Elder Affirmations - Mountain Christian Church

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 2025. 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, we are putting forward one new elder candidate (Johnie Greene) and three re-nomination candidates (Mike Rittler, Brad Phillips, & Gil Shelsby) who have finished their current 3-year terms and have each been nominated to complete an additional new 3-year term.

Current Elder
Re-Nomination:
Brad Phillips

Brad Headshot

Resides in Forest Hill, MD

Brad has worked for Travelers Insurance for the last 35 years. He is the Small Commercial Business Center Head for the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions.

He began attending Mountain when he moved to Maryland 15 years ago. He attends the Mountain Road Campus.

Brad has been involved in many facets of Mountain’s ministry over the years—including serving as small group leader, deacon, member of the Men’s Ministry Strategic Planning Team, and the Security Team.

Brad says, “My personal mission statement is to love God by loving His people.  I'm committed to Mountain's mission of making ‘more and better disciples’ and believe it is an honor and responsibility to use God's gifts to serve others.”

Current Elder
Re-Nomination:
Gil Shelsby

Gil Headshot

Resides in Bel Air, MD

Gil is a trial attorney who practices in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.

He has been attending MCC for 28 years. He attends both the Mountain Road and Abingdon campuses.

Gil served the church in the Children’s Ministry for over 13 years and was first nominated to be an elder in 2007. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Staff Relations Committee of the Elders and He and his wife Laurie Ann are all in on their newest ministry—grandchildren!

Gil says of his service to Mountain, “Mountain is a special place to me. I became a Christ follower here when I was baptized in 1997.  I can’t repay the Lord for his grace and blessings, but I can serve the church where I came to know Him.”

New Elder
Nomination:
Johnie Greene

Johnie Headshot

Resides in Abingdon with his wife Linda, wife of 25 years. They have three daughters: Janay, Ivana, and Breanna who have all attended Mountain.

Johnie has been a Chick-fil-A Owner/Operator in the Baltimore metropolitan area for the past six years. Prior to his Chick-fil-A career, Johnie spent 30 years in public safety where he faithfully served as a Maryland State Parole Commissioner, Director of Safety & Security for the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, an Assistant Bureau Chief of the Maryland State Police and as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Johnie earned both his Master of Science & Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Management from The Johns Hopkins University and is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy.

Johnie has attended MCC for 30 years and currently serves as a Team Leader on the Mountain Road Safety Team. He previously served as the Safety Response Team Coach at the Abingdon Campus and also serves a baptizing pastor when requested and has attended many trainings, small groups, and retreats at Mountain. He primarily attends the Mountain Road Campus and occasionally attends the Edgewood Campus.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to provide a multitude of services at Mountain Christian Church over the last 15 years. I look forward to lending my voice and expertise to the eldership team in furtherance of the mission of the Church.”

Current Elder
Re-Nomination:
Mike Rittler

Mike Headshot

Resides in Bel Air, MD

Mike is a former Bank executive, who led consumer lending operations for several major banks. He is also an entrepreneur and real estate investor on the side and a DJ just for fun.

He has been attending MCC for 16 years, most recently at the Mountain Road Campus.  He spent 4 years at the Edgewood Campus as part of the launch.

Mike currently serves as Chairman of the Elders and as a Board Member of the Epicenter.  He also leads a men’s small group.  He has been involved in many other facets of Mountain’s ministry over the years—including leadership development, missions, outreach, and welcome ministry.

Mike says that he is blessed to be called to serve in leadership at Mountain.  “God has been so gracious in my life, through the gifting and strengths that He has given me in my life and work experiences to accomplish the Mountain Mission of ‘Making Disciples, More and Better Disciples.’  It’s an honor to serve and a responsibility that I do not take lightly.”

Submit affirmations

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Affirmation of Mountain's Elders

Continuing Elders

The following Elders are continuing their unexpired three-year terms (no affirmation is needed):

Ben Cachiaras

Mark Richardson

Mike Buher

Ron Fisher