Meet the GPC Staff...
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The Rev. Curtis E. Leins is the founding pastor of Glorious Presence Church. He and his wife, Debbie, and three sons began this ministry on November 1, 1992. Pastor Leins has served as a full-time congregational pastor since 1978, when he was ordained by the North Carolina Synod of the Lutheran Church in America. Since that time, he has served congregations in North Carolina, Delaware and Maryland. 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. In addition to serving as the founding pastor on our Pastoral Team, Curtis is a rostered clergyman of the American Association of Lutheran Churches. Also, he teaches classes in Church History for the American Lutheran Theological Seminary located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Contact Pastor Curt via email at curt@gloriouspresence.org. |
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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. Contact Pastor Bob via email at bob@gloriouspresence.org. |
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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. In September 2009 Ted married Selina and today they enjoy their new life together including six grandchildren. Ted assists with our youth and helps lead a home group along with his duties as an Elder at Glorious Presence Church. Contact Pastor Ted via email at ted@gloriouspresence.org. |
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Pastor James L. Ford is originally a New York native who attended Villanova University in PA. He and his wife Mary Jo were married in 1985 and settled in Elkton in 1988. Their four children range in age from 11 - 23. Jim is currently employed by Associates International as an Account Executive and has been there for 9 years. He also operated his own lawn cutting & landscaping business since 2005. Jim began his walk with the Lord in 1991. 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. Contact Pastor Jim via email at jim@gloriouspresence.org. |
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Christopher Leins is the most recent addition to the GPC Staff. He and his wife, Melody have been married since 2004. In April of 2009, God entrusted them with their firstborn, Emmeline Jo. Chris studied Pastoral Counseling and Theology at Valley Forge Christian College, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2006. In March 2009, he received the subsequent credential of Licensed Minister from the Pennsylvania-Delaware District Council of the Assemblies of God. Chris is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Counseling at Eastern University. He maintains a passionate interest in marriage and family therapy, cognitive psychology, and church doctrine. Contact Chris via email at chris@gloriouspresence.org. |
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Pastor Craig Worley was born in Moravia, New York. After completing his one year program at Lancaster Bible College, where he met his future wife, Deb, he continued his education at The Culinary Institute of America where he earned an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts. He married his college sweetheart in 1982 and they moved to Arlington, VA. After only a few months, Craig and Deb got plugged into the Youth Ministry at their local church and have worked with teenagers ever since in various capacities. They moved to Cecil County in 1998 with their three children because of a job change at Sandy Cove Ministries. Craig is currently the Dining Services Manager at NorthBay Adventure Camp in North East, MD. In addition to working with the “BLAST” youth group at GPC, Craig has led short term mission teams on eight separate trips. Contact Craig via email at craig@gloriouspresence.org. |
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Deb Worley is the Church Secretary and Minister to Women at Glorious Presence Church. She was born in Lancaster, Pa and graduated from Lancaster Bible College with a major in Biblical Studies and minor in Youth Ministry. Deb met Craig at Lancaster Bible College and married him 2 weeks after graduation. They have lived in Arlington, Va., Philadelphia, Pa., Lancaster, Pa. and currently reside in Elkton, Md. Deb worked as an office manager of several Hallmark stores and then began another season of her life as she became mom to three children and homeschooled them. Bekah her oldest is happily married, working in Baltimore area. Ryan is a student at Cedarville University. Abbie is in High School at Elkton Christian Academy. Contact Deb via email at deb@gloriouspresence.org. |