Our Staff

Rev. Dr. Brian Janssen
janssen@bethanypresby.org

The Rev. Dr. Brian Janssen, better known as Pastor Brian or PBJ, began his ministry here at Bethany in January of 2021. Having previously served churches in Harrisburg, and the North Hills of Pittsburgh. Brian has a heart for the church and God’s people, and is excited to see what God is up to here in Bridgeville. “As we get to know our neighborhood, we will begin to see what God is doing there and join Him in that work.” The call of God has been made readily apparent in all the conversations with the PNC and Brian is looking forward to getting to know the congregation, engaging in ministry and mission, and begin prayerfully discerning with the church the direction God is calling us as we move into His future.
 
Brian is married to his amazing wife Lisa who works in finance for American Eagle Outfitters. Together they have a dog named Buddy and currently reside in Upper St. Clair. Brian and Lisa love traveling, spending time with family, exploring the amazing city of Pittsburgh, and rooting for the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins. They can’t wait to begin ministry at Bethany and look forward to meeting you all and sharing the love of Jesus with people in Bridgeville, and around the world.
 
Brian is in the office most days when he is not out visiting parishioners or learning more about the neighborhood. You should always feel free to stop by and say hello, have a conversation, a time of prayer, and a cup of coffee, but  not necessarily in that order.

Rev. Ellen Dawson
dawson@bethanypresby.org 

Rev. Ellen R. Dawson is a pastor and missions mobilizer with a passion for equipping leaders, transformative worship, and frontier mission. Most recently, Ellen served as the Associate Pastor for Membership and Missions at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. Her previous work includes Campus Ministry at Marshall University and at The University of Arizona.
 
In the summer of 2013, Ellen led a team of 6 college students to Nepal for six weeks, in conjunction with the New Wilmington Mission Conference Summer Service program. In her capacity as a pastor, she has led mission trips to Peru, Las Vegas, Miami, Costa Rica, West Virginia, Maryland, Guatemala, and Haiti; she has also been on mission teams to Jamaica, Vietnam, and Mexico.

Ellen served as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) in the town of Tiquisate, Guatemala from 2004-2005. That year was one of the many steps that led her to finally giving in to the call to full-time ministry. She graduated with an M.Div. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 2009. She also has a degree in Communication and Public Relations from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio.
 
Ellen is an Accredited Practitioner for Integrative Enneagram Solutions, coaching individuals and teams on the benefits of the Enneagram personality typing system. She also teaches for the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class in Western PA, and she enjoys writing, hiking, trying new recipes, and volunteering at Light of Life Rescue Mission in the North Side of Pittsburgh. Ellen lives in the borough of Oakmont.

Abbie Trybus
Youth Ministry Intern
youth@bethanypresby.org

Abbie Trybus is currently serving both Bethany Presbyterian Church and Rennerdale
Presbyterian Church youth groups. She is a student at Liberty University and she is getting a degree in Biblical Studies & Christian Education. She graduated from Chartiers Valley and started attending Duquesne University majoring in Secondary Education and English. During this time, she started working as the youth group director at Rennerdale Church; the church she grew up in and is currently a member.  After working with the youth group at Rennerdale for a couple of months, Abbie realized God’s plan for her was not to teach English, but to learn and teach students about God in a youth group-type environment. She quickly took the jump to apply to Liberty University and continue down the path of youth ministry.
Both youth groups Abbie leads are separate and have their own space, but they will do some
combined things like retreats and mission trips!
While Abbie is not at a church with youth, she can be caught drinking coffee, eating tacos, or
buying unnecessary things from Dollar Tree. She loves crafting, spending time with her family,
and exploring new things. She is engaged to a soulful guy named Joshua, and they are
planning their wedding that will be this summer. Together they like hiking, camping, and just
exploring what God has to offer.
Abbie is so excited to be a part of Bethany’s mission and community – and looks forward to
getting know more of her brothers and sisters in Christ.

Dr. Gretchen Franz
Interim Music Director
music@bethanypresby.org

Dr. Franz served as Director of Music at the Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church for 39 years until her recent retirement. She is a native of Pittsburgh, encouraged as a young church musician in her home church, Beulah Presbyterian. Fun fact: her family was the millionth family to join the national church, featured on the cover of Presbyterian Life many years ago.
Dr. Franz has served churches in New York and California, and locally at the Sunset Hills Presbyterian Church (7 years) and Temple Emmanuel synagogue (19 years). Her degrees are from Penn State, Union Seminary’s School of Sacred Music and West Virginia University. Gretchen is grateful for her life as a church musician and now is also enjoying reading, cycling and gardening as she continues to serve as substitute organist for churches.

Debra Gossic
Pastoral Care Associate
parishcare@bethanypresby.org

Ruth Doyle
Pastoral Care Associate
parishcare@bethanypresby.org