Leadership

Our Leadership

we are an elder-led, membership-voting congregation

Jesus is our boss. Really. According to the Apostle Paul, Jesus is "the head of the church." And at New Story we take that very seriously, which is why you won't find one, single person in charge. We're a family. We're a team. Some people on the team have different roles, some lead out front and others lead from behind, but we all work together to build God's kingdom.

  • Paul Anderson

    Paul Anderson

    Lead Pastor

    A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Paul spent just over a decade doing ministry in the land of Longhorns & Cowboys before moving to the Philly area in 2010 to take on the role of our lead pastor. Paul is an incurable coffee drinker and avid reader. His wife Jenny, and kids, Jillian & Caleb, are a great source of joy (& sermon illustrations).

  • Erik Wanaselja

    Erik Wanaselja

    Executive Director

    Erik has attended our church since 2006 but spent nearly 20 years as an engineer before being called in 2019 to serve as Executive Director and lead New Story's staff. Erik is married to Patti; they have three children (Abigail, Lucy, & Sam) and three pet rabbits. He loves to read, play games, hike, and eat Zwahlen's ice cream.

  • David Bahbah

    David Bahbah

    Pastor of Spiritual Formation & Community Life

    Dave is a graduate of Denver Seminary where his penchant for reading was quite useful. Though he misses those majestic Rocky Mountains, he still enjoys the outdoors via hiking, backpacking, camping, and birding whenever he can. Dave and Erin have three cute kids that seem to age him at a far greater rate than he desires.

  • Greg Navitsky

    Associate Pastor of Teaching & Outreach

    A graduate of Denver Seminary, and hailing from Chicago, Greg feels the oscillating tension between sports & scholarship. Alongside a love for theology and travel, he cherishes writing, music, history, and finding a scenic spot for a bonfire. In Greg’s view, his wife, Bekka, and son, Isaiah, are the best things about him. 

  • Betsey Iannarelli

    Betsey Iannarelli

    Kids Ministry Director

    As a graduate from Westminster Theological Seminary and a long-time kids ministry volunteer, Betsey loves combining her love of Scripture and her connection with kids to create age-appropriate and Gospel-centered programs. In her free time, Betsey enjoys hiking in Valley Forge with her husband Robert and their two children.

  • Parker Gay

    Youth Ministry Director

    Originally from Michigan, Parker graduated with a bachelor's degree in Youth Ministry. His desire is to foster intentional relationships with the youth of our church in order to facilitate a love for Christ. Parker lives in Wayne with his wife, Halie Kay, where they enjoy going on walks, discovering new coffee shops, and of course– golf.

  • Chris Benzing

    Next Steps Pastor

    Born and raised locally, Chris started following Jesus at 16 and has never looked back. He attended Cairn University then Dallas Seminary, both on academic probation, and graduated still! Outside of his role at New Story, he is a full time hospice chaplain. He and his wife, Jessica, have 4 amazing children and they enjoy being outdoors together.

  • Hannah Jones

    Hannah Jones

    Communications Manager

    Hannah joined staff right out of college and has a passion for creatively communicating all that God is doing at New Story. She and her husband, Ryan, reside in West Chester with their daughter, Lily. In her free time, Hannah enjoys singing show tunes, tending to her house plants, and talking about the books she’s currently reading.

  • Abby Lapp

    Staff Assistant

    Abby began attending New Story while she was a student at Eastern University, where she studied Strategic Communications and Spanish. After graduation, she joined staff where she does administrative and executive support for the office. In her spare time, Abby loves traveling, coffee shops, hiking, and most recently, playing pickleball with her friends.

  • Anna Derby Nelson

    Office & Operations Manager

    Anna joined our church community back in 2020. In her position overseeing Office & Operations at New Story, Anna combines her love for ministry, serving behind the scenes, and helping things run smoothly. In her spare time, she enjoys trail running, walking around in downtown Phoenixville, and being in nature with her husband, Aaron.

  • Heather Yatsko

    Worship Leader

    Heather has been part of the worship team since 2013, but has been playing piano since the age of five and leading worship for over 20 years in various settings. Heather and her husband, Chuck, live in Phoenixville with their 3 children. She is a lover of Broadway, Dunkin iced tea, Penn State, her dogs, and helping others worship through music.

  • Eamon Campbell

    Eamon Campbell

    Finance Administrator

    Eamon has been involved in church finance for over 10 years. He lives in Sanatoga with his wife, Sarah, and their three children, Mairen, Gwyneth, and Rhys. He really enjoys a good cup of brewed coffee; “Fratalian” is his own special mix. Eamon enjoys listening and playing along to music, and serves on the worship team monthly.

  • Lillian D'Angelo

    Lillian D'Angelo

    Logistics Specialist

    After teaching in the public school system for 17 years, Lillian decided it was time for a change. She began volunteering in the kids ministry and tear down team and now works part-time here. In her free time, she enjoys playing and watching sports, going to the beach and spending time with her husband A.J. and four children.

  • Henry Hutchinson

    Production Assistant

    Henry graduated from Eastern University and is pursuing his MDiv at the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University. As the Production Assistant, Henry helps facilitate the flow of service, wrangling together many of the moving parts. His lifelong love for fish leads him to the water and to the markets where he works as a full time fishmonger.

  • Clint Rosario

    Clint Rosario

    AV Director

    As a sound engineer by trade, Clint runs the technical side of things here at New Story. He also runs Philamedia, with his twin brother. He lives in Brewerytown, Philadelphia with his wife, Ally and son, Sol. Clint spends his free time blurring the line between what he does for work and fun, because they are pretty much the same thing.

  • Nico Giampetrio

    Nico Giampetrio

    Video Specialist

    A filmmaker based out of Philly and New York, Nico oversees video production at New Story. Outside of church, he professionally directs and produces commercials, film, and television content. He enjoys running, playing & watching hockey, and traveling with his wife, Sarah. His talented cat, Finch, can sit, stand, and high-five on command.

  • Lisa Brown

    Lisa Brown

    Kids Ministry Administrative Assistant

    Lisa and her husband, Sam, moved to the Phoenixville area back in 2021. She loves being a stay at home mom to her three rambunctious boys and dog. Her greatest joy is spending quality time with her family outdoors.

  • Dan Thomas

    Men’s Ministry

    Dan has attended New Story since 2015. Dan and Carrie have 4 kids and he owns a dental practice in Royersford where he’s been practicing for 19 years. When he's not drilling and filling, you can find him hitting the links, cheering on his girls in their sporting and artistic endeavors, or enjoying Penn State games with his son.

  • Michelle Davis

    Women’s Ministry

    Michelle has been involved in Women’s Ministry for over 25 years. The best that she’s learned about being a women of God, wife, mother and friend she’s learned through the women she’s been in Christian community with. She leads with these gifted women: Anne, Kate, Laura, Lori, Pam, & Elsie.

  • DiRicos

    Bob & Wendy DiRico

    Young Adults Ministry

    Bob & Wendy lead the Young Adults Ministry with whom they have dinner every Tuesday! They have 6 daughters, 4 sons-in-law, and 6 grandchildren. Bob is an actuary and Wendy is a high school math teacher. They love being with the young adults, learning with them, serving in the community with them, and experiencing life together.

  • Tony Lepre

    Safety Team Ministry

    Tony, a Philly native, leads the New Story Safety Team aka Sheepdog Ministry. His goal is to provide a safe place for our congregation to worship and be welcomed. Tony spends his free time chasing a little white ball (golfing), chilling with his dog, or going on adventures with his wife, Patty.

  • Amy Jenkins & Kim Malenke

    Lamplighters Ministry

New Story Church Elder Board

Bob DiRico, Chair
Skip Galanes, Vice Chair
John Felser, Secretary
Brady Weiss
Jack Nelson
Paul Anderson, Lead Pastor

Join Our Team

Whether you’re looking to volunteer or apply for a position, we have an opportunity for you.