Staff
Russ Abel
Senior Pastor
Phone: 260-485-9681 ext 17
Email: rabel@stjoemin.com
I am privileged to lead the people of Saint Joseph as we grow in our understanding of what it means to serve and follow Jesus. As we worship, study, serve and spend time together we see lives transformed by the grace of God in Jesus Christ and we then see those transformed lives bringing transformation to the Fort Wayne community and the world. This is a congregation that is excited to serve and finds great joy in sharing their gifts and talents here.
Shannon Stringer
Pastor of Family Life
Phone: 260-485-9681 ext 26
Email: sstringer@stjoemin.com
I see evidence of spiritual growth all around Saint Joseph. It is evident by the spirit of kindness, welcome, encouragement and hope among the people and their desire to serve both within and outside the church walls. I work to promote ways for people of all ages to connect to their families and to others in the church and community. Everyone needs to know they have value to Christ's Kingdom. In this place we listen to one another and work together to live our lives as Christians.
Heather Foley
Associate Pastor
Phone: 260-485-9681 ext 27
Email: hfoley@stjoemin.com
I absolutely love our times of gathering together to express our love and adoration to our amazing God through excellent music, to hear understandable biblical teaching, and to enjoy relationships built on hospitality and acceptance. Each person on my team is encouraged to grow in their artistic skills and in their faith journey. Within the church, I work with leaders and members to discover how we can engage with Jesus' vision for using our resources and unique gifts to meet the physical and spiritual needs of our city and our world.
Ron VerLee
Pastor of Caring Ministries
Phone: 260-485-9681 ext 29
Email: rverlee@stjoemin.com
I coordinate, train and encourage the volunteer care giving team who offer care and support to our congregation. Whether through hospital visitation, grief support, parish nursing or the many other pastoral care services Saint Joseph provides, I strive to promote the heart of God to all people in need.
Lynn Enstrom
Weekday Children's Ministries Director
Phone: 260-485-9681 ext 22
Email: lenstrom@stjoemin.com
I have always loved teaching and working with the young child and seeing the remarkable results that I am sure brings God (and me) great joy. Saint Joseph provides a safe, loving, child-friendly environment for learning in our preschool and daycare programs. Our staff is well trained in child development and the latest social issues involving teaching and family interaction. Our curriculum is exciting, age appropriate, and skill based for optimal learning. Chapel is led by a spirit-filled person who has a good rapport with youngsters.
Peggy Puzzello
Christian Education Director
Phone: 260-485-9681 ext 11
Email: ppuzzello@stjoemin.com
My hope is that each child will have an understanding of Christ's love and feel that they are loved in our church community. I want children to leave Praise Pointe with a confidence in their faith and the knowledge needed to move into older classes.
Jessica Becker
Christian Life Coordinator
Phone: 260-485-9681 ext 15
Email: jbecker@stjoemin.com
My passion is helping people to understand who they are in Christ and seeing them realize the potential that God has put in them. As the bride of Christ we are called to pursue "communitas", or the very spirit of community, in which we seek solidarity, equality, togetherness and a common goal – to proclaim Christ to the nations. My role as Christian Life Coordinator is to equip God's people to discover their roles in the Kingdom and to pursue the spirit of "communitas" in order that we may, as One Body, reach out in love to everyone we encounter.
Kevin Smigielski
Director of Student Ministries
Phone: 260-485-9681 ext 20
Email: ksmigielski@stjoemin.com
I came to St. Joseph UMC in 2010 after engaging in missions work overseas. I've led youth ministries in Indiana, Maryland and North Carolina. My dream is for every teen in the Fort Wayne area to walk confident in their faith with Jesus Christ. I challenge any teenager who doesn't understand God and life to come and join us in this journey. It's time for the next generation of believers to rise up and be the leaders of the Church.
Kathy Thompson
Administrative Assistant
Phone: 260-485-9681 ext 10
Email: kthompson@stjoemin.com
I provide administrative services that ensure membership information is processed accurately, church events are clearly publicized and communications are distributed promptly. I manage the team of volunteer receptionists so that all who call or visit the church office are welcomed by trained personnel who are able to correctly and efficiently answer questions.
Denise Holbrook
Financial Administrator
Phone: 260-485-9681 ext 14
Email: dholbrook@stjoemin.com
I work to ensure that the church's financial system is accurate and managed with integrity. I provide our leaders and staff with information in a timely manner to help them be better stewards of the money we receive and spend for missional work of Jesus.
Martha Foster
Worship Arts Resource Coordinator
Phone: 260-485-9681 ext 13
Email: mfoster@stjoemin.com
I strive to help the entire worship team (including pastors, musicians, and technical crew) create a comfortable environment for everyone in the congregation. To enable excellent worship, I manage the preparation details, provide good communications with our teams, and help create accurate and visually pleasing print and video materials for services.
Christi Murray
Family Ministries Resource Facilitator
Phone: 260-485-9681 ext 19
Email: cmurray@stjoemin.com
I work on family ministry programming to coordinate effective publicity, registration, supplies and organization. My goal is to support the program staff in executing God-centered activities and to have the volunteers involved feel appreciated in their efforts and be eager to serve again. It is my joy to work and worship at Saint Joseph and look forward to all that God is doing in and through our church.
Bill Heins
Chancel Choir Director
Phone: 260-485-2960
Email: heinsbil57@aol.com
I have the opportunity to work with a delightful group of people who love to sing! Not only do we praise God through song, but we have fun together and are a very supportive group of caring people. The Chancel Choir provides the special music for the traditional worship service at 11:15 each Sunday morning from September to June as well as special programs throughout the year.
Michele Phillips & Meggan Jackson
Wedding Coordinators
Phone: 260-485-9681
Email: weddings@stjoemin.com
Prayer Ministry
Phone: 260-485-9681
Email: prayers@stjoemin.com
