Our Staff

At ABCOPAD, our team is dedicated to equipping and supporting churches, leaders, and communities to fulfill Christ's Mission in our world.

Executive and Regional Pastors

Regional Pastors are called to assist in regional projects and ministries such as pastors' retreats, ACTS, and auxiliary group (Student Ministries, ABW, Men of Valor) responsibilities. They also support and supervise GPS with work in their geographies.

Rev. Mark Mahserjian-Smith

Regional Executive Pastor

Mark earned his bachelor’s degree from Eastern University in 1985 and a Master of Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1988. After graduating from seminary, Mark served as a local church pastor for nearly 20 years, spending five years at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Batavia, NY, and 15 years at Hepburn Baptist Church in Cogan Station, PA. He has been involved with ABCOPAD for 25 years, initially volunteering in 1999 with data entry while serving as the Pastor of Hepburn Baptist Church. In 2001, Mark became a part-time staff member focused on Technology and Communication, and in 2008, he was called to serve full-time as the Central Area Minister. When the Region adopted a new model for regional ministry in 2010, Mark became the Regional Pastor for Mission and Communication. In 2022, he was appointed Acting Co-Regional Executive Pastor, and in February 2024, he assumed the role of ABCOPAD Regional Executive Pastor. Mark has been married to his wife, Susan, for nearly 40 years, and they have been blessed with a large, blended family that includes multiracial and special needs children. His passion for U.S. and overseas mission work has taken him across the country and worldwide, from New Jersey, Texas, and Puerto Rico to Haiti, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Uganda. Mark states, “I am forever grateful to Jesus, who allowed me to become an adopted child in God’s family through His death and resurrection.”

Rev. Kelly Legg

ABCOPAD Regional Pastor

Kelly earned her Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and has been active in ABCOPAD since moving into the region in 2009. She represented the region on the ABCUSA Board of General Ministries for several years, served on ABCOPAD’s board, and has worked with several other regional task forces, including the ACTS Coordinating Council. She serves presently as the Senior Pastor of the West Shore Baptist Church in Camp Hill and is honored to partner with the region in this interim period.

Rev. Robert Rice

ABCOPAD Regional Pastor

Rob has served as the pastor of Muncy Baptist Church since 2013, and over his years in ministry has served the region in various roles and capacities. He now serves as a regional pastor, who has a passion to see pastors and churches thrive in their local context and connect with one another to further the work of the Kingdom of God.

Geographic Pastoral Servants

Geographical Pastoral Servants (GPS) are called to connect with pastors and churches within their geography, provide assistance with pastoral searches, and seek to encourage and support associations to build stronger connections among churches.

Rev. Dr. Felicia Brock

Pittsburgh GPS

Felicia serves as the Pastor of First Baptist Church of Tarentum. Once receiving the call, she relocated from Detroit, Michigan, where she was born and raised. Felicia earned her Doctor of Ministry degree from Ecumenical Theological Seminary. She also holds the Juris Doctorate (Law) degree, among others. Felicia is humbled to serve First Baptist Tarentum and ABCOPAD’s South West Region.

Rev. Dr. David Hardin

Northeast GPS

David has served American Baptist Churches in three different regions for nearly 20 years. He earned a Doctorate in congregational leadership from Northern Seminary, with a focus on revitalizatimg established churches. David currently serves on the ABCOPAD board as part of the Mission Allocation Committee. He is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Bethlehem.

Rev. Dan McDowell

Southeast GPS

Dan McDowell currently serves as the pastor of GraceCrossing Community Church in Phoenixville. A life-long American Baptist, Dan has served churches in Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Michigan, and New York over his 40 years in ministry. He is passionate about evangelism, church health and growth, as well as missions and social justice concerns.

Rev. Randy Powell

Northwest GPS

Randy is the husband of Nicole, the father of Clara, and the pastor of First Baptist Church of Franklin. A native of Saranac, MI, and graduate of Cornerstone University, he has a passion for ecumenical ministry. Randy founded Mustard Seed Missions of Venango County. A gifted teacher, Randy has created a number of educational seminars available to ABCOPAD congregations. He's also into trail running and all things geek/nerd related.

Rev. Tim Schwartz

North Central GPS

Tim lives in Hepburn, PA with his wife, Jenn, and three children. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at James Madison University and his Master of Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Throughout his last 20 years of ministry, Tim has pastored churches, worked as an interim minister, and facilitated numerous mission trips in disaster recovery. Tim is an avid Philadelphia sports fan, well-experienced youth sports coach, cancer survivor, and enjoys chatting with people over lunch or coffee.

Rev. Cristy Wise

Southwest GPS

Cristy receiver her MA in Early Childhood, California University, BA in Elementary Education, Waynesburg College. CLI Certified Lay Ministry, ordained in 2015. She has worked in children and youth ministry at FBC Waynesburg and Pastored Bates Fork Baptist Church, Sycamore, PA. Pastor Cristy is an Adjunct Instructor at Waynesburg University. Cristy has been married to Lee for 42 years, 2 married daughters and especially proud to carry the title “Grandma” that the 4 grandkids have given her.

Rev. Josh Trojak

South Central GPS

Josh is no stranger to ABCOPAD. His father is the Rev. John Trojak, who pastors the FBC of Sharon where Josh grew up. Josh was active in leadership at Camp Judson as well as serving in a staff position at FBC, Sharon with youth before becoming the Associate Pastor of Youth, Young Adults and Discipleship at Christ’s American Baptist Church in Spring Grove, PA. He now serves as the Lead Pastor at CABC.

Regional Ministry Associates

Regional Ministry Associates (RMA) are called to help support our region and churches in specific areas of ministry such as Student Ministries,

Technology, and Communication.

Andrew Reich

Student Ministries RMA [Central]

Andy is the Pastor of Youth and Young Adults at FBC Milton. He started at FBC Milton part-time as the student ministries team leader and has been excited to be called into this ministry full-time. He has a very active student ministry in the community he serves and loves to connect with other youth leaders!

Mandi Restanio

Student Ministries RMA [Southwest] and Web Coordinator

Mandi is the Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Technology at First Baptist Church in Waynesburg. She graduated from Waynesburg University with a degree in Children/Youth Ministry in 2019. She is very excited to continue her work in the Baptist church and to build the student ministry network in the Southwest!

Nicole Skinner

Student Ministries RMA

Nicole is the Youth Pastor at Siloam Baptist Church. Nicole has been serving in youth ministry for sixteen years helping to develop and grow youth engagement programs in the Norristown Area. She is excited about helping others build their ministries and engage youth in the Word of God and a life in Christ.

ABCOPAD Office Staff

Administrative Staff provide full-time support to churches and pastors in the areas of giving and help connect churches and pastors to the appropriate staff person for any questions they may have.

Denise Veselicky

ABCOPAD Office Manager

c/o First Baptist Church 159 N. Bellefield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Phone: (888) 687-0883 (o)

Fax: (412) 687-3941

Caryl J. Casey

Treasurer

407 Madison Avenue
Hatboro, PA 19040-3296

Phone: 800-932-9442 (o)

Fax: 215-328-6013

Regional Officers

  • Lori Jennings

    President

    Lori is a member of Grace Crossing Community church in Phoenixville and serves on the Leadership Team. Lori has a passion for outreach ministry both locally and internationally. She is the Public Information Officer for Lower Merion Township where she has worked for over 17 years.

    Email

  • Jamie Dries

    Vice-President

    Reverend Jamie Dries is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist, Milton, PA since 1999. He previously served as associate pastor of West Shore Baptist, Christian Ed Director for Springfield Baptist Church, and youth leader at Willow Grove Baptist Church. 

    Pastor Jamie has served ABCOPAD as a board representative for the Northumberland Baptist Association, member of the Mission Allocation Committee, Executive Committee, & Executive Pastor Search Committee.

    Email

  • Rev. Eleanor Siegrist

    Recording Secretary

    Eleanor is the pastor at Central Baptist Church in Williamsport. She previously served on the General Board of ABCUSA and currently serves at the Dean of Academics with the Academy of Christian Training and Service.

  • Bryon Luke

    Past-President

    Bryon is a member of Hatboro Baptist Church where he serves on the church council. An frequent volunteer on domestic and international mission trips, He has worked in the field of child welfare and children's mental health.