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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Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren
 2810 Beacon Street  Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805
Phone 260-482-8595 - Preschool phone 260-483-7244