The Leadership Team
In accordance with Ephesians chapter four, we believe that the proper structure for a church governing body is evident in verse 11, commonly known as the five-fold ministry model.
"11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." EPHESIANS 4:11-13
For the sake and the end goal of unity and maturity, this model is given to lead, nurture and develop the body of Christ, locally and globally, and we intend to follow it.
Ryan Lapp
Pastor, Worship Director
Pastor Ryan serves currently as a worship leader and Minister/shepherd for Live with Purpose Church. Ryan has served in various leadership roles over the years at In the Light Ministries, Lancaster City.
With a pastoral anointing, creative personality and a heart for worship, Ryan is the perfect complement to the otherwise apostolic minded leadership team. Ryan is intensely directed in ministry by the active and uncompromising word of God yet deeply grounded by an uncommon compassion for his neighbor. Ryan in tandem with the other leaders will look to build up, maintain and sustain the spiritual and practical health of the ministry core team and congregation. He lives in Lancaster with his beautiful wife Jodi, and their four boys. Ryan and Jodi co-labor for the gospel in so many ways as an amazing team in our ministry including small groups leadership. He became a licensed minister, and then an ordained pastor through In the Light Ministries Fellowship International.
Joseph Sharp
Pastor, Managing Director
Every leadership team needs a true visionary to anchor its core group. Pastor Joe, the originating messenger of the Live with Purpose Church vision, fits this spiritual and physical mold. A leader in business, strategy and ministry, Joe is also genuinely and wholeheartedly pursuant of the heart of God, which led to the founding of Live with Purpose Church. With an apostolic anointing, he serves as Co-Pastor and Managing Director. Joe will also contribute by helping to ignite the vision in its fullest, and taking the lead in the strategic and spiritual births of all seven cultural mountains that the Live with Purpose team(s) have been called to traverse. He has helped Live with Purpose birth ministries in 3 of those mountains to date. He has a passion to see the purposes of God advanced in the world and for inspiring the world to give generously for the King of Kings. He models that through various businesses and ministries he leads. Joe lives in Conestoga with his beautiful wife, Jen, and their 4 children, Joshua, Samuel, Madalyn Grace & Joyanna. Joe and Jen co-labor for the gospel in many ways within their gifting in our ministries. Their family was led by God to the town and called into the ministry efforts in the town He brought them to.
Phil Hernandez
Overseer
Pastor Phil has been involved in apostolic ministry leadership for a quarter century through the fellowship of churches within: In the Light Ministries. In planting numerous churches, ordaining a small army of pastors and licensed ministers of the Gospel, pastoring congregations, and training up teams to lead and flourish, it's apparent that he has assumed the role of spiritual father to many. As a Mentoring Pastor within the Pastoral Leadership Team of Live with Purpose Church, Pastor Phil's goal remains consistent with his role in the body of Christ for the past few decades: lead, train, develop, impart, release and partner.
Jen Sharp
Kids With Purpose Overseer
Jen does a wonderful job working together with our team of servant leaders (all with required safety clearances on file) to invest into the lives of kids in our church community. Jen is the mother of 2 boys and 2 girls, and is currently a homemaker and homeschool educator, but she brings years of experience as a pediatric nurse with special skills to help our volunteer care for any dynamic needs that may arise. Jen exemplifies care and concern for all of the children that come to our gatherings. promoting a safe, yet fun environment.
Stephanie Graham
Children's Ministry Director
Stephanie has been serving as part of our Children's Ministry since 2020 when she and her husband Gary and their 6 children started attending Live With Purpose Church. She has been coordinating the church VBS since 2024 and faithfully walked forward into the role as Children's Ministry Director in 2025. Stephanie is actively involved in the public education of her 2 children with special needs and homeschooling her other 3 school age daughters. Her desire to raise up the next generation of leaders fuels all that she does as she works closely with our servant leaders (all with required clearances on file) to provide every child a safe and fun atmosphere to learn about the love of Jesus.
Mikayla Tirado
Church Coordinator & Children's Ministry Assistant
Mikayla Tirado has been connected to the In The Light Ministries network since the age of 8, when her family helped plant In The Light Ministries in Philadelphia. There, she served faithfully in media, children's ministry, and both video and photography. In 2021, she moved back to Lancaster, and in December 2023, she married her husband, Jose Tirado. The following year, in December 2024, they welcomed their beautiful daughter. In 2024, Mikayla became a member of Live With Purpose Church, where she now serves as Church Coordinator and Assistant Children's Director, bringing passion, creativity, and dedication to her roles.
Serve Teams
Even Jesus said He came to serve, not to be served (Matt. 20:28). This example from Jesus is why serving (both in the church and within our community) is so important to us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us (from God) so we can help each other (1 Cor. 12:7), so we encourage everyone to serve. The needs of a dynamic, growing church vary. If you are interested in learning more about how you can serve, please email info@livewithpurposechurch.org.