Pastors

Rev. Dr. Peter Della Santina

email: pete@neelsville.org

Pete was born and raised in Oakland, California.  He and Cheryl fell in love at the University of California, Davis and married in 1994. Ten years later, while living in Minneapolis, the Lord blessed them with the birth of Jonathan David. Cheryl is Pete’s beloved bride, best friend, biggest fan, and closest confidant. Jonathan fills their home with laughter and lifts their spirits with his love of science, engineering, reading, and music-he is always making a joyful noise!  The Della Santinas are delighted to make their home in Germantown!

 
The Lord Jesus irresistibly called Pete to follow Him when he was 18 years old. During the past three decades, Pete has served Christ as a camp counselor, youth pastor, social worker, and for the past nine years before being called to Neelsville, as an ordained pastor of a Presbyterian congregation in Minneapolis, MN. He holds post-graduate degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA and Bethel Seminary in St. Paul MN.

Rev. Andrew Nagel

email: awnagel@gmail.com

Andy was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.  He is a graduate of the University of Colorado and Princeton Theological Seminary, and has served Neelsville since 2006.   

He enjoys skiing, running and playing basketball.  He also loves to travel, read, watch movies, and cook (not all at the same time), and plays the guitar decently and the banjo badly.  He has endured two marathons and many seasons of rooting for the Denver Broncos. Andy also serves on the Board of Directors of Presbyterians Pro-Life.  He and Bethany were married in 2003 and are the proud parents of Zach and Caleb.  They blog at www.adoptingmatters.blogspot.com and www.onlinecommonplace.blogspot.com

Directors
Jolene Baxter, Director of Chancel and Children's Choir
 
 
Jolene has served as Neelsville’s Music Director from 1994 – 2001 and now as Chancel Choir and Children’s Choir Director beginning in 2010.  She is also an accomplished music teacher in the Montgomery County Public Schools.  She is a graduate of Huntingdon College and received her Masters of Music degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton NJ where she studied choral conducting.  She has also sung professionally in Italy and France, as well as with the Robert Shaw Festival Singers, the Washington Choral Arts Society, and the Woodley ensemble.
She married her husband Jeff in 2003 and was blessed with their daughter Jennifer in 2007.

Ryan Mowen, Director of Contemporary Worship
email: rcmowen@gmail.com
Ryan was born and raised in Greencastle, Pennsylvania.  He is a graduate of Liberty University and is currently pursuing a post-graduate degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. Ryan and Lauren were married in 2009 and love to spend time exploring local towns for "hidden treasures" (food, fun, and furniture).  When not at work, you may find Ryan involved in woodworking, sports and recreation, music, reading, classic car shows, and DIY custom automotive repair. One instrument Ryan would love to learn is the cello.