Todd Cressler recently joined M28 Ministry as Associate Director and Development Officer. In this position, he will lead the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts, assist in M28’s growth as an organization, and provide mentoring and life coaching to those finding their way in life.
He also will work closely with Executive Director Jimmy Schambach and Director Emeritus Jim Schambach (Pastor Jim) to cast a vision for M28’s future and expansion. He has already played a leading role in securing a location for M28’s Esther’s House Project to create affordable housing for those in the Assisi Program.
“M28’s mission aligns with my values and the values of my family,” Cressler said. “The relationships built by Pastor Jim and Jimmy are based on authenticity, and those strong ties are critical as we prepare the organization for the future.”
Cressler’s unique background in ministry and entrepreneurship prepared him to take on this new role. After graduating from Shippensburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, he spent nearly two decades as owner and president of Cresscare Medical, CL Cressler, and Medicine Shoppe.
Being a small business owner taught Cressler resilience, persistence, and how to be a strong leader. He owned and helped operate a 19-location pharmacy company with 275 employees, in addition to starting, owning, and operating a durable medical equipment company with 30 employees and multiple locations.
In 2010, he began volunteering with the men’s ministry at Aldersgate UMC in Mechanicsburg. Eventually, he answered a call from God to sell his businesses and devote himself full time to his ministry and serving with Bridge of Hope Harrisburg Area, which assists single mothers. By 2020, he’d become West Shore Groups Coordinator at LCBC.
“I’ve seen through the church the lives that have been changed by Christ,” Cressler says, noting that he felt drawn by M28’s focus on addiction recovery. “M28’s mission resonated with me. I got sober myself in 2006, and I have also had a lot of involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous sponsorship.”
When he isn’t working, Cressler enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife of 29 years, Shelly, and their children, ages 22 and 18. He loves running on the Appalachian Trail, worship and praise, reading books, and winding down with family and friends at his beach home in Avalon, New Jersey.
Contact Todd about volunteer and development opportunities at todd.cressler@m28.us.
