Our Staff

Pastor Lamar Eifert – B.A., M.A

Director of VFBCC and Associate Pastor of Valley Forge Baptist

Pastor Eifert worked in the financial and pharmaceutical fields for the first 12 years of his career before surrendering to full-time Christian ministry. After this dramatic career change, he was ordained to the ministry in 1998 and has served as the Pastor of Family Ministries and Counseling at Valley Forge Baptist Temple for the past 20 years. He opened the Valley Forge Biblical Counseling Center (VFBCC) in 2013 where he serves as Director. He has his Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Counseling and is also a certified biblical counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). He began the annual Competent to Counsel Conference in 2012 to help train pastors and laypeople within the local church to become effective biblical counselors and reach the community with the gospel. He and his wife, Ann, have been married for 30 years and have 3 children.

Ann Karosas – RPh, BCOP, MAPC

Counselor at VFBCC

Ann received her BS degree in pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1977 and board certification in oncology pharmacy in 2000. She spent 25 years at the Geisinger Medical Center specializing in the treatment of cancer, palliative care, and pain management and currently works for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network in Plymouth Meeting, PA. Ann received a master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University in 2021 and joined the VFBCC Counseling Staff shortly thereafter. She is currently pursuing certification with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors with an anticipated completion date of 2024. Ann specializes in counseling women and girls of all ages and stages of life focusing on relational issues, both horizontal (with others) and vertical (with Jesus Christ).

Jerry Birkelbach – B.A., M.S., ACBC, CABC

Counselor at VFBCC

Jerry has been serving VFBCC as a ministry since 2020. As full-time employment Jerry is the CEO of a secular addictions counseling center in Doylestown where he offers a biblical counseling option for clients. Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree “with distinction” from the Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a Certified Biblical Counselor through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, and a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor (CABC) through The Addiction Connection where he also serves as a Commissioner discipling individuals through the credentialing process. Jerry is married to his wife Kathleen and has two children and three stepchildren.

Becky Gray

Counselor at VFBCC

Becky was raised by godly parents who were missionaries in Argentina. They consistently modeled a living relationship with Christ and instilled in her a deep love for the Word of God. Upon graduation from a three year Bible institute with a diploma in Bible/Theology, she married her best friend, David. Becky has followed her passion by leading and teaching children and women’s Bible classes and studies over the years. Becky has counseled women and teens for the past ten years and loves to share with women the hope and victory that is theirs in Christ. She is currently working to complete her ACBC counseling certification. David and Becky have three children, and two grandchildren.

Dave Mengel – B.S.

Counselor at VFBCC

David Mengel was raised in a Bible believing family and attended Temple University where he earned a degree in Engineering Technology in 1970. His 35 year career as a bridge and structural design supervisor with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation was interrupted briefly while he served on active duty with the U.S. Army in the early seventies. In 2008 Dave became Assistant Director of our church’s chapter of ‘Reformers Unanimous’, an addictions program, where he had the opportunity to teach the class of new students about how RU could free them from their addictions. In 2010 Dave became Director of that program where he continues to teach and counsel those with strongholds. He is still active in this ministry as an assistant director. Dave received his counseling certification from the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors in 2018 and serves men, women, teenagers and couples struggling with the trials of life. Dave and Donna, his wife of 44 years, have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren.

John Bilboe

Counselor at VFBCC

Raised in a Bible-believing Pastor’s home, John Bilboe learned the value of Biblical principles in one’s life. Valley Forge Baptist gave him the opportunity to apply those principles as a member of the Board of Directors of Cornerstone Prison Ministry where he also serves as a preacher. He is a Sunday School Teacher at VFB where he leads an Adult Bible Fellowship called “New Horizons.” Inspired by the need for soul winners, John trains men and women in “Evangelism Explosion,” a step-by-step process in leading someone to Jesus Christ. With a driving compassion for those struggling with addictions, John leads a group every Friday Night in VFB’s “Reformer’s Unanimous” Faith -based addictions recovery program. His guidance enables those in need to learn and apply the Word of God in overcoming any and all worldly challenges. His spirit-led pursuit guides people to follow God’s leading when faced with the trials of life. This passion has resulted in earning and receiving the Certification for Biblical Counseling from ACBC, all to the glory of God!