We are an assembly of flawed people who love Jesus. Our ages vary, our looks diverse, our financial status inconsistent, but we have been drawn together by the grace of God and linked by His love for us all. We welcome all and invite you to seek the Lord with us.
We meet at 1552 Singerly Rd, Elkton, MD 21921 (map). You can reach us at (410) 392-3456 or Office@UnitedRedeemed.org.
Pastor Robert F. McKnight is a life-long resident of North East, Maryland. He has been married to his wife, Virginia, for over 40 years and they have three grown children. After completing 2 years of college, formal education took a back seat to supporting a family and raising children. A complete practical education took place through 25 years of self-employment in businesses that he either owned or managed. He is a full-time employee at the church where he handles administrative as well as pastoral responsibilities.
Pastor Matthew Kenenske loves the Lord and is committed to serving and bringing Him glory through proclaiming the Gospel to the lost and building up the Church. Matthew and his wife, Tiffany, married in 1990. Their two teenage sons, Zaavan Michael and Elias Stephen Resurrection, are a special blessing to Matthew and he loves spending time with them. Before coming to the church, Matthew founded Crossroads Church in his childhood hometown of New Castle, DE in July of 1999 and pastored it for thirteen years. During those years, he saw God move in amazing ways, touching many hearts and bringing many unsaved people into the church family. Missions work is also important to Matthew and his family and they have served in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Germany, Japan and Haiti. In his spare time, Matthew enjoys watching terrible B movies, eating grilled meats, choking people unconscious via Brazialian Jiu Jitsu and laughing with family and friends.
Jerry Baranski
Elder Jerry Baranski has lived in Elkton since he was a child. He was raised in church and prayed to receive Jesus when just a young boy. But it was in his teens that he wholeheartedly started serving Him. He married Kellie in 1993 after just a couple months of dating (though they had known each other since childhood). They now have 3 children, Madeline, Daniel, and Jonas. Jerry and family attended the church for 7 years before leaving to help start Crossroads in 2000. There he became a worship leader and Elder. In those roles he used his gifts of gentleness and plain talk to help shepherd their people. He also owns and runs a construction business. Jerry refuses to get involved in sports or board games, so don’t start any of that nonsense. Level headed, even tempered, committed to God’s people, Jerry looks for ways to serve, a faithful man with a good heart.
Brian Hartsky
Elder Brian Hartsky was born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1988. Through attending Pastor Matthew Kenenske’s church, Crossroads in New Castle, Delaware, he came to salvation at age 15. Brian married his wife, Kristel, in 2014 and they now have a son, Benjamin, and another son on the way. Before becoming an Elder, Brian served as a Deacon in the church. He has also gone along on numerous mission trips to both Ecuador and Haiti. The Lord has poured out His love and faithfulness throughout Brian’s life and he walks looking to do the exact same to all those around him. In his free time, Brian enjoys anything sports related, anything food related, and spending time with family and friends.
Ted Lambert
Elder Emeritus Theodore Lambert III was born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1952 and attended the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church. After becoming a Christian at age 5, he had a renewal in 1971 while attending the Jesus People meetings. He has been blessed with three wonderful children, all of whom are married to fine Christian spouses. Ted joined the church in 1994. He has been working with teenagers since 1975. In September 2009, Ted married Selina and today they enjoy their new life together including six grandchildren.
Jim Ford
Elder James L. Ford was born in Suffern, New York. He and his wife, Mary Jo, attended the same church and school while growing up. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from Villanova University, they were married in 1985. They moved from Wilmington and settled in Elkton in 1988 where they raised their four children. Jim is currently employed by Associates Graphic Services working as an Account Executive. He began his walk with the Lord in 1991. Jim was ordained as an Elder in September of 2007, and continues to work with our Deacons and other Men’s Ministries as well as serving the entire body as a faithful servant of God.
Ken Simmers
Elder Kenneth Simmers, Jr. has lived in Cecil County his entire life. He is honored to have served his country in the United States Navy. While as a child, he attended church with his grandmother, but it wasn’t until 1989, after being delivered from poor life choices, that he surrendered his life to the Lord. He has followed Jesus passionately ever since. Ken has worked with the UR youth group (just ask about his worm eating skills). He then served as a Deacon for five years before being called as an Elder. All told, Ken and his wife, Kelly, are blessed with three children. He and his wife have taught Sunday School and enjoyed a mission trip to Ecuador. They look forward to whatever the Lord has for them as a couple.
Craig Worley
Elder Craig Worley was born in Moravia, New York. After completing his one year program at Lancaster Bible College, where he met his future wife, Deb, he continued his education at The Culinary Institute of America where he earned an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts. He married his college sweetheart in 1982 and they moved to Arlington, VA. After only a few months, Craig and Deb got plugged into the Youth Ministry at their local church and have worked with teenagers ever since in various capacities. They moved to Cecil County in 1998 with their three children because of a job change at Sandy Cove Ministries. Craig is currently the Dining Services Manager at NorthBay Adventure Camp in North East, MD. In addition to working with the youth group at the church, Craig has led short term mission teams on nine separate trips.
Luke Kenenske/Minister of Music
Luke Kenenske was born in Wilmington, DE. He has lived in MD for most of his life despite his upbringing in DE and 7 years in CO. He and Jessica have been married since 1998. They have two children, Gideon and Violet. Coming to faith at 12, he was greatly influenced by his time in youth group and several mission trips. Luke has always had a love of music and after playing drums/singing/guitar in several bands, the Lord asked him to lead worship. He led worship at this church for years before the Lord called him and Jess to CO to a church that needed a worship leader. Moving back to MD in 2018, God soon had a place for him here at UR where he does his best to follow the Holy Spirit, to worship in spirit and in truth. Luke has been in construction since high school and is currently a commercial construction manager. He is also an avid mountain biker you may run into in Fair Hill.
Deb Worley/Minister to Women
Deb Worley is the Church Secretary and Minister to Women at the church. She was born in Lancaster, PA and graduated from Lancaster Bible College with a major in Biblical Studies and minor in Youth Ministry. Deb and her husband, Craig, were married in 1982 and have 3 children. Since moving to Elkton in 1997, she has served with her husband as part of the leadership team for the Youth Ministry at the church. Deb was asked to be Minister of Women in 2009. This added ministry responsibility is only made possible with a wonderful support staff of volunteers in the office as well as an excellent team of women– UR (United Redeemed) Committee. Deb loves to do visitation, counsel and spend time praying with ladies.
John Kalesse/Minister to Youth
John R. Kalesse was born in 1984 and raised in New Castle, DE. He graduated from Hodgson Vocational Technical High School in 2002. Shortly after high school, John was invited to some events at Crossroads Church in New Castle, DE and slowly became more familiar with the Gospel of Christ. He asked Jesus into his life during a church play that his cousin’s church’s youth group organized and was baptized in 2003. He has been loyal to the church ever since, serving on the worship team, mission trips to El Salvador and Haiti, and youth-led ministries. He was married to his wife, Aleigh, in 2007 and now has three children, Natalie, Nathan and Emmett. John has been a youth group leader since 2011 and stepped into a full-time youth ministry role in 2015. John has made a commitment to serving the youth at United Redeemed in a caring and relational way, working to form long-term relationships as we build strong disciples of the Lord Jesus.