Our church constitution states that Christ is the head of Calvary Church and is governed by Elders or Overseers, who are appointed by the Holy Spirit, recognized by the Church, and identified jointly as the Elder Board. The Elders are spiritually mature and biblically qualified men who serve as leaders of the ministry. The Elders are assisted in their role by Deacons, who are spiritual-minded servants, who serve the membership under direction of the Elder Board.
The congregation of Calvary Church is invited to suggest the names of qualified candidates to serve as Elders and Deacons/Deaconesses. Each year, the Nominating Committee identifies and evaluates individuals to serve as Elders and Deacons/Deaconesses at the church, including those recommended by the congregation. Many more Calvary members are qualified than can be selected. The Nominating Committee submits its recommendations to the Elders for their approval, and then for the approval of the congregation. The following names have all been unanimously approved by both the Nominating Committee and Elders. Both elders and deacons/deaconesses may serve two consecutive three-year terms. In the following pages, the continuing candidates are those being considered for their second three-year term. These nominees are now being presented to the members of the church for consideration with a congregational vote, set to take place at the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, September 11.
If you have questions or comments about the suitability of any of these candidates, please let the elders know by contacting
New Elder Candidates
Matt Holden
I grew up in a Christian home and came to a saving faith in the Lord at a young age. I was blessed to be nurtured at a Bible-believing and missions-focused church as a child and teenager and developed a love for the Lord and a desire to see others come to know Christ that matches the vision and values of Calvary Church very well. I currently reside just across the river in York County, but my wife, Molly, and I both work in Lancaster. Molly and I have been married for 17 years and began attending Calvary shortly after we married at the recommendation of a mentor who suggested we join the Marriage Builders ABF. We have two wonderful children who both know the Lord: Julia (14) and Luke (12). I currently serve as a leader and member of the teaching team for His Hands ABF, and Molly and I serve together as marriage mentors. In the past, I’ve served as a Student Group Leader, a team member for short-term missions trips, and have previously served as an Elder. I’m grateful for Calvary Church and the way we invest in the spiritual lives of our members and in our community, and I love being a part of the work that God is doing through Calvary Church, both here and around the world.
Bryan Willoughby
I was born into a Christ-centered home and was introduced to the gospel at an early age. My parents were employed at a Christian camp in West Chester, and they instilled in me the value of working hard and serving others. I attended Cairn University (2003) where I came to love the Bible and its power to reveal truth and transform lives. I later earned a Masters in Education at Millersville University (2013). In 2004, I started attending Calvary Church and immediately got plugged in by leading a table of 5th graders and attending C4 where I met my wife, Yuko. We have been married for 17 years and have two children: Emi (14) and Kaz (12). I have served in Calvary Kids, Men’s Bible Study, and on a PAC team. I currently teach in the YoPros ABF. My interests include woodworking (which is also my occupation), literature, sports, and losing to my kids in Monopoly. Calvary Church has played a formative role in my adult life, and I’m honored to be part of this local family of believers pursuing life in Christ together.
Continuing Elders
Josh Beers
I was born and raised in Pennsylvania and came to know the Lord at a young age through the influence of my siblings. I recommitted my life to Christ as a college freshman and have spent the last 27 years investing in the next generation of servant leaders at both the high school and college settings as a coach, teacher, and administrator. My current role is President of OneLife Institute, which is a nine-month Christian gap year program. I also enjoy the privilege of serving as chaplain for the Lancaster Barnstormers. My wife, Anna, and I have been married for 27 years, and we have four children between the ages of 15 and 22. We came to Calvary about 10 years ago, and I teach in the Heirs Together ABF class, and my wife volunteers in Calvary Student Ministries.
Freeman Chakara
I was born in a remote village in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa. In God’s unsearchable mercies, He brought me to know Him at the tender age of 13 when my 7th grade teacher shared Christ with our entire public school class. A few years after trusting in Christ, I attended a small Bible College in Calgary, Canada, and later continued my education at Toccoa Falls College, where I was especially blessed to deepen my love for His Word. With God’s guidance, I met my wife, Beth, at Toccoa Falls College, and we were married in 1992 after I graduated. We recently celebrated 32 years of God’s faithfulness to us as a married couple. The Lord blessed us with two children and a wonderful son-in-law: our son, Preston, who works in investment banking, and our daughter, Mackenzie, is a corporate lawyer (her husband, Hunter Freeman, is a Behavior Analyst). All of our kids live in Dallas, TX. My wife and I joined Calvary Church in 2004 and continue to be involved in several ministry opportunities including team-teaching Truth Finders ABF. I serve on the Elder Board, and currently serve on the team dedicated to supporting our Senior Pastor in addition to Nomination Committee responsibilities a few months each year. Professionally, I am a Neuropsychologist at Providence Behavioral Health. My wife and I are blessed to enjoy deep and robust relationships here at Calvary Church, and we are humbled to belong to a church committed to pursuing life in Christ.
New Deacons/Deaconesses
Yuriy Bozhko
I was born in Ukraine, where I grew up in a Christian household. I was baptized at age 16. In 2002, my wife, lryna, and I immigrated to the United States with our families. We came to Lancaster, PA and have stayed here ever since. We now have five children Ruvim, Christina, Victoria, David, and Darina), all of whom we raised in a Slavic baptist church. Three and a half years ago, we came to Calvary Church. Here, I found a family of believers that come together to serve God and each other. I serve in Worship Ministries, where I sing in the choir, and in Guest Services.
Rick Kirby
Born and raised in Virginia in a Christian home, it was through the ministry of First Baptist Church of Charlottesville that I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. In 1969, my family moved to Myerstown, PA. In time, I met and married my wife, Michelle. We have been married 41 years, and we are the parents of three sons and one daughter and grandparents to eleven grandchildren. We have been attending Calvary since 2006. I have served, and continue to serve, in Guest Services as an usher, as an ABF class leader, and PAC team member. Professionally, I work alongside my family in our agribusiness. In my spare time, besides enjoying family time, I keep busy farming and riding motorcycle. I am grateful to be a part of the family at Calvary and hope to serve God and others in ways that help build His church.
Bryan Hubbard
I was born here in Lancaster but, at the age of six, our family was sent out from Calvary (and other churches and supporters) as Global Partners to Okinawa, Japan. Shortly after our arrival in Okinawa, I accepted Christ as my personal savior through conversations with my parents. Most of my youth was spent living there. I attended Philadelphia College of the Bible (now Cairn) and studied Youth Ministry and Bible. I commuted to complete my internship at Calvary in Student Ministries and began getting involved that way. I have served in various roles at Calvary, mostly in Student Ministries (currently as a Coach of the 9th grade male groups). I have previously served as an Elder, on the Global Ministries Team, and with C4 and Sports Ministry. My wife, Krista, and I have served together in numerous roles as a part of the leadership team of Marriage Builders, with Tapestry, and in the nursery. I have the privilege of working heartily as for the Lord (Col. 3:23) as the Program Coordinator at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center. Krista and I have been married 23 years, and we have three children: Isaac, Alli, and Emma. One thing I absolutely love about Calvary Church is the foundation of being grounded on the teaching of the Word of God, and being focused on the world with our Global Partners being an extension of the body of Christ to other parts of the world, and that this foundation is taught starting in the nursery.
Krista Hubbard
I was born in Lewistown, PA, and raised in a Christian home, where I put my faith in Jesus Christ at a young age through the influence of my parents and my church. My faith became real when I recommitted my life to Christ as a teen at a Christian camp and my relationship began to really grow with Jesus. I started attending Calvary Church during my college years and then, when my husband, Bryan, and I were married 23 years ago, we started serving in various ministries together such as C4, Marriage Builders, Tapestry Ministry, and Children’s Ministry. Bryan and I have three children: Isaac, Alli, and Emma. One thing I love about Calvary Church is the worship service every Sunday and the many opportunities we have to serve others within the body of Christ.
Continuing Deacons
Scott Danehower
I was born in Aldan, PA, and raised in the Philadelphia area. I came to faith at eight years of age and grew in my faith thanks to the Lord providing me with godly parents and a solid youth ministry at Aldan Union Church. Following graduation from Widener University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I started a career in the Nuclear Power industry where I have worked for the past 38 years. My wife, Nancy, and I have been married for 32 years and have three grown sons, all of whom are married. We also have two adorable grandchildren, ages two and six months. Nancy and I have attended Calvary Church since 2007 and became members in 2012. I have previously served as a Student Group leader in Calvary Student Ministries. Nancy and I currently serve as a mentoring couple in the Calvary pre-marital ministry and are involved in a new ministry that provides Care Communities for foster and adoptive families.
John Good
I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior at eight years of age. During an evangelistic service at our church in New Jersey, I experienced a deep desire to be in God’s family. I asked the Lord God to forgive me of my sins and prayed to enter into a relationship with Him through the person and work of Jesus. Raised, educated, and married to Mary-Ann in New Jersey in 1993, we moved to Lancaster in 2003 to start raising our family. We have been attending Calvary Church for the past 21 years and have served in various ministries. For the last several years, I have been involved with Elementary Ministries on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Mary-Ann and I became members of Calvary in 2017. The Lord has richly blessed us with 4 children: Maxine (21), Brian (20), Elizabeth (17), and Jason (16). I own and operate a small remodeling company, mainly serving residential clients with painting and carpentry projects.