Leadership
Meet the staff
John O
Lead Pastor
Dennis Blankenbeckler
Arabic Language Ministry Organizer
Maranatha Chung
Pastor to the Chinese
Robert Schlatter
Bookkeeper
Jennifer Hogg
Administrative Assistant
NCC ELDERS
Dennis Blankenbeckler : Ruling Elder
Dennis Blankenbeckler, a Ruling Elder, and his wife Judy, have three adult children and three grandchildren. Dennis and Judy were teachers in North Africa for over 20 years. He also oversees and organizes the Arabic Language Ministry at NCC. When able, he enjoys playing the drums as a member of the Music Team.
Jim Oursler : Ruling Elder
Jim Oursler was ordained and installed as a Ruling Elder of NCC in 2024. He also serves as one of the Music Team leaders, using his gifts to help lead the English Language Congregation in the praise of our Lord. He is married to Becky and has three energetic children who love Jesus - Kara, Elliot and Mason.
Robert L. Carr : Elder Emeritus
Robert Carr who served as a member of NCC’s provisional Session for many years was appointed as an Elder Emeritus by the Session in 2024. He continues to lovingly and wisely shepherd those under his care while generously lending his gifts and time to help keep the church facilities in working order as a member of the Facilities & Maintenance Team. He also uses his musical gifts to serve as one of the Music Team leaders. He is married to Lois and has 2 adult children and 2 grandchildren.
Pastor John has been serving in the ministry since 1994 and was ordained into the PCA in 2008. Prior to serving at NCC, he served in Delaware (2018-2021), Philadelphia (1994-1999, 2009-2015), Phoenix (2004-2009) and San Francisco (1999-2004). John also has been as a chaplain in the PA National Guard since 2017 and has been deployed to Sinai, Egypt (2021-2022).
John has been married to his beautiful wife, Susan, for 22 years and has two rambunctious children, Nathaniel and Nicolas. He received his M.Div from Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido, CA and his BA from the University of Pennsylvania. His ministry motto is "To know Jesus and to make him known" and his ministry philosophy is "to love, in Christ, every soul, one soul at a time." He enjoys reading, running, writing, music, and photography. Most of all, he enjoys hanging out with his wife, children and church family.
John O : Lead Organizing Pastor
Maranatha Chung : Pastor to the Chinese
Pastor Maranatha is the pastor to the Chinese community at NCC. From Hong Kong originally, Maran and his wife Angela have been ministering to the Chinese in Northeast Philadelphia for more than a decade.
NCC DEACONS
Andrew Thomas
Andrew serves as the clerk of the Diaconate and was ordained and installed as a Deacon in 2024. He is a teacher by trade who enjoys watching children grow in knowledge and understanding, especially of the Lord Christ. He plays the keyboard and enjoys serving on a Music Team.
Nikolin Katro
Nikolin was ordained and installed as a Deacon in 2024. He eagerly seeks to share the good news of the Gospel with the members of the Albanian community in Philadelphia and prayerfully, serves to see the Albanian Language Fellowship grow in maturity of faith and in number.
Vince Marino
Vince serves as the Chair of the Diaconate and was ordained and installed as a Deacon in 2024. He worked in the medical field for many years but nowadays, serves many with his skills in home renovation. He uses his passion for fixing things as a member of the the Facilities and Maintenance Team.
Dianne Marino
NCC DEACONS-ASSISTANTS
Joe Shea
Angela Chung
Cathy Roberts
Heledona Katro
Curt Roberts
Judy Blankenbeckler