At Ridgewood Bible Church we are committed to restoring a biblical design of leadership for a shepherding community.  God has established that the Elders of the Church are to provide for the Church's Oversight & Shepherding care of the church.  The elders at RBC partner with the Pastoral Team to confirm God's vision & direction of RBC.  They evaluate ministries to make sure that the Mission, Values, Vision & Doctrine of RBC is maintained.  

Each Elder Shepherds a flock of RBC, working with his flock team to provide spiritual care for them.  Each Elder also functions to give oversight of a designated segment of RBC's ministries, providing connection and encouragement with ministry leaders.

Elder & Pastoral Team:         

Back row from left to right:  Fred Kenny, Bill Hill, Pastor Rich Jennings, Dennis Buhr, Ron Felstead, Mark Scolfill.
Front row from left to right:  Tim Buhr, Pastor Charles Jennings, Pastor Mike Foster, Pastor Brian Buhr

Not shown: Pete Russell & Joe Czach  

Pastoral Team: 

Lead Pastor Chuck Jennings has been leading the Flock that is Ridgewood Bible Church for over 13 years. A native of Miami, Florida, Pastor Jennings has slowly followed the Lord northward in his ministry journey. After trusting Christ in high school at an informal Bible study, Pastor determined to pursue a full-time ministry direction and therefore began attending Florida Bible College, where he received his Bachelor's degree. By then, too, he had married Debbie, a decision that has led to over 30 wonderful years of marriage and 5 children! From Florida, he moved up to Wahington, DC, where he earned a Master's of Theology at Capital Bible Seminary. While there, he directed New Life Bible Camp for two years. He also taught Bible and coached basketball at a Christian academy before taking his first pastorate at Fort Howard Community Church, near Baltimore. After six years of fruitful ministry at Fort Howard, Pastor Jennings embraced a new challenge and accepted an invitation to shepherd Ridgewood Bible Church. So, the Jennings Family invested in winter coats and wool socks and headed north to the Buffalo area. Although he had never been anywhere colder (RBC is actually 45 minutes north of Buffalo, nearly in Lake Ontario!), years later Pastor still testifies that this area is a great place to raise a family. And, his family is basically raised: John is a Lawyer in Rochester, and is married with two boys; Mike is an Elementary Teacher in Lancaster, PA, and is married with one girl; Scott is on staff at Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, PA, and is married. Rich and Mary are both students at Lancaster Bible College. With less and less family in the house, Pastor has found himself with a little more time to pursue further personal goals. In fact, in 2005, after several years of distance study, Pastor Jennings earned his Doctorate in Ministry from Baptist Bible Seminary. Perhaps even more amazingly, though, in 2004, not long after committing to it and training for it, Pastor completed his first marathon! He continues to train for more, running regularly along the Erie Canal, where he also enjoys some of his most intimate times with the Lord. Pastor looks forward to meeting you at RBC, but watch out, because if he does, you might just be inspired to try things you never would have dreamed you'd be doing! He definitely has that kind of effect on people!

Pastor Mike Foster began serving at Ridgewood in September of 2005. Despite growing up just around the corner from the church and playing many hockey games in its parking lot, Mike would have never imagined working at RBC when he was younger. However, shortly after graduating from Newfane High School, Mike placed his faith in Jesus to save him after learning the gospel through a Campus Crusade for Christ ministry at Elmira College. Within months of becoming a Christian, Mike had a hard time picturing himself doing anything other than full-time ministry for a career. As he came home that summer after his freshman year of college, he began attending Ridgewood Bible Church and met Pastor Jennings, who started discipling him. Pastor Mike eventually decided to follow in the footsteps of Pastor Jennings and attend Capital Bible Seminary. But, before he did, he finished his English Education degree at Elmira in 2002. And, most importantly, he married college classmate Meg in August of that year. While in seminary, the Fosters served at Forcey Memorial Church, where Mike directed the summer day camp for three years. Mike graduated from Capital with a Master's of Divinity in May of 2005 and accepted an invitation to minister at Ridgewood Bible Church around that time. By the time they arrived in Lockport, NY in September of 2005, Mike and Meg already had a 9-month-old son, Clay, and a baby girl due in February 2006! Pastor Mike currently works with the young adults (Crossroads), teens, and worship team at RBC. Meanwhile, in addition to helping Mike with just about everything imaginable, Meg enjoys life at home as a mom. Why Ridgewood Bible Church for the Fosters? Pastor Mike says he has always been captivated by the heartbeat of the church to maintain strong convictions while striving to do ministry in fresh, relevant ways.

Pastor Rich Jennings 

Was born in Philadelphia, and spent a few years in Baltimore before moving to Lockport, NY when his dad became lead pastor at Ridgewood Bible Church.

After graduating from High School he went to Lancaster Bible College for Pastoral Ministries.  While in Lancaster, Pastor Rich served at Newsong Fellowship Church within their Youth Ministry, and was mentored and encouraged by a number of Newsong’s pastors.  The summer before his senior year of college, Pastor Rich came home to Ridgewood Bible Church and served as an intern.  It was during that summer that he met his beautiful bride, Michelle!

Since graduating from Lancaster Bible College Pastor Rich was invited back to Ridgewood Bible Church to serve as a Pastor within the Student Ministries more specifically the Jr. High, and Young Adult Ministries.  He loves spending Wednesday nights with the 7th and 8th grade students, igniting a passion for Jesus within them, and playing tons of Dodge ball!  Pastor Rich also loves his time with the Young Adults each Sunday, and planning amazing events like the Chili Bowl, Wiffle Ball World Series, The Shuvunda, and many games nights!  He has been blessed to watch God work in each of these ministries! Pastor Rich is also looking to finish up his Master’s degree in Leadership through Lancaster Bible College in May of 2012.

Pastor Rich’s wife Michelle is a Physical Education teacher in the Royalton Hartland School district.  Michelle and he enjoy coaching soccer together, and serving God at the church together.  Both Pastor Rich and Michelle are HUGE FLORIDA GATORS FANS!!!

Pastor Brian Buhr

Grew up attending RBC where he developed a passion to serve in ministry.  In 2005 Brian graduated from Lancaster Bible College having concentrated his studies in pastoral ministry.  He stayed in Lancaster county and began an internship at Millersville Bible Church.  There he grew in ministry experience by working with there Collegiate and Young Adult ministry.  As the internship at Millersville came to an end, God began to prepare the way for Him to return to New York.

In January 2010, Brian came on board as an Intern Pastor at RBC.  Serving with his home church has become one of Brian's greatest joys.  He was privileged to co-lead a team from RBC to Puerto Rico in August 2010.  His co-leader Nicole Dunbar had helped establish the churches connection to the deaf school there in Puerto Rico.  Both having a passion for ministry and the church, Brian and Nicki worked well together preparing for the trip and it wasn't long before they started dating.  On November 11th, 2010 Brian asked Nicki to marry him.  Their wedding is scheduled for April 23rd, 2011.  They are both excited about serving at RBC together.  Nicki is a certified teacher of the deaf and hard-of-hearing and works in the area.  Brian is working to towards ordination in the fall of 2011.