Pastor Derek Almarode
Derek is a lifelong member of Bethel, as a child he and his family attended Pines Chapel, which was Bethel’s chapel at that time. He has served as a Bethel elder and his wife Cindy currently serves as an Elder. Derek and Cindy have two children, Nathaniel Lane Almarode and Ashlyn Layne Almarode. Nathaniel, awaits his family in heaven, resting in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ashlyn, is enjoying life as a Hokie at Virginia Tech University and is the apple of her parents eye. In addition to his service in Christ’s church, Derek has also served his community for over 32 years as a criminal justice professional. Currently, he serves as the Superintendent at Rockbridge Regional Jail. He supervises 45 employees and manages the day-to-day operations of the facility. He also spends a fair amount of time farming with his family on their small beef cattle operation.
Derek is a native son of Augusta County and is also a graduate of Riverheads High School. He has enjoyed many accomplishments throughout his life. However, if asked, he would tell you that his greatest accomplishment is his personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He also cherishes his marriage to his wife Cindy and being the proud father of his children.
Derek has completed his Certified Lay Pastor Training (CLP1) with ECO. He received his ordination from ECO on January 19, 2025 and has been called by the Bethel Session to serve as pastor. In addition to his professional duties Derek loves serving others and in the pulpit strives to prepare and deliver a scripturally based message that speaks from the word of God. One of his favorite scriptures is 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Derek describes Bethel as being filled with the Spirit.
JoAnn Pendley,
Handbell Director, Choir Director
& Pianist
JoAnn first attended Bethel Presbyterian Church on June 29, 2003. She began substituting for the handbell ringers in 2004 and shortly after that became the handbell director. In 2004 she also began playing the organ for Bethel’s early church services and the piano along with the church organist at the 11 o’clock services. JoAnn also serves as organist at St. John’s German Reformed Church. JoAnn enjoys seeing the skill level of the handbell ringers grow and hearing them come together so beautifully on Sunday morning. She loves sharing the language of music with others and hopes that the music of the bells, piano and organ touches someone and adds meaning to the worship service. JoAnn and her husband have a son and a granddaughter. When she isn’t making music, she enjoys helping others with their family research, working in her flower beds and reading.
Donna Bush, Custodian
Donna Bush began attending Bethel as Donna Liptrap in 1957 and became a member of Bethel in 1961. Donna married Jon Bush in 1972, when he became a member of Bethel. They have a daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter Holly, Steven and Alexis who live in Charleston, SC and a dog named Forrest Gump. Her parents, John and Margaret Liptrap worked at Bethel as the custodians when Donna was young, and she helped her parents. She and her sister Carol took over cleaning the church from them in 1989. Her father and her sister have gone to be with the Lord, but their mother Margaret resides with her in Stuarts Draft. She enjoys working at Bethel and feels it is part of her family and life. Donna enjoys sewing, home décor, and working in the yard.