Meet Our Pastors
Pastor Rich Carr
It is a privilege to have Pastor Rich Carr, AFLC, as our full-time pastor.
Pastor Richard Carr was born in Middle Town, New York but spent most of his years growing up in the Pittsburgh area. Upon graduation from high school in 1992, Carr enlisted in the US Army and served in active duty for about 2 ½ years and later served in the Pennsylvania National Guard for two more years. Upon graduation from California University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree, he enrolled and completed a 4-year post graduate degree at the Association of Free Lutheran Theological Seminary in a suburb of Minneapolis Minnesota. His first call was that of an executive pastor for Hope Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis in 2003, and served there in that capacity until receiving a call to Christ Community Church which is currently meeting in Boonsboro.
Pastor Carr along with his wife and 5 children have said that he is excited to be serving a Christ-centered, Bible-believing, family-friendly church here in Maryland. He is quoted as saying, "In a day when so many have denied many of the truths of the Bible, it is refreshing to serve a church where the people are excited to hear all the Bible preached as complete truth."
Pastor Richard Carr was born in Middle Town, New York but spent most of his years growing up in the Pittsburgh area. Upon graduation from high school in 1992, Carr enlisted in the US Army and served in active duty for about 2 ½ years and later served in the Pennsylvania National Guard for two more years. Upon graduation from California University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree, he enrolled and completed a 4-year post graduate degree at the Association of Free Lutheran Theological Seminary in a suburb of Minneapolis Minnesota. His first call was that of an executive pastor for Hope Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis in 2003, and served there in that capacity until receiving a call to Christ Community Church which is currently meeting in Boonsboro.
Pastor Carr along with his wife and 5 children have said that he is excited to be serving a Christ-centered, Bible-believing, family-friendly church here in Maryland. He is quoted as saying, "In a day when so many have denied many of the truths of the Bible, it is refreshing to serve a church where the people are excited to hear all the Bible preached as complete truth."
Pastor Mark Benz
It is a privilege to have Pastor Mark Benz, AFLC, as our part-time pastor.
Pastor Benz writes, "Even though my life started on a little ol McDonald' farm surrounded by the great cornfields of NW Iowa, it was in the Land of 10,000 Lakes that most of my growing up memories are turned to when pondering the joys and challenges of life prior to being drafted in the military.
Those memories are filled with my folks and three other brothers gathering around the radio listening to The Lone Ranger saying "Hi ho Silver away!" or to the slap stick comedy of Amos and Andy or to the BibleBroadcast Hour while helping Mom with the house chores. Then there are the memories of the farm work, and then high school, playing my trombone in the band, singing in the choirs, or playing sports when we weren't too busy on the farm and I could catch a ride home. And for sure I can't forget the great family reunions on both sides of our family.
The routine of my life changed when "Uncle Sam" said he needed me to spend a couple of years to support our country. So, while being drafted, I decided to volunteer and spend another year with him. I had quite the adventure camping out, eating cold food, jumping out of good airplanes, and living in other cultures of the world. While carrying my M-16 and being a jungle guide in Vietnam, my waning faith in God was tested - but thanks be to God it was renewed, strengthened, and enlarged. It was there that God's presence became very real and where He called me to live a changed life telling others about the wonders of being in His Kingdom.
After the military, I started college and met my wife Deb. We took a break from school and an extended honeymoon on the beautiful island of Papua New Guinea to work with some Wycliffe Bible Translators. We stayed for over a year and have been missionaries ever since, realizing the need for every tongue and nation and people group to hear of the Great News of King Jesus and His Kingdom so they too can enter in and enjoy the covenants and blessings.
After finishing seminary, we worked with a congregation of great people building the Kingdom of our Lord on an island in the Puget Sound with the majestic Mount Rainer as our eastern "back drop scene." From there the Lord drafted me, though with great difficulty, back into the Army as a Chaplain. It was a special time for Deb, me and our five children, Isaac, Anna, Theresa, Daniel, and Roberta. In the midst of all the challenges, He really blessed us during the military ministry even though we moved every 2-3 years until our last assignment at Walter Reed, which was where I retired three years ago.
Since my "retirement," I have been interceding for our country, state and counties and working with ministries to the military (ours and other countries). Then, another opportunity to serve the Body of Christ came when a group of alive believers seeking to grow in their faith in Christ and the ministry He has for them. This group is now Christ Community Church and our Lord is richly blessing us with His presence and power."
Come join us for worship and the journey our Lord has given to us!
Pastor Benz writes, "Even though my life started on a little ol McDonald' farm surrounded by the great cornfields of NW Iowa, it was in the Land of 10,000 Lakes that most of my growing up memories are turned to when pondering the joys and challenges of life prior to being drafted in the military.
Those memories are filled with my folks and three other brothers gathering around the radio listening to The Lone Ranger saying "Hi ho Silver away!" or to the slap stick comedy of Amos and Andy or to the BibleBroadcast Hour while helping Mom with the house chores. Then there are the memories of the farm work, and then high school, playing my trombone in the band, singing in the choirs, or playing sports when we weren't too busy on the farm and I could catch a ride home. And for sure I can't forget the great family reunions on both sides of our family.
The routine of my life changed when "Uncle Sam" said he needed me to spend a couple of years to support our country. So, while being drafted, I decided to volunteer and spend another year with him. I had quite the adventure camping out, eating cold food, jumping out of good airplanes, and living in other cultures of the world. While carrying my M-16 and being a jungle guide in Vietnam, my waning faith in God was tested - but thanks be to God it was renewed, strengthened, and enlarged. It was there that God's presence became very real and where He called me to live a changed life telling others about the wonders of being in His Kingdom.
After the military, I started college and met my wife Deb. We took a break from school and an extended honeymoon on the beautiful island of Papua New Guinea to work with some Wycliffe Bible Translators. We stayed for over a year and have been missionaries ever since, realizing the need for every tongue and nation and people group to hear of the Great News of King Jesus and His Kingdom so they too can enter in and enjoy the covenants and blessings.
After finishing seminary, we worked with a congregation of great people building the Kingdom of our Lord on an island in the Puget Sound with the majestic Mount Rainer as our eastern "back drop scene." From there the Lord drafted me, though with great difficulty, back into the Army as a Chaplain. It was a special time for Deb, me and our five children, Isaac, Anna, Theresa, Daniel, and Roberta. In the midst of all the challenges, He really blessed us during the military ministry even though we moved every 2-3 years until our last assignment at Walter Reed, which was where I retired three years ago.
Since my "retirement," I have been interceding for our country, state and counties and working with ministries to the military (ours and other countries). Then, another opportunity to serve the Body of Christ came when a group of alive believers seeking to grow in their faith in Christ and the ministry He has for them. This group is now Christ Community Church and our Lord is richly blessing us with His presence and power."
Come join us for worship and the journey our Lord has given to us!
