Scott Crosby, Lead Pastor
Scott has over 25 years of ministry experience in urban settings, serving at Liberti Fairmount in Philadelphia, Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, and also as a pastoral intern in Nashville. Scott, his wife Anne Marie, and their children Ezra and Honor identify deeply with an emphasis on the gospel of grace as not just the way that we get to know God, but the way that we grow in our relationship with God as well. Scott and his family thrive in diverse and creative contexts, and Scott especially enjoys helping leaders at various levels and backgrounds to develop and work to their fullest potential in the gospel. Scott's greatest joy in ministry is getting to know Jesus more deeply in relationship with others. For down time, Scott enjoys laughing with his wife and kids, and at the antics of their crazy bulldog and rescued alley cat playing together. He loves to cook and eat good food with friends. He also enjoys playing the guitar, cycling, and studying Wing Chun Kung Fu.
Josh Marsh, Artist In Residence
Josh is native to rural New Hampshire. His youth was filled with climbing tall trees and swimming in cold lakes. His home was in the shadow of mountains, and it was there that he first fell in love with the God who created them. Searching for a way to respond to the beauty God had displayed in His creation, Josh learned how to play guitar and began to lead worship at his youth group. His Pursuit of touching The Great Creator's heart, led him to attend ministry school in Virginia. The years he spent there learning to follow the Spirit of God, solidified his dream of creating art that would mirror the awe he experienced as a child looking at mountains. That dream has led him to write songs, lead worship all over the country, form art and justice non-profits, and has been the driving passion of his life.
Samantha Kuiper, Liberti Kids Coordinator
Samantha was born and raised in Northern Indiana in an evangelical Christian home. She came to know the Lord as her personal Savior and loving Father at an early age. As she grew in relationship with Christ, she developed a passion for being the hands and feet of Christ to children. This led her to study elementary education, psychology, and Spanish at Grace College and Theological Seminary where she received her B.A. She then taught in a bilingual, Christian school in rural Honduras for the next several years. It was there that she met her husband. From there, God led her and her family by faith to Philadelphia where they are continuously challenged with new ways to “love your neighbor as yourself”. She is humbled to be asked to lead our Liberti Kids’ Ministry and prays that God would use her to serve and equip the next generation of the church, so that we can collectively strive to be light and life to our city and our world.
Kate Perez, Bookkeeper
Kate grew up in the Midwest and graduated from North Central College in northern Illinois with a B.A. in Urban Sociology. She moved to Philadelphia for a year long internship with Kingdomworks (later became Mission Year) and joined Spirit and Truth Fellowship in North Philadelphia. Kate worked in various capacities at Ayuda Community Center in the Hunting Park neighborhood for 13 years and currently works independently as a bookkeeper for nonprofits and small businesses. She and her husband, Hector, along with their two children are also part of a new church plant, Grace and Peace Community Fellowship, also located in Hunting Park, North Philadelphia.
Chad Eason, Elder
Chad hails from Moore, Oklahoma. Graduate School at Eastern University brought him to Philadelphia, but Liberti's heart for Jesus and the city is what kept him here. Now he and his family have woven themselves into the community relying on the mercy and grace of Jesus.Having benefited from the encouragement and challenges stemming from the Fairmount neighborhood, he was humbled to ask to play a larger role in progressing that forward.
Scott Baber, Elder
Scott was reared in a Southern Baptist home and entered into a personal relationship with God as a teenager while growing up in Ohio. After moving to Philadelphia in 2010, he and his wife Kari quickly discovered Liberti and have called it their neighborhood church since that time. Scott has been honored to serve in the nursery, as a home meeting host and leader, and most recently as an elder in training. While he admits that he does not feel equipped for this, he trusts that his family, Liberti brothers and sisters, and, above all, God will shepherd him through his role as an elder and he looks forward to doing his part in helping Liberti Fairmount to love and serve our community by being a ever-present light unto the world.
Everett Reiss, Elder Emeritus
Everett was born into a small family of Jewish followers of Jesus. Everett came to know the LORD at a young age, and was naturally interested in studying God's Word. Everett had plenty of growing up in his faith to do because he was also naturally fearful and focused on his own works and performance. A pattern of spiritual effort, getting weary, and spiritual withdrawal marked Everett's teenage years into college. Towards the end of a period of double-mindedness in college, the Holy Spirit used the words of Keith Green's song When I Hear the Praises Start to convict Everett of his desperate need to depend on Jesus' work and rest in Him:"My son, my son, why are you striving? You can't add one thing to what's been done for you.
I did it all while I was dying. Rest in your faith, my peace will come to you."
Since then Everett has been a devoted follower of Jesus. While still slipping into old tendencies of self-sufficiency, self-worship, and withdrawal, Everett strives to rest in The Rabboni, be fast to repent, and serve his wife Ashley, daughter Madeline, Liberti Fairmount community, and his neighbors at home and at work.
Ashley Cocca, Women’s Group Leader
Hi! I’m Ashley Cocca and I’ve lived in Philadelphia since 2009. I’ve attended Liberti Fairmount since 2010 and currently serve as one of the leaders of our weekly Women's Group. I work as a School Counselor at a local public school and have a heart for children and families. My husband Thomas and I live in Brewerytown with Evelyn (7) and Ben (3). We love our neighborhood and city and seek to celebrate all that is good while also working to bring the truth and kingdom of God to all that is broken. I enjoy running, walks and coffee with friends, Italian food, and being with my family.
Sarah Smoker, Women’s Group Leader
Sarah Smoker originally hails from Columbus, Ohio. She has lived in Philadephia for twelve years and has attended Liberti Fairmount for most of that time. She and her husband have three children and reside in the Brewerytown area of the city. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, home improvement projects and exercising.
Thomas Rockett, Men’s Group Leader
Thomas grew up in Covington, La just outside of New Orleans as the son of a Southern Baptist Minister. He moved to Philly to attend Eastern University’s Campolo School for Social Change and began attending Liberti Church in Fairmount in 2006. The unfiltered honesty of Philadelphians, the genuine community of faith and common mission in this church community, and falling in love with an awesome local best friend has kept him tied to this place. They have two young children and live in Brewerytown among lovely neighbors and friends.
Josiah Kuiper, Men’s Group Leader
Josiah moved to Philadelphia in 2018 after several years of teaching in Central America with his wife Samantha. After moving to the city, he found Liberti to be a welcoming, intentional, and God-oriented community. Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, he loves pursuing his curiosity and enjoying time with his family.
Phil Smoker, Men’s Group Leader
Phil Smoker has been living in North Philadelphia and attending Liberti Fairmount for over ten years. He is married to Sarah, and they have three young children, Eli, Daniel, and Hannah.