Pastors and Staff

Jim and Cathy Stanley-Erickson, Co-Pastors
Carla Metz, Director of Music Ministries
Jeff Reifsnyder, Organist
Dan Painter, Director of Student Ministries
Thelma Craig, Church Secretary
Cindy Garcia, Church Custodian

Please feel free to speak with any of these people about the many opportunities that await you at Christ Covenant Church!

JIM and CATHY STANLEY-ERICKSON
(Co-Pastors)

Jim and Cathy came to Christ Covenant Church in January 2010 as a co-pastor husband and wife ministry team.

Jim grew up in Covenant churches, born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. He acknowledged his call to ministry while bicycling across the country to raise funds and awareness for Covenant World Missions. Cathy grew up American Baptist, spending much of her childhood overseas as she traveled with her missionary parents. She wanted to be a concert pianist until she began college, when she also acknowledged the call to ministry.

Jim and Cathy both have Master of Divinity degrees from North Park Theological Seminary, in Chicago, IL (1995 and 1997, respectively). Jim's undergraduate degrees are from North Park College in secondary education (with an internship in Sweden); Cathy's undergraduate degree is in Spanish from Bowdoin College (she has studied in Ecuador).

Before moving to Harleysville, Jim and Cathy served as co-pastors at Arbor Covenant Church in Madison, WI from 2004-2009, and at Pilgrim Covenant Church in South Plainfield, NJ for six years before that. At their prior church, Jim was involved in the Central Conference of the Covenant and the local clergy group, while Cathy served on the Covenant Board of Benevelonce.

Jim and Cathy have a daughter, Kajsa Ling.

Visit Pastor Cathy's blog

CARLA METZ
(Director of Music Ministries)

Carla was born and raised in the farm country of York, PA. She holds a degree in Music Education (K thru 12) from West Chester State University, with a major in piano and vocal/choral concentration. She has continuing study credits in handbell music, choral conducting, and children's music education.

After graduating from WCU, Carla accepted a position as music teacher at a private nursery school located in Paoli, PA. She remained there for 10 years and, during that time, began teaching Kindermusik, a specialized music program for very young children.

In 1989 Carla began her ministry as our Director of Music. She also teaches piano to children in our church and community.

Carla lives in Pennsburg, PA, with her husband, Bruce, and son, Zackery.

JEFF REIFSNYDER
(Organist)

Jeff lives in Harleysville with his wife, Beth, daughter, Meredith, and son, Noah. Jeff grew up in nearby Limerick Township. While still in high school he first served as a church organist at Coventryville United Methodist Church, from 1973 to 1976.

Jeff graduated from Penn State in 1980 with a degree in Engineering Science and went to work as a satellite design engineer at GE Space Division (now part of Lockheed Martin). Jeff continued to play the organ, often serving as a substitute at several local churches.

When he and his family joined Christ Covenant Church in 1986, Jeff became the assistant organist. Then, in 1989, Jeff was called to service as our organist. In addition to playing the organ, Jeff also sings tenor in the Senior Choir and with our Worship Team.

DAN PAINTER
(Director of Student Ministries)

Dan joined our church staff in 2005 as Director of Student Ministries. He lives in Telford with his wife, Heidi, and son, Benjamin.

Dan spent several of his childhood years at our church when his father, Don, was our Youth Pastor. He is now working towards a BA degree in Music at Drexel University, and has previous experience as a youth leader in Younglife.

Dan leads our Sunday night youth programs for Junior High ("Crosstrainers") and Senior High ("Followers of God") kids, a Wednesday evening Bible study for youth, and has also led them on many mission trips to provide them with other meaningful experiences.