Rev. Dr. Matthew L. Winters

Senior Pastor

Pastor Matt has been the Senior Pastor of Harrisonburg Baptist Church since March 2020. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond and a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. He and his wife Jessica have two daughters, Leigha and Samantha. He enjoys reading, running and playing with his kids around the house. He loves a great joke and invites you to stump him with a riddle.  

Rev. Eli Withers

Associate Pastor

Pastor Eli has been on staff at Harrisonburg Baptist Church since 2016. Eli was born and raised in Huntington, WV, where her family still live.  Her four nieces and nephews are the light of her life!  Eli moved to Richmond in 1997 to go to seminary at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, and then served for over 16 years at a church in the Richmond area before coming to Harrisonburg Baptist Church.

Eli enjoys being outside and exploring God’s beautiful world—especially the Shenandoah Valley. But she also loves movies, good tv, reading and creating fun, whimsical art for herself and others. She adores spending time with friends and family, laughing together as we walk through life learning to be uniquely the people God created each of us to be.

Rev. Katelyn Belcher

Youth Pastor

Pastor Katelyn was born and raised in Harrisonburg and has been on the staff at HBC since 2010. She graduated from Harrisonburg High School in 2006, received her Associate’s Degree from Blue Ridge Community College in 2008,  and graduated from James Madison University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Religion, with a concentration in religion.

Katelyn married her high school sweetheart, Chris Belcher, in December 2008, and they have two children, Trace and Quinn.  Katelyn has been a lifelong member of HBC and was very involved in HBC’s youth group in middle and high school and interned at HBC throughout her college years.  Katelyn has a passion for the youth here at HBC and considers it a blessing, honor and privilege to be able to work with the young people of HBC and the Harrisonburg/Rockingham community.

Dr. Gary Ritcher

Director of Music & Worship

Gary joined HBC staff in 2016. He retired from James Madison University fall of 2016 after 20 years in the School of Music as Coordinator of Music Education.  Prior to coming to Harrisonburg, he taught at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he met his wife, Kathy; at Fort Hayes State University; and in the public schools of Colorado.  He is originally from Illinois.

Gary and Kathy were married in 1989.  They have two grown sons. HBC has been their home church since they arrived in Harrisonburg.  They have been actively involved in church, including the music ministry for many years.  Gary is looking forward to what God may do at HBC as all of us bring our gifts and our love for God to His worship and service.

Rosemary Lonberger

Organist

Rosemary attended Chowan University and Old Dominion University.  She has one daughter, Karen, and three granddaughters, Kathryn, Madelyn and Margaret.

Rosemary is retired from Lipton Tea Company in Suffolk, VA.  She volunteers with many of the ministries at HBC.

Harold D. Bailey, M.M.

Pianist

Harold serves as HBC’s piano accompanist for choir rehearsals and worship services. Harold received his Masters Degree in Piano Performance from James Madison University. Additionally, he has performed in Carnegie Halls Weill Recital Hall as a finalist of the American Prize Piano and Strings Competition. He hopes to continue pursuing his interests in teaching and performance, and greatly enjoys taking part in the HBC community.

Susan Kiser

Financial Ministry Assistant

Susan re-joined the staff as part-time Financial Ministry Assistant at HBC in February 2018, having previously served in this position from 1979 – 2004.  Susan has been married to her husband Jim for over 50 years and they have two adult children, Christa and JD.  Susan enjoys reading, playing games, fellowship with friends and especially camping with Jim in their 5th wheel RV.

Kim Brubaker

Administrative Ministry Assistant

Kim has been on staff at HBC since September 2019. She is a native of Rockingham County and enjoys reading, baking, and camping with her husband Leon.