LEADERSHIP
Chris Fantuzzo Ph.D
Pastor
Chris, a native of Webster, NY, began to follow Christ as a university senior. He says, “I had been searching for coherence, a greater aim in life, for something ultimate. Through the teaching of Scripture, I heard the good news of Jesus the Messiah, who had died and rose again (also) for me (!) and was calling me to follow him as Truth itself and the way of life.” He says, “It was like I had never seen properly before; as if the world had changed for me from black-and-white to vivid color.” This news of God’s gift changed Chris’s orientation to trust Christ for everlasting life and to join the family of faith. It has meant a life rich with meaning and purpose, and a new vocation too!
“I had been searching for coherence, a greater aim in life, for something ultimate. Through the teaching of Scripture, I heard the good news of Jesus the Messiah, who had died and rose again (also) for me (!) and was calling me to follow him as Truth itself and the way of life. It was like I had never seen properly before; as if the world had changed for me from black-and-white to vivid color.” - Chris Fantuzzo
This news of God’s gift changed Chris’s orientation to trust Christ for everlasting life and to join the family of faith. It has meant a life rich with meaning and purpose, and a new vocation too!
Chris is married to Emily (Hixson), and they have two children, Catherine and Thomas. From 2002-2014 Chris taught biblical languages and biblical studies (Old Testament) at Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, Pennsylvania. He is currently adjunct professor in Old Testament at Missio Seminary, and he has taught at Eastern University, Redeemer Seminary, Gwynnedd-Mercy University, and the Evangelical Reformed Seminary in Kiev, Ukraine. From 2017-2020 Chris was Director of Lifetime Discipleship at Oreland Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Oreland, PA.
Chris holds a B.A. in Biology from the University of Rochester in western NY, a Master of Divinity and Ph.D. (ABD) from Westminster, and a Ph.D. from the University of Gloucestershire in Cheltenham, England (U.K.), supervised by Prof. J. Gordon McConville and Mark J. Boda (McMaster University). His dissertation is entitled: Torah in Servant-Form: Torah, Servant, and Disciples in the Book of Isaiah.
Chris loves all sports (esp. soccer and hockey), reading, pencil drawing, being outdoors, hiking, and spending time with his family and friends. Chris is ordained in the RCA. When asked why he is committed to pastoral ministry in North Haledon, NJ, Chris replies, “My heart’s desire is to shepherd a missional discipling community where God is glorified, where every member is loved and growing in the expression of love for God and neighbor. I see my role as Pastor as the personal calling to embody Jesus’s own model of self-giving love in obedience to God (Phil 2:5-11).”
Jim Lodema
Director of Visitations
Leanne
Kleinmanns
Church Organist
and Choir Director
Charlene Cook
Male Chorus Director
Elders
The biblical office and role of Elders is to guide and guard the flock, which God has placed in our charge by seeking to discern and minister to the pastoral needs of the congregation.
Currently Serving:
Jim Lodema
Marlo Kooistra
Ken Wiegers
Ken Kleinmanns
Deacons
The biblical office and role of Deacon is to provide for the service, social, and financial wellbeing of the congregation and community.
Currently Serving:
Rob Harriman
John King Jr.
Ted Terpstra
Marinus Koppenal