Staff
Meet the Staff
At Salem Hellers
Dr. Timothy Witmer
Interim Pastor
Pastor Tim grew up in a Christian home in New Holland, Pennsylvania. He attended West Chester University where he became a Christian through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (1975) he attended Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia where he completed the Master of Divinity degree. In 1979, he was ordained as a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and was installed as Assistant Pastor of Berith (now Springton Lake) Presbyterian Church in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. In 1986, he was called as Pastor of Crossroads Community Church in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.
While at Crossroads he began his doctoral studies at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree in 1998.
In 1999 he was invited to join the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary where he served as the Coordinator of the Practical Theology Department.
He “retired” from his ministry at Crossroads in January of 2014 and was named Pastor Emeritus. Shortly thereafter the Lord opened the door for him to serve as part-time pastor at St. Stephen Reformed Church. His ministry at the church officially began at St. Stephen on January 1, 2015. He eventually retired from his work at Westminster Seminary, being named Emeritus Professor of Practical Theology, and came to St. Stephen full-time on September 1, 2017. Under his leadership, St. Stephen transitioned to the Presbyterian Church in America, the historic steeple was replaced, and major steps were taken to revitalize the church
He married Barbara, his high school sweetheart, on July 26, 1975. They have three children: Sara; Rebecca, who is married to Mike Smith; and Nathan. The Witmers have eight grandchildren: Mikayla, Abbie, Kathryn, Emma, Lily, Benjamin, James and Reese.
He was motivated to write The Shepherd Leader as he became aware of increasing numbers of congregations who were like sheep without a shepherd. His objective is to see all church leaders embrace their calling to shepherd the flock.
He is also the author of The Shepherd Leader at Home; The Shepherd’s Toolbox; Mindscape: What to Think About Instead of Worrying; and most recently, God is God and I’m Not: How God’s Sovereignty Matters Every Day.
Learn more https://placefortruth.org/columns/the-shepherd-leader/
Carolyn McLain
Director of Music / Choir director
Carolyn has attended Salem Hellers for four years and has served on staff since January 2023. She loves to plan, lead, and put ideas into motion while encouraging musicians of all ages to glorify God through the musical gifts He has given them. Carolyn and her husband Bill sang together in the Touring Choir at Grove City College and have been married for 34 years. They are the parents of 3 young adult children and a new grandson. Carolyn enjoys singing, running, gardening, daily walks with her furry companion, Baxter, and climbing the Adirondack Tall Peaks with Bill. Her favorite hymn is “And Can It Be? (“Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me!”)
David Andrews
Organist
David Andrews was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, eventually relocating to Lancaster County in 1982 as part of his music and commercial audio industry pursuits. At his mom’s insistence, he began private piano lessons at the age of 7, switching to private organ instruction at age 13. Since his high school days, he has served as a substitute, assistant or the primary organist for a number of churches. He has been the primary accompanist for the Salem Evangelical Reformed Church, Hellers congregation since the fall of 2020. His highest honor is to be able to contribute to the worship services, closely collaborating with the Director of Music and the Pastor in the selection and performance of music that supports the ministry focus for each week. His favorite verse is Galatians 6:10: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” David lives with his wife, Hetty in the Ephrata area.
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