KEN CARLSON
Lead Pastor
Ken's journey to leading Bayside Chapel is a story of faith and growth. Born in 1987 and raised in NY and PA, Ken moved to NJ in 2004 where he met his wife, Laura. They are now proud parents to two daughters, Olivia and Elizabeth.
Ken's path at Bayside Chapel began in 2011 while pursuing his Master's from Capital Seminary & Graduate School. Mentored by Dr. Dave Ridder, Ken developed his skills in expository preaching and transformational leadership.
Starting as an Assistant Pastor in 2014, Ken's role expanded over the years. He became Teaching Pastor in 2021 and stepped into the role of Lead Pastor in 2024. Ken has remained dedicated to presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ effectively through Bible-centered messages.
Passionate about the transforming power of God's Word, Ken aims to offer sermons that both inform the mind and transform the heart. His goal is to help people encounter Jesus and experience the hope and victory found in a relationship with Him.
Outside the pulpit, Ken enjoys playing music, drone photography and videography, fishing, and family time. Laura serves the community as an Emergency Room and Forensic Nurse.
Ken leads Bayside Chapel with a vision for Gospel-centered ministry, committed to expositional preaching that places Jesus and His life-changing message at the forefront while addressing real-life challenges.
Whether you're a long-time believer, exploring faith, or simply curious about the Christian message, Ken and the Bayside family warmly invite you to join them in discovering the victorious power of Jesus Christ.
“I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.” - Jeremiah 10:23
DAVE RIDDER
Teaching Pastor
Dr. Ridder (“Doc”) served as Bayside’s senior pastor from 2011 through 2023. Dave and his wife, Diane, came to us from St. Paul, Minnesota, where he led Bethel Seminary as Vice President and Dean from 2007 to 2011 and taught preaching and ministry leadership courses. Prior to his time at Bethel, Dave and Diane resided in Bucks County, Pennsylvania where Dave served for 23 years as the Senior Pastor of Grace Point Church in Newtown.
The Ridders have three married children and nine grandchildren. Diane can be found as one of the smiling faces at Barnegat Public Library.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16
Joe Faraldi
Discipleship Pastor
Before God called Joe into ministry in 1998, he was a music educator for 16 years. Joe holds a Master’s degree from Montclair University. He served as Director of Worship Ministries at Grace Immanuel Bible Church in Jupiter Florida for 3 years, and at Jacksonville Chapel in North Jersey for 10 years.
Since coming to Bayside in 2001 as Assistant Pastor, Joe has overseen the Worship Arts Ministry, small groups, and has led a number of mission’s trips to Romania. Presently he serves as our Discipleship Pastor, oversees our Care Ministry, our Senior Adult Ministry, and Bayside’s “Recovery Groups. Joe coordinates Bayside Chapel’s team of “Coaches” which provides Christ-Centered Mentorship. He also provides Pastoral Counseling.
Joe is married to Pat and they have two adult children, Chris and Kara. Joe’s passion is to minister the Gospel to the church so that God’s people would know ALL that it means to be in Christ.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20
James Carson
Executive Pastor
James and his wife Anna moved to New Jersey and joined Bayside in 2006. James began serving on the tech team soon after joining Bayside and in 2018 took on the position of Operations Pastor, giving oversight to the administrative and custodial staff, and providing cohesion to the wide variety of communications channels the church utilizes.
In 2021 James became Executive Pastor, adding the responsibility of oversight to Youth, Kids, and the Tech Ministry teams. James and Anna have 2 amazing children Fenway (Go Red Sox!) and Lucas. They enjoy bringing up their kids as a part of the Bayside family.
James received his Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies degree at Grace Evangelical College and his Master of Arts in Christian Leadership degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. - 2 Corinthians 5:17
ANDREW WEBER
Pastor of Ministry Development
Andrew was called by the Holy Spirit into ministry following his retirement from public school education. Andrew served for 27 years as a teacher, supervisor, principal, and Superintendent before retiring in 2024. Andrew grew up in Lancaster County, PA and met his wife, Tara, in 1994 at Millersville University. They were married on July 26, 1997 and have two daughters, Kate, born in 2002 and Emma, born in 2004. After living in Toms River for several years, the Webers moved to Barnegat in 2006 and have been attending Bayside since 2010.
Andrew has been involved in many ministries, groups, and classes over the years. In 2010 Andrew began serving on the chair set up team. In 2017 Andrew was elected to serve as an Elder and served for 6 years in that capacity. He participated in the Men of Iron mentorship and has led several classes including Anchoredman and re/engage.
Outside of ministry, Andrew enjoys spending time by the pool with Tara, doing yard work, checking out new restaurants, and watching Philadelphia sports teams. Additionally, Andrew is a Jeep fan and enjoys taking summer rides with Tara. Tara is a PK-8 principal and has been in education for over 26 years.
Andrew is passionate about ministry, specifically the role of men in leading their family. He is excited to see how the Lord will use him at Bayside as Pastor of Ministry Development.
Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Matt Vogel
Worship Director
Matt grew up in the church. Becoming a Christian at the age of 4, he has enjoyed a lifelong friendship with Jesus. Through many difficulties his testimony remains that Jesus faithfully carried and led him through every challenge and victory.
Matt started out as a worship musician at the age of 17 and began leading worship shortly after. He and his wife Aleda have both served in the church with youth, children’s, small groups, missions and worship ministries.
Matt & Aleda have three children and have called Bayside home since 2015.
Matt has spent his life serving and loving the Lord through his passion to worship the creator. He enjoys building relationships and teams to pursue Christ and share the Gospel.
“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” - Isaiah 40:31
Tiffany Stoltzfus
Children's Ministry Director
Tiffany and her husband Tristan moved from Virginia in 2010 to join the staff here at Bayside. Tiffany graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Religion. She then went on to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary to earn her Master of Arts in Children’s Ministry.
Tiffany and Tristan have three young children: Jaxon, Adaleigh, and Peyton, who spend many hours at Bayside and love to consider this their second home.
As the Children's Ministry Director, Tiffany oversees the children's programming on Sunday mornings, provided for newborns on through sixth grade. She also directs the Wednesday Night children's programming, our annual Vacation Bible School (VBS), and other various kid/family events throughout the year. Her desire is to reach children with the good news of Jesus and to disciple them to serve Him.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” - James 1:2-4
Kylene Grady
Student Ministries Director
Kylene Grady's journey in youth ministry began as a student herself, blossoming into a year-long youth internship that led to greater responsibilities as TreeHouse director and ultimately Youth Director. In her current role, she oversees all youth-related programs and initiatives.
With a Bachelor's degree from Liberty University in Next Generation Youth Ministry and a minor in Divinity, Kylene brings both academic foundation and hands-on experience to her work. She shares her life with her husband Aiden and their beloved pets—two fur babies named Tinkerbelle and Linguini.
Kylene’s core mission is the spiritual wellbeing of the next generation. She is deeply passionate about helping young people discover that God provides everything they need and more, offering eternal joy that surpasses the temporary happiness found in worldly pursuits.
“We love because he first loved us.” - 1 John 4:19
BEN SHEPPARD
Tech & Media Director
Ben has been a Baysider for over a decade now. He and his family worship and serve at Bayside Chapel every Sunday. Ben is also one of our Worship Arts ministry leaders and has several years of vocational ministry experience, as well as an I.T. degree.
He is married to Carol Ann (our biblical life coach) and they have two younger kids—Finn and Sophia.
Ben is passionate about people encountering Jesus Christ and experiencing the transformative freedom of the gospel. He believes that God’s Word contains everything we need for fruitful, godly living.
HE also believes life is too short to drink bad (or decaf) coffee!
“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
KELLY LONGFIELD
Office Administrator
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Kelly moved to New Jersey in 2001 and quickly realized that Bayside would be her home.
Kelly takes care of the bookkeeping needs at Bayside as well as many of the office administrative duties. She studied business in college and is certified in Quickbooks.
Kelly enjoys volleyball, dancing, and spending time with her two daughters, two sons-in-law, and her grand kids. She also counts it as a blessing to be able to volunteer with DivorceCare and griefshare.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19
Lesley Daniels
Administrative Assistant
Lesley and her husband Jim began attending Bayside in 2012. Jim is now retired from 30+ years as a middle school history teacher. After they were first married, Lesley and Jim lived in the Niagara Falls, NY area where Jim’s family is from. Lesley worked as Program Coordinator for two county wide youth volunteer programs, recruiting both student volunteers and county volunteer sites. In 1984 they moved to NJ, where Lesley’s family lives. They have been involved in several ministries at Bayside and continue to help as adult youth leader volunteers with Bayside’s youth group.
Lesley also serves in the Worship Arts ministry for Sunday services. She comes to Bayside with a great deal of Administration Assistant experience having been a part of Lighthouse Christian Academy for 15 years, Grace Initiatives for almost 10 years and Program Coordinator and coach for a local martial arts school for 13 years.
Lesley and Jim have 3 adult children and (so far) 7 grandchildren. They thoroughly enjoy the fellowship and teaching of many of Bayside’s bible studies and groups and look forward to meeting you.
“And what does the Lord require of you; but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” - Micah 6:8
Jared March
Congregational Care Chaplain
Jared and his wife Joy have been a part of Bayside Chapel for over twenty years. He is a former elder here at Bayside and has been teaching adults a variety of topics over the past years.
Recently completing his Masters Degree from Liberty University in Pastoral Counseling and Chaplaincy, Jared has committed himself to ensuring that all congregational care needs within the church are addressed, executed, or referred to others for resolution.
In addition to overseeing several of the care ministries under the Care Pastor, Jared also is available for discipleship and initial counseling for those individuals or couples that need to identify a direction for resolution of their current dilemma or spiritual issues.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20
Nichole Giberson
Nursery Coordinator
Nichole and her husband Jeff began attending Bayside in 2015 and have four wonderful children!
Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom, she worked as a medical assistant. Nichole became our Nursery Coordinator in 2021, after serving for five years in the nursery.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. - Genesis 50:20
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. - philippians 4:13
