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Church officers

Pastor Emeritus

Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) discovered and founded Christian Science and is Pastor Emeritus for The First Church of Christ, Scientist. 


Appointment and government

The officers of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, are appointed by the Christian Science Board of Directors and governed by the Church Manual By-Laws provided by Mary Baker Eddy.




Christian Science Board of Directors

The Christian Science Board of Directors has five members—each with an equal voice in overseeing both the Church’s long-term direction and day-to-day operations. All five board members are, first and foremost, Christian Science healers. That means they are all Christian Science practitioners, providing professional healing services to the public. Each is also a teacher of Christian Science (hence the "C.S.B." after each of their names), which means each one conducts an annual in-depth course of spiritual study. According to the By-Laws in the Church Manual, the Directors fill any vacancy occurring on that Board. Below are short bios for each Board member.

Moji George, C.S.B. — Director

Growing up in a deeply Christian family, Moji early learned to love God and the Bible. This foundation drew her, while a university student, to Christian Science, that teaches God as understandable Love, and Christ as a divine but practical influence, enabling anyone to have a healing ministry like Jesus. Feeling guided by God, she became a Journal-listed practitioner in 2007, and, after witnessing significant healings for her husband, Hector, and grown son, Akin, became a teacher in 2015. She has served church as Committee on Publication, Nigeria (West), lecturer, First Reader of The Mother Church, and Associate Editor. She was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2023, where she continues her service to God and humanity.



Scott Preller, C.S.B. — Director

Scott feels the best thing about having earned a Master of Divinity in biblical studies from Boston University is that it helped him gain a deeper appreciation for the biblical foundation of Christian Science. It also helped prepare him to serve as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force, and later as a staff editor for the Church’s religious periodicals. He began his full-time vocation as a practitioner of Christian Science healing in 1992 and became a teacher in 2006. Scott also served on the Board of Lectureship, and as President of the Board of Education and as a Trustee of The Christian Science Publishing Society. 



Mary Alice Rose, C.S.B. — Director

During her career as a software engineer and manager supporting research in the earth sciences, Mary Alice couldn't quit thinking about Mary Baker Eddy's statement, "Jesus of Nazareth was the most scientific man that ever trod the globe" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 313). She enjoyed her work in earth science, but knew she could accomplish more good for the world through the full-time study and practice of the Science of Christianity, applying the laws of God to address humanity’s needs. She became a Journal-listed practitioner in 2002 and a Christian Science teacher in 2012. She has served as Committee on Publication for Maryland, a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship, and Chief Information Officer for The Mother Church. In 2022, Mary Alice joined the Christian Science Board of Directors.



Elizabeth Schaefer, C.S.B. — Director

Beth grew up in San Antonio, Texas. After college, she worked with troubled youth as director of an emergency shelter for teens in crisis. She also set up and managed several group homes for teens. Later, Beth worked as an environmental educator, naturalist, and wilderness ranger for the U.S. Forest Service. Beth began receiving calls from her Sunday School students and their parents for prayerful help and ultimately became a full-time Journal-listed Christian Science practitioner in 1999. She became a Christian Science teacher in 2003. Beth has served as a Christian Science lecturer and Second Reader of The Mother Church and written articles for the Christian Science periodicals, including The Christian Science Monitor. Beth and her husband, Lamar Smith, have two grown children and two grandchildren who fill their lives with joy and delight.



Keith Wommack, C.S.B. — Director

The Bible and Mary Baker Eddy’s writings have guided Keith for as long as he can recall. As a young man, Keith toured with his musical band but always believed his lifework was to serve the Cause of Christian Science. Because he yearned for greater spiritual understanding, Keith began spending more hours with his spiritual studies and less time practicing the guitar and writing songs. In 1982, Keith left his musical career and gave his full attention to Christian Science healing, going on to become a Journal-listed practitioner in 1983 and then a Christian Science teacher in 1994. Prior to becoming a Director, Keith served as a Christian Science lecturer, a facilitator of practitioner workshops, and President of The Mother Church. For the last ten years, he served as Committee on Publication for Texas. Keith’s wife, Joanne, has lovingly supported his work. Her own deep love for God and Christian Science makes them a great team.



Martha Moffett, C.S.B.— Clerk

Martha Moffett, C.S.B.

Martha loved her law practice as a federal prosecutor for the United States Department of Justice in the Antitrust Division and a special Assistant United States Attorney. After her husband was transferred to the Middle East for The Christian Science Monitor, she worked for a human rights nonprofit, and this work greatly expanded her sense of the whole world’s yearning and need for justice and for a greater understanding of God’s infinite and demonstrable love for each of us.

She began a more systematic and deep study of the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy’s writings.  A desire to devote her life to the healing practice of Christian Science came out of this study.  She is a Journal-listed practitioner and also a teacher of Christian Science.

Martha is grateful to see and support The Mother Church’s embrace of the world in the healing mission of Christian Science.



Josh Niles, C.S.B. — President

Josh and his family love being outside exploring nature as well as different cultures and communities. He has always felt a strong desire to balance prayer and work-time with outdoor adventure and activity. Being of service has been an important aspect of Josh’s life for a long time, which led to activities like tutoring, coaching, teaching Sunday School, and serving in the Army. Since 2008, Josh has dedicated his full time and attention to the healing practice of Christian Science, including teaching students how to pray for themselves and others. He has also served as a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship and as Second Reader for The Mother Church. Josh and his family have since relocated back to Idaho where he continues to balance a prayerful life of service with new adventures, while actively striving to live this Science of Christ healing.



Susan Booth Mack Snipes, C.S.B. — First Reader

Susan’s devotion to the practice of Christian Science began while studying music in college and has led her on an inspired path of service. Many are already familiar with, and enjoy singing, her musical offerings. Her embrace of humanity in other ways has also been far reaching. She has served in various capacities at branch churches in each of the states in which she’s lived, and has contributed numerous articles, editorials, and testimonies published in the Christian Science periodicals. Susan began advertising as a practitioner in The Christian Science Journal in 1987 and became a teacher of Christian Science in 2012. Originally from Wisconsin, she now calls the coast of Maine home, and she loves spending time with her three daughters and five grandchildren.



Robert Witney, C.S. — Second Reader

Robert is from Surrey, England, and has been active in church work since he first joined a Christian Science branch church at the age of twelve. After graduating from college with a degree in English Literature he worked for The Mary Baker Eddy Library as a Researcher. He then transitioned to The Mother Church Reading Room, where he worked in various positions for seven years. Robert was first listed in The Christian Science Journal as a Christian Science practitioner in October 2019. He has contributed several poems and articles to the Christian Science periodicals. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Laura, and their young son, Arthur.



Henry "Lyon" Osborn — Treasurer

Henry "Lyon" Osborn

As a child, Lyon was introduced to Christian Science when his mother was healed of broken vertebrae and a spinal arthritic condition by reading Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy. In college, he was president of the Christian Science Organization at Yale University, where he majored in Political Science and graduated with honors. Lyon also earned an M.B.A. from Babson College. He served as First Reader, board member, and Sunday School teacher in his local branch church. Lyon held a variety of roles at The Mother Church, including Senior Manager of the Clerk’s Office and Manager of The Christian Science Publishing Society.



Church Manual Inserts