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The spiritual leadership of Praise Tabernacle is fashioned after the Apostle Paul's letter to Timothy. Elders in conjunction with the pastor, prayerfully decide on the affairs of the church. Deacons perform the practical ministries to serve the church body.

Rev. Steve Rahter is a graduate of Berean College and holds a Master's Degree in counseling. He is retired as Student Counselor from the Somers Point School District. Besides pastoring the church, Steve is an anointed Praise & Worship Leader, heads up a soft gospel rock group, Crown of Thorns, and oversees the church's ministry to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission once a month. Pastor Rahter is also the director of Praise Bible Institute. A talented and gifted man of God, Praise is blessed to have Steve and his wife, Laurie, and their two daughters, Jessica and Julie.

Youth Pastors, Joshua Kennedy and his wife Loraine, oversee all the Youth Ministries at Praise with a special emphasis on our teens, YouthAflame. Before coming to Praise, Josh and Loraine served with Youth With a Mission in St. Croix, VI. for 2 years and 1 year as Youth Leader at Quinault Valley Chapel in Washington state. His experience also includes serving for 5 years as a full-time minister with Speak the Word Ministries International in St. Croix and also serving in various departments, namely: Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, leading instruction classes for new converts and as the Pastor’s Lead Assistant. It was there that he became a licensed minister. Loraine served as an Elder, was on the Praise and Worship team, led the dance ministry and assisted Joshua in his leadership roles. Presently, they are pursuing degrees in church ministries and performing arts. Pastor Josh and his wife have two children, Elisha and Israel.

Rev. Joe Stabler was born in the coal mining regions of Pennsylvania where he attended the Lutheran church and served as altar boy. He moved to New Jersey when he was in high school. After a tour in Viet Nam, Joe married his bride, Karen, and they have two sons, Eric and David. In 1974, Joe was radically saved at a nearby church. Since that time he has had a passion for Intercessory Prayer and has led many prayer meetings and continues to lead small groups here at Praise. Joe is an excellent teacher and an anointed Praise and Worship leader. He desires revival and to see the Body of Christ mature and hunger for the deeper life in God. Joe moves in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially in the prophetic.

Rev. Roger E. Perry grew up in western New York and graduated from Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina. He served as pastor at Praise Tabernacle from 1985 until his retirement in 2003. He remains at Praise as Pastor Emeritus, Dean of Students of Praise Bible Institute and an Elder. Roger was a missionary with CLC International for 17 years in various countries in the Caribbean and Central America as well as the United States. He is married to his lovely wife, Barbara, and is the step-father of three children and six step-grandchildren. Barbara is also an excellent Bible teacher and personal counselor.

Deacons perform the practical ministries to serve the body of Praise Tabernacle. They are: Joe Allegretto, Dennis and Shirly Bell, Russell Beckman, Tom Coggins, Joe Daly, Tom Davey, Ed and Pam Fugee, George Heil, Ken Johnson, John Loreaux, Ann Maselli, Al Reese and Kathy Reese, Carol Russell, Bob Smith, Ken Southard, Harry & Gayil Warren, and Bill and Debbie Weave.r

Elders of the church prayerfully decide on the affairs of the church. They are: Rev. Steve Rahter, Pastor Joshua Kennedy, Dr. Tom Adams, Le Borden, Rev. Roger Perry, Reg Sappie, Jeff Wolfe, Joe DiMeglio and Phil Westhuis.

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