Staff
Jeff Wright, Interim Lead Pastor
Jeff came to Blooming Glen Mennonite Church from Riverside, CA in February 2022.
He is an urban missiologist who has served as pastor of Madison Street Church, a Brethren-in- Christ congregation in Riverside, and as president of viaShalom, a small, not-for-profit missional resource agency. He earned his B.A. from Tabor College, M.Div. from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary, an MBA in church management from the Graduate Theological Foundation, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Applied Theology from Spurgeon's College in London. Married to Debbie, Jeff has two grown children, five grandsons, and a dog, and enjoys riding bicycles, omnivorous reading, and cheering for the LA Dodgers.
Michael Bishop, Pastor of Music, Worship & Pastoral Care
Michael Bishop has served the Blooming Glen congregation as Minister of Music since 1989.
Mike graduated from Eastern Mennonite College in 1981 with a B.A. in Music Education and pursued the Church Music Certificate from Westminster Choir College.
Michael grew up in the Doylestown (Pa) Mennonite congregation, the son of Vernon and Ann Bishop. He married Brenda L. Gross, daughter of Clyde and Della Gross of the Blooming Glen congregation. Mike taught music at Penn View Christian School and has served as a music worship consultant in other congregations, leading retreats, workshops, and song services. Mike has a wide experience as a tenor soloist and has directed performances of The Song of Mark, Melodious Accord, and Music from the Glen. Mike and Brenda have three children.
Michelle Ahn-Doettger, Office Manager
Michelle was baptized and became a member of Blooming Glen Mennonite Church in 2005. Following graduation from Christopher Dock Mennonite High School in 2007 she attended Johnson & Wales University. She graduated from there in 2011 with two bachelor’s degree—Hotel Management and Sports Entertainment Event Management. Michelle has been serving Blooming Glen as the Administrative Assistant since mid-November 2012 and as Pastoral Worship Assistant since August 2014, in 2022 Michelle transitioned to the Office Manager .
Jen Yoder, Youth Ministries Coordinator
Jen has volunteered with the youth and young adult ministries at Blooming Glen for since 1999. She was born and raised in Souderton and graduated from Souderton Area High School. Jen and her husband Chad have three children and four grandchildren. She has a passion for family, adventure, and youth ministry.
Conrad Martin, Bookkeeper
Conrad is married to Josephine Histand Martin. Originally from Greencastle, Pa, Conrad moved to the Blooming Glen area in 2001 when he married Jo and began working for Franconia Mennonite Conference (now Mosaic) as the Director of Finance. He began as a part-time contracted bookkeeper for BGMC in October of 2020.
A graduate of Lancaster Mennonite High School (1976) and Eastern Mennonite University (1980), and Eastern University’s Masters in Economic Development program (1991) with an emphasis on International studies, Conrad has worked in Tanzania with Eastern Mennonite Missions as a hospital accountant, served with MCC in Bangladesh in a job creation program and for Mennonite Economic Development Association back in Tanzania leading a micro-finance program.
In his free time Conrad loves to work in the flower and vegetable gardens he and Jo have around their home.
Gretchen Cook, Administrative Assistant
Gretchen graduated from Pennridge High School in June of 1990. She went on to receive a Certificate to be a professional nanny from Sheffield School for Nannies in Pennington, NJ. She worked at a daycare following graduation, and within a year started work as a nanny for a wonderful family.
The years following would bless her with three wonderful children of her own. After being a stay at home Mom for several years she went back to work doing things like teaching pottery painting, becoming a manager at Old Navy, a bank teller, garage door apprentice of sorts and a customer service representative. In February of 2022 she began her position here at Blooming Glen.
Gretchen was baptized at Blooming Glen on March 4, 2001, her 30th birthday. Her passion lies in simple joys, the love of her children, her various pets, her faith journey and sharing her love of life with those around her.
Congregational Leadership Board
The Congregational Leadership Board serves the church in the areas of vision, business & policy. It works with the pastoral team and staff, foundation groups and various ad hoc task forces to direct and support the ministries of the congregation.
John Derstine (Chair), Todd Alderfer, Doug Clemens, John Goshow, Kathryn Hunsberger, Jordan Kolb, Marcelo Mast, Robin Schilling, Jodi Stewart-Moore
Jeff Wright, Lead Pastor
Foundation Groups
Elders:
The Elders Foundation Group works to assist the pastors and minister to the congregation in the areas of: quality of spiritual life, standards of faith and life, fulfillment of purpose and matters of membership. They also support the pastors in their spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational well-being.
Tamara Denlinger (Chair), Libby Hollenbach, Kathy Kennel, Janet Landes, Ben Moyer, Jim Shelly
Pastors - Michael Bishop and Jeff Wright
Gifts Discernment:
The Gift Discernment Foundation Group seeks out gifts, aptitudes, and interests of members and encourages their use of time and talents within the congregation. This group serves as a networking link between persons and ministries. Gifts Discernment is also responsible to lead the process to fill vacancies of expired terms for Congregational Leadership Board positions and all Foundation Groups.
Paul Liechty (Chair), Merrill Allebach, Jon Bergey, Brenda Bishop, Tamara Giesbrecht, Phil Roth
Jeff Wright, Lead Pastor
Michelle Ahn-Doettger, Office Manager
Stewardship:
The Stewardship Foundation Group’s (SFG) primary role is to encourage the congregation in the biblical concept of stewardship–understanding that we are simply managers of the wealth with which God has entrusted us. In addition, SFG reviews all income and expenses and facilitates the creation of the annual spending plan.
Matt Rittenhouse (Chair), John Frankenfield, Kelly Gourley, Betty (Scott) Kulp, Ken T. Rush, Karin Honeybone (Treasurer)
Conrad Martin (Bookkeeper)
Jeff Wright, Lead Pastor
Trustees:
The Trustees Foundation Group is responsible for the maintenance and care of the physical facilities of the church and properties owned by the church. The trustees plan and organize semi-annual workdays at the church property.
Daryl Derstine (Chair), Gil Bishop, Isaiah Denlinger, Kolson Hunsberger, Ron Landes, Preston Miller, Doug Wanamaker
Michelle Ahn-Doettger, Office Manager
Mosaic Mennonite Conference Delegates:
Mosaic Mennonite Conference Delegates attend the fall assembly sessions and any other general or special session.
John Derstine (CLM Representative), Martin Franke, Deb Hatter, Libby Hollenbach (Elder Representative), Steve Hunsberger
Pastors