Our Team

Meet our team

The pastors, staff, and leaders who serve our church family.

Pastoral leadership

Our Pastor

Mark Swanson

Senior Pastor

Reverend Mark Swanson is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM) where he also planted a church in downtown Dallas as an outreach to spiritually disaffected youth. He then served as the Director of Community Ministries as the pastor to the poor and marginalized at All Angels’ Church for nearly ten years, followed by an equally long stretch at a pastorate in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mark also serves as a Spiritual Director. He grew up in central New Jersey and is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. He loves to hike, have good conversation over coffee, and is rather unsuccessfully trying his hand at fly-fishing.

Staff

Our Staff

Debbie Ocheltree

Church Administrator

Debbie Ocheltree joined our team in September of 2019 as our part-time office administrator, though she is not new to CBC. A graduate of Nyack College, her experience includes public relations, education, and campus ministry. Debbie attends the Woman to Woman Bible study and has been friends with several CBCers for years. She is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Tarrytown, where she teaches Kids Church, serves at the senior luncheons, and hosts small group Bible studies in her home. Debbie met her husband Ken in a Bible study, and they have served together since they were married.

Kevin Mazariegos

Youth Leader

Kevin Mazariegos serves as the Youth Leader at CBC, passionately guiding young people in their faith journey. With a heart for discipleship, he creates a dynamic and supportive environment where teens can grow in their relationship with Christ, build strong friendships, and engage in service to others. Through engaging Bible studies, fun activities, and meaningful discussions, Kevin is dedicated to helping the next generation discover their purpose in Christ and develop a faith that lasts.

Eli Policarpio

Small Groups Coordinator

Eli Policarpio was born and saved through God’s help (both physically and spiritually), hence he proudly bears the name Eliezer — “God is my help.” He loves to work and serve his family, and considers CBC his second family and home. Eli and his wife, Venus, have two children.

Elders

Our Elders

Elders serve as the guardians of the vision of the church and as the spiritual overseers of the congregation.

Mark Swanson

Senior Pastor

Eli Policarpio

Small Groups Coordinator

Jerry Faiella

Elder

Yves Martin

Elder

Phil Reiter

Elder

Lead Team

Our Lead Team

The Lead Team serves as the champions and implementers of the vision of the church, and directs, coordinates and supports our various ministry areas.

Eli Policarpio

Small Groups Coordinator

Barbara Diehl

Support Coordinator

Darlene Castro

Family Ministries Co-Coordinator

Romylee Escarpe

Family Ministries Co-Coordinator

Judi Napurski

Local Outreach Co-Coordinator

Sue Hughes

Local Outreach Co-Coordinator

Elfi Rivera

Mission Partnerships Coordinator

Sara Dawson

Large Gatherings Co-Coordinator

Lucy Leety-Wheeler

Large Gatherings Co-Coordinator

How we are led

Leadership & councils

Elders. Our elders provide spiritual leadership for our church and ensure that we are fulfilling CBC’s mission. They meet regularly to pray for CBCers and to plan and make decisions for the church. Our pastor is one of our elders. He does not have authority over them, nor does he work for them as an employee; he is distinct in that he serves in a full-time, paid capacity. His primary responsibilities include preaching and teaching, training leaders, giving strategic leadership, mentoring others, and providing counsel and care.

Ministry Support. Our ministry support team provides organizational support for CBC’s ministries, helping each to effectively contribute to our church’s mission — overseeing finances, building and grounds, Christian education, worship, missions and outreach, community, and leadership nominations.

The Forum. The Forum is our congregational meeting where our members elect elders and ministry support members, communicate about important church matters, and make major decisions together (such as approving budgets, authorizing major financial transactions and facility changes, and making bylaw changes). Becoming a member involves sharing your faith story with our elders and attending a membership class.

Want to connect with our team?

We’d love to hear from you. Reach out and someone from our church family will get back to you.

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