Leadership
Our leadership philosophy is much more organic in nature than most churches, but it doesn’t mean we don’t have structure. We believe that structure is healthy, important and biblical. Even organic gardens have order and structure to them.
We strongly believe in the priesthood of all believers – every follower of Jesus is a minister. There are many people in leadership at Renew. Some are in official capacities, but most lead in unofficial ways, big and small.
Elders:
Officially, Renew is led by an elder team, which provides direction, spiritual oversight and cultivation of our unique DNA.
J.R. Briggs is the lead pastor and cultural cultivator of The Renew Community. He has been in ministry for 6 years and has served on staff at churches in CO and PA before launching out to start Renew. He’s striving to learn what it means to live as a free man. He and a group of friends stepped out and started Renew in the summer of 2008 in order to start a faith community that connected with those who were spiritually disconnected but intrigued by the person of Jesus.
J.R. loves skiing, camping, reading, working out, playing basketball, blogging and watching college football. He’s a die-hard University of Michigan fan, even though locals make fun of him often. And he loves eating Gobstoppers. He and his wife Megan have been married for 8 years and have a 3 year-old son Carter.
Email: jrbriggsis@gmail.com You can also check out his blog that he updates regularly at www.jrbriggs.com
Tracy Commons is the pastor of house churches at Renew. He is a graduate of Biblical Seminary in Hatfield PA and is currently getting his feet wet in full-time ministry. As we often encounter the fact that ministry + community + mission = messiness, J.R. will comment, “welcome to the ministry!”
Tracy and Jenna live in Lansdale and are currently raising support in order to fund and fulfill his calling in ministry, while working at a local pro shop on the side. (It helps that he’s an avid golfer). He also enjoys fishing, watching movies, eating cheesesteaks, and cuddling on the couch with his wife Jenna. He and Jenna have been married for 3 years and are expecting their first child, Will, in February.
Email: tracycommons@gmail.com
Jon Hoover is the assistant warehouse manager at Hoover Steel Inc. He has been married to his wife Karrie for four years. Together they are raising their two children Zander and Lydia.
Jon is a musician and artist who enjoys playing, teaching, and recording many different styles of music. He also enjoys biking, metalwork, woodworking, painting, and playing tennis.
Email: planejon@gmail.com
Duane Freed is an aspiring entrepreneur and dreamer. He holds a bachelors degree from Asbury College and is currently in an MBA program at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He is the founder of FREED Running Co., a small running company that holds group runs and races. He likes to encourage people to pursue the God-sized dreams in their hearts.
Duane has many interests including trail running, cycling, flag football, kayaking, fishing, public speaking, business, Eagles football (Go Birds!), theater, comedy and unhurried time with friends. He also enjoys reading books by Donald Miller, Erwin McManus, John Eldredge, Ernest Hemingway and many more.
Email: duane_freed@yahoo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/duanefreed