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Gary Westra just joined us as our Senior Pastor in July 2009! He is excited to be involved with a community of followers of Jesus Christ that don't take themselves seriously (church can be fun and filled with laughter!), but take God very seriously (church is about God and his manifest presence shaping who we are and what we do). Gary describes himself as "passionate, evangelical, relational and biblical." He loves to teach and preach the Scriptures, helping us see God's revelation of himself in Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. He wants us to see NSCBC as a mission outpost of God's Kingdom, being sent in mission around the corner and around the world. He is a graduate of Calvin College (B.A. Psychology), Western Theologiocal Seminary (M. Div., concentration in systematic theology) and Fuller Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry). Gary wrote his dissertation on Church Growth and Evangelism in the New England Context. He is happy to be home in New England and to root for the Red Sox! His wife Mary is a Speech and Language Pathologist in the Wenham/Hamilton Schools. Mary is Gary's partner in ministry and has a heart for those who grew up outside the church. Coming to faith after college, she relates to C.S. Lewis' journey of being "dragged kicking and screaming into the Kingdom of God." Most mornings you can find Gary at the Dunkin Donuts in Beverly Farms, or Panera "North," enjoying coffee, people, and his laptop. | |
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John Grothjan, Associate Pastor of Youth and Families Pastor John ("Gro") Grothjan is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and comes to NSCBC with over 20 years of experience in Youth Ministry. He is married to Londie (8 years) and they have two children, Betsy (6) and Simeon (3). They live in the parsonage on the church grounds. Most recently Gro served for eight years as the local Area Director of Young Life, a multi-denominational outreach to teens. Gro began his ministry at the church on July 1, 2011 and is excited to continue to build on the long history of ministry with youth and families. Gro is particularly interested in supporting parents as they disciple their kids, and to provide programs and resources to help along the way. Groups for middle school, high school, and college age meet regularly at the church. Contact Pastor Gro to find out more about how you and your kids can get involved. | |
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Marilyn Sweet has served since 1986 in our very busy church office. She grew up on a dairy farm in southern New Jersey, and is a 1963 graduate of nearby Gordon College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. While her husband served in the US Navy in Japan (during the Vietnam era), Marilyn had opportunity to experience missions first-hand, spending time with missionary families, teaching and providing music in outreach, as well as in an International Baptist Church. She has also participated in some of NSCBC's Short-term missions trips and serves on the church's World Team. She and her husband, Dave, have four adult children and live in South Hamilton, MA; they have been a part of NSCBC since 1972. | |
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Steve Gruber, Ministry Associate
 Steve was born in Portland, Maine and has been married to Sherry Gruber for 30 wonderful years. They have three children: Chris and his wife Jamie live in Austin, Texas with their two boys; Rebekah and her husband Clell live in Lynchburg, Virginia with their son and daughter; and Sarah is a second year Pharmacy Resident in Charlottesville, Virginia. His education includes: MS Engineering, MBA, and is a graduate of Navigators 2:7 Discipleship leader training. Steve is retired from IBM after working 30 years in various positions including software engineer, project manager, marketing strategist, program director, and business development executive. Steve’s favorite books are the Bible, theology books and biographies, and his favorite bible verse is Heb 10:25 “..do not give up meeting together.. encourage one another..” His spiritual gifts are administration, teaching, encouragement and helps and he has a passion for impacting people to grow in Christ through encouragement and discipleship. Steve’s Christian service experience includes the Elder Board, children and adult Sunday school teacher and superintendent, youth group leader, small group leader, Christian school teacher and trustee.
Steve says, “The person I admire the most (after Jesus) is Paul the Apostle because he had a passion to reach and disciple people for Christ no matter what the cost to him personally.” |
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Beth Ann Sperr grew up in Wenham, and has lived in Beverly for the last 23 years since her marriage to Bruce in 1986. Beth was in the last graduating class from Barrington College before it merged with Gordon College in 1985, where she received her degree in Business Administration. After being laid off in the ophthalmology field of 18 years, she opened up her own business in 2007 with fellow church member Kristy Fitzgerald as a Professional Organizer. Beth has been a member of NSCBC since 1983 and has served in a variety of ministries, including Meal Ministry Coordinator, Friday Footsteps, VBS, etc. She and Bruce have a 12-year-old daughter, Kayleen. Beth’s interests include being organized, traveling, musical theatre, listening to books on CD, and doing “girly things” with Kayleen. | |
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Melissa Bull Di Gaetano graduated in May 2008 from Gordon College with her Bachelors in Music Performance and Spanish. In addition to organ, Melissa plays violin and viola in six regional orchestras and performs with several chamber ensembles. Melissa and her husband Roman currently live in Essex. Betsy Crowe, Ministry Associate Betsy has been part of NSCBC for over 30 years, having moved to the area when she and her husband, Steve, were married and he was attending seminary. She and Steve have two grown sons, one in Betsy says, “My passions are for teaching, training, equipping and discipleship ministries in the local church. It’s a great privilege to be able to use all that God has given me to build up His body, and see what He will do in and through us by His grace and for His glory!” | |
Gary Westra, Senior Pastor since 2009 
Marilyn Sweet, Office Administrator since 1986
Beth Ann Sperr, Bookkeeper since 2009
Melissa Bull Di Gaetano, Organist, Worship Leader, Choir Director
