EMMANUEL CHURCH
3800 OLD TOWN ROAD
HUNTINGTOWN, MD 20639
Mailing Address: P.O. BOX 99
MINISTRY LEADERS
Phil is Emmanuel's Data & Records Administrator and the Admin Ministry Director. He has been employed as a Computer Specialist at NIH, and East Coast Support Help Desk at IBM. He has also served in the pastoral ministry for over 20 years. He and his beautiful wife, Kara, have four wonderful children who all love and serve Jesus.
In January 2004, Marc found healing in Jesus Christ through the Celebrate Recovery Ministry, and a calling upon his life to serve God. He has played an active role with Celebrate Recovery since that time, and has served as Maryland State Representative for the Celebrate Recovery National Team since 2007.
In late 2004, Marc brought Celebrate Recovery to Encounter Christian Center church in Charlotte Hall, Maryland. He was the CR Ministry Leader there for 10 years, and during that time he became an Ordained Minister of Recovery. He served on the Pastoral staff for six years until he was called to Emmanuel Church in 2015.
Marc started Celebrate Recovery Inside (CRI) within the Charles County, Maryland, Detention Center where he served as Lead Facilitator from 2010-2016.
Additionally, Marc has been the leader of and participated in several 12-step study groups, and he has facilitated, mediated, and overseen crises interventions helping families and loved ones develop an effective recovery plan through local and national treatment facilities, in addition to Celebrate Recovery and other local 12-step programs. He introduced Celebrate Recovery to the Salvation Army in Capitol Heights, Maryland, in 2008, working with the pastoral staff and counselors to implement an in-house treatment plan utilizing Celebrate Recovery and step-studies as part of their curriculum. Marc has played a key role in building leadership teams and launching numerous Celebrate Recovery groups within the Southern Maryland area during his 15 years of Ministry.
According to Marc he is blessed by God in all things. He states that he is madly in love with his wife, Kelly, and he loves spending time with his family at the dinner table, old-school style. He lives for teaching and preaching the Gospel, and actively involves his children with hunting, fishing, and enjoying life to the fullest. Marc also enjoys playing the drums which, he says, revives his spirit. Most of all, his greatest joy comes from the radical redemption he experienced in Christ, and the impact his transformation has had on all who know him - especially his children.
Tamara holds a Masters of Education/Early Childhood and is passionate about impacting children’s lives through teaching. As a former teacher, she considers herself a life-long learner and enjoys enriching others’ educational experiences. Her focus is to be more like Jesus, loving through teaching and wisdom. Building a relationship with Jesus is paramount in all her endeavors. Tamara is a daughter, sister, wife, mother to one amazing human [Collin], and a grandmother. She loves reading, weeding her flower beds, and anything coffee-related.
FAMILY CARE MINISTRY DIRECTOR
Rick Hancock | Lead Pastor
410.257.9188
Rick serves as Lead Pastor of Emmanuel Church. He has the joy of assisting the leadership teams in both Envisionl Kids and Embark Student Ministry, encouraging the next generation to become fully-developing followers of Jesus. Rick also provides leadership for the Connection Group Ministry, and works closely with Emmanuel’s numerous Team Leaders. He also provides pastoral care to members, couples and families during the difficult seasons of life through Emmanuel’s E-Sources of Hope and Care.
Rick began serving in ministry in 1986 as a volunteer Youth Activities Coordinator at Landover Hills Baptist Church. In 1990, he was called to serve on staff at Frayser Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, and began serving as pastor in Sledge, Mississippi in 1994.
Rick was born and raised in a Christ-centered home. His parents were active members and leaders at their home church. God used the truth found in Psalm 37:4 to call Rick into full-time ministry. It states, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." The closer he walked with Jesus, the louder His call was on Rick’s life to serve Him and His Church. Today, he couldn't imagine doing anything differently!
Rick is a graduate of DeMatha Catholic High School, Washington Bible College, and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary where he received his Master's of Divinity in 1993.
Rick has had the joy of serving as lead pastor in three churches including First Baptist Church of Sledge, Mississippi, Southern Calvert Baptist Church in Lusby, Maryland, and Dunkirk Baptist Church in Dunkirk, Maryland. He served as the consultant for Evangelism, Partnership Missions, and Prayer Ministry for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware [BCMD], served two terms as Convention President, and had the honor of serving as the Interim Executive Director of the BCMD. Rick most recently served as the Director of Missions for the Mid-Maryland Baptist Association.
Rick and his wife, Lisa, and have been married since June 9, 1990. They have four amazing children: Kelsie, Emily, Faith, and Joshua. One of their favorite family activities is enjoying fishing and boating on the Chesapeake Bay. Rick’s claim-to-fame is his culinary talent for making one of the tastiest jumbo lump crab cakes you have ever eaten. His Rock Fish cakes aren't too bad either - so he’s been told!
FIRST RESPONSE MINISTRY
HOSPITALITY MINISTRY LEADER
Linda Harris
Linda has been the Hospitality Ministry Leader since Spring, 2014. Linda's team is responsible for the entire process of menu-planning, supply procurement, food preparation, and serving for various Emmanuel events. Clean-up and observation of Health Department food safety guidelines is also a part of this important Ministry.
For several years, Linda served with the Hospitality Ministry wherever needed. On the Sunday before Palm Sunday of 2014, Pastor Vic offered Linda the opportunity to assume the role of Leader. At that time, she recalled the verse, "Here am I; send me..." (Isaiah 6:8), so she readily agreed. God provided everything required and she hasn't had a single doubt since that this was the right ministry for her. Linda relates that God [and Jim May!] have provided everything necessary in order to serve, and serve well.
Prior to taking over as Hospitality Ministry Leader, Linda had no training or exposure to preparing meals for large numbers of people. The only cooking she had done previously was for her family gatherings - which could be as many as 40-50 guests.
Although Linda began serving with the Hospitality Ministry as a total novice, she seemingly effortlessly rose to the challenge as Leader when the very first dinner she was tasked with coordinating was for 150 people - and with only 12 days to prepare!
Linda states that her most important lifetime accomplishment was becoming a Born-Again Christian at the age of 53. Since that time, she has continued to grow in her spiritual life, and relishes the joy of serving others.
Most of us have seen apron-clad Linda scurrying about the Emmanuel campus, but what you may not know is that she's a former Mayor of Landover Hills, Maryland! She and her husband, Joe, love to travel and try to take at least one "big" trip each year. In Linda's rare moments of down-time, she loves to crochet or read.
As Emmanuel's Building & Grounds Maintenance Manager, Jim is responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of the church facilities and campus, and for coordinating any related events and activities. He is also tasked with supply inventory and procurement.
Jim began in his field of ministry in 1995 and has been faithfully serving since. He claims that he originally got started in home-improvement work because he was hungry and wanted to eat! He started his own business and acquired his home-improvement license. His strong desire to help others led him to apply his skills to ministry.
In spite of prospering in his chosen profession, Jim says that his greatest accomplishment is his successful marriage to his wife, Kristie. He also takes pride in having put both of his daughters through college.
When he's not working or serving, Jim loves to hit the great outdoors for a little hunting and fishing. He also enjoys long walks in the woods and cooking. He used to love reading - until, he says, he "went blind" [started wearing glasses]!
Jenna is Emmanuel's Digital Media Specialist. She is responsible for developing and managing Emmanuel’s website and Social Media accounts, as well as publishing the Emmanuel Insights weekly newsletter, creating graphics, and designing printed materials such as fliers and brochures.
Jenna has served in various ministries for over 25 years. She accidentally discovered a love for web and graphic design in 2008 when she needed a website for her Bed & Breakfast. At the suggestion of one of her B&B guests, she began writing a blog in 2009. She was hooked! She immediately rediscovered a love of writing that began in her early childhood, and blogging provided the perfect union of graphic design and writing.
Jenna retired from inn-keeping in 2015, but continued pursuing writing and design, offering her services to local non-profit organizations and small businesses. Although she is self-taught and has no formal training, she has a natural bent and passion for graphic design.
When Jenna is not fixated on her computer screen, she enjoys interior design, gardening, writing, photography, reading, and studying Scripture. Her favorite pastime is sitting on the porch swing with her Sweetheart [her husband Bob], and Sir Winston [their dog]. Jenna and Bob have been married for more than three decades, and are the parents of two remarkable grown sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law, and two spirited grandsons!
Tripp is currently serving as Emmanuel’s Missions Ministry Leader. Now modeling the P.E.A.C.E. Plan, the goal for Emmanuel members is “Everyone On Mission”. Tripp’s passion is to see missions outreach increase, to teach and train the next “Missions Generation”, and to involve EVERY member of the Emmanuel family in some form of missions work. Missions should be a lifestyle as we are the living Gospel, called to be servants to the world.
“Choose you this day whom you will serve . . . but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:15
Tripp was raised around the world in a military family and accepted Christ at age 16. He himself went on to serve in the military where he met his beautiful wife of 43 years, Marye. They have five children and 10 grandchildren. Tripp and Marye have served together in many areas at Emmanuel as well as in several other local churches during the last 43 years. They moved from Owings to Solomons three years ago, but island-living has not slowed them down!
Tripp studied at Capital Bible Seminary. He has served at Emmanuel for over 10 years, and was honored to serve here as one of the first Elders. Tripp has also participated in and led missions trips to Haiti, New Orleans, and Biloxi. He has also served with several worship bands, and has also preached at Sunday services. He has been active with the Teller Team, Haiti Shoe Box Team, and a Connection Group Leader, and CREW Leader. In addition, he currently serves as one of many volunteer chaplains at Calvert Hospital.
MISSIONS MINISTRY LEADER [Local]
Julie Hilgenberg
Julie serves as Emmanuel’s Local Missions Ministry Team Leader and High School Ministry Team leader.
God gave Julie a tender heart and compassion for others at a very young age. He has continued to open her heart and eyes to those in our local community who are in physical and spiritual need. The Lord encourages her to serve them for His glory.
Julie has been serving at Emmanuel for 30 years in various roles, including Children's Ministry, VBS [Vacation Bible School], Upward Basketball, Awanas, numerous local missions projects and events, and summer youth mission camp. She is currently shepherding our middle and high school teens, and organizing their many activities.
Julie’s family is her passion. She and her husband enjoy coaching and cheering their three daughters on in whatever athletic event - or life event - they are participating in at any given moment. Julie enjoys traveling and has a special love for the mountains and the ocean. She’s also smitten with golden retrievers!
STUDENT MINISTRY DIRECTOR
Justin Manry | Pastor of Student Ministry
410.257.9188
Justin serves as Pastor of Student Ministry at Emmanuel Church. He has a passion for reaching out to middle and high school students in some of the most tumultuous, exciting, formative times of their lives, and connecting them to Jesus Christ who will transform them by His love and by His presence. He works with students from the time they graduate from fifth grade to the time they graduate high school, helping them to become fully developing followers of Christ who are already making an impact on the world around them for the Gospel. He also works with the volunteers in the Student Ministry helping to organize and support their ministry as they pour so much of their time and energy into impacting students’ lives.
Justin was born and raised in Jarrettsville, Maryland, where his father, John Manry, has been the pastor of North Harford Baptist Church for over thirty years. He was born again to a living hope through the death and resurrection of Jesus at age seven, and baptized a year later by his dad in that very same church where he grew up.
Justin has been on a journey of faith and answering God’s call ever since. He volunteered with the youth at North Harford after graduating high school and helped start, then interned with, the Baptist Campus Ministry at Towson University – an on-campus Bible study and outreach program designed to draw college students closer to a relationship with the God who created the universe, and share with them the life-giving Good News of Jesus. Justin spent 2017-2020 serving as the Associate Pastor for Children and Youth at Harvest Fields Baptist Church in Pegram, Tennessee, helping create a comprehensive strategy of discipleship for children from birth to high school graduation.
Justin attended and graduated with his Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he built a foundation of biblical knowledge he now passes on to the next generation.
Justin married his wife Rebecca on August 5, 2017. They have been blessed with one beautiful daughter so far, Lydia Hope. They enjoy going on walks, watching football (go Washington Football Team!), and playing games as a family (though Justin and Becca are both very competitive).
WORSHIP MINISTRY DIRECTOR
Janet Allen
410.257.9188
jallen@emmanuelchurch.tv
Janet Allen is a native Marylander who became a new creature in Christ at age 13. Working as a professional musician and communicator for over 25 years, God called Janet in 2017 to serve as Worship Ministry Director at Emmanuel Church. She also leads the evangelistic music ministry, All Things New, which she formed over 10 years ago.
In ministering through music, Janet’s goal and joy is to reach people with the Gospel, and to help believers grow in their faith-walk through music that proclaims spiritual truth from God’s Word, reveals Christ, and encourages people to give their praise, adoration, and hearts to Him.
Janet served for nearly 25 years in public relations and communications in the Federal Government before turning her attention fully to music ministry….and family. She is married to a gracious and loving husband, Ralph, and is tremendously blessed to be the mother of two incredible boys.
The worship team at Emmanuel is truly an amazingly gifted, God-powered, and Gospel-focused pack. Janet feels incredibly blessed to be a part of what God is doing in, around, and through Emmanuel Church, in the music and worship ministry, and beyond! God is on the move, and we are moving with Him!