REV. Jeff young

Pastor


The Rev. Jeffrey Young, or on most occasions Pastor Jeff, is a native of Kansas and a second generation PC(USA) pastor.  Jeff grew up in the PC(USA), mostly at Overland Park Presbyterian Church where his father served, and has continued his affiliation with the denomination throughout his formation and service.  It was while a member at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ottawa, KS that he felt a call from concert production into ministry.  As it so happens, this was the same congregation that decades earlier had fostered a call to ministry for his father and mother.  Jeff attended the University of Kansas, first in architecture before graduating with degrees in psychology and sociology.  It was here, and as part of the marching band, that he met his wife Ashley.  They were married in 2001.  Amid several moves and changes in careers, they stayed strengthened through the support of family and plenty of congregations.  Two years after the birth of their first son, Braylon, Jeff answered Jesus’ call and the family moved to Dubuque, IA where he received his master of divinity.  Following graduation, Jeff taught several undergraduate courses at UD and served as pulpit supply and limited pastoral care for two rural congregations.  His first call was to First United Presbyterian Church in Collinsville, IL where he served for over five years, and during which Jeff and Ashley welcomed their second son, Asher.  He has served several roles with the presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, as a board member for the Collinsville Food Pantry and Collinsville Faith in Action, as well as working with other food related ministries and providing for the homeless and low-income in the community.  Jeff has a heart for incarnational, relational, missional ministry that grows disciples in the church, and wholeness in the community; and welcomes all to serving and being served as the need and ability arises. Pastor Jeff continues to feel blessed at being led by Christ to serve at Christ Our King, and is excited by the potential that is in the breath of the Holy Spirit for this congregation and the greater Bel Air community.

Stacey Butler

Office Manager

Rick Schaech

Director of Music/Organist


Born in Baltimore and raised in Bel Air, Rick has served as Organist/Choir Accompanist at Christ Our King since July, 2011. Serving as a church musician for over forty years, Rick began serving the church as an Assistant Organist at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Bel Air in 1975. He also served as accompanist for the Bel Air High School Counterpoints during his junior and senior years at Bel Air which were the first and second years of the choir's existence.


After high school, Rick earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organ Performance at Towson University as a student of Dr. Thomas Spacht graduating Summa Cum Laude and Class Co-Valedictorian. Following graduation from Towson, Rick moved to Cincinnati and earned the Master of Music Degree in Organ Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as a student of Dr. Roberta Gary.


Rick has served churches in Maryland and Ohio, most notably The Church of the Redeemer (Episcopal) in Baltimore as Assistant Organist to Arthur Rhea where he also served as Handbell Choir Director and The Cathedral Church of St Peter in Chains (Roman Catholic) in Cincinnati as Assistant Organist to Haldan Tompkins.

Jennifer Palmer

Director of Christ Our King Preschool


Dr. Jennifer Palmer (“Miss Jennifer” to our students) brings more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, reading specialist, mentor, and administrator in Harford County Public Schools, along with multiple Maryland State Department of Education certifications and long‑standing National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist. In addition to supporting teachers through Wilmington University’s National Board programs, she is a longtime member of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church and is passionate about the science of reading, play‑based learning, hands‑on experiences, and nurturing faith in young children. She leads with a warm, collaborative spirit and values strong relationships with students and families. Dr. Palmer and her husband, Christopher, live in Abingdon, where they enjoy gardening, birdwatching, and thrifting.


Click HERE for our Preschool Website. For more information about our Preschool Program contact the school at 410-836-0141