Dr. Mark Johnson
Pastor/Teacher
Email Pastor Mark

Mark Johnson was called as Senior Pastor of IBC in January 1988. He grew up in the small town of Paris, Illinois. Raised by Godly parents, he accepted Christ at age five and attended a small Bible Church during his formative years. He graduated from Appalachian Bible College in 1977 (BA in Bible/Pastoral studies) and Grace Theological Seminary (Th. M. in Old Testament) in 1982. In May, 2004, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Baptist Bible Seminary of Clarks Summit, PA.

Mark and his wife, Gerri, who grew up in Florida and West Virginia, have two daughters, Tara and Erica. Tara graduated from Appalachian Bible College in Bradley, WV and is married to Nathan Heijermans, a computer engineer. Tara and Nate have one daughter, Hannah Grace and one son, Micah Benjamin, and live near Baltimore, MD. Erica graduated from Cedarville University and Westminster Seminary (MA Biblical Counseling) and is married to Nathan Kurcsak, who serves on the pastoral staff of Maranatha Bible College in Akron Ohio.

Besides teaching God's Word and spending time with his family, Mark enjoys fishing and gardening. Mark and Gerri are enjoying their empty nest.

Curt Lowry has been associated with Independent Bible Church since his pastoral internship in March of 1977. His hometown is Hagerstown, Maryland. He graduated from Washington Bible College in 1973 (B.A.) and from Capital Bible Seminary in 1978. (Th. M.).

He became the Associate Pastor of the Independent Bible Church in 1983, having responsibility for CE Ministries from 1983 to 1997 and Pastoral Care & Small Groups from 1997 to the present.

He and his wife Robyn have one son, Curt II, who graduated from the military academy at West Point and serves as a Captain in the US Army. Curt enjoys many sports and has most recently been playing golf during the summer months. He also enjoys hunting and fishing and is learning to bow hunt and shoot black powder.

George Michael grew up on a farm in Washington County, Maryland and graduated from Clear Spring High School. He attended Wheaton College from 1964 to 1968 where he graduated with a B.A. degree in Social Science. This included work completed at the Near East School of Archaeology in Jerusalem in the summer of 1966.

From 1969 to 1972, George served in the United States Army. After graduating from Officer Candidate School at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and Military Intelligence School at Ft. Holabird, Md., he served as a Special Agent for Army Intelligence, conducting background investigations for Top Secret security clearances. During this time, he also did graduate work at the University of Virginia and Capital Bible Seminary.

From 1973 to 2000 George worked in Christian Education, mostly recently having served as Principal of Grace Academy in Hagerstown, Maryland. George is married to Cheryl Mowery Michael of Capon Bridge, West Virginia. They have four children: Joshua, Ben, Katie, and Daniel. Pastor Michael has served as Pastor of Adult Ministries and Administration at IBC from 2000-2006 and as Executive Pastor from 2006—present.

David Marion has a long history with IBC. He grew up attending IBC, and in the fall of 1977, he came to know Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of six in Children’s Church. He was later baptized and became a member of IBC.

As a teenager, IBC played an instrumental role in his early training and development for ministry. Dave and his wife, Lisa, were married at IBC and he was licensed and commissioned into full-time vocational ministry by IBC. He was excited to be called to serve at his home church starting in July 2008.

Pastor Dave is a graduate of Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, PA. He has served as a Worship Pastor in Princeton, IN, (1996-2008), and as a Minister of Music in Mount Vernon, OH (1993-1996).As our Pastor of Music Ministries, Dave plans and leads our worship services and oversees and directs our music ministries. Lisa is a talented pianist and assists her husband with the IBC Choir and Praise Team.

Dave and Lisa have three children: Emily, Matthew, and Katie Lin. Dave’s hobbies are singing, photography, and playing with his kids.

Brad Heacock was born in Charlotte, NC and then raised in Berwick, PA. He was raised in a Christian home, and at the age of six his Dad had the opportunity to lead him into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. After graduating from Berwick Area High School (1998), Brad attended Word of Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, NY. During that year God "moved mountains" in his heart and life. God showed Brad that His purpose and desire for him was full-time local church ministry. After Word of Life (1998-99) Brad went on to study at Philadelphia Biblical University (1999-2002) where he received a bachelor's degree in Bible with an emphasis in Youth Ministry.

After graduating from PBU, Brad accepted a Youth Pastor position in Williamsport, PA, where he served for two year. In August of 2005, Brad launched into the role of Pastor of Student and Young Adult Ministries at IBC.

Brad met his wife Kim while attending PBU. Kim is also a graduate of PBU (2004); she graduated with two bachelor's degrees, one in Bible and the other in Early Childhood Education. Brad and Kim are the parents of two daughters, Elianna and Emily Faith.

Brad and Kim love to spend time with students and young adults of the church and community. They also enjoy camping, hiking, rock climbing, campfires, spending quality time together, and spending time with family and friends.

Randy Bradley became a child of God during his teenage years. Randy and Susan were married in 1970 and have two grown children. They have been members of Independent Bible Church since 1972.

It was in the summer of 1975 that Randy dedicated his life to the Lord and sensed God's call to full-time vocational Christian service. He is a graduate of Appalachian Bible College. Randy and Susan served as home missionaries for many years. In 2005, they returned to their home church, where Randy serves as Pastor of Children’s Ministries, overseeing a team of more than 250 volunteer workers. His greatest enjoyment is found through direct involvement with boys and girls through the teaching of God's word.

Rev. Gary Kerns is a semi-retired pastor and missionary. He served pastorates in the Eastern Panhandle of WV before becoming a missionary with New Tribes Mission. Gary served as a regional representative for New Tribes, and still often represents the Mission in promotion and pulpit supply.

Gary and Rheta are the parents of four grown, married children and enjoy spending time with them, their grandchildren, and their great grandchildren. Gary and Rheta are very active in the ministry of visitation and oversee IBC’s Senior Care team. Their biblical wisdom and shepherding skill are a blessing to so many.

Sandy Van Metre serves on our ministry staff as part-time Women's Ministry Coordinator. Sandy served as a pastor's wife for many years, until her husband, Eddie Van Metre was called home to heaven.

Sandy is the mother of three grown, married children and enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. She is a gifted Bible Study teacher (including our Women of All Seasons Adult Bible Fellowship), Chair of IBC's Women's Ministry Committee, and a caring presence to many women in need.