Mrs. Ruth Portzline, CLM

Pastoral Associate

(215) 357-6998 Ext. 306     Send an Email

Ruth moved to our area from West Virginia in June of 2011 to be closer to her daughter/son-in-law and three beautiful granddaughters! Before moving here, she held various positions in her local United Methodist church, was active on the District and Conference level, and was the director of the Fayetteville Food Pantry. In addition, Ruth was certified as a Lay Speaker and served as Lay Pastor of Harvey Chapel United Methodist Church, a small congregation where she preached and led worship each Sunday, provided pastoral care and did other pastoral duties. She is a Certified Lay Minister in our Conference and has been assigned to St. John’s as Assistant Pastor.  She is passionate about reaching out, sharing the Gospel, and helping people find new life in Christ.

Mr. John-Thomas Crockett

Director of Youth & Family Ministries

(347) 948-4996     Send an Email

Above all, John-Thomas Crockett is a child of God. A lifelong United Methodist, “JT” joined the St. John’s Ivyland staff in October 2022, and serves as the Director of Youth & Family Ministries.

For most of the last two decades, JT has worked in ministry for young people, having served in a number of roles including Youth & Young Adult Pastor (Westchester UMC Bronx, NY), Adult Coordinator for the New York Annual Conference Conference Council on Youth Ministry (NYAC-CCYM), camp & retreat Program Director (Crestfield Camp & Conference Center) and curriculum developer & writer (American Bible Society).

In addition to being a witness for Christ and an advocate for young people and families, JT loves being a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a serious barbecue enthusiast, a slightly obsessive basketball and football fan, an avid reader of fiction (especially sci-fi), a collector of sneakers, and a proud comic book nerd.

JT has many (!) favorite scriptures but finds Micah 6:8 best describes his call to love, follow and serve God through ministering to God’s people: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Ms. Megan Berkebile

Children Ministry

Send an Email

Megan grew up in many places as the youngest child of a preacher including Johnstown, PA where her mother and stepfather currently reside. Megan attended West Virginia Wesleyan College where she studied Christian Education and Music. She then attended the Methodist Theological School in Ohio where she received a Master of Divinity in 2007 and a Master of Arts in Counseling Ministries in 2009. Megan is an Ordained Elder from the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference and is appointed in Extension Ministries as a licensed Behavior Specialist and Mobile Therapist supporting children with mental and behavioral health needs. Megan is actively involved in various organizations including Kappa Phi, a Christian Women’s Service club, the WPAUMC Disability Concerns, and WPAUMC Commission on the Status and Role of Women.

Mr. Roy Nelson

Director of Music Ministries

(215) 962-8928        Send an Email      

Roy Nelson has served as Director of Music Ministries for more than 26 years at St. John's. He directs our Four Vocal and Four Handbell Choirs. In addition to directing at St. John’s, Roy has served as music director in the Neshaminy School District for 33 years, and was Vocal Music Director at Villa Joseph Marie High School for 5 years. He also directs our Summer Music Camp, Festival of Carols and Broadway Night.

Mr. Brian Barber

Organist

Mrs. Alissa Nelson

Keyboard Accompanist

Mr. Lou Lescas

Church Administrator

(215) 828-5528     send an email

Lou Lescas has been a member of St John’s since 1984. He brings a wealth of small business experience to this position. For 28 years, he worked for, then owned a roller skating entertainment center. He also held a real estate license for 16 years. Today he owns a small contracting business. He volunteered as the Financial Secretary since 2009, and sat on the Finance Committee from 2008-2014. He has been active with the Eastwick Food Bank Mission House for over 10 years. Since 2014, his position as Church Administrator has entailed operating as the Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and building overseer. Additionally, this has included maintaining relationships with vendors and tenants, and in general just making sure everything works properly.

Mrs. Holly Gray

Office Clerical Coordinator

(215) 357-6998 x301    Send an Email

Born and raised in Allentown, NJ, Holly moved to Bucks County, PA where her husband grew up. She and he have three adult children and a soon to be son-in-law. She has been active with her church serving on a Cambodia Missions Team, Mother’s of Preschoolers Publicity Coordinator, Upward Basketball and Cheer Coach, VBS, and Ukrainian Refugee family point of contact. Exploring different aspects of God's global purpose has been vital in her life as she completed her certification on “Perspectives on World Missions”. She has a heart of compassion and empathy for the underserved.

Her previous roles were in the secular world as an Executive Coordinator, Human Resources Director, Platinum Service/Brand Marketing Ambassador and Office Manager all from which she gleaned a healthy array of project management and marketing/customer service skills always on the lookout for ways to better manage time, streamline process, and empower people to “own their business” in whatever role the Lord provides them.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, healthy cooking, taking walks, studying Ukraine language, hanging out with family at the lake, and holistic functional nutrition. Her life verse is Isaiah 40:31 - But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.