About Us

GOD WANTS TO DO GREAT THINGS THROUGH YOU!

ABOUT US

Wayside Presbyterian Church is a community of believers. What does that mean, the word 'community'? We believe that together in fellowship we grow closer to God and one another. The bible speaks about iron sharpening iron. We believe that together we grow stronger. We are a community of believers.

Wayside strives to be a church without walls. Jesus calls for us to go outside the walls to reach the lost and the broken. It is there that the lost will be found. Wayside makes an effort to be like the church from the book of Acts, to see our community changed.

Wayside highly values our relationships with one another. We look to grow through fellowship, and ultimately grow closer to God. We value the word of God, and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We look to extend grace to all of the lost and broken, and lead those with no hope to the hope of Jesus Christ.

WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION

Together we are a community of believers. What does that mean, the word community? We believe that together in fellowship we grow closer to God and one another. The bible speaks about iron sharpening iron. We believe that together we grow stronger. We are a community of believers.

OUR VISION

We strive to be a church without walls. Jesus calls for us to go outside the walls to reach the lost and the broken. It is there that the lost will be found. At Wayside, we make an effort to be like the church from the book of Acts, to see our community changed.

OUR VALUES

Our core values can be expressed in one W.O.R.D.

Word of God

The Bible is the unique and authoritative witness to the Word of God. We discern God's will through prayer, study and application of the scriptures.

Outreach

Wayside addresses the diverse needs of those within and outside our congregation. We serve the community through many seasonal events, including Waystock and Trunk 'n Treat.

Relationships

Wayside connects with children of God at all ages and stages of faith. We promote a sense of family and fellowship within Wayside as well as encourage the integration of visitors and new members into the life and work of the church.

Discipleship

Wayside seeks to develop diverse children and adults to follow Jesus through Bible studies, worship, small groups and Christian Formation activities.

OUR HISTORY

SMALL BEGINNINGS

Founded in the 1980's by laypersons who wanted a part in sharing the love of God in a rapidly growing area.
Organized on June 2, 1985, the congregation found a suitable 8-acre plot and built the first phase of Wayside Presbyterian Church.
By 2005, we outgrew our building and built the second phase - a multiuse sunlit Atrium, larger kitchen, spacious nursery and a classroom wing for our children and youth ministry.
We continue to build new and exciting ways to engage our community through our baseball diamond, outdoor firepit, and pavilion with attached playground.
Our future plans include a larger sanctuary and expanded area for fellowship gatherings before and after our two services.

OUR STAFF

Rev. Dr. Steve Fritz

Lead Pastor

Our Pastor/Head of Staff, the Rev. Dr. Stephen P. Fritz, has served the Wayside congregation since the summer of 2000.

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After living in Kentucky and Okinawa during his father’s active duty chaplaincy with the U.S. Army, his developmental years were spent in New Jersey where he attended Barrington Elementary School, Haddon Heights High School, and Rutgers University. Steve and his wife Meg were married in 1979 and have three adult children, two daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren. Committed to family and Wayside Church, they built a home with Steve’s parents in 2002 here in West Hempfield. Pastor Steve holds a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Ordained in 1989, Steve has served pastorates in West Jersey Presbytery (Providence Presbyterian Church), Shenandoah Presbytery (Keyser Presbyterian Church) and now Donegal Presbytery, where he is active with the Connecting our Ministry Commission (COM). Prior to his call to be a Minister of Word & Sacrament, Steve worked in special education, drove limousines and a school bus, and was a probation officer. Always continuing his education and having fun whenever possible, his hobbies include outdoor ventures and tending the property with Meg, British mystery television, singing and playing guitar, cooking and working out at the gym to stay fit.

Thomas Troop

Executive Administrative Assistant

Thomas grew up in Lancaster City, PA, as a faithful member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. He was homeschooled through High School and then went to St John’s College in Annapolis, MD (great books program) for a B.A. in Liberal Arts.

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During undergrad he discerned a calling to seminary (and eventually the priesthood) and the Fall after graduating undergrad he enrolled at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY where he did the coursework for a Master of Divinity. He hopes, with God’s help, to finish said degree shortly by enrolling in and completing a unit of CPE at a hospital (over a Summer, or extended over a Fall and Spring).

In the meantime, he lives with his parents (and a wonderful black lab/golden retriever mix dog) and is both working at Wayside and tutoring. He is also trying to help start an Orthodox parish in York County. He has been Wayside’s Sexton since Dec of ‘23 and EAA since Oct of ’24.

Janelle Pabon

Music Director

Janelle is a 2004 graduate of Berklee College of Music, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music degree. She has strong educational experience in professional music, song writing, and vocal performing.

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Janelle was the sole Music Director for New Life Christian Fellowship since April, 2013, where she was in charge of planning and producing their Sunday worship services, special holiday and praise services, and Wednesday evening rehearsals. Before that, Janelle was the Music Director for the East Northport Christian Church in East Northport, New York, for seven years.

Janelle has provided private voice and piano lessons, teaching beginners to advanced students how to maximize their musical potential. Wayside is truly blessed to have her talents enhance our services.

Sonja Eckert

Director of Family Ministry

Sonja was born and raised here in Lancaster County. She currently resides in Millersville with her husband, five children, dog and chickens.

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She graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School in 2005. Sonja then went to Millersville University and majored in Sociology.

Sonja has worked in a variety of children’s programs throughout Lancaster, Penn Manor and Hempfield school district. Her passion to provide a nurturing environment for children to learn and grow in has evolved and matured over the years due to her experience with so many wonderful kids.

Her off-the-clock interests include getting dirty in the garden, rocking out to music, family excursions, dates with friends, kid’s crafts and making messes!

Rachel Holsey

Youth Coordinator

Rachel grew up at the Jersey Shore, but she is happy to call Lancaster County home since 2017. She resides with her husband, three younger kids (the two oldest are out of the house), and her parents.

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Rachel has a B.A. in Youth Ministry & Biblical Studies from Eastern University. She has varied leadership experience with church youth ministry, as well as with non-profit service organizations. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the kindHuman Foundation.

Rachel enjoys homeschooling her kids - learning with them and following their interests. It inspired her to follow her own creative and entrepreneurial spirit -manifesting in her own jewelry business.

Michelle Hess

Nursery Coordinator

Michelle was born and raised in Lancaster. She currently resides in Mountville with her
husband, four children, dog, cats, and birds.

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Michelle graduated from Conestoga Valley High
School in 1999 and continued her education at Liberty University, receiving a bachelor’s degree
in NextGen Ministries. Besides working in the church Nursery, Michelle is also a substitute
teacher for Dayspring Christian Academy, and has also substituted in Hempfield School District.
Prior to working at Wayside, she has acquired experience in the retail and human resource
fields, as well as other children’s programs through the Hempfield Rec Center and the Girls
Scouts.
Michelle’s interests outside of church include: baking, cooking, sewing, crafts of just about any
type, and drag racing with her family.

HELPING PEOPLE FOLLOW JESUS