Staff
Maribeth Benner, Lead Pastor
As lead pastor, Maribeth provides spiritual and organizational leadership for the congregation. She desires to guide persons to trust in our loving and faithful God, to inspire people to follow Christ’s teachings, and to serve with one another for the building up of the kingdom of God. Maribeth approaches life and ministry with joy and gratitude.
Maribeth has previously served in pastoral ministry with Salford Mennonite Church in Harleysville and with Plains Mennonite Church in Hatfield. She coordinated and led the lifelong learning institute, Living U, for Living Branches, taught mathematics and Bible for Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, and taught middle school science, Bible, and math for New Danville Mennonite School.
Maribeth is a graduate of Dock Mennonite Academy (formerly Christopher Dock Mennonite High School), Goshen College (B.A. in Mathematics, Secondary Education), and Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Master of Divinity). She completed one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education with Reading General Hospital and Medical Center. Maribeth is married to Darin, and they have two young adult children.
Michael Bishop,
Associate Pastor
Michael Bishop started at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church in 1989 as the Minister of Music.
Michael 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. Michael 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 and now grandchildren!
Michelle Ahn-Doettger, Executive Assistant
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 degrees—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 May of 2015 she married Josh. Then in 2022 Michelle transitioned to Blooming Glen’s Executive Assistant.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time outside in the mountains, crafting and loving her 3 fur babies!
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.
Jen Hunsberger, Communications & Finance Assistant
Jen has been a member of Blooming Glen since 1996 and has found various ways to serve among the congregation and especially enjoys working with and for the children of Blooming Glen. She previously served as the Children’s Ministry Director for three years.
Following graduation from Christopher Dock Mennonite High School (1993), Jen and her husband Keith (1989), started planning their family and were generously blessed with four boys and then adopted a daughter from Eastern Europe. While raising their family was (and still is) her first passion in life, during this time Jen also pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Elementary Education from DeSales University (2016).
During her career Jen has enjoyed teaching Preschool for Keystone Opportunity Center, directing Hilltop Preschool, and teaching K-5 Library & Technology for Faith Christian Academy. Most recently she has worked in Marketing & Communications for a local Family Business Center, and has started her own side business in the field of Professional Organizing.
Outside of work Jen enjoys the outdoors - especially beach trips - biking, kayaking, reading, organizing anything and everything, decorating, photobook making, technology and best of all playing with her two grandchildren!
Betsy Denlinger, Children’s Ministry Coach
Betsy is a Pennsylvania native, pastor's kid, and second of 4 siblings. She grew up in the northwestern part of the state and graduated from Grove City College in 2011. She and her husband Curtis, a lifelong Blooming Glenner, are the proud parents of 4 girls who range in age from the nursery to the Jr MYF. You're likely to see a member of the Denlinger crew at any church event.
Outside of work and parenting, Betsy is an avid reader, knitter, and fair trade fashion advocate.
Ezekiel Otieno,
Small Groups Coach
I’m a 26-year-old senior student at DelVal college in Doylestown pursuing an undergraduate program in Business, majoring in Finance. I grew up in Kenya in an extended family setting with my 2 sisters, Flavia and Vennesa, my 4 cousins, Joshua, Melody, Mercy and Silas, in a small village called Kisumu. All the while my mum was providing for us from afar, America. My younger sister and I finally moved to the US in 2021, August where we joined my mum, Phoebe and stepdad, Bruce Moyer at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church. I have since been a member of the church. I worked with Miller Trailer Sales for 2 years as an Assistant Technician before transitioning to the Health Care field. I’m currently working as a Behavioral Health Technician part time at St. Luke’s Hospital in Quakertown.
I love playing chess, playing sports-soccer and basketball. I also try to work out. I’m passionate about the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, especially with the young adults and sharing the gospel of Christ, testifying of what He has done and continues to do in my life.
I believe the Bible is an infallible truth and inerrant word of God. I have found comfort in the word of God through my difficult journey of life and the good times also. I look forward to the appearance of the glory of the Lord and wait in earnest expectation.
Denny Gross,
Community Outreach Coach
Denny has been a lifelong member of Blooming Glen. He was married at Blooming Glen to Janet and raised his his two children here. For the final ten years before retirement Denny was employed by Holland Welding as part of a maintenance team in a chemical plant located in Conshohocken.
Combining two areas of interest Denny has been able to find a niche that allows him to be creative in the wood shop and to share what he loves with kids and families in Jesus name. God has blessed an unplanned Game Ministry that has provided many opportunities to love our neighbors.
Most mornings you’ll find Denny on long walks enjoying quiet time among the deer, turkeys, and fox in the neighborhood. He also finds a new level of joy and an unexpected capacity to give and receive love in the company of his six grandkids.
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.
Bruce Thomas (Chair), John Derstine, Sharon Fransen, Marcelo Mast, Jodi Stewart-Moore, Erin Vollberg, Amanda Yoder
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.
Rose Lambright (Chair), David Bergey, Martin Franke, Kathy Kennel, Rachelle Kratz, Ben Moyer
Pastors
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.
Phil Roth (Chair), Merrill Allebach, Brenda Bishop, Sharon Bishop, Lois Boaman, Corey Detweiler
Lead Pastor & Executive Assistant
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.
Steve Hunsberger (Chair), Amin Al’Laty, Curtis Denlinger, Betty (Mrs. Scott) Kulp, Alicia Reiff, Matt Rittenhouse
Lead Pastor, Treasurer, Finance Assistant & Executive Assistant
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.
Chad Yoder (Chair), Sheldon Champion, Adolf Jager, Ron Landes, Bob Rutt, Mason Worthington
Pastor & Executive Assistant
Mosaic Mennonite Conference Delegates:
Mosaic Mennonite Conference Delegates attend the fall assembly sessions and any other general or special session.
Martin Franke, Jeff Landis, Brenda Shelly - Laypersons
John Derstine & Bruce Thomas - CLB Representatives
Rose Lambright - Elder Representative
Pastors