FBC Leadership Team. WeCare!

Pastoral Staff — Ministry/Administrative Team — Deacons

Pastoral Staff

  • Mark Massey, Senior Pastor

    Pastor Mark is the founding pastor of Friendship Church. Mark and a seminary friend started the church in 1984 while both were still seminary students. Upon graduation from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, Mark was asked to come back to Maryland and pastor the new congregation of about 20 people. In June, 2024, Mark will celebrate 40 years at Friendship Church. He has witnessed God grow the congregation from an average worship attendance of 6 people to over 400 people each Sunday.

    Mark met his wife Cheri here in Maryland and they were married in 1986. They have two sons, Andrew (married & living out of state) and Austin (a college student).

  • Neville Johnson, Associate Pastor - Membership & Missions

    Neville has been on staff at FBC since October 2016. He started as the Student Minister but moved into the role of Membership Pastor in 2022. Before coming to Friendship, he served churches in Maryland and Virginia. Neville and his wife Karey have been married for 24 years and have two sons, Nathan and Noah. He is a graduate of Capital Bible Seminary, Lanham, MD.

    He enjoys traveling with his wife Karey and their two boys, playing recreational soccer, and catching up with friends.

  • Mark Klimovitz, Associate Pastor - Outreach & Discipleship

    Mark has been on staff at FBC since June, 2013. Before that he served as senior pastor of Catonsville Baptist Church in Catonsville, Md. Mark and his wife Cathy have been married for 41 years. He has resided in the Sykesville area for the past 28 years. He is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to his to call to the Pastoral Ministry, Mark worked for Kraft Foods in their Sales Organization for 25 years.

    His interests include traveling with Cathy, spending time with his three children and ten grandchildren as often as possible, cycling, swimming, sprint triatholons, hiking, kayaking, reading, fishing, and gardening. He is an avid Orioles fan. His favorite food is ice cream.

  • Brandon Peralta, Associate Pastor - Students

    Brandon joined the FBC staff in 2023. Before that he served as a preaching assistant at a church in Springfield, and other various ministries such as college, young adult, and youth ministries. He is from Falls Church, Virginia and graduated with an M.Div from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before serving in full time ministry, Brandon worked in retail and sales with a background in psychology that he received from his Bachelor of Arts education from George Mason University.

    He is married to his wife Maybelle since 2017. Other than finding fun places with his wife to eat, his interests include: basketball, hiking, and reading.

Ministry & Administrative Team

  • Paul Buker, Worship Leader

    Paul has been on staff at FBC since October, 2023. Prior to arriving at FBC, he served in several staff roles at four churches since 1991. Paul is a former Baltimore City Police Officer and small business owner.

    Paul has been married to Maria for 33 yers and has two adult children. His family is from Colombia, Souh America. He visits each year and helps with various misson groups while visiting family and has taught English while in Colombia. He earned a Bachelors degree in Music Composition and Vocal Performance degree from the University of Marylad. He is constantly writing and recording his own music.

    Paul stays very busy and enjoys many different things including time with family and friends, readng, running and exercise, motorcycles, tools, woodworking, museums, traveling, camping, hiking, opera and classical music, his 20 year old truck and 29 year old Harley.

  • Laura Gulley, Children's Ministry Director

    My family and I became members at FBC in 2005. I have 2 kids, Noelle and Liam. We grew to love FBC for its dedication to God's Word and the commitment it has in serving Christ. Ten years ago, I began volunteering in Promiseland during Sunday Worship services and it evolved into what I do today. My love for children, sharing God's Word in exciting ways and encouraging spiritual growth is one of my commitments in serving Christ.

    I worked 10 years in the fields of business finance and operations before making the decision to faithfully serve in Children’s Ministry. I look forward to continue my journey here at FBC as the Lord leads me.

  • Christine Dulling, PromiseLand Assistant & Administrator Support

    I have been attending Friendship Baptist since moving to this area in 2017 with my husband Adam and two amazing children. I was born in southern Virginia and earned a degree in property management from Virginia Tech in 2011. Shortly afterwards, I met Adam in Texas and we lived in various places around the world during his military service before settling back in his hometown of Eldersburg.

    My oldest son loves participating in the children’s ministries. Because of him, I began volunteering in Promiseland when we became members in 2018. That evolved into me accepting the position of Promiseland Assistant shortly after my second son was born in 2022. I love working with children and seeing the world through their eyes and am thankful for the opportunity to serve in Promiseland.

  • Paula Berry, Office Administrator

    Hello! Just a bit about myself...I met Jesus Christ at the age of 32 in my home church, Mt. Airy Baptist. I married Grant in 1971 and we have 3 grown children & 8 grandchildren. I chose the secretarial profession because I enjoy helping people achieve their goals. I have worked for the Federal government, a doctor's office, and my home church. In November 1997, I accepted this position at Friendship. It continues to be a wonderful experience and I look forward to many more years of serving those who have chosen Friendship as their church home.

  • Cheryl Clymer, Bookkeeper

    I was born in Hannibal, Missouri (home of Mark Twain) but have lived in Maryland for over 50 years. My husband Dan and I have 3 children, 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild who is a delight! Dan and I have gladly served at Friendship for over 20 years.

    My work journey has taken me through many fields, from Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Computer Programming; but spending the last 25 years in church accounting and IT is my greatest accomplishment. Serving the Kingdom with all the gifts God has given me brings joy to my life!

    God created my personality 50/50 Creative and Administrative. I fill my days with figures and flowers, computers and painting, research and crafting. Quite an odd combination!

Deacon Team

  • Brian Fleming

    Wife: Eva

    Chairman, Deacon Ministry

  • Mark Deal

    Wife: Karen

    Vice Chairman, Deacon Ministry

  • Bob Binick

    Wife: Joyce

  • Dave Boteler

    Wife: Annie

  • Vic Brunner, Jr.

    Wife: Sharon

  • Mike Heavner

    Wife: Evelyn

  • Chuck Kemp

    Wife: June

  • Frank Lancelotta

    Wife: Brenda

  • Nelson Miles

    Wife: Barbara

  • David Setliff

    Wife: Ginger

  • Ron Standifer

    Wife: Sheila

  • Ray Tignall

    Wife: Paula

  • Greg Toplancik

  • Ron Ash

    Wife: Patsy

    Deacon in Training