Melissa Bennett, Pastor for Youth
Melissa loves to share in the embodiment of Christ by creating safe and sacred spaces for people of all ages
and life situations. At Beacon Heights, Melissa coordinates the Middle School and High School youth programs
and occasionally preaches/plans worship. Melissa and her husband, Dean Johnson, seek to follow Jesus’ way of
non-violence and peace, both personally and globally especially as they raise their son, Jude.
In addition to ministry at Beacon Heights, Melissa finds her home in the Church of the Brethren through
the grassroots movements of Voices for an Open Spirit, Womaen's Caucus, and the Brethren Mennonite Council
for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered interests. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys spending time
with loved ones, knitting, and the adventure of thrift shopping!
Brian Flory, Pastor for Worship
Brian greatly appreciates the role that worship and outreach can play as
the lifeblood of a congregational community. At Beacon Heights, Brian oversees
the worship program, which includes developing the worship services and planning
for them to include music, drama, faith sharing, and other wonderful expressions
of praising God. He preaches on a regular basis and loves the art and craft of
preparing and delivering a sermon. He also has a strong passion for connecting
this amazing congregation with people in the Fort Wayne community who are looking
for a healing and supportive place to continue their journeys of faith. Brian
previously spent 8-plus years as pastor of a church in Ambler, Pennsylvania, a
northern Philadelphia suburb. He is married to Kimberly and together they enjoy
traveling, biking, finding fun events in the community, meeting new people, and
cooking locally-grown foods together. Brian and Kimberly share a home with three
highly entertaining cats.
Janice Kulp Long, Pastor for Congregational Life
Jan, a 'pastor at heart', combines her love for all God's children with
a passionate commitment to nonviolence. At Beacon Heights, Jan works
with community-building efforts through pastoral care-giving, small
group ministries, and education/ leadership development processes that
seek to nurture individuals in following Jesus' Way. She also preaches
and plans worship on occasion. Along with her husband John, Jan has
pastored congregations in Ohio and Virginia. She is also actively
involved with the ecumenical Christian Peacemaker Teams in violence
reduction efforts around the world, and serves with the elders group for the local Three Rivers Insitute of Afrikan Arts and Culture (TRIAAC).
In leisure moments, Jan enjoys reading and cooking. Jan and
John love music and travel, especially traditional folk dancing and
camping/hostelling.
John Long, Pastor for Congregational Life
John loves God's world of creation as much as he loves the heritage of
the Church of the Brethren as he seeks to enjoy and share the love of
God. At Beacon Heights, John works with care-giving groups within the
congregation and with mission and service groups meeting needs in the
community. He also preaches on occasion and leads Bible study groups. A
good listener, John deeply appreciates the opportunities that pastoral
care offers to hear of others' journeys and to ponder with them the
faith questions their journey raises. He also serves on the Shalom Team
of Northern Indiana District, a team that works to help congregations
and groups to experience conflict in healthy ways. For relaxation, he
enjoys woodworking and traditional folk music.
John and Jan dearly love and respect their daughters, Johanna Lauck and Melinda Bryant, and their families.
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