About Elders

BIBLICAL BASIS FOR ELDER LEADERSHIP

1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

1 Timothy 3: 3-8

ELDER STRUCTURE

The elders of the church serve to provide spiritual oversight and direction for the congregation.  The pastors of the church provide leadership among the elders, and while elders generally serve with their campus in mind, eldership is recognized by the whole church.  Shepherding care is at the heart of eldership, and our elders work with the deacons to care for the spiritual and material needs of the fellowship.

Our Elders

OUR LEADERSHIP & STAFF
OUR DEACONS

  • Magdy and Caroline have been members at SHC since 1998 and have 3 grown children and one granddaughter.

    Magdy serves as an elder and on the prayer team with Caroline. He enjoys spending time with family and friends and following international soccer.

  • Jon’s connection to the church and Hockessin dates back to 1985 when, as a boy, he came to the church with his parents. After graduating high-school, Jon left for college, and upon graduation, was commissioned in the US Air Force.

    In 2008, he answered a call to ministry and became the Senior Pastor of Sycamore Hill Church.  Jon continues to serve in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and resides with his family in Kennett Square.

    Jon and his wife, Andrea, have four children: Timothy, Joshua, Ransom, and Grace.

  • John has been a member of Sycamore Hill Church since he was a child. He actively volunteers in both the youth ministry and on the worship team. While not at church, he works in the software industry.

    John and his wife Katie have four children: Sam, Ben, Ryan, and Elyse. Together, they are committed to serving the church community and growing in their faith.

  • Andrew started attending Sycamore Hill Church in 2012 during his time at the University of Delaware. He graduated with an M.S. in Molecular Biology and worked as a research scientist until joining our staff in 2022. He loves the way that song draws people to dwell on the glory of God and is grateful to shepherd our Worship Ministry. In addition to arranging our Sunday services, he also serves on the Elder Team and oversees the church’s Young Adult Ministry.

    In his free time he can be found noodling on a guitar, sipping a coffee, reading a classic, or taking a hike.

    Andrew and his wife, Devon, have three children: Micah, Eliza, and Renna.

  • Jason and Julia Matthews have been members at SHC since 2010.  They have 5 children: Eli, Leah, Jenna, Heidi, and Caleb.  Jason serves on the Elder Team and assists in preaching, teaching adult Sunday Bible study, Tuesday morning men's Bible study, and leading a Life Group.  Jason enjoys hiking, coaching and playing various sports, reading, and gardening.

  • DuAne and Sonya have been members at SHC since 2019 and have two children: Asha and Jai’mere.

    DuAne serves as Pastor of the Wilmington Campus. DuAne enjoys audiobooks, movies, and music in his spare time.

  • Tony and his wife Nicole have been members at Sycamore Hill Church since 2002. Even when living in Arizona for 11 years, Sycamore Hill was always considered their home church.

    Tony works part-time as our Discipleship Pastor and is also on staff with Unlimited Potential Inc., a Christian baseball ministry to professional baseball players.

    Tony and Nicole reside in Avondale PA. They have two adult sons, A.J. and Nicolas. In his spare time, Tony enjoys trail bike riding, fly fishing, and reading.

  • John and Kris have been members at SHC since 2012 and have four children: Jacob, Karen, Elisabeth,  and Daniel. John serves as an elder, assists with the Audio/Visual team at the Hockessin campus, has helped lead a men's Bible study and a life group. John likes to garden, manage his farm land in Kansas, and enjoys time with his family.

  • Eric and Diane have been members of SHC since 2012.  They were part of the original sending team that established the Wilmington Campus and remain there today with their 5 (6 in September) children.  Eric has enjoyed serving the church as a worship leader, life group leader, Sunday School teacher, deacon, and is now humbled and honored to serve as an elder.

  • Luke and Devon have been members at SHC since 2005 and have 2 daughters: Emme and Charley.

    Luke serves on the Missions Team, assists with adult and kids Sunday school, and is an elder. Luke enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing games, and running.