OUR LEADERSHIP

Staff, Elders, Deacons, and Ministry Chairs.

Our Staff

Matt Merrill

Senior Pastor

Matt became our Senior Pastor in 2017 and his heart for helping people take their next step of faith with Jesus pushes our mission of loving and leading people to the life-changing Jesus forward in beautiful ways. Before coming to Crestwood, he was the Senior Pastor of Little Falls Presbyterian in Arlington, served as an Associate Pastor at two churches in Charlotte, NC, and did Youth Ministry in Jacksonville, FL.
Born in Dayton, Ohio and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, he has also lived in Indiana, Kentucky, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia. He was raised Presbyterian, attended a Catholic Parochial Middle School, attended a Southern Baptist Seminary, and worked for an Anglican Church before getting back to his Presbyterian roots. Matt and his wife, Grace, live minutes away from Crestwood with their five children and adorable dog, Bailey.
When not writing sermons, leading a cohort, or preaching, Matt is a regular at Orange Theory Fitness (usually before the sun is even up!), tries to make it to the green for a round of golf at a local course any chance he gets, and always loves to try new recipes.
When asked what his hopes are for Crestwood, Matt shared that that he wants “…to help people take their next step of faith with Jesus - no matter what that step might be.”
Connect with Matt: matt@crestwoodrva.org

Andy Berry

Family Ministry Pastor

Andy joined us in 2021 and leads an amazing team of family ministry staff and volunteers who love and lead kids to the life-changing Jesus!! He also serves on our senior staff team, executing a hundred and one little tasks that help move the mission of Crestwood forward.
He was born and raised here in Richmond, VA and grew up in the West End. Growing up, Midlothian was a far away land that required a full-day's journey to get to. So why does he live here now? He fell in love with a south side girl who is now his wife. Together, Sarah and Andy are raising two wonderful boys, Noah and Carter, and recently added an adorable mini golden aussie doodle puppy named Coby to the Berry household. He answers to "Coby", "Coby-Wan-Kenobi" or "GET OFF THE COUCH!"
Andy is a 2001 graduate of Godwin High School where he was the school mascot his senior year...Go Eagles! He has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Bluefield University ('05) and a Master of Arts in Children, Youth and Family Ministry from Bethel Seminary ('19). He was ordained into pastoral ministry in 2019. Over the last 20 years, he has had the privilege of serving on staff at many churches. Starting with his home church - Richmond's First Baptist Church, he has also blessed the ministries of Forest Hill Church in Charlotte, NC, Hope Church in Richmond, VA, and now Crestwood. Somewhere in the middle, he had a brief stint selling Christmas trees at Tom Leonard's Farmer's Market where, after just 6 days of work, he was named employee of the month!
When he is not writing small group curriculum for preschoolers, inventing a game played with a plush octopus, assembling a 12 ft. tall animatronic yeti for Jingle Jam, or teaching a course on parenting with mental health in mind, Andy can be found building Star Wars LEGO sets, playing backyard wiffle ball with Noah and Carter, or trying to convince Sarah to skip making dinner at home and instead going to Chick-fil-A®. (Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich meal with a packet of mayo, medium fries and a large Diet Coke, light ice). He can also be found coaching on the sidelines of Noah or Carter's baseball, basketball or flag football games or roaming around the LEGO store at Short Pump Mall.
When asked what his hopes are for the people (and kiddos) of Crestwood, he said his hope “...for all people is to truly experience the awe and wonder of God and to help awaken that same wonder in the heart of a child.
Connect with Andy: andy@crestwoodrva.org

Dale Oostdyk

Church Administrator

Since joining Crestwood in March 2021, Dale has served in a role that combines finance, database management, and facilities maintenance. On a day-to-day basis, he helps ensure that the operational side of Crestwood runs smoothly while also supporting the broader mission of creating a thriving community for our congregation and staff alike.
Over the years, Dale has called New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and Virginia home. Dale was born and raised in Clifton, New Jersey, just 14 miles from New York City. After graduating from Duke University on a football scholarship, he moved to Atlanta and then Dallas, where he was involved in urban ministry. In 1986, he and his wife, Paige, relocated to Richmond and have enjoyed a diverse career path that has included building 18th-century furniture, serving as CEO of Vending Services of Richmond, working with The Family Foundation, Rental Works, and co-owning Party Perfect. If you ever come by Crestwood on a Friday, you have likely met his adorable 4-year-old Golden Retriever who has been a regular at Crestwood every Friday since he was 12 weeks old.
Outside of Crestwood, Dale enjoys playing golf, spending time with family, and diligently working through his ever-present honey-do list.
When asked what he hopes for Crestwood and the people who call it home, his answer is simple: "To enjoy and embrace the coming together of both campuses."
Connect with Dale: dale@crestwoodrva.org

Melissa Hotaling

Communications Director

Melissa
Connect with Melissa: melissa@crestwoodrva.org

Austin Beckler

Student Ministry Director

Austin has been ministering to our 6th through 12th grade students and families since 2022. His desire for his students to encounter God in a way that refreshes their souls and draws them deeper into the love of God is exactly what propels him forward in his incredible work with our student ministry.
Born in Sarasota, Florida and raised in Northern Indiana, he and his wife, Jess, moved to Midlothian when Austin became our Student Ministry Director. They have two dogs, Wrigley and Luna, and they are preparing for their sweet baby girl’s arrival this summer!
He received his Bachelor's from Bethel University in 2020 and is currently working on completing his Seminary Education from Fuller Theological Seminary with the expected graduation of Summer 2027.
When not hanging out with his awesome middle school and high school students or studying for his coursework at Fuller, Austin enjoys disc golf and a perfect day is sitting down with a sci-fi novel and a good cup of coffee, likely down the road at the Winterfield Starbucks.
Connect with Austin: austin@crestwoodrva.org