Leadership & Governance
Servant Leadership at Southside Bible Fellowship
At Southside Bible Fellowship, we believe in biblical leadership that follows the model established in Scripture. Our church is led by Elders who provide spiritual oversight and Deacons who ensure faithful stewardship of resources and ministry operations. Together, they serve the congregation under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Our Leadership Structure
Jesus Christ
Head of the Church
Board of Elders
Spiritual Oversight
Lead Pastor
Teaching & Vision
Staff
Ministry Leaders
Deacons
Stewardship
Ministry Leaders
Service Teams
Congregation
The Body of Christ at SBF
Board of Elders
Spiritual Oversight
The Board of Elders provides spiritual leadership and oversight for the church. They are responsible for protecting biblical doctrine, shepherding the congregation, providing vision and direction, and ensuring the spiritual health of the church family.
Responsibilities Include:
- • Teaching and preaching God's Word
- • Providing pastoral care and counsel
- • Guarding sound doctrine
- • Leading by example
- • Praying for the congregation
- • Overseeing church discipline
- • Casting vision for ministry
- • Equipping members for service
Biblical Foundation: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4, Acts 20:28, Hebrews 13:17
Board of Deacons
Faithful Stewardship
Deacons serve the church by managing practical matters, caring for physical needs, and ensuring the smooth operation of church ministries. They work alongside the Elders to free them for prayer and the ministry of the Word, while serving the congregation with excellence.
Responsibilities Include:
- • Managing church finances and resources
- • Overseeing facility maintenance
- • Coordinating practical ministries
- • Supporting benevolence efforts
- • Caring for members' physical needs
- • Assisting with church operations
- • Serving communion
- • Supporting ministry initiatives
Biblical Foundation: Acts 6:1-7, 1 Timothy 3:8-13, Philippians 1:1
Lead Pastor
Teaching & Vision
The Lead Pastor serves as the primary teaching elder, providing biblical instruction, pastoral care, and leadership vision for the congregation. Working under the authority of the Elder Board, the Lead Pastor equips the saints for ministry and leads the church in fulfilling its mission to glorify God and make disciples.
Primary Responsibilities:
- • Preaching and teaching God's Word
- • Providing pastoral care
- • Casting vision for the church
- • Leading staff and ministry teams
- • Discipling and mentoring leaders
- • Overseeing church ministries
- • Representing the church publicly
- • Equipping members for ministry
Church Governance
Southside Bible Fellowship operates as an independent, self-governing church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We practice congregational governance, where members have a voice in major decisions while recognizing the spiritual authority of Elders to lead and shepherd the flock.
Elder-Led
Elders provide spiritual oversight, doctrinal protection, and visionary leadership for the church.
Congregation-Affirmed
Members vote on significant matters including budget, leadership elections, and major decisions.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Lead Pastor & Board of Elders
Vallerian Mganga
Lead Pastor & Elder
Lead Pastor of Southside Bible Fellowship, committed to teaching God's Word and shepherding this congregation.
Rick Bower
Elder
Rick currently serves as Elder at Southside and works with the Board of Deacons. Rick and his wife Beth have served the Southside family for many years now. 2026 marks 44 years of marital bliss on their together forever journey. They have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. Rick and Beth came to Christ and were discipled in their Christian walk way back in the college days through the ministry of the Navigators. Rick landed in NH after graduation teaching industrial arts, and married that girl , “my Sweetie”, that he met at a prayer meeting while in college. Professionally, Rick currently serves as a Sr. Project Manager at Davis Architectural Woodworking, Inc., providing high end millwork to the New England construction industry. Christian service is a way of life for Rick. “Honestly, I can’t think of a time when I haven’t been in a serving role of some kind in the church.” Rick and Beth served and led the AWANA ministry at Southside for 27 years. Rick has served as Elder, Deacon, janitor, Sunday school teacher, small group leader, teacher, and much more. “At one point some of the kids and young people we worked with were convinced Beth and I lived at the church!” For Rick serving has always been one of the great “Get To’s” of his faith journey! It truly has been a joy! “Always learning, passionately engaged, committed to team and relationship” “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Abimana Ngira
Elder
Board of Deacons
Jean Kampayana
Deacon
Pat Raiche
Deacon
Dennis Grimard
Deacon
Deacon bio to be added.
Questions About Our Leadership?
We're here to answer any questions you may have about how our church is led.