ministry teams

Beautiful Community Team

The “Beautiful Community Team” was created to further discussions on race, class, and the Gospel. This team is named after the book, The Beautiful Community, by Irwyn Ince. Visit the Beautiful Community Team’s dedicated page below to learn more and find resources including a recommended book reading list. 

Deacons

Liberti River Wards’ Deacons are responsible for managing the church’s finances and ministries of mercy. The deacons assist the elders by ministering to the physical and financial needs of the congregation. You can read more on the role of deacons here and view a list of our deacons on our leadership page. Contact the deacons to learn how the diaconate is able to help with food and need-based care.

Elders

Liberti River Wards’ elder team—which Presbyterians also call “the session”—consists of the church’s pastors and elected elders. The pastor or “teaching elder” has the primary responsibility for the teaching and preaching ministry of the church. The “ruling elders” are responsible for governing the church. The session is responsible for the spiritual oversight of the members of the local church. You can read more on the role of elders here and view a list of our elders on our leadership page. Contact the elders to learn how the session is able to help you with pastoral care.

FOOD PANTRY

In partnership with Small Things and Urban Worship Center, Liberti River Wards helps pack assorted food items such as canned goods, pasta, rice or produce into bags of food for delivery to food insecure in the northeast area of Philadelphia every first and third weekend of the month. Contact Jonathan Downs to learn about ways to connect and serve with the Food Pantry team.

Home Meetings

Home meetings are gatherings of 10–15 people meeting in individual homes, parks, or online throughout the River Wards. In our home meetings, Christian community is developed and fostered through sharing meals, supporting each other, learning about the Christian faith, prayer, and serving our neighbors. View a list of all Liberti River Wards’s home meetings below.

International Missions

The International Missions Team meets once a month after Sunday worship to pray for missionaries that Liberti supports, discuss ways of supporting those missionaries, and consider local opportunities for engaging with people from different nations. Contact Liz Spiegler to learn more about how this team supports missionary efforts around the world that seek to build Christ’s global Church.

Liberti Kids

Liberti Kids is our children’s ministry that seeks to partner with families to help lead newborn–4th graders in understanding the gospel and growing in the grace of our lord Jesus Christ. Liberti Kids provides ministry during our Sunday worship services and on Thursday evenings through Kids Club. Contact Colleen Etherton to learn more about Liberti Kids.

Men’s Ministry

The Men’s Ministry Team exists to edify and encourage the men of Liberti River Wards to grow in biblical wisdom, holiness, and accountability. This team hosts several events throughout the year including the annual men’s retreat, game nights, and more. Contact Stephen Wood for more information.

Sound & Video

The Sound & Video team is responsible for the for the video and sound production for Liberti’s Sunday worship services and other church-related events. Contact Victor Kim for more information.

Staff

The staff at Liberti River Wards is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the church including Sunday worship, coordinating volunteers, building management, and more. You can view a list of our staff members on our leadership page.

Women’s Ministry

The Women’s Ministry Team exists to equip the women of Liberti River Wards to grow in their faith as they pursue a lifestyle of worship, community, and mercy. This is done through venues for teaching and learning, opportunities to connect women with one another in our community, and opportunities to learn how to use your gifts for service inside and outside the Liberti community. Contact Bobbi Wenger for more information.

Worship & Music

The Worship & Music ministry at Liberti River Wards is responsible for leading the congregation in songs of praise during Sunday worship services. The ministry includes a number of music teams that rotate through the month. Contact Sarah Gulish for more information on how to get involved with our music ministry.