Team of Pastors and Elders
As the son of Thurlow and Lynda Switzer, Dan grew up in the church at Northgate. He received the Lord as Savior at four and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a senior in high school. Amid much suffering and personal doubt during his college years, Dan surrendered his life to Christ and embraced the call to teach young people and to help them to grow in their walk with the Lord. He has taught children for twenty-four years, has a master’s degree and a doctorate degree in educational leadership, and has written the book Train Up a Child.
Dan serves the Lord with his wife Silvia, who grew up in Honduras and met the Lord through the ministry of a Christian school. In 1993, they started Camp Courage. More recently, the Lord called them to establish Living Grace Christian School, a school that partners with parents to raise up champions of God. Silvia has taught children for over eight years and has a tremendous gift of befriending children and their parents. They have four children: Anna, Caleb, Nehemiah, and Joshua.
Dan was ordained to the pastoral ministry in 2006 and now serves as lead pastor at Northgate. Working with a committed team of pastors and elders, he is strongly motivated to serve people and God’s purposes in their lives, including the equipping of people to serve others in flock home groups. Both Dan and Silvia are motivated to help individuals and families to walk into all of God’s promised land for their lives.
Dan serves the Lord with his wife Silvia, who grew up in Honduras and met the Lord through the ministry of a Christian school. In 1993, they started Camp Courage. More recently, the Lord called them to establish Living Grace Christian School, a school that partners with parents to raise up champions of God. Silvia has taught children for over eight years and has a tremendous gift of befriending children and their parents. They have four children: Anna, Caleb, Nehemiah, and Joshua.
Dan was ordained to the pastoral ministry in 2006 and now serves as lead pastor at Northgate. Working with a committed team of pastors and elders, he is strongly motivated to serve people and God’s purposes in their lives, including the equipping of people to serve others in flock home groups. Both Dan and Silvia are motivated to help individuals and families to walk into all of God’s promised land for their lives.
They have served the community as School of the Word teachers, in various positions in Vacation Bible School, been part of the worship team and have been leaders of several home groups.
Rick became an elder in 1985, administrative pastor in 1995, and began serving as the Lead Pastor in 1997. Rick also works full-time for the Associated General Contractors of America, a trade association, as the Executive Director of Convention and Meeting Services.
Rick and Sue feel that God has called them to love and serve their community as they encourage and challenge believers to become all that God has called them to be in His kingdom.
Thurlow and Lynda Switzer moved to Montgomery Village, MD in 1972, when Thurlow became the apostolic pastor of Northgate Community Church.
During Thurlow’s years of ministry in the Washington D.C. area, he carried significant educational leadership roles. He was the founder and president of Montgomery County Covenant Academy, a Christian high school. He served as the founder and president of the Maryland Federation of Church Schools and helped lead the battle for educational freedom for several years in the State of Maryland. During the 1980s, he played a major role in a successful fight for the freedom of parents to home school their children. He was the Dean of Academics and later President of the Washington, D.C. based Messiah Biblical Institute and Graduate School of Theology for several years, serving with Dr. Dan Juster, apostle of Tikkun Ministries, a Messianic Jewish mission.
Currently, Thurlow Switzer is the apostolic, point-person leader for Living Grace Ministries. He moves among a growing fellowship of churches and pastors, providing counsel and guidance, teaming with local pastors in the training and equipping of believers in followership, leadership, servanthood and covenant interaction.
During Thurlow’s years of ministry in the Washington D.C. area, he carried significant educational leadership roles. He was the founder and president of Montgomery County Covenant Academy, a Christian high school. He served as the founder and president of the Maryland Federation of Church Schools and helped lead the battle for educational freedom for several years in the State of Maryland. During the 1980s, he played a major role in a successful fight for the freedom of parents to home school their children. He was the Dean of Academics and later President of the Washington, D.C. based Messiah Biblical Institute and Graduate School of Theology for several years, serving with Dr. Dan Juster, apostle of Tikkun Ministries, a Messianic Jewish mission.
Currently, Thurlow Switzer is the apostolic, point-person leader for Living Grace Ministries. He moves among a growing fellowship of churches and pastors, providing counsel and guidance, teaming with local pastors in the training and equipping of believers in followership, leadership, servanthood and covenant interaction.
Devroy and Ruth have joyfully served the Lord at Northgate for many years.
Devroy leads and administrates the Praise and Worship team.
He is a great student of God's Word. He ministers and teaches with a prophetic heart on topics that are intellectually challenging and profoundly practical.
Devroy has accomplished many years of graduate study as a mathematician. He teaches collegiate students and brings a unique level of inspiration and passion to the classroom environment.
Ruth works in the medical field.
Together they lead a homegroup (FLOCK Group) and minister to the congregation in a loving way.
Devroy leads and administrates the Praise and Worship team.
He is a great student of God's Word. He ministers and teaches with a prophetic heart on topics that are intellectually challenging and profoundly practical.
Devroy has accomplished many years of graduate study as a mathematician. He teaches collegiate students and brings a unique level of inspiration and passion to the classroom environment.
Ruth works in the medical field.
Together they lead a homegroup (FLOCK Group) and minister to the congregation in a loving way.
Vance and Linda have been with Northgate for over twenty years. They have five grown children, and many grandchildren.
Their service at Northgate has included many roles, creative ministries, and practical biblical teaching.
Vance's career has him providing leadership and counsel in high-level roles for our country's government.
Currently, he serves Northgate as the Financial Treasurer.
Their service at Northgate has included many roles, creative ministries, and practical biblical teaching.
Vance's career has him providing leadership and counsel in high-level roles for our country's government.
Currently, he serves Northgate as the Financial Treasurer.