Oak Dale exists to mature disciples who make disciples Matthew 28:19,20
Join us Sunday morning for either the 9 or 11 AM Worship Gathering!
The 11:00 service is live-streamed at 11:00 AM.
Tom Bender, Pastor ~ Spiritual Care, Counseling
I grew up in the Salisbury, Pennsylvania area. I moved back to the area in 1988 with a passion for helping others to find healing and freedom in Christ. I attended Rosedale Bible College in Ohio then went to Hesston College in Kansas. I then lived in Goshen, Indiana for a year before moving back to Somerset County, because I couldn’t stop thinking about and praying for the people back here. Since then I have completed a Bachelor’s program in Psychology, become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, as well as completing a Master’s degree in Social Work.
I would say one of my greatest accomplishments is marrying way out of my league to Laurie, my incredible wife, and having amazing children; Bethany, Joel, Micah, and Ryan.
I’m a people person and I’m fully convinced that God never intended us to do this thing alone. So I consider my friendships some of the best currency I own. My hope is that, if we’re not already friends, maybe you and I could grab a cup of coffee and get to know each other better and change that!
Email me at tjbender@gmail.com or call 814.442.6794
Ken and Gloria Swartzentruber, Operations
We love the beautiful hills of Somerset, PA & Garrett County, MD—so much so that the region has always been home to both of us. We both graduated from Mountain View Christian School in Springs, PA. Ken is currently self-employed as an electrician & HVAC tech, has an ardent curiosity about how things work, and enjoys a tinkering-type of engineering & design. In 2007 Gloria graduated from Liberty University with a bachelor’s in psychology. Our shared favorite pastime is spending a Sunday afternoon on our motorcycle! Together we love working as a team, whether to serve others or to accomplish a project of our own.
Ken Swartzentruber, Operations Director
Email me at kgswartzy@gmail.com or call 301.338.1370
Gloria Swartzentruber, Secretary
Email me at office@oakdalechurch.net or call 301.338.3278
Annette Miller, Worship Director
I grew up attending Oak Dale Church and viewed the people here as a large extension of my family. I quickly discovered my passion for music and worship and started leading worship at Oak Dale when I was sixteen years old.
I graduated from Waynesburg University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I married Jonathan Miller and we now have 5 young children, Judah, Lila, Oliver, Willa and Ivy. Throughout this time my husband’s medical career has taken us to several different locations and I have been involved with several different worship teams. This has shown me first hand that worship is a heart issue. Different cultures, different skills levels, different styles…. None of these matters to God. He desires our authenticity and our heart.
I have recently returned to the beautiful hills of Somerset county. Oak Dale has once again become my family. My passion is for authentic, corporate worship. My desire is that is that Oak Dale be a place where the gospel is celebrated through music, song, prayer and scripture.
Joel Curtis
Joel, his wife Jaime, and their children have been attending Oak Dale since 2006. Joel believes a solid foundation in the Word of God is critical to healthy Christian growth. As a member of the preaching team, Joel enjoys helping people see scripture in a fresh light. He believes the Word of God has the power to change people, if it’s allowed to sink into their souls. Joel’s passion is to see Oak Dale continue to grow as a congregation of people being changed into God’s image through His word.
Daniel Byler, Youth Director
They say it takes a village to raise a child. For me, Oak Dale Church was that village. I was born and raised in Salisbury and attended Oak Dale until I graduated from Salisbury-Elk Lick Highschool. I went on to graduate from Rosedale Bible College with an Associate Degree in Biblical Studies in 2020. During my time at RBC, I worked at summer youth camps as a counselor and interned with Youth Ministries in Urbana, Ohio. In addition, I spent a year with the REACH program, a short-term missions program, and a discipleship training school. In my time overseas. I served the church plants in Singonga, Zambia.
Through a time of study and travel, my wife Erin and I fell in love with the local Church. We have a passion for the discipleship of youth, and the power of the Gospel (Isaiah 61). In this, we were called to my hometown to serve at Oak Dale Church and it’s communities.
Along with working at Oak Dale, I attend college full-time for my Business Administration and Counseling Degrees online at Clarks Summit University.
Email me at danieljames@oakdalechurch.net or call me at (814) 204-2843
Scott Miller, Church Planter
Scott Miller is a graduate of Columbia International University where he earned a Masters degree in Ministry Leadership. Scott has traveled the world leading short term mission trips with a special emphasis in southeast Asia. He has partnered with mission organizations around the globe, such as Wycliffe, Crossover Communications, and Serve India Ministries. He enjoys spending time with his family, he resides in Morgantown, WV with his wife Crystal, three sons Abiel, Eshban, Malachi, & daughter Havalah. Scott has a passion to motivate and inspire this generation to live for God’s Greatest Glory in all the earth! He enjoys life in general and specifically enjoys fishing, hiking and good coffee.
Email me at scottlamarmiller@gmail.com or call 301.697.8934
Peggy Nixon, Director of Children’s Ministries
Peggy Nixon joined the Oak Dale Staff Team
in May of 2024 as the Children’s Ministry Director.
She studied Illustration at Maryland Institute
College of Art and is an accomplished artist
in her own right. Peggy brings creativity and cheer
to her role in working with our children. She treasures
her own grandchildren and relishes their times together.
If you have questions for Peggy or would like to chat,
contact her at 301.997.4199 or slatelady3190@yahoo.com.
