Doug Gebhard was born and raised in Penn Hills, PA. He attended the University of Pittsburgh (’75) where he studied writing with an emphasis on journalism. In 1989 he graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and was ordained in June of that year. He’s done interim work for over 20 years with churches in Western PA, Florida, New York and North Carolina. Showing his commitment to ecumenism, Doug has pastored a Moravian church and a Lutheran congregation.

He and his wife Susan (Dr. G.) have been married 30 years. They have three grown children: Xandra, Mairé , and Mac; and two dogs–Tir na nOg an Irish Wolfhound and Yankee a 12 year old Golden Doodle.

Doug is an avid music lover (Americana, jangle pop, reggae, folk, blues, jazz) and guitar player (Telecaster & Alvarez). Ask him sometime about his band from the late 70’s and about the last Bob Marley concert he covered as a journalist.

Favorite authors: John Irving, Annie Dillard, Anne Lamott. Favorite shows: Survivor, Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Penn & Teller Fool Us, almost anything on AppleTV+.

John Creasy is a founding pastor of The Open Door Presbyterian Church since 2005 and Executive Director of Garfield Community Farm, and also Wild Indigo Guild. John loves serving the church in areas of mission and outreach, helping members connect their faith to all aspects of life for the sake of the world. John and his wife Alyssa lead The Open Door’s music ministry and enjoy creating music with the band This Side of Eve.

John and Alyssa, have three children, Téah, Micah and Lyle. They’ve lived in the East End of Pittsburgh for nearly eighteen years.

Stephanie Bell, originally from Long Island, New York, has lived in Pennsylvania since 1991. She holds degrees in Education and Mission, Higher Education, and certifications in Spiritual Direction and Permaculture Design. With nearly 30 years of experience in youth, campus, and cross-cultural ministries, Stephanie serves as the Director of Children and Youth Ministries at Open Door Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh.

Stephanie is also a spiritual director at the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute and co-runs Philoxenia Life with her husband, Kevin, offering retreats in Ikaria, Greece. They live in Pittsburgh with their youngest child, Asher, while their son, Ethan, studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Passionate about fostering spiritual growth and creative missional living, Stephanie is dedicated to nurturing both her local and global communities.

Shannon Hohowski - Financial Administrator

Shannon started working as the part time financial administrator for the Open Door in June 2019. She graduated with a BSBA from Robert Morris University with a major in Finance and has worked in the accounting field for both profit and nonprofit organizations over the course of her career.

Nici - Communication & Administration

Nici handles the day to day operations of the church and is happy to be of help!