Matt Dupuy
Matt Dupuy
Matthew Dupuy has one driving vision for his life: to promote the worship of Jesus Christ in as many ways and places as possible. He has pursued this vision in full-time vocational ministry since 2012 and has spent most of that time pastoring rural churches in Eastern North Carolina. Together with his wife and five children, he has proclaimed the glory of Jesus and made disciples in their home and in the communities where they have lived. Outside of ministry, Matt enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, whether kayaking, hiking, playing golf, or just enjoying the beauty of creation. He is also passionate about making and writing music.
Tom Newell
Tom Newell
Growing up in a Christian home in New Jersey, Tom came to know Christ at a young age. As a second grader, he lived in the jungle of Peru for a year while his parents served as short term missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Later, he decided to go to college to study to be a youth pastor because of the positive influence and relationship with his youth pastor growing up.
Tom graduated from Messiah College in 1996 with a degree in Christian Education/Youth Ministry and a minor in recreation. He also earned his Masters of Divinity from Biblical Theological Seminary in 2006. He has worked with students throughout his adult life, first as a volunteer leader with Young Life, then as a college campus minister for the Coalition for Christian Outreach. For over 11 years, Tom was the youth and college pastor at New Covenant Fellowship Church in Mechanicsburg, PA. He loves interacting with students and pointing them to Christ. Tom also has a passion for counseling, discipleship, connecting students to one another, and missions. He has led many youth missions trips within the U.S. as well as foreign trips to England, Jamaica, Belize, and Mexico.
Tom’s family is the greatest joy of his life. He married his college sweetheart, Heather, in 1998. Heather earned a degree in International Business from Messiah College. She has a huge heart for students and enjoys discipling girls and serving alongside Tom in his ministry. Tom and Heather have 3 children: Katelyn (2001), Caleb (2003), and Cayden (2006).
William Thayer
William Thayer
William Thayer grew up as a military brat, living all over the United States and some overseas. He was raised in a Christian home and became a follower of Christ by age 11. Participating in men’s Bible studies during his teenage years kindled his love for the Lord and God’s Word. During that time, William helped start up two ministries for the high school youth in Del Rio, TX, to share the power of God’s Word with his peers.
Following his time in Texas, William moved with his family to Florida, where he pursued engineering at the University of West Florida. During that time, he participated in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF), serving as the student chapter president, leading small groups, and organizing campus evangelism and outreach events. After college, William began a career as an electrical engineer in Palm Bay, FL. During that time, William married Megan (2007). They then began serving in various ministries at their church, including leading the high school youth group for 8 years, teaching adult Sunday school, and occasionally preaching in the Sunday service.
In October 2016, after 10 years in Palm Bay, God brought them to Herndon, VA, and Potomac Baptist Church (PBC). They have served at PBC ever since, leading Bible studies, serving in the young adults ministry, music, and various outreaches. William was ordained as an elder at the end of 2024. He loves studying and teaching God’s Word and church history. Outside of church, William continues to work as an engineer and is also completing a seminary degree. William and Megan are blessed to have his grandmother living with them and have recently adopted a son, Moses (born 2024).
Wes Rihani
Wes Rihani
Wanies (Wes) Rihani was born in Amman, Jordan in a Christian home where his father pastored an evangelical church. He accepted Christ as his personal savoir at age 10 and was baptized at age 11 at a youth camp. His family immigrated to Chicago, Illinois where his father pastored an inner city church. During this time, Wes was heavily involved in the local youth group at his church and was as an elected youth representative for his district.
After college, Wes took on church responsibilities including Youth Group Director and Church Business Manager and was elected to the Chicago Nazarene District Finance Committee. As his father’s health began to weaken, Wes’s spiritual leadership role in the church grew to include teaching and unofficial pastoral responsibilities. When Rev. Rihani went to be with the Lord, Wes shared pastoral responsibilities in the church for over five years while they searched for a replacement pastor. During this time God led Wes to Rita and they served together in Chicago and were blessed with Nathan and Grace, gifts from God!
Wes and his family relocated to the DC area because of work opportunities. They have a passion and heart for evangelizing and witnessing to their friends and neighbors. The vision and passion for ministry to the entire family and the biblically sound teachings drew the Rihani family to PBC.
Chris Thulin
Chris Thulin
I was very fortunate to have been born into a Christian home. My parents’ faithfulness to God in the face of my mother’s severe health problems, which began when she was pregnant with me, was a great example growing up. I decided to follow Christ at age 10. My wife and I met in college and married right after graduating. We have been active in church life, and our daily walk with God has flourished here at Potomac Baptist Church (PBC). It is a blessing to be part of this church family!
My day job was working with and analyzing numbers as a CPA. I have served on the Stewardship committee here at PBC and on the Usher/Greeter Committee for many years. I lead Connect Groups and am on the men’s ministry leadership team. In addition, I have served on the Missions Committee and served 5 years as a deacon. I went through extensive training and became an ordained Elder in December 2023.
I believe my calling to serve as an elder is a result of being willing to serve God and believing that He will equip me as required. The other men leading at PBC all have a passion for Biblical teaching and following God’s direction, so it is an honor to serve with them.
