Elder Affirmations
Elders are overseers and shepherds of the flock. Elders, along with the pastoral staff, guide and lead the congregation. Their role is to clarify vision, set an example, give pastoral oversight, and work with staff and ministry teams to ensure the church is in good health and accomplishing its purpose.
Good leadership is crucial to the church. Mountain's nomination and selection process has produced the following individuals who are being presented to the congregation for a three-year term as Elder beginning September 2024. This process has been very thoughtfully and prayerfully carried out. We ask you to pray for Mountain Christian Church and all of those among us who serve as leaders.
This year, there are two elders who have finished their current 3-year terms and have each been nominated to complete an additional new 3-year term.
To submit your vote of affirmation, click on the button below and fill out a brief form.
Affirmation of Mountain's Elders
Elder Bio:
Mark Richardson
Mark has been a Christ-follower and member of Mountain Christian Church his entire adult life (cleverly disguised as an owner/operator of several successful small businesses in Harford County).
He has been married for 42 years to his wife Laura Beth, who serves as chaplain for both St. Joseph’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital in Baltimore. They have four children: Matthew (37), Benjamin (35), Samuel (29), and Addie (27)—and seven grandchildren.
Over the years, he has served Mountain as Sunday School teacher, Small Group leader, Youth Group Sponsor, helped to pioneer Mountain’s Short Term Missions Program, and has led the Young Marrieds Ministry.
In leadership, he has served as Deacon, Elder (for over 25 years) and has served as Chairman of the Elders, Chairman of the Elders’ Nominating Committee, and Chairman of the Elders’ Staff Relations Committee.
Elder Bio:
Mike Buher
Mike has been a member of Mountain Christian Church since 1999.
He has been married to his wife Julie for 32 years. She has served in a variety of roles in the children’s ministry at Mountain, and currently serves as the Kids Coordinator. They are the proud parents of three kids (Jacob, Zachary, and Madison) - Jake and Zach are army officers and Maddie is a senior playing softball for Stevenson University.
Mike has served as an Elder of Mountain Christian Church since 2009. Over the years, Mike has been a Men’s Small Group Leader, Deacon Co-Chair, Elder Representative to the Cannonball Campaign, Finance Chairman of the Epicenter Board, Secretary/Treasurer of the Elders, and Finance Chairman of the Elders.
Mike is a CPA with 34 years in the profession. He has worked for several international accounting firms, but now leads the audit practice at Clearview Group. He has also served on various civic boards throughout his career, most recently serving as Treasurer of the Maryland Tech Council.
Besides running and training for ultramarathons, Mike is an avid reader and lover of history—especially the history of the Restoration Movement.
The following Elders are continuing their unexpired three-year terms (no affirmation is needed):
Ben Cachiaras
Brad Phillips
Gil Shelsby
Mike Rittler
Ron Fisher