A word about our Pastoral Team...

Pastor Curtis E. Leins has served the church as a full-time congregational pastor since 1978 in North Carolina, Delaware, and Maryland. After serving for many years as a denominational pastor, Curt founded Glorious Presence Church in 1992, Dr. Leins’ academic credentials include: B.A. in Philosophy; M.Div., Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary; Th. M., Duke University, The Divinity School; M.A., Temple University; and Ph.D., Temple University.

Pastor Theodore Lambert III was born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1952 and attended the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church. After becoming a Christian at age 5, he had a renewal in 1971 while attending the Jesus People meetings. He has been blessed with three wonderful children all of whom are married to fine Christian spouses. After moving to Elkton, Maryland in 1981, Ted attended a charismatic church in North East and in 1994 joined Glorious Presence Church. He has been working with teenagers since 1975 and today Ted oversees the Junior and Senior High youth groups along with his duties as an Elder at Glorious Presence Church.

Pastor Robert F. McKnight is a life-long resident of North East, Maryland. He has been married to his wife, Virginia, since 1968 and they have three grown children. After completing 2 years of college, formal education took a back seat to supporting a family and raising children. A complete practical education took place through 25 years of self-employment in businesses that he either owned or managed. In addition to this responsibility, he became a licensed life/health insurance agent and a real estate agent. Robert has been actively involved in the Lutheran Church (President of the Church Council), New Covenant Fellowship (Elder), and Glorious Presence Church (Pastoral Team/Elder). He is a full-time employee at GPC where he handles administrative as well as pastoral responsibilities.

Pastor James L. Ford was born in Suffern, New York in 1961.  He and his wife Mary Jo attended the same church and school while growing up.  After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from Villanova University, they were married in 1985.  They moved from Wilmington and settled in Elkton in 1988. Their four children range in ages from 7-20.  Jim is currently employed by Associates Graphic Services working as an Account Executive.  He has been with AGS for 6 years.  Jim has also operated his own lawn cutting/landscaping business since 2005.  He began his walk with the Lord in 1991.   Jim served as an overseer for our “Soul House,” a teen outreach ministry for several years.  In this capacity he was privileged to share the Gospel with hundreds of young people.  Most recently, Jim has served as a deacon for over 12 years, and the last 8 as Deacon Coordinator, proving to be a faithful and capable leader for several groups of Deacons.  Jim was ordained as an Elder in September of 2007, and continues to work with our Deacons and other men’s ministries as well as serving the entire body as a faithful servant of God.