Leadership
Joe Krason, Elder
Senior Tax Accountant and Rabid Yankee Fan
Wife and ministry partner: Patricia
Married Children: Scott and Lisa, Matthew and Katie, Amy and Jeff
Grandchildren: Emily, Madeline, Abigail, Amelia (Matt and Katie)
Faith and Leah (Scott and Lisa)
After the birth of our children and the overwhelming love that I had for them, I wanted to give everything good to them. Since I believed in a God in heaven, I wanted this for them as well, but I came to the realization that I did not know God. I prayed to this God to reveal Himself to me and suddenly Christians whom I had known all my life were there to answer my questions. I began reading His Word and Christian tracts that expanded on certain biblical teachings about salvation. My wife was experiencing the same thing with Christians in her life. Eventually, we both prayed together to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We found in Mountainside Chapel a place to worship, serve, grow, and fellowship.
Shortly after coming to faith in Jesus Christ Pat and I began attending Mountainside Chapel where they were beginning Christian Service Brigade to minister to the young boys at the Chapel. I was invited to serve along with other Christian men and God used those men to help me grow and mature in my faith. After that I began serving on various committees, was baptized, became a member, joined the Church Board as a Deacon, and then was asked to join the Elder Board. I love serving the Lord at every opportunity He places before me and am thankful I can be part of the ministry effort at the Chapel.
I have always enjoyed young people and that is probably why I threw myself into almost every youth ministry I had time for from Christian Service Brigade, Junior High Sunday School, children’s Church, and even the Nursery on Sunday mornings. But I also feel I am a good fit as one of the Church leaders and that God has given me patience, compassion, a listening ear, and a desire to counsel hurting people.
When I was baptized I quoted Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” As I grow older I realize how little I am in control and that God already has a plan for my life.
My hope and prayer for Mountainside Chapel is that we please God through our Worship, prayer, the teaching of His Word, ministering to the needs of His people, sharing His Grace with those outside the Chapel, and seek His will in all we do.
As new believers Pat and I began searching for a Church to worship and mature in our newfound faith. After attending a few Christian churches in the area we went to Mountainside Chapel and knew this was the Church we wanted to attend as a family. We felt loved, welcomed, and a true concern for our family. The opportunities for service, growth, and fellowship were there, God’s Word was presented without compromise and the love of God was obvious during worship services.
Alberto Spiridigliozzi, Elder
Former Restaurant Owner
Professional Photographer
Wife and ministry partner: Liz
Children: Peter and Allison
I was born a Roman Catholic and someone asked me the question, “If you were to die today, where would you go?” Because I thought I was a good person, I thought I would go to heaven. My friend responded that only through faith in what Jesus has done for you can you get there. Since I was so hurt and offended, I began to research the subject. I read all of the Bible and it brought me to the truth that Jesus is the way through faith in His grace. In 1982 I was baptized at the same time my mother was at the Chapel, and I have been there ever since.
I was nominated to serve as a deacon the same year I was married at the Chapel. I saw a need and the Lord impressed on my heart a love for people. My gifts include a sincere love for people, and I love to see them succeed and hate to see them struggle in life. As an Elder now, I want to come alongside people and encourage them in their faith.
I love music and enjoy our times of worshipping in song at Mountainside Chapel where I serve as worship leader. Getting together and sharing life with others is important to me, so the fellowship of the Chapel family is especially meaningful to me.
A couple of my favorite passages are: Matthew 6, “Don’t worry about tomorrow it will take care of itself!” and Philippians 4:6-7 says “Be anxious for nothing . . .and I Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him. “These verses bring peace to me which surpasses all understanding.
I would love to see people comfortable in sharing their faith, struggles, and life with one another, in other words, being “real” so that others can be encouraged to do the same. I want us to be a lighthouse in our community pointing to Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, He is the answer to everything!
The Gospel “good news” of Jesus Christ was evident in the people when I first visited 26+ years ago. The word of God, which is powerful, is revealed and explained in such a faithful and practical manner, that it changes and challenges me every Sunday.
John Hoopingarner, Elder “Emeritus”
Gregory Hagg, Elder
Senior Minister, Mountainside Chapel
Professor, Talbot School of Theology of Biola University
Program Director, the Charles Feinberg Institute for Messianic Jewish Studies
Vice President for Academic Development, Chosen People Ministries
Wife and Ministry Partner: Linda
Children: Jason and Elaine, Andrew and Amy)
Grandchildren: Ryen, Matthew, Reese, Joy (Jason and Elaine)
Olivia, Emma Kate (Andy and Amy)
I became a believer in Jesus Christ while in high school in the Midwest. My wife-to-be had lost her brother in a tragic accident, and her family ministered to me by their testimony of faith during that difficult time. I always had an interest in improving the social and economic well being of people. This led to a college education in sociology. While in college I realized that the most important need of mankind is spiritual, so I entered Dallas Theological Seminary to learn the Bible with a view toward helping others know the Lord through teaching the Word of God.
After serving as the teaching pastor of a congregation in west Texas for seven years the Lord called me to pursue a doctorate at New York University in Hebrew and Judaic studies and work with Ariel Ministries, an educational ministry to Jewish believers in Jesus as Messiah. I also taught at Northeastern Bible College during that time, and Mountainside Chapel asked me to serve as interim pastor. After a few months I was asked to serve this congregation.
My primary interest is communicating the incredible spiritual truth from the Bible to those who want to learn. The believers at the Chapel are committed to this kind of ministry, and it is an honor to serve them. I have been given the freedom to continue ministering in Jewish education through Chosen People Ministries and Talbot School of Theology where I direct a unique program of training leaders in the Messianic Jewish movement.
Mountainside Chapel is a place that honors the Word of God. Those who regularly attend are committed to serious study on both a spiritual and an academic level. Our desire is to determine as carefully as possible what the Bible means so that we can see how marvelously it applies to everyday life.
Although I am the primary teacher at the Chapel, my family would attend this church if I were not one of the leaders. The family of God is so committed to one another that we could not imagine being part of any other fellowship. The other Elders are truly devoted to Jesus Christ and His Body. They are willing to serve as genuine Shepherds of the members of this congregation. It is a joy to serve with them.
Robert Cohn, Deacon
Hal Ottenstein, Deacon
Joe Pimentel, Deacon
Thomas (Bud) Walsh, Deacon