Leadership

Peter is husband to Natalie and father to four great kids. He seeks to follow Christ and be led by the Spirit each day. Peter earned a Master’s of Divinity degree from Eastern Mennonite Seminary and a degree in Elementary Education from Goshen College. He has been a teacher, youth pastor and soccer coach from Indiana to the Dominican Republic to here in Virginia. Peter loves being with his family, the beach, good food and seeing God actively working with and through his most prized creation, us!

Matt and his wife Mindy love calling Harrisonburg home. Together with their daughters, Katie Grace and Hattie, they enjoy the outdoors and being near water. Matt and Mindy both love the unified story of Scripture that points to Christ. While earning his B.S. in Athletic Training at Michigan State University, Matt felt a call to ministry. Coming to Harrisonburg, Va in 2002, he graduated from Eastern Mennonite Seminary with his Masters of Divinity in 2006.

Daniel joined Eastside in 2023 as a composer, singer, recording artist, and album producer with extensive experience in church music ministry. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Music in Choral Conducting and an MBA from a seminary in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management. Daniel is married and has 3 adult children.

Mia graduated from EMU and moved back to Harrisonburg in 2020. She felt called into ministry after completing the Ministry Inquiry Program with her home congregation. Through this experience she realized her passion for children's ministry and is excited to be a part of teaching the younger generations about how great our Heavenly Father is. Mia strives everyday to be the Lord’s hands and feet through her actions and words.

Lindsay is a nurse at Sentara RMH in pre-anesthesia. Lindsay and her husband Michael have 3 children elementary school age and younger. When she has spare time she loves to read, go for walks and play tennis. Lindsay loves Eastside and is excited for the opportunity to serve. Her life’s prayer is that she would reflect the character and quality of Jesus Christ.

Sonja is mom to two grown daughters and grandmother to six. After having spent most of her life between Alabama, Texas and Michigan, she made the move to Harrisonburg in 2002 and came to Eastside in 2016. Sonja recently retired after 18 years working at JMU, but still works part-time as needed. Her Eastside small group has been a true example of what loving others well looks like and the thing she appreciates most about Eastside is that seeking Christ is the highest priority.

Erin and her husband, Nick, have three awesome kids: Aiden, Colby, and Adalyn. She's a 2nd grade teacher at Stone Spring Elementary School. Erin loves her church community and has made many friendships that encourage and challenge her. She believes it's her responsibility as a Christian to seek God’s guidance, healing, and grace in every aspect of her life as well as testify to others about the Gospel and how He has worked in her life.

Adam is married to Kim where they live in Bridgewater with children Kahlan and Dexter. He works as an engineer for a few companies in Charlottesville. Adam and Kim planted roots at Eastside in 2013. Since then, they've been involved with Sunday morning volunteering and small groups. He's continually challenged and encouraged through his experiences at Eastside and says God is clearly at work here and he feels fortunate to be a witness and participant.

Craig and his wife, Jill, have been attending Eastside Church since the winter of 2016. They have three young adult children. Craig works as a carpenter-building contractor. He enjoys that fact that, in knowing God, we can continue (in the words of C. S. Lewis) to go “further up and further in,” that we never come to a place of having figured God out—there is always more to explore, and it’s all good!

Sarah and her husband, Nevin, have 4 children who range from high school to elementary school. Sarah works for a family business during the day and spends the rest of her time taking care of the family, leading a small group and trying to stay in touch with friends. Sarah is excited to talk about how God has worked in her life through raising children, making a plan to adopt their youngest child and changing jobs to remain obedient to her calling from the Lord.

Lawrence and his wife Bonnie have two daughters, Janae and Jordyn. He owns Horizon Accountants, a tax and accounting firm in Broadway. Lawrence and Bonnie lead a small group, participate in the prayer ministry, and have attended Eastside since 2012. Lawrence loves to read the Bible and listen to Hillsong worship songs, and he encourages others to run their race and fulfill their purpose in Christ.

Lisa has attended Eastside since it's beginning. Small groups have played an important part in her faith walk and relationship with other Eastside family. Lisa's work experience has included financial roles with affordable housing non-profits and marketing with a credit union. She was also a board member and publicity coordinator for a local relief sale. Lisa enjoys time with her husband, son, and friends, traveling to see family and new places, playing games, basketball, and camping.

Hannah graduated from Bridgewater College in 2011 with a degree in Philosophy and Religion. She has lived in the valley ever since and is blessed to call Eastside her church family. She is grateful to work alongside such loving and service-oriented brothers and sisters in Christ.

Kim and Eastside put down roots in Harrisonburg around the same time. After working 11 years at Everence Federal Credit Union and Everence Financial Advisors, Kim’s work-world turned upside down. Now instead of settling into a day of work with coffee in hand, she chases toddlers, changes smelly diapers and might steal a sip of luke-warm coffee as the morning slips away. Kim, her husband Adam and two little ones are happy to call Bridgewater, VA home and to have found a church home at Eastside.