that, she taught Nursery school until the birth of her first child. Prior to joining the staff in 1999, Mary served for 20 years in the children's ministry and for seven years in the youth ministry at SMC. Mary likes to travel, play sports, take walks, read, dig in her flower beds, and spend time with her husband Steve, four children, and grandson - Laura, her husband Jesse, and their son Luke; Josh and his wife Brenna; Caleb; and Joanna.
 JIM LAVERTYPastor of Equipping and Discipling, 215-723-3088 x16 • send email
"My heartbeat is to be passionately in love with Jesus and to be a conduit of his compassion to people," says Jim. "I desire to walk alongside the people of Souderton Mennonite Church (SMC) and to help them to be transformed by the power of God, connected with God's family, and equipped to multiply Christ's love." Jim relocated to Souderton in June, 2001 following ten years of service with International Teams in Madrid and Zaragoza, Spain. From 2001 to 2007, he connected people in need with people who care while serving as the director of the Philadelphia Access Center in South Philly. He joined the staff at SMC on June 4, 2007. He is a graduate of Gordon College with a B.A. in English. He received his M.Div. degree from Biblical Seminary in Hatfield, PA. Along with his wife Wendy, and daughters Emilee and Lindsey, Jim lives in Telford. He enjoys listening to various styles of music, traveling internationally, reading biographies, biking with his family, and speaking Spanish. One of his favorite quotes is, "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God" (William Carey, 1761-1834).
"Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting." Psalm 147 "My goal as a worship leader is to be a worshiper of God through all I do in life and to help point others to the true worshipper, Jesus Christ. Worship is much more than being at a Sunday morning service. It is a lifestyle that defines our relationship with Christ and with others. It is the experience of encountering God through his Word, through prayer, and through song, which can happen both personally and corporately. I believe the most important element of a church worship service is the communication of God's truth through the scriptures. Worship songs should prepare and point to the teaching of God's Word, and then be used to allow an authentic and sincere response." Tami grew up in the Souderton/Telford area and originally attended Line Lexington Mennonite Church. Before starting college, Tami spent time in Mexico City church planting and Teaching English as a Second Language. This is where her love of learning other languages and her desire to teach grew. Upon returning to the states, Tami attended Eastern Mennonite University, where she graduated with a B.A. in Education and Spanish. Throughout her teaching career, Tami has had the opportunity to teach Spanish to every grade from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Tami also has had the privilege of leading worship in various settings over the past 20 years. She loves to look for ways to blend both traditional and contemporary styles of music together. She believes the two styles of music can provide such beautiful harmonies when placed hand in hand. Tami is currently attending Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, PA for her Masters of Divinity. When she is not studying or running her three children from here to there, Tami loves to bake, play guitar, or spend some time away with her husband, Rob. Tami and Rob and their three very active children: Camron, Ryan, and Kaitlyn, all reside in Lansdale.
 ALYSSA KERNS
Director of Communication Services & Office Manager, 215-723-3088 x32 • send email
Alyssa has worked at SMC since January 2006. She has worked in communications since 1996, and also spent two seasons baking for the Indian Valley Farmers' Market in Telford.
Alyssa lives in Line Lexington with her husband, Rob, and sons, Zachary and Nathan. When she isn't cheering on her sons' sports teams, she enjoys making jewelry, outside fires in the evening, and spending time with family and friends.
In August 2012 will mark two years of working in the church office for Vicki - "a job that I adore." Prior to that she was a church office volunteer for a couple of years. Her work background is as a Computer Programmer. Vicki enjoys breeding Lovebirds, as well as gardening and growing flowers from seeds, but her greatest love is reading. She has two grown, married sons living in Seattle and is still waiting for grandchildren! Vicki is active in the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Women's Ministry Core Team, and the Equipping Core Team.
Sylvia has worked at SMC since August 1986. Her first church office experience was following high school graduation, when she worked in a church office for 1-W (alternative) service. After taking time to raise a family, she worked at Clemens Markets making deli salads before coming to work at SMC.
Sylvia lives in Souderton with her husband, Glenn. She enjoys quilting, singing with the choir, and attending her grandchildren's activities.
Lee has been the Worship Coordinator at SMC since 2006, joining the staff in September of 2010. SMC became home to the Edsill family after they relocated to PA from the mid-west in 2002. Lee enjoys being involved with worship teams, the choir, bell choir, and the children and youth of SMC. Lee's family includes her husband, Craig, four daughters, and two grandchildren. She loves spending time with family and friends, hosting parties, reading, traveling, and adventures. Lee has a passion for missions and is currently putting that passion into action through her work in Haiti.
Jenny began working at SMC in March 2012. Before that, she worked part-time in the accounting deptartment at Greene, Tweed & Co. for 8 ½ years, until she left to be a full-time mom and homeschooler. She's in her 13th year of homeschooling. Jenny lives in Green Lane with her sons, Aaron, Sean, and Evan. She loves spending time in Maine - hiking, kayaking, and just soaking in the beautiful scenery. Jenny also enjoys reading, playing board games, singing in the church choir, and spending time with family and friends.
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© Copyright 2012 Souderton Mennonite Church |
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SANDY DRESCHER-LEHMAN
TAMI GOOD
VICKI CLARK
LEE EDSILL
JENNIFER TEALE MOYER