St. Stephen's Pastor Welcomed To Town

Andrew Dinardo (he prefers Drew) began his journey to New Holland many years ago in Gibbstown, N.J., where he grew up about 20 minutes from Philadelphia. Along the way, he served at churches in Mount Holly, N.J.; Philadelphia; and Coral Springs, Fla. In June, Drew; his wife, Kristie; and his youngest of four daughters, Andreya, moved to New Holland when he became the new pastor at St. Stephen Reformed Church, 249 E. Main St., New Holland.

After 17 years in Florida, Drew may find the climate in Pennsylvania colder, but he has already commented on the warmth of the people. "I couldn't tell you the names of my neighbors in Florida," he said. "You didn't talk to people. Here ... everybody has just been so kind, friendly, polite. It's different, but I love it."

Drew credits Kristie with bringing him to Christ in January of 1988. The pair had been to the movies the December prior, and Kristie invited him to church. "I got into a car accident, and I had to move home (with my parents)," recalled Drew, "So I went to church with her on Sunday, and she would tell me about Jesus."

In September of 1989, he began attending Philadelphia College of Bible. He graduated in 1991 and began working as a youth pastor, but he had already felt a calling to preach. He became the youth director at First Baptist Church in Mount Holly, earning a Master of Science in Christian counseling so he could better serve the teenagers. In 1999, Drew converted to the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and began interning at Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, where he served as an assistant for three years. He served under pastor Rick Phillips in Philadelphia and later at First Presbyterian Church of Coral Springs, where he became senior pastor in 2008. He received his Master of Divinity in 2007, and he has also earned his doctorate from the Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies.

Drew said he felt an immediate connection with the St. Stephen search committee. He noted that strengths of the church ministry include a desire for fellowship and to learn the Word. "I am particularly impressed with the number of people who pray and are willing to pray and who are vocal about and active in prayer," he said, adding that he and church members are discussing forming life groups for fellowship and prayer. He also pointed to the depth of the worship team. "I think we have a strong music ministry, and I think that is an asset in the sense that it really helps enrich our worship," he said.

Drew has ideas about new ministries the church could offer including a possible preschool and converting an upper hall to a coffee shop atmosphere for young people. Although bringing new people to a church is often a concern for a pastor, Drew is clear that he is following God's lead. "I minister to whoever the Lord brings me," he said. "I pray that the Lord builds the church, and I believe it happens through preaching and prayer and demonstrating love to our neighbor. God has to build it. I can't."

Readers who would like to learn more about the church may visit http://ststephenpca.org.