Our Leadership
Pastors
JR Vassar - Lead Pastor
JR Vassar is the founding and lead pastor of Apostles Church. He and his wife Ginger have three children and make their home in the Upper East Side. As the Lead Pastor, JR oversees the leadership community of Apostles and is responsible for the strategic vision of the Church, leadership development and most of the teaching. ()
Ryan Taylor - Pastor of Administration
Investment banking brought Ryan Taylor to our city and, soon after, he began attending Apostles Church. In July of 2006 Ryan joined the staff and served as a Deacon at Apostles Church. He oversees all business administration responsibilities as well as the volunteer teams at Apostles. In March 2010, Ryan was appointed as a pastor of Apostles Church. Ryan makes his home in the Upper East Side with his wonderful wife, Katelyn. ()
Logan Gentry - Pastor of Community & Justice
In September of 2010, Logan joined the staff of Apostles Church. With his gifts in strategy and leadership, Logan is working to grow our Community Groups, empower them for mission in this city, and deepen our commitment to mercy and justice at Apostles. Logan, his wife Amber, and their three children call Chelsea home. ()
David Sullivan - Non-Staff Pastor
David and his wife Shawna moved to the city in 2003 to work in finance and accounting, and soon after found their way to Apostles. They have been leading and serving in a number of leadership roles over the past five years, and David was appointed a non-staff pastor in April of 2010. David and Shawna have two beautiful children and reside in the Upper East Side. ()
Staff and Deacons
Jim Hines - Director of Ministries
Jim, his wife Mary, and their daughter Sarah moved to New York City in 2010 to assist in God's gospel mission. He led an organization called Vision New York City, seeking to help people live their lives missionally in the geographic and cultural context God has placed them in, plant new churches and partner with existing churches who share this vision and hold a missional DNA. In September 2011, Jim joined the staff of Apostles Church as the Director of Ministries and serves here alongside his work with Vision New York City. He, Mary, and Sarah call the Roosevelt Island, wedged between Manhattan and Queens, home. ()
Angela Wyatt - Children's Ministry Leader
Angela began attending Apostles in September of 2005 and joined our team in January of 2007. She is dynamic with people and does a great job leading our Children's Ministry at Apostles, as well as some office administration. In Fall 2010, Angela was appointed as a deacon for the Union Square congregation. In Summer 2011, Angela married her best friend, Bryson, and moved to Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. ()
Derek Devine - Pastoral Ministry Associate
Derek joined the staff in August of 2008 and serves alongside our pastoral team assisting them in daily ministry. Derek is an amazing guy with a real gift for encouraging people. He helps coordinate our social justice and mercy ministies as well as assist in Community Groups. In Fall 2010, Derek was appointed a deacon for the Union Square congregation. After years of Manhattan living, Derek escaped to his truer home of Brooklyn Heights in Summer 2011. ()
Eric Damewood - Worship Leader
Eric joined the staff in June of 2010 after spending a year settling into the city. This gifted musician and composer has a great passion to see Jesus worshipped. He briliantly describes worship music as the soundtrack of heaven. Eric and his wife, Whitney, call Williamsburg, Brooklyn, home. ()
Katelyn Taylor - Worship Intern
Katleyn joined the staff in Summer 2011 after volunteering her leadership, musical gifts, and passion for worship at Apostles throughout the last few years. Katelyn married Pastor Ryan in Summer 2010 and is a great blessing to have here in the city. She and Ryan call the Upper East Side home. ()
Drew Allenspach - Pastoral Intern, Executive Support
Drew joined the staff in September 2011 after spending a few years working in the investment banking industry of our city. Feeling led to enter ministry and committed to seeing the gospel move in this world, Drew prayerfully agreed to join our team. His self-supported role is an incredible gift to our church and the Kingdom in New York City. Drew calls the Financial District of Manhattan home. ()
Upper East Side Deacons
Dr. Steve and Becky Mason
Steve and Becky Mason joined Apostles in September of 2006. Steve works at a journal for biological research, and Becky is a classically trained flutist. They make their home in the Upper East Side and recently welcomed a beautiful daughter, Maelee, to their family. Steve was initially ordained to the Diaconate Ministry at Apostles in 2008, and Becky was ordained in 2010. Apostles Church is blessed to have the Mason's caring service. ( & )
Peter and Jennifer Tan-Chi
Peter and Jennifer Tan-Chi began attending Apostles in November of 2008. Peter works as a consultant with IBM and Jennifer is a Pre-K teacher. They met, got married, and were blessed with their first child - a beautiful girl named Teegan - here in New York City. The Tan-Chi's live in and love Manhattan's Upper West Side. ( & )
Brennan Lowery
Brennan came to New York City to pursue a career in the fashion industry in 2004. By 2007, she joined Apostles Church and found community that soon became family. Brennan has faithfully served as a Community Group Leader and ministered to so many of our women. She was appointed a deacon in the Fall 2010 and resides on the Upper West Side. ()
Union Square Deacons
Matt and Amy Garrett
Matt moved to NYC in 2004 to take a trading position at the American Stock Exchange, while Amy moved here around the same time to take a merchandising role at Ralph Lauren. Amy began attending Apostles in 2005 and Matt a year later. During that time they both served and lead in several roles at Apostles. In 2008, their paths finally crossed when Amy saw Matt on the load out team and by May 2010 they tied the knot in Manhattan. They are an amazing couple and gifted servants with a passion for the Gospel and loving NYC. In November of 2010, they were ordained as Deacons at Apostles. Matt and Amy live in the South Street Seaport. ( & )
Logan and Laura Plaster
Logan and Laura started attending Apostles in the fall of 2008 and became members that same winter. Logan runs a medical journal for emergency physicians and Laura is getting her M.A. in Applied Theatre through CUNY. Logan and Laura live in Brooklyn Heights and one of their favorite past times is admiring the view of the city from the promenade. They both have amazing gifts in hospitality and discipleship. Logan and Laura were ordained to the Diaconate Ministry in the fall of 2010. ( & )
Megan Hitz
Megan moved from Seattle to Manhattan in 2004. Soon after, she accepted a job with Ralph Lauren, where she is currently a designer. Megan discovered Apostles Church before its launch in 2005. She quickly jumped on board with the vision and community. Since then, she has taken on many roles at Apostles in the kids ministry, Community Groups and Neighborhood Gatherings. Megan loves people, and enjoys partnering with her church body to serve this city well. In November 2010, she was ordained as a deacon at Apostles. She loves biking, running and eating throughout the city, but calls West Chelsea her home. ()