“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8, NIV)
Pastor Wayne Good
Lead Pastor
Email: pastorwayne@tcp.church
In 2005, Wayne answered the Call to fulltime ministry as pastor of the Newville First Church of God. In the previous year’s Wayne worked in secular employment and was actively involved in various ministries at other local Churches of God. Wayne is blessed to have Elaine, not only as his wife, but as a partner in ministry. They both invest much of their life into the ministry of the church and to their passion for strong and healthy marriages. Wayne and Elaine are blessed with two wonderful children Emily and Rylan, son-in-law Pastor Brian Ramsey, and two of the “greatest grandchildren” anyone could ever have!!!
Pastor Wayne and Elaine said they feel so blessed to be a part of the amazing things God is doing at The Connection Place and looking forward to many more years serving the Lord and His church.
Pastor Shawn Peale
Director of Youth Ministry/Worship
Email: pastorshawn@tcp.church
Shawn Peale joined the staff as our youth director in October of 2020. Shawn is an adopted Pennsylvanian who fell in love with the area in 2017, when he moved here to pursue church ministry. Previously, he served as the worship arts director at Friendship Community Church of God and as a worship leader at Mechanicsburg First Church of God.
He was licensed as a pastor in the ERC Churches of God in March of 2022 and finished his B.A in Pastoral Ministry through Regent University in May of 2022. He is currently pursuing his M.A in Counseling and Leadership through Liberty University and is set to graduate in May of 2025. He is extremely passionate about discipleship and looks forward to building relationships with people in and out of our church. He loves to speak into young people’s lives and walk with them through life as they discover God’s purpose for their life. Serving alongside him at times in the youth and worship ministries is his wonderful wife, Bethany. Outside of church ministry, they both enjoy building things, writing songs, coffee with conversation, Netflix, working out, and reading, and he especially enjoys watching football (Go Eagles and Penn State!)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” ~Joshua 1:9 NASB --
Pastor Dick Reese
Director Of Visitation
Email: pastordick@tcp.church
In 1985, Pastor Dick and Sharon went into ministry at Sheaffers Valley Church of God (COG) as part time pastor. In 1987, it became full time ministry with the Little Germany COG church being added. In 1990, they moved to the Mt Holly Springs COG and remained there until retirement in 2018. For the last three years at Mt Holly (2015-2018), Pastor Dick mentored Pastor Dan Murray and his wife Christiana to take over the pastoral ministry at the Mt. Holly church. Not wanting to fully retire from ministry, Pastor Dick came on staff at Newville COG as part-time Director of Visitation in May 2018. He and Sharon have been a blessing to so many people through their visitation ministry. This is what he has to say about being a part of the ministry staff at Newville.
“Being able to do visitation for Newville is a dream retirement. Attending and helping at the church, we have met so many wonderful folks through the Newville ministries and at the same time, provide visitation help for Pastor Wayne. For the love and visitation help we have been able to provide, we have received many times more blessings in return. What a joy to serve loving people. Our desire is to provide care in whatever situation and share the salvation plan when the door is opened. God is good…all the time.”
Pastor Kathryn Griffith
Women’s Care Ministry
Email: pastorkathryn@tcp.church
Kathryn grew up on a farm in the Middlesex area. She met and married her Newville native sweetheart, Andrew in Findlay, Ohio where they both graduated from college/seminary. They have two kids, Nadia and Rhys, and a sweet pup named Lucy.
Kathryn is the Director of the Women’s Care Ministry. She will provide emotional, spiritual and prayer support for ladies. Her desire is to come along side women to be an encouragement, to provide emotional support, to listen, to seek wisdom from God’s Word, and to pray with them. Her passion is to see people set free through the love and ministry of Jesus Christ.
She finds God’s encouragement in the book of Isaiah 61:1.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound
In her spare time she enjoys a variety of needlecrafts, singing and making messes in the kitchen!
Mona Holtry
Secretary
Email: office@tcp.church
Mona joined the office staff in September 2020. Mona officially retired in March 2020 after 45 years of federal/state jobs. Her retirement was short lived. She decided she would like to help work in the church office. She hopes to help the congregation, groups, and various committees as they continue to reconnect and work on their outreach ministries to the community during this very different time.
God has blessed Mona and her husband Jeff, with a daughter, a son, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, 3 granddaughters, 1 grandson, 2 great-grandsons and 1 great-granddaughter. She prays that she can let her light shine and be a witness to her family and that each of them will come to know Jesus as their personal savior and have a relationship with him.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13