Welcome! You’ve reached the digital home of Mantua Creek Church, an Evangelical Presbyterian Church, that’s in the process of being planted in Gloucester County, NJ near Rowan University and the Mantua Creek Watershed.

Water is an essential source of life for all communities, as well as plants and wildlife. In the same way, water is primary in the name of our church.

Besides being associated with a real geographic place, as you’d suspect, there’s spiritual significance as well.

Living Waters

We desire to be a community that takes its life from the grace, truth, and love that flow from God’s throne:

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God…”

Psa. 46:4a, ESV

Rooted In Faith

And just as all the trees that live along those streams need nourishment and deep roots to thrive, we too need connection and regular contact with God’s Word and each other to grow:

“But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.”

(Psa. 1:2-3a, NLT)

Our Hope

Indeed, the blessing of the verse below captures well our desire for you, ourselves, and for all who this ministry touches:

“The Lord will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities.”

(Isaiah 58:11-12, NLT)

Three-year plan:

  • 2021: Begin with a digital presence and small groups. 
  • 2022: Begin meeting weekly in homes for Sunday worship.
  • 2023: Secure corporate non-profit status and rented space for weekly worship.

Dr. Greg Austen

Greg is a church planter and pastor in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and the author of Irreplaceable: Recovering God’s Heart for Dads and How I Became a Christian Despite the Church.

Prior to devoting his efforts to move the Mantua Creek Church plant forward as its lead pastor, Greg served as Care Net’s Executive Director of Church Outreach & Engagement for six and a half years, and before this, as Senior Director of National Programing for National Fatherhood Initiative for eleven years. A seasoned pastor, communicator, and community strategist, Greg’s background is a mix of vocational work in the non-profit, community, faith-based, and business worlds. He has worked in a variety of denominations and holds a D.Min. from Westminster Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Southern Seminary, and a B.S. from Cairn University.

Greg writes a weekly blog at carpentertheologian.com and lives in the Greater Philadelphia area with his wife, Pam. Together they have three children and seven grandchildren.

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Jesus (Matt. 11:28-30, NIV)