Elder Affirmation
"If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil."
- 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (ESV)
Sajay Mathew
Sajay grew up in India and then in the US, as his father studied, taught, or led in seminary. Currently, he and his family live in Southampton, about 10 minutes away from FAC. He is married to his beautiful wife, Rinsa, and they have been blessed with 2 sons - Azaiah (8) and Zachary (6). Both their boys attend Trinity Prep, Rinsa works for a local hospital system, and Sajay is a Computer Engineer.
About five years ago, Sajay and Rinsa were looking for a church that was rooted and built on Christ and the truth of his Word. After reading about FAC on its website, its doctrine and beliefs, and then attending FAC the first time, they felt “at home” and committed to putting down roots and getting involved. Sajay is actively involved in men's ministry, attending and leading tables during the Tuesday/Thursday meetings. Sajay and Rinsa also lead a Fellowship Group in their home.
When he was much younger, the Lord instilled in him a desire to be joyfully content in Him and Him alone, regardless of his circumstances, and as a result, Sajay’s life verses are Habakkuk 3:17-18. More recently, Sajay has come to deeply love the epistle Paul wrote to the Philippian church - all 4 chapters, but chapter 3:1-14 most of all. As our church navigates uncharted waters, Sajay sees an opportunity for us to learn what it really means to be content in the Lord, as He leads and plots the course for His Bride. “It has been incredibly exciting to see the renewed vitality of all our ministries and the hunger our people have for the Word and its mission. I am most excited to see how the Lord expands on our existing “missionary” aspirations and activities, given that we are a CMA church.”
About five years ago, Sajay and Rinsa were looking for a church that was rooted and built on Christ and the truth of his Word. After reading about FAC on its website, its doctrine and beliefs, and then attending FAC the first time, they felt “at home” and committed to putting down roots and getting involved. Sajay is actively involved in men's ministry, attending and leading tables during the Tuesday/Thursday meetings. Sajay and Rinsa also lead a Fellowship Group in their home.
When he was much younger, the Lord instilled in him a desire to be joyfully content in Him and Him alone, regardless of his circumstances, and as a result, Sajay’s life verses are Habakkuk 3:17-18. More recently, Sajay has come to deeply love the epistle Paul wrote to the Philippian church - all 4 chapters, but chapter 3:1-14 most of all. As our church navigates uncharted waters, Sajay sees an opportunity for us to learn what it really means to be content in the Lord, as He leads and plots the course for His Bride. “It has been incredibly exciting to see the renewed vitality of all our ministries and the hunger our people have for the Word and its mission. I am most excited to see how the Lord expands on our existing “missionary” aspirations and activities, given that we are a CMA church.”
Jay Appleton
Jay was born and grew up in the Lawndale community of northeast Philadelphia. He was blessed to be part of a loving Christian family, raised in the faith, and active in the Grace Brethren Church through high school. Jay and his wife Kathy were married in 1978 and have lived in Mount Laurel since 1988. They have one son, Jeremiah, and a granddaughter named Amanda. After many years as a civil engineer and construction manager, Jay retired in 2021 and founded a consulting firm providing homeland security and emergency management planning and other preparedness support to public agencies, schools, and houses of worship.
Jay’s first contact with FAC was in his role as project manager for the new Worship Center. He built sustaining friendships with many of our church leadership, which continue today. When God was leading Jay and Kathy away from their church in Mount Laurel almost three years ago, they visited FAC and never looked back. Jay and Kathy have both been involved in service at FAC, leading tables in various studies and ministries. They host a fellowship group in their home, and Jay is a member of FAC’s security team. Kathy serves in the children’s ministry and as a mentor for the Single Moms ministry.
Jay’s first contact with FAC was in his role as project manager for the new Worship Center. He built sustaining friendships with many of our church leadership, which continue today. When God was leading Jay and Kathy away from their church in Mount Laurel almost three years ago, they visited FAC and never looked back. Jay and Kathy have both been involved in service at FAC, leading tables in various studies and ministries. They host a fellowship group in their home, and Jay is a member of FAC’s security team. Kathy serves in the children’s ministry and as a mentor for the Single Moms ministry.
Jay loves the truth contained in Ephesians 2:4-5. The “But God” passages throughout scripture define God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, love, and mercy, and they speak to Jay powerfully about what He’s done, is doing, and will do. Jay is excited about what is happening now at FAC. “After passing through a time of testing and challenges, our church is uniting in our love for Christ, in our mission to share the Gospel with our community, in our desire to dive deeply into God’s Word, and in serving together in love and humility. It’s exciting to see the energetic engagement of our young people – our future leaders – in worship, study, and service. And it’s inspiring to see the loving leadership that, by example, is encouraging us as a congregation to move forward as God leads us to the worship and work that glorifies Him above all else.”
Bob Burch
Bob Burch and his wife, Karol, have been married for over 39 years and have 3 adult children, Kristin, Kyle, and Kaleb, and his wife, Rachel, as well as two grandsons, Owen and Wylan.
Bob just recently retired from Merck & Co., where he was fortunate enough to lead a team as the Director of Utilities and Energy Operations for the West Point Campus.
Bob and Karol live in Marlton and found their way to FAC through friends and family over 38 years ago. They were drawn to the teaching and living out of the Word of God in mini-churches and bringing the hope of the gospel to our community. Since joining FAC, Bob has served in various areas and roles: Youth Group leader, Mini-Church leader, Mini-Church leader mentor, former Elder of 11 years, building team member, Alpha table leader, After-Alpha group leader, and Planted Table leader. Currently, he is involved with men’s ministry and Sage. Bob is excited seeing how God is currently working in the hearts of the FAC family to connect and reach our community.
In his spare time, he enjoys playing games with his family and almost anything to do around the ocean, from fishing, swimming, and paddleboarding.
The scriptures that are most meaningful to Bob are, 1 Corinthians 13:7 “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”, and Romans 1:16 “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also the Greek.”
Bob just recently retired from Merck & Co., where he was fortunate enough to lead a team as the Director of Utilities and Energy Operations for the West Point Campus.
Bob and Karol live in Marlton and found their way to FAC through friends and family over 38 years ago. They were drawn to the teaching and living out of the Word of God in mini-churches and bringing the hope of the gospel to our community. Since joining FAC, Bob has served in various areas and roles: Youth Group leader, Mini-Church leader, Mini-Church leader mentor, former Elder of 11 years, building team member, Alpha table leader, After-Alpha group leader, and Planted Table leader. Currently, he is involved with men’s ministry and Sage. Bob is excited seeing how God is currently working in the hearts of the FAC family to connect and reach our community.
In his spare time, he enjoys playing games with his family and almost anything to do around the ocean, from fishing, swimming, and paddleboarding.
The scriptures that are most meaningful to Bob are, 1 Corinthians 13:7 “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”, and Romans 1:16 “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also the Greek.”