Leadership
Rev. David J. Harr, Pastor
Rev. David Harr, Pastor
David Harr grew up in South Jersey, about half an hour from Medford. In 1997, he graduated with an A.B. in Physics from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Through his involvement with a Christian fellowship group on campus, he was introduced to the Reformed faith. The more he learned about the Gospel, the more excited he grew about it, and the more he sensed a call to the ministry.
After college, David studied at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He first met his wife Maggie at Westminster, where she was studying Biblical counseling. David graduated from seminary in 2001. He and Maggie were married in 2002. David and Maggie live in Medford and have three children.
In 2002, David was ordained as a minister and installed as Associate Pastor of Immanuel OPC in Bellmawr, New Jersey. In 2005, the Bellmawr congregation sent him out to plant Immanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church of Medford.
In Rev. Harr, the Lord has blessed Immanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church with a gifted, energetic, caring young pastor. He is a great preacher and teacher who enjoys opening his home to the congregation and visitors.
Ruling Elders
“Ruling elders, individually and jointly with the pastor in the session, are to lead the church in the service of Christ. They are to watch diligently over the people committed to their charge to prevent corruption of doctrine or morals… They should visit the people, especially the sick, instruct the ignorant, comfort the mourning, and nourish and guard the children of the covenant.” – The Book of Church Order
Rev. Ross Graham, Clerk of Session
Rev. Ross W. Graham, Clerk of Session
Rev. Graham’s full-time job is to help plant new churches throughout North America. He has been the General Secretary for the Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church since 1990.
A 1969 graduate of Covenant College in Chattanooga, and a 1972 graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, he served pastorates in Woodburn, Illinois (1970-1972), Vincennes, Indiana (1972-1979), and Charlotte, North Carolina (1979-1984) before moving to New Jersey to become the Regional Home Missionary for the Presbytery of New Jersey of the OPC in 1984.
The Grahams have two grown children, both married, and both in OP congregations in various parts of the country. He and his wife Nicole have lived in Marlton, New Jersey since 1984, where they have been a part of Immanuel since its inception.
Rev. Sam Bacon, Elder
Rev. Sam Bacon
Sam Bacon is a minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and currently serves on the Session of Immanuel OPC, Medford. Sam grew up in South Jersey and became a member of Faith OPC, Elmer, NJ in 1970 and has attended various OPC churches since then and served on the session of 2 other churches. He is a graduate of Rutgers University, Camden, and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has been involved in Immanuel OPC since its beginning, and on the Session since its organization. Sam and his wife Elaine reside in Marlton, NJ.
Deacons
“Deacons are called to show forth the compassion of Christ in a manifold ministry of mercy toward the saints and strangers on behalf of the church. To this end they exercise, in the fellowship of the church, a recognized stewardship of care and of gifts for those in need or distress.” – The Book of Church Order.
Joe Annese, Deacon
Joe Annese
Joe Annese became a believer in his mid twenties shortly after being married. He was introduced to the reformed faith approximately ten years ago by an OPC elder who was a coworker of his at the time.
Joe is employed by a Philadelphia based automobile parts remanufacturing company as a buyer. He and his wife Loren live in Medford and have been married for 31 years with three grown children.
Both Joe and Loren were a part of the core group that started Immanuel.
Jesse Kafka, Deacon
Jesse Kafka
Jesse Kafka grew up in a family of believers, trusting in Christ from a very young age. He joined Immanuel OPC in Bellmawr as a teenager and was part of the original contingent who formed Immanuel in Medford. He is married with two young children (and one more coming in Fall 2010!) and is a regional business developer for commuter van pooling.
He and fellow deacon Joe Annese are eager to share God’s love by serving those in need.