Pastor Brent Mangus, MDIV
Welcome to Salem Church of Waynesboro’s online home. It’s a joy to share a little about myself with you as we journey together in faith. I’ve had the honor of serving as Salem’s pastor since March 2022, and every day here is a reminder of God’s grace and purpose in my life.
At 40 years old, I’m husband to Deidra Mangus, my partner in love and ministry, and dad to six amazing kids, ages 7 to 17. Life in our Chambersburg home is rarely quiet, but it’s always full—of laughter, lessons, and the kind of beautiful chaos that comes with a blended family. Each morning, my twenty-minute drive to Salem becomes a sacred space. Some days, it’s filled with worship music or a favorite podcast. Other days, I simply listen to the silence, lifting prayers for our church, my family, and the day ahead.
I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, with deep roots in ministry. My grandfather founded the church and Christian school that shaped my childhood and faith. It was there, at 13 years old, that I first felt God’s call to ministry, a pull so undeniable I preached my first sermon at a nursing home a year later. After completing my undergraduate degree in Pastoral Ministries in 2006, I moved to Maine, where I served as a youth minister for nine years. During that season, I wore many hats—corrections officer, 9-1-1 dispatcher, and shepherd to a growing group of teens navigating their own faith journeys.
In 2015, I felt a stirring to serve in a new way and enlisted in the Maine Army National Guard. Training at Basic and Advanced Individual Training brought clarity to God’s plan for me: chaplaincy. By 2018, I had commissioned as a Chaplain Candidate and started seminary. Balancing school, ministry, and family wasn’t easy, but by God’s grace, I earned my Master of Divinity from Evangelical Seminary in May 2021. A year later, I became a Chaplain in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, a role that deepens my passion for serving those who serve.
My life took another beautiful turn in 2017 when I married Deidra. Together, we’ve built a blended family that knows the unique challenges and blessings of bringing two households into one. It’s given us a heart for ministering to other blended families, walking with them through the joys and struggles of forging something new and strong in Christ.
When I’m not preaching or serving, you’ll find me on the sidelines at my kids’ sports games, cheering for the University of Kentucky Wildcats, or catching a Boston Celtics game. Fishing by the water or sitting around the firepit with the family—projecting a movie or a game on the patio wall—are some of my favorite ways to unwind. And when Deidra and I can steal a moment, we love exploring new local restaurants on our date nights.
Salem Church is more than a building; it’s a family. I’m grateful to be part of it and look forward to what God has in store for us as we grow in faith, hope, and love together.