Who are Parksiders?
Parkside is comprised of many different people. We have single soldiers, families with young children, retired couples with an empty nest and many others!
Our congregation is comprised approximately 50-60% families from Fort Drum, so we know how to care for our military families. But our locally based Parksiders are also wonderful people. Our goal when you visit is to feel welcomed and loved while you are here!
Parkside Pastors
Pastor Mike- Lead Pastor
Dr. Mike Gerhardt, born in Philadelphia, PA, Received a BA from Kean University in NJ. He worked 8 years as a finance analyst. In 1980 he married Janet Lewis. 2 years later, he began Dallas Seminary and received a Masters of Theology in 1986. He cumulated 27 years of ministry at a Chinese church in NJ, an Alliance church in Hawaii; and at New Beginnings in Poughkeepsie before coming to Parkside in 2013. He has three sons: Brandon, Trevor, and Eric. He received his Doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2006. He strives to inspire many others to Know the King and Serve His Kingdom.
Follow Pastor Mike on Facebook, Twitter @drmikegerhardt
Pastor Justin- Family Pastor
Pastor Justin Morris began his ministry here at Parkside in September 2006. Justin is originally from Central PA. Having received Christ as a child, Pastor Justin received his call to ministry in the Summer of 1990. He attended Messiah College where he received his B.A. in Christian Education. After marrying his college sweetheart, Meredith, in December 1995, Justin graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary with his M.Div. After seven years as a senior pastor in Ohio, Justin & his family have followed God's call to Watertown, NY. His heart is in ministering to children and adults, teaching them to be all they can be in Christ.
Follow Pastor Justin on Facebook
Pastor Reid- Youth Pastor
Pastor Reid Walsh has been serving at Parkside since May 2014. He began his faith journey following Jesus at a youth camp when he was 13. The following summer, God called him him to a life of ministry. Following that call, he attended and graduated from Messiah College with a degree in Christian Ministry with a focus on youth. He met his wife, Rachel, while serving at his first church in Mountville, PA, and they have followed God's leading in both youth and worship ministries as far away as Oregon. Reid has a passion to see young people become mature disciples of Christ and then disciple makers.
Follow Pastor Reid on Facebook, Twitter @pastorreidw or Instagram @reidnrae
Parkside Support Staff
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT- Jasmyn shrouder
Jasmyn Shrouder joined the Parkside team in July 2021. She is originally from Colorado, and attended the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs in pursuance of a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a focus in Pre-Physical Therapy. During her college years that she first accepted Christ and got deeply plugged in with various local ministries. She met her husband, Garrett, in the Navigators ministry at Fort Carson. In May 2021, they moved to Fort Drum, and are eager to follow God’s lead into serving in the area. Jasmyn and Garrett are currently expecting their first child, a girl, in November 2021. Jasmyn has a heart for seeing people come to know Christ, step into their true identity in Him, experiencing His love and then sharing it with others.
DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST- Drew Autote
Drew joined the Parkside team in February 2021 and serves in graphic design and tech capacities. He is a freshman at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam in the Music Education program. He plans on growing his faith through the new people he meets and the joy he experiences at college. Despite not being involved with Parkside in-person, Drew is happy to still be connected to the church through his family and this position.
NURSERY COORDINATOR- Emily Turner
Emily has enjoyed being involved in church nurseries & children’s ministries since she was 12 years old and able to volunteer. Fast forward many years, she came to Fort Drum for her husband, Cole, to continue his Army career as an orthopedic surgeon. She also gets to work as a Physician Assistant and care for her three kids, Norah, Graham, & Harrison. Emily loves spending time with young children and especially getting the opportunity to teach them about God and His Word. It’s a joy to be able to support Parkside families to worship & hear the truth of God’s Word by organizing childcare during church, Bible studies, and other church events or meetings. Emily looks forward to continuing to get to know all of our young children, parents, & volunteers in the nursery; and new volunteers are always welcome!
Worship Coordinator- Kate Forbes
Kate joined the Parkside team in 2019. She accepted Christ in Dec 2013 and was baptized in Jan 2015 and has since never looked back. She met her husband, Tyler, at a Christmas hymn sing and tied the knot 8 months later. Kate and Tyler live in and are renovating an old farmhouse in Evans Mills with their two children, Avery and Ethan, and their dog Lucy. Kate enjoys baking sweets, fixing up their new/old house, singing, playing games, and jamming with the worship team!
BookKeeper- Sharon Spearance
Sharon joined the Parkside team in 2007 as our Administrative Assistant. She retired from that in 2021, but continued on doing bookkeeping for the church. She and her husband Bill are both retired and enjoy spending time together!
Parkside Elders
Todd Benham- elder
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Peter Gertonson- Elder
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Darrell Main- Elder
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william (Bill) main- elder
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Brian Peck- Elder board secretary
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William (Bill) VanOrman- vice-chairman
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