Vida Grace Brown

I was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and raised to know the Lord from a very young age, attending North Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC as well as other Reformed churches in the area. After graduating from Geneva College with degrees in accounting and business administration, I worked for a public accounting firm in Maryland for three years and obtained my CPA license. From there, I moved on to the private sector, working for both national and local home builders and general contractors as assistant controller and controller, in Virginia and Colorado. I was very glad to receive the position as controller for the Trustees of Synod and step away from the corporate world. Accounting is something I really enjoy, and I am grateful for the opportunity to use it for the benefit of the church.

Teaching in Sabbath school and watching children grasp biblical concepts is a highlight of my week. Exploring God’s creation by hiking, skiing, and canoeing is a love of mine, and I enjoy a good mystery too.

Jim McFarland

I live in the Pittsburgh, Pa., area and am an elder in Providence (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC. I grew up in California, attended Geneva College, moved to Indiana, and then to Pittsburgh. Living in and working with believers from all over the church has expanded my appreciation for God’s work through the RPCNA. As the treasurer for the denomination, I work for all the boards, committees, and institutions of the church and have a unique “front row” view of the ministries of the church.

Growing up as a covenant child, I was a little slow to learn, but by God’s grace eventually understood and believed the whole truth of the gospel and the assurance that comes with faith in Christ alone. My parents provided a godly example of faith and service. My wife, Carnel, and I have six children and five grandchildren. We love to see each one growing in faith while they keep us busy with homeschool activities, sports, jobs, college, etc.

Anna Dinkledine

I have worked part-time for the Trustees office as an accounting assistant for six years. I started the job when my husband, Luke, and I lived in Pittsburgh, Pa., and I kept the job working remotely after we moved to Connecticut and now to Tennessee, where we currently live with our one-year-old daughter, Eleanor. My work includes the day-to-day tasks of paying bills, managing cash accounts, recording receipts, and, my all-time favorite, reconciling bank statements. When I’m not working, I love caring for Eleanor, sewing, preserving food, and working in our large garden where we grow our favorite vegetables, herbs, and flowers. We’re also quite involved in our church, where we enjoy serving the congregation and community.

Larry Gladfelter

I am the husband of one wife (Kathy), father of five children (Tricia, Evan, Kaitlyn, Brenda, and Nancy), and grandfather of eight. The Lord saved me in my teenage years. I attended Geneva College and toured three summers with the Continental Singers. I am a member of Broomall, Pa., RPC in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. I have been a deacon since the eighties and have served on the Finance Committee of Synod, the Pension Board, and now the Trustees of Synod.

I have prepared thousands of meals over the years for various groups, including White Lake Covenanter Camp, TFY, and youth retreats. I have recorded video of speakers at camps, conferences, and seminars and of the boards and agencies supported by RPM&M. I praise our Lord for all He has done for us and all He continues to do as we seek to serve Him.

Bill Roberts

I became a Christian while attending Cornell University. While attending graduate school at Purdue University, I felt a call to the pastoral ministry. Leaving mathematics behind, I received my MDiv from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa. After serving as pastor in the Bloomington, Ind., RPC for more than 27 years, I then served as a church planter in Terre Haute, Ind., for 10 years. My wife, Rachel, and I were instrumental in founding Lighthouse Christian Academy, a nondenominational Christian school in Bloomington, Ind. I served more than two decades on the board of Reformation Translation Fellowship (RTF), a mission organization dedicated to translating Christian books into Chinese. As a result of this involvement with RTF, God has given me 10 opportunities to make mission trips to East Asia.

Rachel and I have four grown children and five grandchildren. I am retired and a member of Southside (Indianapolis, Ind.) RPC.

David McCune

Growing up in the RP Church in Ireland, I came to saving faith in Christ Jesus as a preteen with the diligent care of faithful, godly parents. I came to know Jesus through a church camp in the Western Presbytery when I was confronted with the same realization as the Roman centurion who, at the foot of the cross, declared, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Many years have passed since then, but along the way He has kept me by His Word in the bounds of the church in many different places between the UK and the US. I have now lived in the US more than half my life and have been married to Barbara for 30 years. For the last 21 years, we have been members of Messiah’s (Clay, N.Y.) RPC. I became a ruling elder when the congregation was organized in October 2005.

Gayle Copeland

I was raised and currently reside in Fresno, Calif. I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home where I was taught about Jesus and how to live as a Christ-follower. I remember distinctly asking Jesus to come into my heart at the age of five, and I continued to grow in knowledge of and obedience to Christ. I enjoy traveling, volleyball (although my playing days are almost over), and spend-ing time with my family. I currently serve as provost at Fresno Pacific University because I believe that Christian higher education institutions can and ought to be influential organizations that shape thought and culture in our world today.

Cheryl Hemphill

I don’t remember a time when I didn’t believe in and trust in the Lord Jesus, and He has been faithful to keep me on the path. I am grateful to my parents, and to other godly teachers, who taught me the truths of the Scriptures and the way of salvation.

Much of my time is spent being involved in my local church. I am often impressed that only God can bring a motley crew like a local church together in unity and love—and there is never a dull moment. In many ways, He reminds me that it is all His work! In addition, I teach piano, sing in a trio, and do income taxes for a number of people.

My life in the RP Church has been rich and varied, for which I am thankful. I do not deserve all the loving and honest friends God has given to me—that is fully His grace. I’ve lived in different areas of the country, all of which I’ve enjoyed very much, but I have a special fondness for the West. For the last 15 years I’ve lived in Laramie, Wyo., with Bob, who has been my husband for nearly 45 years.

Robert Sabolich

I was born in Chicago to immigrant parents. The first language I learned was Italian. Our family moved to Colorado when I was a teenager, which is where I became a Christian.

I pursued a career in accounting and eventually became a tax partner at a CPA firm in Lafayette, Ind. I have retired since then but am active along with my wife, Linda, at Lafayette, Ind., RPC. We have two children—one in Virginia and the other in Colorado.

My ministry at church includes that of a deacon, treasurer, and member of various committees. In addition, I have been leading a Bible study at the county jail for the past 14 years. And, of course, serving as a Synod trustee!

Linda and I enjoy traveling. I also enjoy fishing and reading. The fewer fish I catch, the more I read. So I read a lot.

David Robson

I have been an elder at Christ (East Providence, R.I.) RPC since its inception. I am also chair of the board for Barrington Christian Academy, COO of a medical device startup concentrating on glaucoma surgery, and a longtime supporter of White Lake Covenanter Camp. My wife, Deryl, and I have been married 25 years and have three children—Elena, Isaac, and Jonah. I grew up in Syracuse, N.Y., attended the University of Rochester, and am the oldest son of Pastor Edward and Gretchen Robson.

I have a wide variety of interests and passions. I enjoy doing almost anything outdoors in any kind of weather. Over the last decade, my brothers and I have taken long motorcycle tours around different parts of the US and Canada. Deryl and I like to travel domestically and abroad and are regularly contemplating where we might go next. We have owned RVs and boats over the years, and I am regularly caught window-shopping for the next one. I particularly enjoy helping the youth of the congregation realize that demonstrating a servant’s heart is God-honoring and can be remarkably satisfying. Lastly, over my years in business and on governing boards, I have become comfortable working on long-term planning and financial matters.

What do the Trustees of Synod do?

The Trustees of Synod is a nine-member board of the RPCNA, although at times there are vacancies. While the Trustees usually nominate potential board members, the Synod elects them to three-year terms. One goal is to have all the presbyteries represented on the board, and that is typically the case.

We have a number of responsibilities. First, our group oversees the work of our denominational employees, particularly those working in the RPCNA treasurer’s office. We have regular contact to be sure their needs are heard and addressed.

Have you heard of the General Mortgage Fund or the Building Loan Fund, to which individuals and congregations may apply? As trustees, we review these applications, set interest rates, and monitor payments on these loans.

As a denomination, we have considerable funds through bequests, donations, etc., which are invested for the benefit of the RPCNA. The vast majority of these funds are invested for specific congregations and ministries, such as home and foreign missions. Our board maintains and reviews the denomination’s assets and investments, including meeting with our portfolio advisor.

We promote stewardship in the church and advertise the needs of Reformed Presbyterian Missions and Ministries (RPM&M). This often includes articles in the RP Witness, informational posters and videos, promotion of One Great Day of Sharing, and contact with congregational leaders. In addition to tracking RPM&M giving, we also track Synod assessments paid by congregations.

The board receives any funds and property when a congregation becomes disorganized. It makes sure that any outstanding bills are paid. We also have responsibility over legal and insurance matters.

The Trustees have a yearly audit done by a major accounting firm. This is to ensure that the finances are managed with sound accounting principles.

As you would expect on such a board, we have several small committees within the board to focus on the various responsibilities mentioned above.

Our board meets three times yearly, twice by videoconference and once in person, with an occasional extra meeting called for special situations.

Often, as a board, we have concluded our meetings with extended times of prayer for the church. We love serving the church, and we encourage you to reach out to any of us with questions and comments.