
Chip Giessler
Lead Pastor
Pastor Chip was born in Pakistan while his father was stationed there with the US Air Force. God has led him through his life, and Jesus was a strong presence throughout his youth and teenage years. Chip and his wife Laura met as undergraduates at Duke. He was the founding Pastor of Evergreen UMC in Leesburg VA, where he had served for the past 20 years. Following graduation from Duke, Chip was an officer in the US Air Force before answering God’s call to Pastoral Ministry. He has been a Pastor for 26 years. Pastor Chip and Laura have 3 children, twins Caris and Will who recently graduated from college, and daughter Hannah who just graduated from high school.

Julie Nitzsche
Associate Pastor
Pastor Julie is licensed for pastoral ministry in the Virginia Conference, and earned a master of divinity in 2017. She’s been called to ministry a little bit later in life, having already enjoyed a distinguished career as a Registered Nurse in acute cardiology. Pastor Julie’s passion is in fostering an intergenerational faith community, and she served for many years as a director of children and youth ministries before accepting a charge as the pastor at Westover United Methodist Church.

Whitney Gatesman
Praise Band Leader
Whitney was born and raised in Charlottesville, Va. She grew up very active in community theatre and school choirs. She first studied Musical Theatre and Music Education at Shenandoah University. She then earned both her Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Master’s Degree in Teaching from Mary Baldwin College. Whitney, and her husband Jeremy, have 3 children and have been attending Aldersgate for the past 3 years. Whitney runs her own Voice and Piano Studio, teaches Drama for a large homeschool coop, co-directs Higher Voices and performs with Black Box Players. Whitney loves spending time with her family and friends.

Ashley Thornton
Information Technology and Communications Director
Ashley Thornton was born and raised in Charlottesville, VA. Ashley attended Liberty University where she earned a double major in Religion and Business Management Information System: Web Development. She joined Aldersgate’s staff in the fall of 2015, as the Information Technology Director. Ashley enjoys finding new ways to use technology to help further God’s kingdom. When she isn’t working, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family and watching/playing sports, she is die-hard Dallas Cowboys and Maryland Terrapins fan!

Sahrang Yang
Children’s Ministry Assistant

Lloyd Carter
Mr. Lloyd Carter has been caring for the church building at Aldersgate on a daily basis for eight years. He lives in Charlottesville and is originally from Louisa County.