Phil Thorne has been the West Shore's Senior Pastor since September 1992. He came to the church having served in ministries in Philadelphia and Denver, after completing his PhD in Theology at Cambridge University. His ministry passion is "to teach with clarity and power, and to lead the church ."
Although dedicated to serving the church, Phil's highest priority and deepest personal joy is his family: Cindi his wife to whom he's been married for thirty years, his two daughters, Rachel (married to Adam Lightner) and Sarah, and his first grandchild, Naomi Elizabeth. Phil also enjoys trout fishing (when he can find the time), watching movies with his wife, and reading books (from his personal library of over 4000 volumes).
John enjoys serving the West Shore body in his role as executive pastor—leading and supporting the ministerial staff, and overseeing the implementation of our strategic plan. His greatest passions are encouraging spiritual health, organizational systems that work well and helping people find their God-designed place for ministry.
John grew up in Virginia, graduated with a business degree from the University of North Carolina and a master's in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Since 1979, John has served in an administrative/leadership capacity in two Christian colleges and three large churches.
Away from work, John pursues the competing avocations of physical fitness and eating fine desserts, as well as reading classic fantasy. He and his wife, Terry, are the parents of two adult children—Chris, who lives with his wife Sarah and stepdaughter Ali, in Cincinnati, and Ben, who lives in Minneapolis with his wife Janina and their daughter Maya!
Terry Allison did not grow up in a Christian home and was a very unlikely prospect for becoming a pastor given his hatred for church. Soon after meeting Jesus Christ at age 15, he met his high school sweetheart, Marcia, and they grew in love for each other and for serving Jesus Christ together in full-time ministry.
Terry served as a senior pastor for 16 years before God "promoted" him to be a pastor of children's ministry. After serving as Pastor of Christian Education at a church in northern Kentucky, Terry came to West Shore in 2000 with a great passion to provide children with the opportunity to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and to live a life completely devoted to Him. West Shore's Awesome Adventure children's ministry reflects Terry's vision for making church an exciting and challenging community where children want to belong, grow and serve.
The Allisons live in Dillsburg and have two married sons. Their love for children extends beyond the church family. They have served as foster parents and currently serve as elementary school mentors.
Born and raised in Morocco where his parents served as medical missionaries, Ian is no stranger to the mission field. He and his wife Jennie met at Messiah College and later became one of the first couples to be sent out from West Shore Free Church as full-time missionaries. For over 20 years the Campbells ministered to Muslims in North Africa and France, and for six years, Ian co-pastored a bilingual church in France. In 2006, the family returned to the States where Ian accepted the position here at West Shore.
Ian has a BS in civil engineering and an MBA in economic development. In his free time he enjoys playing the guitar, snowboarding, sailing, and playing soccer. He and Jennie have three children, Nicolas, who is studying in London, Alexi, and Sabrina.
Ned and his family have been members at West Shore since 1994 during which time he has been active in the church, serving as an elder, a fellowship group leader, and a member of our worship team. Now, as Church Administrator, Ned supports all church ministries by overseeing our operational and structural resources and aspects of financial systems and human resources. In his “spare time,” he occasionally teaches and enjoys the variety and blessing of serving.
Prior to joining our staff in 2007, Ned served as a career Marine Corps officer in various command and staff assignments, retiring in 1994. Subsequently, he served in industry as a program manager, strategic planner, and in business development.
Ned is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Naval Postgraduate School. He and his wife Janet are the proud parents of Sam, Micah, Matthew, and Mark. Ned enjoys drumming, fitness and outdoor activities, reading, studying, and teaching.
Tony oversees the youth ministry and specifically provides direct oversight to grades 9-12. He is the son of a career youth pastor and is committed likewise to that same career.
Tony has been in full-time youth ministry since 1993, and feels like the work has only begun. He enjoys teaching and spending time with students and youth workers. When not with family or youth, the golf course is his preferred haven.
Tony is married to Kristen, and has two children Kyra and Kaden. He has a B.A. in Religious Education (youth emphasis) from Southwest Baptist University and recently completed a M.A. in Bible from Lancaster Bible College.
Nancy's enthusiastic approach to ministry and her desire to see women grow in their love of the Lord has been the catalyst for West Shore's effective and growing Women's Ministry. As Director, she enjoys discovering the individual strengths of women and encouraging them to use their abilities in God's service.
Under her leadership, Women's Bible Study has grown over the last 20 years from 8 women to over 300 women. The Spring Outreach Event has grown to include 1500-2000 women each year. She is a gifted teacher, trainer and seminar speaker as well as a compassionate listener and fun-loving leader. Known as a passionate visionary, her dreams for the Women's Ministry are limitless. Nancy has given up her profession as a cardiology nurse to dedicate herself full-time to the Women's Ministry at West Shore.
She and her husband, Jim, are the parents of 3 young adults. Jen and her husband, Brian, are expecting their first baby in February and live in the Baltimore, MD area. Dan married Janelle in June and they live in Philadelphia. Jon is a college student at Messiah College where Jim teaches Biology.
Cathy J. Morgan has been a member of West Shore since 1982. She joined the staff in September, 1997 as Director of Prayer Ministry. The focus of her work, with the help of the Prayer Council and other members of the praying community, is to encourage the WestShore congregation to draw near to Christ, seeking his presence and direction in prayer on our knees.
Currently, Cathy also serves West Shore as Interim Worship Director having served in Worship Ministries since her family joined the church in 1982. Along with the worship community, Worship Ministries is focused on lifting up our faces to worship God the Father, Son and Spirit, loving our God with all our hearts, souls and minds—head, hands, heart, knees and feet!
Cathy is married to Paul Morgan, Admissions Director at Messiah College, and mother of Kelle (now Mrs. Dan Alonso), Kara, Tim (married to Deb) and Kyle.
Daniel leads the Junior High ministry at West Shore. He loves these students because of their excitement for life and their willingness to try just about anything.
Having recently come to West Shore, Daniel looks forward to many years of creative and interactive ministry among this great Junior High group.
Daniel is newly married to Michelle, his lovely wife, and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Denver Seminary.
He loves Tennessee Volunteer football and you will always see Daniel with a Dickey's cup - full of sweet tea in his hand.
Ken came to WestShore in 1996, serving as the Pastor of Student Ministries for the first 4+ years. In 2001 Ken moved into his present ministry role. It has been his privilege to serve members of the WestShoreChurch body during times of sickness and loss as well as moments of great joy and celebration. In addition to visitation and counseling, Ken leads a community of believers called New Beginnings, which provides pastoral care to those in our congregation who have experienced loss or who are going through periods of hardship and trial. A number of groups have emerged from this gathering which provide spiritual support aimed at those struggling through specific needs.
Ken is a graduate of EasternMennoniteUniversity and Philadelphia Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Carol, live in Dillsburg with their three children, Carolyn, Charissa and Caleb.
Nate serves the church as Pastor of Community Ministries, caring for and overseeing various ministries within the church designed to foster community, including Men's Ministry and the Small Group and Fellowship Group Ministries. With a passion for people, Nate is actively involved in discipleship. He and his wife, Kim, are particularly pleased to be part of 610, the Young Adult fellowship group that meets on Sunday morning.
Nate has worked at both Trinity International University and Wheaton College as well as serving as Director of Ministries for CAMP-of-the-WOODS and, prior to coming to West Shore in 2007, served as associate pastor at the Adirondack Bible Chapel in Piseco, New York. He received his Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2001.
Nate and his wife, Kim, have two children: Joseph Micaiah, and Anna Leah. In his spare time, Nate enjoys history, writing, reading, trail running, caving, and fishing. He was also a New York state licensed wilderness guide and an active member of the Lower Adirondack Search & Rescue.
ELDERS
West Shore Evangelical Free Church is a congregational church. This means that ultimate governing authority, under God, resides in the congregation of members. However, the members choose elders on a yearly basis, to whom they delegate the ultimate leadership of the church. The elders, most of whom are laymen, in turn, delegate the day-to-day operation of the church to the pastoral staff and oversee the staff's fulfillment of the church's mission and goals. The Senior Pastor and the Executive Pastor are the only staff members who serve on the Board of Elders. The Elder Board is responsible for guarding doctrine, setting direction and exercising discipline in the church.
Gary Smith has served a total of six years as an Elder, is part of a teaching team in the Bereans fellowship group, and has been involved in Bosnia Missions, small groups, ushering, and communion preparation. Gary is retired from a career in higher education student aid. He and his wife Marilyn have attended the church for nearly 19 years. They are the parents of two adult sons and have four grandchildren.
Dennis Pfannenschmidt
Vice-Chair
Dennis Pfannenschmidt has attended West Shore for over 19 years having served as an elder for 9 of those years. He has served in the children’s, youth and missions’ ministries as well as being a small group leader and fellowship group teacher. He and his wife, Deborah, have been married for 30 years and have two adult daughters. Dennis is an attorney and litigation manager for the Federal Government.
Mark Blanchard
Secretary
Mark Blanchard has been attending West Shore for 11 years and is serving his first year as an elder. He is the principal of Gettysburg High School and has been involved as a teacher/leader for the Koinonia fellowship group. Mark and his wife of 12 years, Renee, have 4 young children - Matthew (7), Ellie (6), Taryn (3) and Tyler (4 mos.). Mark grew up in Iowa and loves Nebraska football.
Troy Boone
Treasurer
Troy Boone has been attending West Shore for 17 years. He currently serves on the Men’s Council, the Stewardship Team and ushers. He was part our church building team for the current facility and the search teams for Nate Winters and Ned Davis. Troy and his wife Dawn have been married for 20 years and have four children (Lauren, Ethan, Graham and Gabriel). He worked in Higher Education Finance for over 16 years and now is President of SEEGIL Partners, Inc and the Men's Golf Coach at Messiah.
Dave Baechtle
Dave Baechtle and his wife Joy have been attending WSEFC for 19 years. During that time Dave has served as a fellowship group leader and has been part of the Youth Staff for the last nine years. Dave and Joy have been married for 23 years and have three children (Caleb, Sarah & Luke). Dave works for Tyco Electronics in Harrisburg as an Engineering Manager in the Fiber Optics Business Unit. He also coaches soccer, and loves to spend time outdoors.
Mark Copeland
Mark Copeland, an Elder for the past three years, and his wife, Wendy, have been attending West Shore for 11 years. Mark participates in choir, small groups and the LifeBuilders fellowship group. He also helps in the Welcome Center and hosts Connections. Mark works for Rite Aid in promotional merchandising and provides direction to stores regarding their displays.
Jeff Krimmel
Jeff Krimmel has been married to Terry for 29 years. They have 3 boys and have attended West Shore since 1983. Jeff has served 7 years as an elder including one term before he and his family served as missionaries for 7 years with SEND in Alaska. He currently works as a Development/Fundraising Consultant and sells residential real estate in addition to serving on the Missions Leadership Team and Stewardship Team. He and Terry also serve as mentors for engaged couples.
Carl Lundblad
Carl Lundblad has been attending West Shore for 11 years and has served one year as an elder. He has served on the Men’s Ministry Council, and as a fellowship group leader and teacher for the Becomers fellowship group. Carl and his wife, Julie, have been married for 14 years and have two sons, Philip and Samuel, who are both 5 years old. Carl is an attorney serving as general counsel for Graystone Bank.
John enjoys serving the West Shore body in his role as executive pastor—leading and supporting the ministerial staff, and overseeing the implementation of our strategic plan. His greatest passions are encouraging spiritual health, organizational systems that work well and helping people find their God-designed place for ministry.
John grew up in Virginia, graduated with a business degree from the University of North Carolina and a master's in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Since 1979, John has served in an administrative/leadership capacity in two Christian colleges and three large churches.
Away from work, John pursues the competing avocations of physical fitness and eating fine desserts, as well as reading classic fantasy. He and his wife, Terry, are the parents of two adult children—Chris, who lives with his wife Sarah and stepdaughter Ali, in Cincinnati, and Ben, who lives in Minneapolis with his wife Janina and their granddaughter Maya!
Layton Shoemaker
Layton Shoemaker retired from Messiah College as their Soccer Coach and Athletics Director, then worked for CURE International for nine years. He has been involved in small groups, prayer ministry and fellowship groups, in addition to serving as an elder for eight years. Layton and his wife Garie of 41 years, have two adult sons.
Phil Thorne has served as West Shore's Senior Pastor since September, 1992. He came to the church having served in ministries in Philadelphia and Denver, after completing his PhD in Theology at Cambridge University. His ministry passion is "to teach the Word of God with clarity and power, and to lead the church to live by that Word."
Although dedicated to serving the church, Phil's highest priority and deepest personal joy is his family: Cindi, his wife, to whom he's been married since 1978, and his two daughters, Rachel (married to Adam Lightner) and Sarah, currently a student at Tyler School of Art. He also enjoys trout fishing, watching movies with his wife, and reading books.
