Rick Ferrigno
Rick has been serving God as an elder here at JCC since 2002. Rick, his wife Clare and their three daughters live nearby in Edgewood. Professionally, Rick is a social worker who serves in that capacity at Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore. Rick has a heart for evangelism and has introduced many to the Christian life here at JCC. Rick's philosophy centers around this: It's not where you've been, and it's not necessarily where you are. It's where you're headed. If you should see Rick around the church, be sure to say hello and ask him to point you in the right direction.
Ray Merson
Ray is the newest elder here at JCC. He was elected for the 2008 through 2010 term. Ray has been attending JCC since 2002 and he lives nearby in Edgewood. Ray is retired now, but is probably busier than he was when he was actively out earning a paycheck. Ray lost his wonderful wife Flo in 2004 to cancer and has dedicated his life to serving the Lord at JCC since that time. You'll usually find Ray outside the sanctuary on Sunday mornings handing out bulletins and making sure everybody's happy back there. If you want to know where to find something or someone, see Ray.
Byron Shores
Byron Shores and his wife Terri live in Aberdeen. They have one son Jon, who is grown and living in Fredericksburg, VA. Byron holds court in the hardware department at the Aberdeen Wal-Mart, and Terri works for the Department of the Army at APG. Byron and Terri both received degrees from Johnson Bible College in Johnson City, TN, which is where they met, fell in love, and eventually married. Byron has been an elder since 1996, and has been a fixture teaching adult Sunday School classes for many years. Byron is the man to ask if you have a biblical or doctrinal question, as he is well studied in these areas.
Loren Deckard
Loren and Mary Jane Deckard live in Joppatowne. They ministered to Joppatown
e Christian Church from 1967 to 1994 and raised their four children here. After Loren taught at Manhattan Christian College, Manhattan, KS, from 1994 to 2004, they returned to MD to retire. Loren now works part-time for Polish Christian Ministries. He also takes advantage of opportunities for short-term teaching assignments in the church or in Christian colleges. The Deckards also travel some to celebrate birthdays, graduations, etc. with their ten grandchildren. Loren is now working fewer hours so he can give more time to the local church.
Mel Wilson
Mel and his wife Pat live in Edgewood. Mel currently works as a Service Writer for Valley Motors in Timonium. Pat is retired from BGE, where she spent many years in several departments downtown. They have two grown daughters who live nearby. Mel has been an elder at JCC since 2001 and currently serves as the president of the elders. Mel can usually be found making sure we have enough men to serve communion and collect the weekly offering, or you may see him out on the road checking on those who couldn't make it to the Sunday service due to an illness.
As always, if you have any questions, be sure to drop us a line and let us know what you're thinking.