Who We Are
Rev. Karen Bray
kbray@collegeavenuechurch.orgJob Title: Pastor
On staff since: July 2019
Hometown: Indianapolis/Crawfordsville
Family: Husband Mike, 3 grown daughters, 10 grandchildren
Education: Bachelor of Liberal Studies University of Indianapolis, Master of Divinity- Asbury Theological Seminary, Doctor of Ministry in process at Asbury Theological Seminary
Favorite Bible character: Joseph (Old Testament)
Favorite movie or TV show: Big Bang Theory
Favorite book: Pilgrim’s Progress
Favorite food: Chocolate or Coffee (mocha latte?)
Favorite part of my job: Seeing people transform as they understand God’s love for them.
My hero: My husband Mike - he’s my rock.
If I had any super power, I’d: Like to be able to teleport to see my grandchildren (and their parents)
I’d rather be: Fishing. I love to fish but never do.
Three things on my bucket list:
- Don’t really have one but I really want to go to Israel with my daughter Hannah.
Chris Mahon
cmahon@collegeavenuechurch.orgJob Title: Intergenerational Minister
On staff since: January 2015, member since 1990
Hometown: Reading, PA
Family: Husband – Tony, Son – Steve, Cats – Bert & Ernie
Education: Bachelors (Spanish & Latin American Studies)– Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, Masters (Library & Information Science) – Indiana University
Favorite Bible character: Daniel
Favorite movie or TV show: Working Girl
Favorite book: Lesson Before Dying / Ernest Gaines and Poisonwood Bible / Barbara Kingsolver
Favorite food: Anything and everything Italian
Favorite part of my job: My soul dances when I am able to share God's word with our children.
My hero: people who accomplish great things in spite of/because of great adversity
If I had any super power, I’d: be able to twitch my nose like Bewitched and change locations.
I’d rather be: curled up in the hammock with a good book.
Three things on my bucket list:
- Laugh every day
- Take cooking lessons
- Ride a bike through Italy
Shane Lanning
slanning@collegeavenuechurch.orgJob Title: Youth Minister
On staff since: July 2018
Hometown: Nashport, Ohio
Family: Parents- Ron & Cindy. Brother- Dusty. Sister-Amanda. Brother-in-law-Brandon. Nephew-Cas
Education: BA English and MA in TESOL & Linguistics
Favorite Bible character: The Apostle Thomas
Favorite movie or TV show: The Secret of Kells
Favorite book: The Hobbit
Favorite food: Fries or potato chips
Favorite part of my job: Fellowship
My hero: Walt Whitman
If I had any super power, I’d: Have a super metabolism
I’d rather be: Asleep
Three things on my bucket list:
- Travel to Ireland
- See the Northern Lights (preferably in a glass igloo)
- Stay in an Earthship
Michaela Holloway
cmm@collegeavenuechurch.orgJob Title: Campus Mentoring Ministry
On staff since: August 2019
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Family: Mom (Sue), Dad (Collin), and two older siblings--a sister, Dani, and a brother, Ian
Education: Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Cedarville University, Ball State graduate student
Favorite Bible character: Moses
Favorite movie or TV show: Gilmore Girls
Favorite book: Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis
Favorite food: I'm into roasted brussel sprouts right now
Favorite part of my job: The wonderful community I work with
My heroes: My Grandma!
If I had any super power, I’d: Have telepathy
I’d rather be: In my kitchen
Three things on my bucket list:
- Live in Europe.
- Write a Book.
- Learn to play guitar.
John Emert
jemert@collegeavenuechurch.orgJob Title: Organist and Assistant Director of Music
On staff since: 2004, member since 1989
Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee
Family: Wife Elizabeth and son Jacob
Education: Ph.D., University of Tennessee
Favorite Bible character: King David
Favorite movie or TV show: The Lion King
Favorite book: today, it's Twelve Again - next week, who knows
Favorite food: Grandma's pound cake
Favorite part of my job: Communicating through music
My hero: J.S. Bach
If I had any super power, I’d: Keep all instruments in tune
I’d rather be: Me
Three things on my bucket list:
- Travel more with family
- Take time to write
- Take time to read
Dennis Williams
dwilliams@collegeavenuechurch.orgJob Title: Chancel Choir Director
On staff since: February 2018
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Family: Wife Angel, Son Scott, Son Corey (Lydia & Keira), Son Todd (Angela)
Education: DMA, MCM Southern Baptist Seminary, BME Indiana University
Favorite Bible character: David
Favorite movie or TV show: Frasier
Favorite book: Isaiah
Favorite food: Steak Frites
Favorite part of my job: Hearing music that touches my soul
My hero: Mozart
If I had any super power, I’d: be able to do miracles
I’d rather be: living in a perfect world
Three things on my bucket list:
- Travel in Italy, Germany, and Austria
Chuck Tuite
ctuite@collegeavenuechurch.orgJob Title: Praise Team Director
On staff since: March 2017
Hometown: Alexandria, Indiana
Family: Wife - Jo; son Dustin, daughters Shae, Mariah and Sophie
Education: BA German Studies, MS Information and Communication Sciences
Favorite Bible character: Jonah - he's a cautionary tale about placing ego over obedience.
Favorite movie or TV show: Movie: UHF. TV Show: NCIS
Favorite book: There are too many to list!
Favorite food: Italian
Favorite part of my job: Hearing the music and voices reach out together to speak to people.
My hero: There are many, depending on the aspect. Mozart would be a good musical hero, but would be terrible from the free throw line.
If I had any super power, I’d: Slow down time.
I’d rather be: Traveling.
Three things on my bucket list:
- Remodel a Victorian house
- spend a month traveling through Scandinavia
- complete a Spartan Race
Pat Bennett
pbennett@collegeavenuechurch.orgJob Title: Parish Nurse
On staff since: 2000, member since 1978
Hometown: Yorktown
Family: Husband, Ben; Four adult sons -- Benjamin, John Mark, Brian, Patrick and their wives – Mary, Julie, and Dang; five grandchildren – Jessica, Jeremiah, Jamie, Jennifer, Lindsey and step-grandson, Ben
Education: BSN, MA Counseling Psychology, PhD Nursing
Favorite Bible character: Jesus, Mary and Peter
Favorite movie or TV show: Big Bang Theory
Favorite book: Anything written by Thomas Merton, Henri Nouen, or Annie Lamott
Favorite food: Meat Loaf, corn on the cob or spaghetti
Favorite part of my job: Love being able to help with families at times of health crisis.
My hero: Mother Teresa
If I had any super power, I’d: Create world peace and tolerance.
I’d rather be: A more disciplined writer.
Three things on my bucket list:
- A trip to Scotland
- River cruise Eastern Europe
- Finally learn the dulcimer
Nichole Call
ncall@collegeavenuechurch.orgJob Title: Director of Communications
On staff since: December 2009, member since 2009
Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania
Family: Husband-Dave, Kids-Will and Lizza, Cats-Kyra and Claire
Education: Onondaga Community College, Edinboro University, Syracuse University
Favorite Bible character: Elizabeth
Favorite movie or TV show: Outlander
Favorite book: The Outlander Series
Favorite food: Snowball cookies
Favorite part of my job: Working on the computer
My hero: I have several, but they are all people I know personally.
If I had any super power, I’d: Be able to give others what they need the most.
I’d rather be: Shopping!
Three things on my bucket list:
- Travel to Spain
- Visit Scotland
- Learn to not kill plants
Robin Stevens
rstevens@collegeavenuechurch.orgJob Title: Administrative Assistant
On staff since: July 2016
Hometown: Muncie, Indiana
Family: Husband, John, son, Robert, daughter, Autumn, and the zoo :-)
Education: Ball State University
Favorite Bible character: Mary Magdalene
Favorite movie or TV show: CSI
Favorite book: Soul Identity, currently
Favorite food: tomatoes from the garden
Favorite part of my job: Meeting members of the church
My heroes: My father
If I had any super power, I’d: Give homes and gardens to homeless
I’d rather be: in the garden
Three things on my bucket list:
- Greece, Italy, UK, Scotland visiting my ancestors graves and homes in these countries.
Alex Hill
ahill@collegeavenuechurch.orgJob Title: Custodian
On staff since: August 2019
Hometown: LaGrange, Indiana
Family: Aliza, Steve
Education: Currently in college
Favorite Bible character: David
Favorite movie or TV show: Justified
Favorite book: North
Favorite food: Mac and Cheese
Favorite part of my job: Flexible hours
My hero: Deadpool
If I had any super power, I’d: Time travel
I’d rather be: Younger again
Three things on my bucket list:
- Travel.
- Own a sports car.
- Be in law enforcement.