PNC Update | June 2024

June 18, 2024

An Introduction to Our New Head of Staff

Woods Church has called as its next Head of Staff, the Reverend JC Austin, who will take up his position on August 27, 2024. JC’s call was approved by the congregation following a candidating sermon on June 16, 2024, and we look forward to his move to Maryland and his leadership at Woods.


JC is a lifelong Presbyterian, and comes to us with an impressive array of experience. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1998, and at the conclusion of his studies, was awarded the Graduate Study Fellowship in Parish Pulpit Ministry, which allowed him to select a location to pursue further education. JC elected to study in Cape Town, South Africa, studying the work of the theological dimensions of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in post-apartheid South Africa.


JC currently serves as Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He arrived at First Presbyterian in 2017 following a schism in that congregation, and guided the church through a difficult transition, rebuilding the governance and staff of the church and helping the congregation to articulate its mission statement and priorities. Subsequently, First Presbyterian was able to triple worship attendance and institute a revitalized contemporary worship service in addition to its traditional service.


Prior to his call to First Presbyterian, JC served as Vice President for Christian Leadership Formation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City. He conceived, developed, and launched the first seminary based, internationally certified training program for leadership coaches in the U.S., and created targeted leadership programs to train and support entrepreneurial pastors and women pastors.


For 10 years before his call to Auburn, JC served at Madison Avenue Presbyterian in New York City, working one year as a Pastoral Assistant for Development, Stewardship, and Evangelism, then nine years as Associate Pastor for Evangelism and Stewardship. In that role, he oversaw a demographic shift that brought in many younger members to the congregation and doubled annual giving participation and stewardship levels.


JC’s hobbies include barbecuing (he began experimenting with smoked meat during the pandemic), guitar, and many genres of music. His son will be a sophomore at Georgetown in the fall, and JC looks forward to being a bit closer to the university.

Read a Letter from Rev. JC Austin to the Woods Congregation
October 3, 2025
Join us for worship on Sunday! This week, Pastor J.C. will preach from Galatians 3:26–4:7 Galatians 3:26, and deliver his sermon, titled "A Cosmopolitan Church."
October 1, 2025
Pastor’s Message • World Communion Sunday, October 5 • Soul in Motion • Sunday Morning Fellowship • Blessing of the Animals Service • WoodsWords • Community Conversation • Youth & Music Ministries Open Mic Night • Baltimore Presbytery Fall Youth Gathering • Children’s Fall Costume Party • The Prince of Egypt Auditions
September 26, 2025
Join us for worship on Sunday! This week, Pastor Nancy will preach from 1 Timothy 6:1–19, and deliver her sermon, titled "The Life That Really is Life."
September 24, 2025
Woods Messenger is here with the latest news for you!
September 19, 2025
Join us for worship on Sunday! This week, Pastor J.C. will preach from Jeremiah 32:1–3a, 6–15, and deliver his sermon, titled "Believing Who We Will Be."
September 17, 2025
Woods Messenger is here with the latest news for you!
September 12, 2025
Join us for worship on Sunday! This week, Pastor J.C. will preach from Luke 19:41–44 and deliver his sermon, titled "The Things That Make For Peace."
September 10, 2025
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September 5, 2025
Join us for worship on Sunday! This week, Pastor J.C. will preach from Luke 15:1–10 and deliver his sermon, titled "Knowing Who We Are."
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