Our Pastors
Tom Valletto
Pastor Tom Valletto was installed as a pastor of Lawndale Baptist Church on February 22, 2026. Tom had previously served as a youth pastor at Calvary Memorial Church for ten years. Both Pastor Tom and his wife Joy grew up in the Philadelphia area and have been in ministry together since they were in college. Pastor Tom received both his Bachelor’s in Bible and Master’s in Religion from Cairn University. Both Pastor Tom and Joy have served as teachers for many years. Together, they both worked at Holmesburg Christian Academy (Tom as a middle school Bible teacher and Joy as music and performing arts). Currently, Joy teaches 10th and 11th grade English and performing arts at International Christian High School while Tom is the middle and high school Bible teacher and Dean of Men at Cedar Grove Christian Academy. Tom is also the author of the book, Christmas for Christians, published in 2025. Pastor Tom and Joy were married in 2015 and live right outside the city in Feasterville-Trevose, PA.
Ben Brous
Ben was born and raised in Philadelphia. He attended Temple University before being called to the ministry and then attended and graduated from Pensacola Christian College (Pensacola,FL – Graduate of Practical Theology – Youth/Pastoral Emphasis 1999). He accepted the call to be youth pastor at Lawndale in the spring of 2001. In addition to his responsibilities as Associate/Youth Pastor, he is the Director of Student Development for the 6th grade at Esperanza Academy, a junior high and senior high charter school in North Philadelphia, which he views as a major mission field.
Ben and his wife Beth are proud parents of four beautiful children, Benny, Nathan, Gavin, and Addison. He is an avid board game fan and a loyal Philadelphia sports fanatic, but enjoys watching his own children participate in their sports and activities even more (although, he isn't so enthusiastic about chauffeuring them all around!). Youth Group, AWANA, Sunday School, etc. keep Ben quite busy with the work of the Lord, but his heart's desire is to see the church and all of its ministries focus on the LORD of the work! One of his favorite verses is Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Membership & Directory
Membership
We have membership classes about to begin for 2026, if you are interested click the link below.
Directory
Our church body loves to stay connected to one another! Pulling out the phone book isn’t necessary with our online directory. Click the button to access it!