Leadership Team

Gary Derechinsky grew up in an Orthodox Jewish home in northern Jersey. He was challenged by a friend to read the B’rit Hadasha (the New Covenant Scriptures) and after doing so he gave his life to Messiah Yeshua. Gary went on to receive his B.A. from Northeastern Bible College and a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He also completed coursework at Dallas Theological Seminary and Harvard Divinity School. Because of his love for the Jewish people, his desire to share Messiah with them and to help the local church learn more about the Jewish roots of their faith, he served with Chosen People Ministries for 17 years, from 1975 to 1992. In1992, Gary accepted an invitation to pastor New Hope Chapel in Arnold, MD, where he served for 18 years. During that time, Gary also worked as a Bible teacher at the Annapolis Area Christian School teaching middle and upper school students. In addition, Gary taught at Bethel’s Seminary of the East where he served as an Old Testament adjunct professor and at Ariel Ministries’ Camp Shoshanah alongside of Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum. Using his understanding to help explain the Jewish roots of the Christian faith, Gary has recorded daily radio spots on WRBS, a Baltimore, Maryland, based radio station for the ministry of Christianity is Jewish. Gary is an avid sailor having enjoyed navigating the Chesapeake Bay. He is a talented musician, playing guitar, bass, and drums. Gary is married to Marilou, his wife of 36 years, and they have a son, Joel, who is a graduate of Gordon College. Gary and Marilou also have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels – Fenway (named in honor of the Boston Red Sox) and Dylan (named after the traveling troubadour, Bob Dylan).

Bob Pierce has been a believer in Yeshua for over 40 years and has served on the elder board at Beth Ariel since 1986.  From a traditional church background, Bob has thoroughly immersed himself in exploring, as well as appreciating, the Jewish roots of his faith since he and his wife began attending Beth Ariel in 1983.  He has a deep and abiding love for the Jewish people and desires that all people — both Jew and Gentile alike — “be delivered … and come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9).

Jerry grew up in Conservative Jewish home in New York City. He had his Bar Mitzvah in an Orthodox Synagogue and continued his Jewish education during his young adult years. In college, his spiritual journey continued with a deep interest in Israel leading to further exploration of prophetic aspects of the Scriptures. The more he studied the more convinced he was that Israel was a fulfillment of biblical prophecy and that Yeshua (Jesus) was Israel’s promised Messiah. This truth was revolutionizing for Jerry as he put his trust in Yeshua as Messiah and Lord, and thus began a life-changing spiritual journey.  Jerry has been a member of Beth Ariel since the late 80′s and has served as an Elder since the early 90′s. Professionally, Jerry has worked in the pharmaceutical industry in sales and management. His wife, Martha, is a marriage and family therapist and they have two daughters.

Chuck and his family have been members of Beth Ariel since 1983.  He has served as an Elder for over 20 years.  Chuck and his wife Merle come from secular Jewish families and embraced Yeshua as their Messiah and Lord over 25 years ago.  Three of their five children also serve the Lord at Beth Ariel’s Children’s Ministry.

Raised in a nominal Christian home, Christopher came to faith in 1980 after studying the prophecies of the Tenach. He attended Moody Bible Institute, graduating from the Jewish Studies program in 1986.  Upon graduation, he served with Chosen People Ministries (CPM), establishing Messianic Jewish congregations in the greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas.  Having completed service with CPM, Christopher assisted in the development of a Messianic Jewish outreach ministry, Shalom Fellowship, at Shepherd of the Hills in Porter Ranch (1998-2008).  Christopher’s education also includes a certificate in Human Resource Management, a B.S. in Business Management and a M.A. in Education and Training. Professionally, he works as a Director of Human Resources for a Los Angeles company and also teaches at several colleges and institutes.