Meet Our Staff
- Dan Crow, Senior Pastor
Dan Crow is a veteran communicator of God’s Word to groups, small and large, throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southern states. His teaching and preaching is marked by Biblical commitment, practical relevance, personal application and inspirational encouragement. Dan’s theological focus has been sharpened by his 15-year tenure in urban Pittsburgh and the past 13 years in the Baltimore/DC corridor where he lives in Ellicott City, Maryland.
After pursuing more traditional church ministry paradigms for the majority of his ministry, Dan has relished returning to his roots to begin leading our Covenant Family to embrace and embody the ministry of intentional disciple-making through the means of small groups. “The world will not be saved by one more preacher or sermon. . . but it can be transformed by small groups that provide a safe place for people to open up their real needs to the grace of God; safe processes that are guided by trained leadership to deal with the stubborn effects of the fall with the Truth of Scripture; secure people who delight in God’s incredibly wonderful and lavish accepting love; and the strong focus of living as a spiritual catalyst in a world that needs God’s reconciling and restoring love.”
A major focus of Dan’s teaching is to encourage Followers of Jesus to embrace Kingdom Ministry that moves them beyond their comfort zones to express Jesus’ love in tangible form to the urban poor, homeless and disadvantaged. He is motivated to encourage the vast numbers of suburban churches to embrace the call to be a “suburban church that makes an urban difference.” Dan has particular interest in cultural trends and interpreting their significance to the lives of Followers of Jesus so that they can grow a healthy productivity in their emotional, domestic, vocational and spiritual lives.
Dan has been married to Becky for 36 years and they are the proud parents of 5 sons who have joined the business marketplace as CPA’s, accountants and in banking and food distribution and sales. He and Becky entered the wonderful world of grand-parenting by welcoming Colton into the Crow Crew in July ’10. Dan is an avid reader and music sampler, sports fan and motivational speaker for team sports, and a mediocre but persistent golfer.
You can email Pastor Dan at dancrow@covenantlife.net or read his BLOG.
- Mike Watterson, Pastor of Adult Ministries
Life is like the Discovery Channel, something new, amazing, confusing and mind-stretching is around every corner. Mike enjoys making those discoveries in the community of others and feels that kindness is everything. His travel companions on life’s journey are his wife Denise, daughter Jeni, son-in-law Aaron, and beautiful grandchildren, Madison Rosabelle and Devlin Michael. He is a graduate of University of South Florida and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also enjoys the pleasures of plantains, collard green soup, black beans and a strong cup of coffee (especially Honduras coffee)..
To Mike, March Madness is the best season of the year. His life experiences include Child Protective Services in Florida, Executive Director of the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs in Frederick County, Maryland and pastoral ministries in churches in Maryland, Kentucky, Georgia and Florida. Mike feels called of God to equip the Covenant Community in being the church.
You can reach Pastor Mike via email at mikewatterson@covenantlife.net
- Paul Marshall, Pastor of Family Ministries
I’m a local, for all of my 44 years I have called Howard County, Maryland my home.
My schooling started at St. Louis Catholic School in Clarkesville, MD for elementary and middle school then Atholton High School in Columbia, MD with my college years split between Howard Community College and University of Baltimore.
As you can tell from my introduction I am a road scholar but mostly just local roads.
After coming to Covenant, strictly looking for a place to get married, God began to talk in a way I never experienced. I knew he was planning something but He only let me know in part. By 1993 I knew God was calling me to make a difference in the community I grew up in, I just wasn’t sure how. Debra was a 4th Grade teacher and I worked as a Superintendent building Homes and Schools in the area as well as running our own home remodeling business, but my heart was for the youth in the area.
In 1994 I was asked to start working with the Youth of Covenant on a part time basis and in 1996 became part of the fulltime staff at Covenant. Through God’s grace and the support of one of God’s greatest gifts, my wife, the story continues. Debra and I have 5 wonderful children; Landry 16, Carson 14, Dalton 11, Laken 9, and Kenley 5; each having more energy than the one before. Just as our home has changed throughout the years so has my ministry at Covenant. My role currently is the oversight of Covenant’s Family Ministries, preschool, children, and youth. My greatest joy within ministry is short term mission projects. I also have been granted opportunities to coach within Howard County’s Recreation lacrosse and football programs as well as High School Lacrosse at Glenelg and Oakland Mills. If there is any more time in the day you will find me and my family playing something or building something, life’s busy but it’s a great life!
You can reach Pastor Paul via email at paulmarshall@covenantlife.net
Del Morgan, Worship Ministries
Del is a part time staff pastor overseeing Covenant’s Music and Worship Ministry. He and his wife Connie have four grown children — Rachel, Michael, Danielle, and Lana. He enjoys music, traveling, sports, movies, the creative moment, and most of all — encouraging others to pursue God wholeheartedly.
Del and Connie met as college students in southwest Louisiana, the heart of Louisiana’s rich french heritage — Cajun country — well known for its spicy food and fun loving people. Del began his college career as an art major … and playing baseball at the university. Connie was an elementary education major and featured majorette for the University of Louisiana’s highly regarded marching band.
After a year of art and college ball, Del responded to God’s call by leaving both in the pursuit of a degree in music. Further studies included seminary with courses in theology, worship, counseling, and practical ministry. Del’s plans had been to play baseball and serve Christ as an ambassador through the opportunities sports would provide. God had a totally different plan in mind. What a journey!
After serving the local church for three decades, Del founded and is currently Executive Director of LAMPLIGHT ARTISTS, a non-profit organization committed to raising up artists who are passionate Christ followers. Sharing Christ through music and the arts continues to be a life-long pursuit. Taking others along on the journey has deepened the joy of knowing Christ.
You can email Pastor Del at delmorgan@covenantlife.net
Our Support Staff
Donna Hitesman, Ministry Assistant
I began working as a volunteer in the office at Covenant in 2000 and have been a staff member since March 2007. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my job and consider it a JOY to spend my weekdays with this fabulous team.
You’ll ALWAYS hear me talking about my girls and their basketball or volleyball games or my sweet boy and his five-year-old adventures.
My husband, Michael and I have been at Covenant since 1999 and love the spirit that dwells among these people. It’s a blessing to serve and be a part of such a loving church family.
You can reach Donna via email at donnahitesman@covenantlife.net
Bonnie Bigham, Financial Secretary
You can reach Bonnie via email at bonniebigham@covenantlife.net
Danielle Scarbrough, Ministry Assistant
We welcome our newest recruit to the Covenant team!
—Dream, Imagine and Grow are words that I envision each day and try to enjoy. To each person, those words mean a different meaning, but are just as important. My home is full of excitement and love, each day different from the next.
I enjoy photography, being creative and gardening. I look forward to growing with the Covenant Ministry. You can reach Danielle via email at daniellescarbrough@covenantlife.net