Staff


  • Matt Christ, Sr. Pastor

    Married to Denise J (Myer) Christ since October 1999, Pastor Matt has three children, Abigail, Malachi,  and Leshane and a a grandson, Jaxton.  Pastor Matt graduated in 1995 from Mifflinburg Area Senior High School where he served several years as chaplain in the FFA, showing pigs, lambs at the county and Farm Show Level. He was also on the varsity golf and track and field teams.

     

    After high school, Pastor Matt went on to Bucknell University where he had a double major in Religion and Environmental Studies. After graduating in 1999, he served in water treatment, banking, and insurance sales, all while volunteering in youth ministry at Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren. While at State Farm, he told his employer the only way he would depart if the call to ministry became obvious. It was during a lunch break one day when he was browsing a newspaper and noticed an ad for a children and youth pastor at Christ Church of Beaver Springs. He didn't really think much of it until he got home and found a newspaper on his doorstep. He never got the newspaper before. So, he and his wife started to pray and seek God's direction. The decision came to open the door and interview for the position. He later received the call to serve and didn't realize what God would be preparing for him many years later.  

     

    He began studies at Evangelical Theological Seminary in 2007. In the course of this time, he transitioned to Buffalo Valley as their full time youth and young adult pastor. 2013 came and his graduation from seminary came to pass with a Masters of Divinity with a concentration in youth ministry. He didn't have any plans to leave his current role but the Lord kept impressing upon him the senior pastor position. It was over a campfire, his most powerful place to hear God's voice, that the decision was made to put out his profile. He had various interviews set up before him but after interviewing here at Little Swatara, God had his mind made up where he should be. The family all agreed as they sought God's affirmation nearby at the Rehrersburg Lions Club playground.  

     


    Pastor Matt thoroughly enjoys shepherding the flock in this beautiful community and invites you to join us at 8:30 am for a media led, informal service around the tables in the fellowship hall or to 10:30 for a more traditional service with hymns, choirs and praise team alternating Sundays. 

    You can reach Pastor Matt at PastorMatt (at) LittleSwatara.org.

  • Connie Davis, Administrative Assistant

    Connie grew up on her grandparent’s farm in Warwick Twp., Lancaster Co., PA.  She is a 1967 graduate of Warwick Twp. High School.  She lives in Schaefferstown, Lebanon Co., PA with her husband, David and their rescue cat, Hobo.  They have two children, Jason, the owner/operator of Practical Machining Solutions and Jessica, a seminary student at United Lutheran Seminary - Gettysburg. They also have two grandchildren, Samuel and Lilja.

    Before coming to Little Swatara, Connie worked for 10 years in the fire and liability insurance industry as an underwriter.  Then another 35 years in healthcare, most recently as the Compliance Officer for a tri-state physical therapy company.  Retiring is 2017, she then pursued a part-time career as a STEM instructor using LEGO as a tool to teach simple engineering, technology, science, and math to elementary age children.

    She was a Girl Scout leader and an BSA Explorer Post Advisor for over 10 years. She has been the Facilitator for the Richland Community Library’s LEGO club for over 7 years.

    Connie is an avid reader and her other interests and hobbies are varied and many…………LEGO, camping, riding motorcycle, crafting…….. just to name a few.


    Contact Connie at Secretary (at) LittleSwatara.org

  • Sara Bryant, Preschool Director

    Sara Bryant is the Director of Little Swatara Preschool.  She graduated from King's College with a B.A. in Psychology and English and has several graduate credits from Cedar Crest College in Elementary Education.  Miss Sara lives in Rehrersburg with her husband Greg, and their two children, Lauren and Daniel.  She has served on the LSP Board of Directors as Secretary and Chairperson for multiple terms and was also the Preschool teacher for 3 years.  Both of her children are LSP graduates as well!  Miss Sara is a member of Little Swatara Church of the Brethren and deeply loves the church and the preschool program.  The local community is very dear to her so the opportunity to work and serve here is a blessing and a joy.  She loves Jesus, family, children, coffee, and books!


    You can contact Sara here - Sara.Bryant (at) LittleSwatara.org.  You can find more on our preschool ministry, and the rest of the preschool staff here.