Course Description

We live in an era where “anything goes.” Transgenderism, abortion, gun rights, mercy killing, homosexuality, civil unrest are but a few ethical issues that often highlight everyday conversations. In the midst of the moral darkness of our society, Christians must look to the north star to guide us—the Bible. In this class, we will explore some prominent issues of the day so that we might have firm convictions as we navigate the world’s maze of morality.

Teacher: Dean Ressler | Room: Chapel

Dean was born and raised on the mission field. After completing undergraduate work at Prairie Bible Institute and Calvary Bible College, he obtained a graduate degree from Columbia International University. In 1980, he returned to the southern Caribbean, to the island of Bonaire, to a church development and leadership-training ministry for 24 years. Since 2004, Dean has been serving in the Missionary Personnel Department of Fellowship International Missions (FIM).

Course Description

God designed marriage to do many things: imitate Christ’s relationship with his church, reflect God’s oneness, act as a sanctifying work on a husband and wife. But sin from without and within ourselves has corrupted this sacred union. In this class, we’ll return to the heart of God’s original design for marriage and study the practical effects of this on marriage in everyday life.

Teachers: Scott Allen & Adam Crain | Room: 42

Scott currently serves the church as a Biblical Counselor and a Life Group Leader. He and his wife Debbie have been at Cedar Crest for six years and married for 38 years, and have three sons and four grandchildren. He has a seminary degree in Biblical Counseling and took an early retirement in order to serve in an expanded role here at Cedar Crest. He is passionate about helping believers grow in Christ through the personal and corporate ministry of the Word.

Teacher | Adam Crain

Adam graduated with a Bible Degree in 2004 and obtained a Master’s of Science in Christian Counseling in 2013 from Cairn University. He’s married to his wonderful wife, Lauren for 13 years as they raise their three young children. He’s been in the ministry for over two decades and is the Shepherding Pastor at Cedar Crest. He’s passionate about people finding freedom in Christ, discipleship, and the local church thriving as we love one another. He enjoys time with his family, the Philly Sports Team, and being a sportsman in the great outdoors.

Course Description

A church is only as healthy as its leaders. With a famine of doctrinal literacy in the church, we will study systematic theology, church philosophy, and the qualifications for the roles of Elder and Deacon. Even if a man is not interested in pursuing these offices, he will still grow in godly character and wisdom by taking this course.

*Because this class is a requisite for church leadership, it is for men only. However, taking this class does not guarantee a man on becoming an Elder or Deacon.

Teacher: Jason Hoy | Room: 6

Jason serves as the Lead and Teaching Pastor at Cedar Crest. His main responsibilities are preaching in the morning worship service, leading the Elders and Church Staff, raising up new leaders, and teaching in various capacities.

Course Description

Since the Fall, man has been searching the earth for purpose and identity. But, apart from a life in Christ, these things will always be out of reach. Only by understanding how God originally created us to be (first image) and how we perverted it (second image) can we begin to know ourselves and our purpose.

Teacher: Chris Von Holt | Room: 41

Chris has been on staff since 2016 and currently serves as Discipleship Pastor, overseeing adult ministries and the curriculum taught throughout the church. He is a graduate of Maranatha Baptist University and is pursuing his MDiv through the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Courtney have been married since 2013 and have three children: Theodore, Guinevere, and Rosemary.

Course Description

The Reformation decisively influenced and shaped the modern world and the Christian church as we know it today. This class will act as an overview with the awareness that at best we can just introduce some key moments, people, and issues. This class will only serve as an introduction for those with little or no awareness of the great themes and events of the Reformation.

Teacher: Rick Whitmire | Room: Fellowship Hall

Rick has been a member of Cedar Crest for more than 15 years and attending Cedar Crest with his wife Keri for 17 years. During that time, he has served in several areas of ministry including youth group, college, choir, teaching, the Deacon Board, the Elder board, and currently serves on the Executive Board for the Bible Fellowship Denomination. He and Keri have been married more than 20 years and have two fantastic children: Halle Jo and Caleb.