Staff

Don Klapka began serving as the Senior Pastor of Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church on March 1, 2019.   Don began his journey walking with the Lord while serving in the United States Army as a paratrooper at Fort Bragg NC. On Easter, 1994, Don accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. His passion and desire to learn and teach God’s word became evident as he began serving as a Deacon in August 2000. After retiring from the US Army and beginning his next career with the Federal Government in July 2003, Don became active as a Men’s Ministry Leader, Youth Sunday School teacher and Marriage Ministry assistant while serving at Westminster Baptist Church. Don finally accepted the call to go into ministry as a Pastor in May 2017. Don enrolled in Liberty University and is pursuing his Master of Divinity in Youth and Family ministries. In April of 2018, Don was called as Associate Pastor for Youth and Young families to Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church. Now as the Senior Pastor, Don has a vision to reach the community and make an impact in the world.

Don has been married to his wife Ann for almost 39 years, he has three adult children who are all married, and he has seven grandchildren.