Local Leadership
North Jersey Local Committee
Each local chapter has a Local Committee as its governing body. The local committee is a fellowship of Christians who have the responsibility and privilege of reaching the children in its own geographic area. It is the role of the Board or Committee to provide leadership to the chapter which includes:
John Parzek, Chairman
Robert West, Treasurer
Linda West
Rev. John Maxham, Vice-Chair
Carol Bradbury, Secretary
Linda Parzek
North Jersey Local Director, Twyla Pellegrino
As the local director, Twyla is responsible for fulfilling the purpose of Child Evangelism Fellowship, executing and accomplishing the plans and objectives of the local committee and state board, and overseeing all ministry within the local chapter.
Twyla's experience with CEF began as an Ohio teenager serving as a Christian Youth in Action summer missionary in 1980. Subsequently, she taught Good News Club in Winona Lake, Indiana while attending Grace College. Since then she has been involved in children's ministry through CEF and her local church.
In the summer of 2000, Twyla moved into the inner-city of Akron, Ohio where she conducted clubs and served the community in preparation for a transition to vocational ministry.
Twyla attended CEF's Children's Ministries Institute® in Warrenton, Missouri and relocated to New Jersey in August 2001. Initially, she served in the Essex-Hudson area starting clubs and conducting training for the state office. She then served as the Director of Training for the North Jersey chapter for about five years prior to taking on the role of Director in September 2010. Her heart is burdened for children and for equipping and encouraging teachers to reach and disciple them.
Twyla is married to Stephen Pellegrino and resides in Boonton, NJ.
Assistant Local Director for Greater Paterson, Stephanie Shover
Stephanie Shover joined the CEF of North Jersey team in April of 2022. As the Assistant Local Director for Greater Paterson, Stephanie focuses on building strategic partnerships with local churches to help evangelize and disciple children and families and connect them to a church.
As both a pastor's daughter and a pastor's wife, Shover has a heart for the local church and desires to help churches grow their ministry to children and families. "The Greater Paterson area is unique in its diversity and culture. We see image-bearers from multicultural and mult-religious backgrounds who are striving for physical, financial, and emotional well-being," Stephanie said. "However, many in this community have not heard the life-giving Good News of Jesus Christ that is most vital for their lives eternally. I am so humbled to be able to serve the children in this area and support those who are carrying out the Great Commission to these families."
Stephanie has worked with Pennsylvania non-profits Hope Enterprises and STEP Head Start. She has a master's degree in organizational leadership from Clarks Summit University.
Stephanie is originally from South Africa. She and her husband, the Reverend Luke Shover, along with their two young children, reside in North Haledon where Luke pastors Grace Bible Church.