God works through each of us in this world to create the Kingdom of God,
“on earth, as it is in heaven.” At St. John’s we are each thankful beyond measure
for God’s call to serve this faith community.
To be “a beacon of hope in the heart of the city” requires God’s power and grace,
and a lot of team work, prayer, faith, persistence, love, trust – and hope.
As our team prays for you, please likewise pray for us as we endeavor to transform
individual lives, our community, and the world through Christ’s light and love.
“on earth, as it is in heaven.” At St. John’s we are each thankful beyond measure
for God’s call to serve this faith community.
To be “a beacon of hope in the heart of the city” requires God’s power and grace,
and a lot of team work, prayer, faith, persistence, love, trust – and hope.
As our team prays for you, please likewise pray for us as we endeavor to transform
individual lives, our community, and the world through Christ’s light and love.
OUR PASTORS
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Rev. Gini (she/her)
(J.D., M.Div.) Senior Pastor & Teacher
Pastor Gini is a transformational leader, prophetic preacher, social justice witness, and Christian minister to those on the margins of society. She entered ordained ministry following a distinguished career as a trial lawyer and mediator, and she served in local church, state, and national ministry settings before being called to transform St. John’s. Pastor Gini is passionate about sharing the faith, helping people transform their lives, leading St. John’s into the future, advocating for justice – and sharing life’s adventures with her husband Gery and their daughter Katie.
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Pastor Hank (he/him)
(B.S. in Education, M.Div., MASJ) Pastor of Community Engagement Email Pastor Hank Pastor Hank is from Virginia and grew up in the Southern Baptist church. He felt a call to ministry when he was 16, but came to terms with being gay when in college and gave up on plans for seminary. While living in Southern California, Hank connected with Altadena Community Church (UCC) in 2014 and experienced profound healing and a renewed sense of his call. He relocated to Ohio in 2016 to be closer to his family. Hank holds Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Social Justice degrees and he is pursuing ordination in the UCC. Hank has a passion for finding different, non-traditional, and counter-cultural ways of encountering God and believes that St. John's is the perfect place to explore that. Hank lives in the South Linden area of Columbus.
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Pastor Mary (she/her)
(B.S. in Education, M.A. in Christian Education) Director of Faith Formation Email Pastor Mary Pastor Mary came to St. John's via The United Methodist Church, where she has served as the Director of Children’s Ministries and Director of Christian Education in a variety of church and educational settings. Mary holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, and a Master's Degree in Christian Education. She lives in Hilliard, Ohio with her husband Mike. They have two grown children. Mary brings a passionate faith and a heart for those seeking God to St. John’s, and she is excited to see what the future will bring at her favorite church in her favorite city.
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OUR WORSHIP MUSIC LEADERS
Matt Paetsch (he/him)
Worship Band Leader Matt Paetsch was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He started playing piano at 6 years old, the bass guitar and guitar at age 12, and double bass at 18. In 1996 Matt relocated to Columbus, Ohio where he attended The Ohio State University earning a degree in bass performance with a focus on jazz studies in 2001. While there Matt was a winner of the Eugene C DeAngelo scholarship for bassists.
As a performer Matt has been a staple of the Columbus music scene performing with a wide variety of genres of music with many different bands, orchestras, musicals in central Ohio and has toured nationally with various acts. Matt won an award for best musical direction from the Ohio Theatrical Society for his direction of Red Herring Theatre Ensemble's production of Jason Robert Brown’s “The Last Five Years” in 2006. Currently Matt can be seen with Ekoostik Hookah, the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus, the Wally Mitchel Jazztet, Jen Miller and the Flytown Band, the Ransome Band, Matt Adams, and every Sunday morning with the St. John’s worship band. Matt Paetsch is also a music educator. Matt has taught double bass, bass guitar, guitar and piano privately since 1998. Matt has taught double bass, bass guitar, and guitar at Kenyon College where has been adjunct faculty since 2002. |
Amber Knicole Fisher (she/her)
Music Director “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!”
Born in Misawa Japan to two parents in the Air Force, Amber Fisher has grown up with a passion for singing. Amber began singing in her church’s children’s choir at the age of 4 and since then, music has been a vital part of her life. Throughout her childhood, Amber sang in countless choirs and projects. Her desire to be engulfed in the art of music eventually resulted in Amber’s membership in 8 different choirs at the same time! It was then that Amber recognized the power of music to not only uplift, but to unify people. Amber has studied music at Berklee College of Music and Capital University. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Capital University. During her time at Capital, Amber kept a near full schedule at Capital’s Conservatory of Music. As a member and featured soloist of The Chapel Choir, Amber Knicole traveled throughout the United States and Europe singing in some of the world’s most notable music and sacred halls. She was a member of several small jazz ensembles, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Capital University Rock Band, Capital University Big Band and participated in school musicals. Upon graduation, Amber decided to pursue her passion of singing full time, joining neo-funk group MojoFlo as a songwriter, lead vocalist, and co-owner. MojoFlo’s purpose is to unify and uplift all who experience the group’s music and live shows. With Amber Knicole at the helm, MojoFlo has played hundreds of shows and touched thousands of people through the power of music. Through inspiring lyrics and undeniable dance rhythms, MojoFlo has won a place in Columbus’ heart as “Columbus’ Band” winning multiple popular vote awards. Always nurturing her passion for service, Amber has lent her voice to Dayton CityFolk’s ‘Playing for Change’, The Columbus Foundation’s Spirit of Columbus Celebration, and multiple Harmony Project performances. Amber has worked as an educating artist and producer with WAV (We Amplify Voices) connecting students with their self-confidence and incarcerated mothers with their children through music. She has worked as a co - leader of Harmony Project’s Prison Arts program at the Ohio Reformatory for Women. Amber has earned a certification in Trauma Informed Yoga for Youth, 200hr Yoga certification and completed Professional Level Training with The Center for Mind-Body Medicine. Amber is an adjunct professor at Capital University. She serves as a Board member of the Columbus Music Commission and The Short North Stage. |
CONTACT US
Need prayer? Want to get involved?
Simply have a question? We’d love to hear from you! |
NEW HERE?
Nothing reminds us of our insecurities quite like stepping out of our comfort zone to try something new. When your “something new” is a first-time visit to St. John’s, you can trust you will be welcomed.
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ABOUT US
Whoever you are, wherever you are on
life’s journey, you will be warmly welcomed and accepted at St. John’s. |
