Leadership

PASTOR

Rev. Hyiwot Teshome was born and raised in Ethiopia before moving to his adopted country at the age of 19. He is married to the love of his life, Yeketenesh Woldeguiorguis, who works as a hospice nurse at the Gilchrist Hospice Center. They have been married for nearly 29 years and are proud parents of two sons, Noah and Lucas, who are 25 and 24 respectively.

Rev. Teshome earned his Master of Divinity degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary and has served as both a chaplain and a pastor. He loves serving his God and God’s beloved, and strives tirelessly to bring about the kingdom and will of God on earth as it is in heaven.

Rev. Teshome and his family have called Columbia, Maryland home since 2004.

OUR TERRIFIC STAFF!

CHOIR DIRECTOR

Ingrid Sampson, our Music Director, studied music education, voice, piano, and organ at Bucknell University. A part-time early childhood music teacher, Ingrid also teaches private piano and voice lessons. She lives in Ellicott City with her husband and two daughters.

ACCOMPANIST

Patricia Hammer holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from UMCP and Towson University. She taught Music for 31 years and is a classically-trained pianist who is adept at playing many musical styles. Patty lives in Columbia and has an adult son, daughter, and two granddaughters.

ADMINISTRATOR

Yvonne Barner, SJU’s administrator, has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maryland. She comes to SJU with a variety of experiences in office and consulting work with Marriott, The Enterprise Foundation, and the Rouse Company.