Dr. Albert Cremard was called into ministry during a mission trip to Haiti in 1974, an experience that shaped his lifelong passion for missions and the advancement of the gospel. In recognition of his faithful ministry and leadership, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 1997 by the International School of Missions in Cebu City, Philippines.
Dr. Cremard currently serves as the President of the Board of Gospel Furthering Fellowship (GFF), providing leadership and oversight as the mission seeks to plant churches, train leaders, and reach the unreached with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Throughout his years of ministry, he has also served on the Committee of the International Testimony to an Infallible Bible (World Congress of Fundamentalists) and has contributed to theological education as both a board member and instructor at the Keystone School of Biblical Theology.
In addition to his missions leadership, Dr. Cremard faithfully pastored Independent Bible Church in Duryea, Pennsylvania, from 1976 until September 2020. During more than four decades of pastoral ministry, he dedicated himself to preaching God's Word, discipling believers, training future ministry leaders, and encouraging churches to remain committed to biblical truth and the Great Commission.

Dr. Cremard continues to invest his experience, wisdom, and passion into the work of Gospel Furthering Fellowship, helping equip and encourage missionaries as they faithfully serve the Lord around the world.

Born in West Virginia, Pastor Fernett trusted Christ as his Savior at the age of 17. He pursued his preparation for ministry by earning a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies, a Master of Arts in Bible, and a Master of Divinity. Following graduation, he married his wife, Heidi, and together they began their ministry in Atlanta, Georgia.

Pastor Fernett later served for seven years as an assistant pastor in Orlando, Florida, before coming to Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Throughout his ministry, he has served in a variety of pastoral roles, including youth ministry, and has traveled to several mission fields, giving him a deep appreciation for both local church ministry and global missions. Brian and Heidi have been blessed with three children and are passionate about serving the Lord together.
 
In addition to his pastorate at First Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA, Pastor Fernett currently serves as GFF's Vice President. As our vice president, Pastor Fernett is dedicated to encouraging missionaries, strengthening local churches, and helping advance the Great Commission. 

Chris Luppino has faithfully served as Gospel Furthering Fellowship's Director of Missionary Care since January 2020. With nearly four decades of full-time ministry experience, Chris brings a wealth of pastoral wisdom, leadership, and a deep passion for encouraging those serving on the mission field.

Before joining GFF, Pastor Chris was instrumental in planting and pastoring Chapel Baptist Church in Florida. After faithfully shepherding the congregation for 19 years, he stepped down to follow God's call into full-time missionary care ministry. Prior to his ministry in Florida, he pastored two churches in Maine, giving him more than 39 years of experience in pastoral leadership, discipleship, and church ministry.

In addition to his pastoral ministry, Chris has traveled to eight different countries on both short-term and extended ministry trips. These opportunities have allowed him to teach and encourage national pastors while also providing biblical counsel and practical support to missionaries as they navigate the unique joys and challenges of cross-cultural ministry.
Chris and his wife, Nancy, have been blessed with five adult children, three of whom are serving the Lord in full-time Christian ministry. They are also grateful grandparents to ten grandchildren. Together, Chris and Nancy are committed to strengthening, encouraging, and caring for missionaries around the world as they faithfully fulfill the Great Commission.

Since August 2021, Pastor Bateman has served as the Senior Pastor of Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Before becoming Senior Pastor, he faithfully served for six years as Assistant Pastor under Pastor Craig Griffith. Prior to coming to Open Door, he ministered in three churches throughout New England and Newfoundland, Canada.

Pastor Bateman and his wife, Amy, have five children and are passionate about serving the Lord together. His desire is to see lives transformed through the faithful preaching and teaching of God's Word while encouraging believers to grow in their faith and faithfully fulfill the Great Commission.

In 2024, as Open Door Baptist Church began partnering with Gospel Furthering Fellowship, Pastor Bateman was invited to join the Board of Directors. In this role, he works alongside the Board to provide biblical leadership, strengthen the ministry, and help guide GFF as it continues to grow and fulfill its mission of reaching the world with the gospel.

Raised in a Christian home in York, Pennsylvania, Dan came to personally trust Christ as his Savior in August 1996. As a young man, God developed in him a strong desire to know Him, serve Him, and share the Gospel with others, particularly with young people. He pursued pastoral ministry at Pensacola Christian College, where he met his wife, Karen. Together, they are raising two sons and two daughters to love and serve the Lord. He later earned a Master of Divinity degree and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree. He has served in pastoral ministry for many years and currently serves as the senior pastor of Grace and Truth Bible Church.

In addition to his pastoral ministry, he serves on the Board of Directors, where he has a desire to support and strengthen the work of missionaries and help further the Gospel around the world. His experience in pastoral ministry, discipleship, and missions gives him a valuable perspective as he serves alongside the other members of the board in supporting the ministry and its missionaries.

Sam Beiler has been a faithful member of Open Door Baptist Church since childhood and has demonstrated a consistent desire to serve the Lord and His church. As an adult, he has served in a variety of capacities, including as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, and Care Group leader. Through each of these areas of ministry, Sam has demonstrated a willingness to serve, learn, and continue growing in the Lord.

Gospel Furthering Fellowship invited Sam to join its Board of Directors in 2026 with the desire to continue developing and training godly men who will be prepared to serve in the years ahead. Bringing men into leadership while experienced board members are still serving provides a valuable opportunity for the next generation to learn alongside seasoned brethren and benefit from their years of wisdom, experience, and ministry knowledge.

Sam's addition to the board reflects GFF's commitment to both faithful service today and the intentional preparation of godly leaders for the future.

Pastor John Johnson has served on the Gospel Furthering Fellowship Board of Directors for 22 years, currently serving as Treasurer. Since 2009, he has pastored Grace Bible Chapel, an Independent Bible Church in Black Lick, Pennsylvania, where he and his wife were also involved in planting the church.

His involvement in church planting began earlier with Bethany Chapel in Marion Center, Pennsylvania, which was planted and pastored by a GFF missionary for five years beginning in 1991. Other GFF missionaries also played an instrumental role in assisting with the church plant, giving him a firsthand appreciation for the ministry of GFF and its missionaries.
He and his wife, Janice, have been married for 49 years. Together, they have four adopted daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Before entering full-time ministry, he worked at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for 26 years.

He considers himself and his family greatly blessed and humbled by God's faithfulness and is grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the Lord through pastoral ministry and Gospel Furthering Fellowship.