Meet the Staff...

From left to right: Joe Sacco, Ruth Bricker, John Bricker, Sandy Caston, Mark Caston, Jess Hartman, Josh Hartman, Josh Shaffer, Aaron Schappell

Mark Caston
Lead Pastor

Pastor Caston, originally from New York, has served as Pastor of The Bridge since September 1997. He and his family were instrumental to bring restoration to a foreign missions church in the Cayman Islands for a short term prior to accepting this pastorate. He previously was Senior Pastor of First Assembly of God in St. Thomas, PA. He also pastored a Home Mission’s Work in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. Pastor Caston and his wife worked in youth ministry, in Waterbury, CT after graduating from Valley Forge Christian College. Pastor Mark and Sandy have two daughters, Erica & Bethany.

Joshua Hartman
Youth Pastor

Joshua was born and raised in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania where he accepted Christ into his life at a young age. In 1996, while attending a Penn-Del summer camp, he felt the call of God to pursue youth ministry. After Graduating from James Buchanan High School in 2001, he was accepted at Valley Forge Christian College, where he would pursue a degree in youth ministry with a minor in church music. During his time at Valley Forge he was part of their traveling ministry teams. As part of these teams he ministered at churches, youth camps, and outreaches across the East Coast. In October of 2005, Josh married Jessica Billings, who also graduated from Valley Forge Christian College with a business degree. Josh and Jessica have been ministering here for over three years. Josh and Jess reside in the town of Shoemakersville.

Aaron Schappell

Children's Pastor

Pastor Aaron's resume includes: Co-children’s pastor at Calvary Hill Church in Glassboro, New Jersey, camp counselor for the A/G's PK retreat & Kid's Camps, daycare assistant for several years at several daycares, and a Children’s church worker – ranging from pre-K to Elem. age – since he was in 6th grade. His passion is Children's ministry, but he also loves playing his guitar, reading comics, facebooking, and spending time with his fiance and soon-to-be wife, Bethany Harshberger.

John Bricker
Ministry Development Pastor

John and his family came to Hamburg in May of 2007 from Middletown NY. He and his wife Ruth of 22 years are pursuing degrees at VFCC in English Literature and Pastoral Counseling respectively. John heads up the Ministry Development program at the Bridge Church, with an emphasis on Connect (small) Groups. Ruth is actively involved in Women’s Ministries as well as helping with the Iron Gate Café. John and Ruth are the proud parents of six children, Daniel, Taylor, Sarah, Phoebe, Joshua, and Jacob.

Josh Shaffer
Worship Pastor

Josh Shaffer joined our staff in August 2009. He grew up in Central Pennsylvania and graduated from Tyrone Area High School in 2007. He currently attends Valley Forge Christian College where he is studying Church Music and Music Technology. At VFCC Josh was the leader of a traveling music ministry team that toured the Northeast for two years and was also the Vice President of the Concert Choir. He has been involved with numerous secular and Christian musical productions from a very young age and loves using his gifts for the Lord. Josh and his fiance, Keena, will be married in the summer of 2010 and are very excited about starting their lives together! They both love serving at The Bridge Church.

Sandy Caston
Director of Ministries

Sandy was born and raised in Havre de Grace, Maryland. She is a 1981 graduate of the Havre de Grace High School. After graduation she attended Valley Forge Christian College for one year where she met her husband, Mark and married in 1982. Mark Caston is the Lead Pastor of The Bridge Church.

Pastor Mark and Sandy are blessed with two daughters, Erica and Bethany who are married. Travis and Erica Cogle of LaPlata, Maryland are parents of Jackson Cade Cogle. Jackson was born on July 18^th 2008. Robert and Bethany Cummings reside in the Fayetteville, Arkansas area serving as Youth Pastors at Christian Life Cathedral.

Sandy has worked closely along side her husband for 15 years as church secretary. In 2001 she resumed the position as Director of Ministries until the present. Her previous experience in business has included Vanguard Investment Company, Valley Forge Christian College, Environmental Protection Agency, and several Assembly of God Churches.

Her primary role as Director of Ministries includes the general operation and management of the Master Calendar, Church office, Special church events, and Ministry Development. Sandy also leads the Women of Purpose Ministry and is one of the worship leaders for Ignite Worship Ministries.

Crystalyn Fassihi
Daycare Director

Crystalyn was born in Pittsburgh, PA and raised in a Pastor’s home where she accepted Christ at a young age and has been serving God ever since. Crystalyn has always been active in the church, serving in ministries including VBS Teacher and Music Leader, Kid’s Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, Children’s Church Leader, Nursery Attendant and more. She felt the call of God on her life to be a teacher and to touch the lives of children ever since she was a child. Crystalyn taught Kindergarten at SonShine and is now the Director. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Valley Forge. Crystalyn lives in Wyomissing, PA with her husband, Reza.

Michele Baumann
Office Secretary

Michele was born and raised in Ringwood, NJ where as a teenager she accepted Jesus as her savior. After graduating from Lakeland Regional High School, she attended Elim Bible Institute where she met her husband, Bob. They were married in 1986 and lived in Rochester, NY area for three years. In 1989 they moved to New Ringgold, PA to become part of the staff at Blue Mountain Christian Retreat. Bob and Michele started attending First Assembly of God in the fall of 2006. They have three children, Nicole, Aaron and Kayla. Kayla went home to be with the Lord on December 31, 2006.

Roberta Masica
Receptionist

Roberta graduated from Hempstead High School and went on to graduate from Grace Institute Secretarial School. She began her career at Sperry Gyroscope and then worked part time at various secretarial positions for many years while raising her family. After accepting the Lord in 1976, Roberta and her husband Michael were involved in various ministries and attended Christ for the Nations from 1986 through 1991. After retiring in 1991, they moved to Pennsylvania, both volunteering and serving on staff at Blue Mountain Christian Retreat for 11 years. Michael was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1997, and went home to be with the Lord in March, 2007. Roberta began attending The Bridge in 2002 where she volunteers in the office and Women’s Ministry.
Roberta was born and raised on Long Island, NY, and continued to live there after her marriage to Michael in 1960. They have three married daughters, Susan, Donna and Maribeth and 9 grandchildren.

Lisa Schappell
Treasurer / Bookkeeper
Lisa Schappell began volunteering as the church Bookkeeper in 2001, officially joining our staff in 2003. In addition to her official duties here at The Bridge, Lisa along with her husband Dennis also leads our Greeting Ministry and teaches some of our Adult Bible Fellowship classes. She is currently pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Accounting while raising her four wonderful children. In her spare time Lisa enjoys creative writing, reading, family trips and making crafts of all kinds!

Joe Sacco
Pastoral Counselor

Joe lives in Rehrersburg, PA with his wife, Virginia, 2 children, Christina and Michael and his sister, Phyllis. Joe and his wife were students at Teen Challenge and graduated in 1987. Joe and his family moved to Dallas, TX where he attended Christ for the Nations Bible College and received his diploma in Practical Theology. He went on to Dallas Baptist University, graduated with honors and received his Masters of Arts in Counseling. Joe has been working in the counseling field since 1992. He currently is a counselor/teacher at the Teen Challenge Training Center in Rehrersburg and also has a preaching ministry.

Jessica Hartman
Cafe Coordinator

Jessica began volunteering in the Iron Gate Cafe since the grand opening in March 2006. She was hired on staff as the Cafe Director in November 2007. Jessica graduated from Valley ForgeChristianCollege with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in May 2005 and married her husband, Josh Hartman, in October. She also loves working along side Josh in youth ministry and teaching small groups. Jessica's other interests include reading, listening to Sara Groves and watching Jane Austin movies with her friends and family.