Elders:
Leading the church with compassion and conviction (1 Peter 5:1-5)
Luke Bert
Teaching Elder (Pastor)
Pastor Luke and his wife, Rebekah, love the Jersey Shore, having grown up vacationing on LBI. They have four Children: Matthias, Saranna, Kara, and Étienne. The Berts love to have people over to their home for meals and board games.
Kevin Olandt
Ruling Elder (Clerk of Session)
Kevin and his wife, Carol Ann, live in Seaville, NJ and have been members at First Pres since 1990, the year they were married. They have six adult children and two grandchildren.
Kevin has been involved in many aspects of Christian Education since joining First Pres. He is thankful to be part of this faithful and caring body of believers.
Kevin has been involved in many aspects of Christian Education since joining First Pres. He is thankful to be part of this faithful and caring body of believers.
Kim Murphy
Ruling Elder
Kim Murphy and his wife, Gretchen, grew up in Central NY and are 27 year transplants in Ocean City. They are happily married 37 years and have four adult children, two of which are married: Olivia/Ryan Colvin, Elijah/Liana Murphy, Natalie, and Rowlee. Kim and Gretchen are blessed with 7 grandchildren, a large extended family, and a church family they love and care for. Kim came on staff in May of 1999 and is still enjoying the many areas of ministry God has called him here to do.
Joe Laielli
Ruling Elder
Joe has been a member of FPOC for 25 years and an elder for over 20. Married to his wife, Renee, for 40 years. Their eldest son, David, and daughter, Kristen, have blessed them with six grandchildren. They love the Lord and the church and believe wholeheartedly in our mission statement, loving the Lord, loving each other, and loving the lost.
Elders Emeritus:
Elder emeritus is a position of honor bestowed upon a man who has faithfully served the church.
Thomas Martinson
Tom and his wife, Phyllis, joined First Pres in February 2002. Tom has been ordained as a deacon and an elder, served as clerk of session, chaired numerous committees, and been active in presbytery.
He served on the task force that successfully presented the church’s theological argument for leaving the PC(USA) and joining the PCA. He currently serves on the Missions Committee and directs the Men’s Bible Study. Phyllis and Tom have three wonderful children, their spouses, and six amazing grandchildren. All of them are a gift from God.
He served on the task force that successfully presented the church’s theological argument for leaving the PC(USA) and joining the PCA. He currently serves on the Missions Committee and directs the Men’s Bible Study. Phyllis and Tom have three wonderful children, their spouses, and six amazing grandchildren. All of them are a gift from God.
John Stauffer
I was born in 1943 and raised in Upper Darby, PA, the only child of two teachers. I graduated from Penn State University in 1965. I taught school for 32 1/2 years in New York, Venezuela, and Ocean City, while also owning an ice cream business and later buying Johnson's Popcorn in 1974 here in Ocean City. In 1969 I married my wife Rita at the Ocean City Baptist Church, and in 1975 I became a Christian and later served as a Deacon and Elder here at First Pres. I enjoy biking, swimming, and walking. I am thankful for my wonderful family, including two children, five grandchildren, and many happy years with Rita.
John Wilson
John and his wife, Mary live in Egg Harbor Twp., NJ and have been married 57 years. They have 3 sons, John(Julie), Jeff(Francie), Jim(Joanna) and 7 grandchildren, Ryan, Lauren, Alex, Jamie, John, Emma, Jack.
John grew up at First Presbyterian Church and has been a member for 48 years – Mary has been a member for 34 yrs. John has served 3 terms as an Elder, Audit Committee Chairman, Mission Treasurer, and Junior Youth Group leader (with Mary).
John grew up at First Presbyterian Church and has been a member for 48 years – Mary has been a member for 34 yrs. John has served 3 terms as an Elder, Audit Committee Chairman, Mission Treasurer, and Junior Youth Group leader (with Mary).
Will Evans
Biography coming soon!
David Hawthorne
Biography coming soon!
Dr. Robert Woolery
Biography coming soon!
Deacons:
The office of deacon is set forth in the Scriptures as ordinary and perpetual in the Church. The office is one of sympathy and service, after the example of the Lord Jesus. BCO (9-1)
Bruce Bennett
Although I attended church since I was a child, I didn’t become a Christian until my early 20s. God has blessed me with a 50-year marriage to my wife, Kim; we have 6 children and 5 grandchildren. I am a retired pharmacist, having worked for over 40 years in community, pediatric hospital and pharmaceutical research. I have served in several PCA churches as a deacon, with an emphasis on Helps ministry.
Neil Jordan
Having a job-related move to the east coast from the west coast my wife Amy and I came to live in Ocean City in 1988. While in Washington state we attended a conservative Lutheran Church and were pleased to find First Presbyterian Church here in Ocean City kept the standards of faith we believe in and we joined shortly thereafter.
We appreciate the long and loving relationship we have with the body of Christ at First Pres and we both love and serve our Lord Jesus in many ways in this church and in Ocean City. Both of us consider it a blessing to count those attending First Presbyterian as our family because neither of our families live nearby.
We continue to grow in knowing and loving our Lord and Savior through His Word preached, the great music we sing, Bible studies we attend, and in our discussions in adult Sunday School.
I have served as the church Treasurer for over 25 years and also as an Elder and Deacon.
We appreciate the long and loving relationship we have with the body of Christ at First Pres and we both love and serve our Lord Jesus in many ways in this church and in Ocean City. Both of us consider it a blessing to count those attending First Presbyterian as our family because neither of our families live nearby.
We continue to grow in knowing and loving our Lord and Savior through His Word preached, the great music we sing, Bible studies we attend, and in our discussions in adult Sunday School.
I have served as the church Treasurer for over 25 years and also as an Elder and Deacon.
David Laielli
I have three young children, ages 5, 3, and 7 months. I enjoy spending time with my wife and family, going to the beach in the summer, coaching wrestling, and playing Magic: The Gathering in my spare time. I love First Presbyterian because we are a gospel centered church that focuses on strengthening relationships within our community and members.
Solomon Griffith
I have been a member of First Pres for 12 years. I am a local high school history teacher born and raised in Ocean City. I have an interest in theology, baseball, and historical study. I am grateful to God to be able to serve the church in this capacity.
David Newsome
Biography coming soon!
We mourn the loss of Elder Gary Griffith
July 19, 1952 - June 2, 2026
Everyone who knew Gary Griffith knows that he was an incredibly special man. Gary loved Jesus and studying God’s word to grow in understanding of His God and King. He served as an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Ocean City, NJ. God gave Gary a supernaturally positive attitude and light, no matter the circumstances. With a strength that surpasses our understanding, Gary did not allow his circumstances to impede his ability to love his wife, show up for his friends and family, or put his all into everything he did. He lived by his favorite mantra: if you’re going to do something, do it right. And for Gary, “right” meant exceptionally and gratefully—and with a heaping dash of humor.
Gary Griffith was born on July 19, 1952 in Montclair, New Jersey to Robert and Millicent Griffith. He grew up in North Caldwell, New Jersey. From a young age, Gary embraced life with an unmatched enthusiasm. He loved watching the Yankees with his father and spending summers lifeguarding at the Wildwood Swim Club. He vacationed in Ocean City, NJ with his family, where long summer days on Surf Road beach led to daily body surfing, annual bocce tournaments, and lifelong friends. In high school, when he wasn’t on the football field, hockey rink, or baseball diamond, he was finding new ways to make people laugh, as evidenced by being voted BOTH class chatterbox AND class clown when he graduated from West Essex Regional High School in 1970.
He attended Ursinus College where he majored in history, played baseball and basketball, prepared for law school, and even tried acting. One of his most-told highlights was seeing Bruce Springsteen in a small gym with a few of his first fans—he passed his love for Bruce down to his kids on their many family road trips. Music was not just a pastime for Gary, but an integral part of his daily life. Decades later, he spent many an hour playing 60s music trivia with his kids—never missing a beat and putting his steel-trap mind on display.
Gary graduated from the University of Richmond's T.C. Williams School of Law in 1977 and fulfilled a lifelong dream of practicing law at the beach, first in Atlantic City at Mairone, Biel, Zlotnick, Feinberg, Griffith and Stanger, and later opening his own law firm, Griffith and Carlucci, PC in Ocean City. He practiced law 49 years and often shared how he loved his position as solicitor to the Ocean City Planning Board. His varied endeavors included owning a Christian bookstore and a seasonal fudge shop, coaching women’s softball and an NJ state champion mock trial team. He was a regular at the Bongo Room, a fan of the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City. He judged the Miss Ocean City pageant, lifeguarded at the Flanders, taught a community college course on Casino Law, and served as an elected member on the Ocean City School Board.
However, nothing compared to the love he had for his wife and family. He met Sharon at the Logan Hotel on 6th Street, a story frequently told and beloved by his kids. He always smiled as he recounted making jokes, catching Sharon’s eye, and prompting her to later tell her parents, “I’ve never met anyone like him in my life.”
Gary delighted in his four children and emphasized to them the importance of hard work and integrity. Gary rooted for his children and celebrated them every chance he had, even if it required driving 1700 miles to North Dakota to watch his son, Solomon, play in the Babe Ruth World Series or moving his four children in and out of dorm rooms and apartments over twenty times throughout the years. And of course, none of this happened without Sharon by his side, supporting him and their children with a smile and enthusiasm.
Gary is survived by his wife Sharon, his daughters Sam Griffith, Joy Bowers, and Mercy Griffith, his son Solomon Griffith, his sons-in-law Marty Kopec and Patrick Bowers, his two-month old granddaughter Cleo Griffith-Kopec, and his sister Kyle Price and her husband Scott Price of Ocean City.
On June 2, 2026, surrounded by his family, he ran into the open arms of his Heavenly Father. We praise God for the man that he was, the example he set for those around him, and his eternal life in Heaven.
Everyone who knew Gary Griffith knows that he was an incredibly special man. Gary loved Jesus and studying God’s word to grow in understanding of His God and King. He served as an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Ocean City, NJ. God gave Gary a supernaturally positive attitude and light, no matter the circumstances. With a strength that surpasses our understanding, Gary did not allow his circumstances to impede his ability to love his wife, show up for his friends and family, or put his all into everything he did. He lived by his favorite mantra: if you’re going to do something, do it right. And for Gary, “right” meant exceptionally and gratefully—and with a heaping dash of humor.
Gary Griffith was born on July 19, 1952 in Montclair, New Jersey to Robert and Millicent Griffith. He grew up in North Caldwell, New Jersey. From a young age, Gary embraced life with an unmatched enthusiasm. He loved watching the Yankees with his father and spending summers lifeguarding at the Wildwood Swim Club. He vacationed in Ocean City, NJ with his family, where long summer days on Surf Road beach led to daily body surfing, annual bocce tournaments, and lifelong friends. In high school, when he wasn’t on the football field, hockey rink, or baseball diamond, he was finding new ways to make people laugh, as evidenced by being voted BOTH class chatterbox AND class clown when he graduated from West Essex Regional High School in 1970.
He attended Ursinus College where he majored in history, played baseball and basketball, prepared for law school, and even tried acting. One of his most-told highlights was seeing Bruce Springsteen in a small gym with a few of his first fans—he passed his love for Bruce down to his kids on their many family road trips. Music was not just a pastime for Gary, but an integral part of his daily life. Decades later, he spent many an hour playing 60s music trivia with his kids—never missing a beat and putting his steel-trap mind on display.
Gary graduated from the University of Richmond's T.C. Williams School of Law in 1977 and fulfilled a lifelong dream of practicing law at the beach, first in Atlantic City at Mairone, Biel, Zlotnick, Feinberg, Griffith and Stanger, and later opening his own law firm, Griffith and Carlucci, PC in Ocean City. He practiced law 49 years and often shared how he loved his position as solicitor to the Ocean City Planning Board. His varied endeavors included owning a Christian bookstore and a seasonal fudge shop, coaching women’s softball and an NJ state champion mock trial team. He was a regular at the Bongo Room, a fan of the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City. He judged the Miss Ocean City pageant, lifeguarded at the Flanders, taught a community college course on Casino Law, and served as an elected member on the Ocean City School Board.
However, nothing compared to the love he had for his wife and family. He met Sharon at the Logan Hotel on 6th Street, a story frequently told and beloved by his kids. He always smiled as he recounted making jokes, catching Sharon’s eye, and prompting her to later tell her parents, “I’ve never met anyone like him in my life.”
Gary delighted in his four children and emphasized to them the importance of hard work and integrity. Gary rooted for his children and celebrated them every chance he had, even if it required driving 1700 miles to North Dakota to watch his son, Solomon, play in the Babe Ruth World Series or moving his four children in and out of dorm rooms and apartments over twenty times throughout the years. And of course, none of this happened without Sharon by his side, supporting him and their children with a smile and enthusiasm.
Gary is survived by his wife Sharon, his daughters Sam Griffith, Joy Bowers, and Mercy Griffith, his son Solomon Griffith, his sons-in-law Marty Kopec and Patrick Bowers, his two-month old granddaughter Cleo Griffith-Kopec, and his sister Kyle Price and her husband Scott Price of Ocean City.
On June 2, 2026, surrounded by his family, he ran into the open arms of his Heavenly Father. We praise God for the man that he was, the example he set for those around him, and his eternal life in Heaven.