Lisa Crismore
Commissioned Lay Pastor
Lisa Crismore has been a Commissioned Lay Pastor at John Knox for 17 years. The focus of her call to ministry is to coordinate and plan the Christian Education Programs. Lisa also enjoys assisting with leading worship, preaching and pastoral care. Prior to and during her time at John Knox, Lisa worked at FedEx for 14 years. After completing Commissioned Lay Pastor training in 2001-2003, Lisa heard God calling her in a new direction, which led her to John Knox. She has been very blessed by this congregation. Lisa enjoys serving side-by-side with the members of this church to be the face of Christ to our community. She believes that God clearly has plans for our future ministry, which includes our Hispanic neighbors.
Lisa graduated from Hanover College with a degree in Business in 1983. She has been a Presbyterian all her life.
In her spare time, Lisa enjoys having fun with her family, watching movies, traveling, hanging out in bookstores, and going to the theatre and the symphony. Her husband, Jim, is a middle school orchestra teacher in Zionsville, and the part-time choir director at Faith Presbyterian Church. They have two grown children - Bethany and Sarah. Jim and Lisa have 2 spoiled Cocker Spaniels, named Taz and Lucy and 2 grand dogs, Suzie and Sienna.
Tina Davis
Child Care Provider
Tina has been at John Knox for over 20 years, providing care for the littlest members of our church family. You will find Tina in the nursery each Sunday morning from 8:30 through 12:00, and is assisted each week by two trained church volunteers.
Jeff Gillespie
Director of Music
Jeff Gillespie joined the John Knox staff as director of music in October 2012. Jeff is a professor of music theory at Butler University, and has served as a church musician and choral director for many years. Jeff and his wife, Paula, live here in Indianapolis with their two children, Kelly and Joshua.
Ann Hamel
Contemporary Worship Coordinator
Ann has been an elder and lay leader at John Knox for over 30 years. She began attending John Knox in 1981 while working on a Masters degree at IUPUI. She remained in Indianapolis after graduation and shortly thereafter became a member of the church. Since 1998, Ann has been a coordinator for our Spirit Alive Worship Service which takes place at 11:00am on Sunday mornings. She sings with the praise band as well as works with many other aspects of the church's ministries. Ann completed the Commissioned Lay Pastor training of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in 2005. She enjoys playing her guitar, reading and the outdoors. Turkey Run State Park is one of her favorite places for peace and relaxation.
Beth Wagner
Interim Pastor
John Knox Presbyterian Church welcomed The Rev. M. Elizabeth Wagner as its full-time transitional pastor on October 26, 2021. Pastor Beth has come to us after serving as the transitional pastor of Heritage Presbyterian Church in Carol Stream, IL for the past couple of years. Ours is her ninth transitional (interim) position she has served in the past twelve years. She has helped churches grieve beloved pastors, deal with dwindling resources, top-heavy staff, and helped churches sell buildings and merge with other congregations to create new opportunities for service to the broader community.
She is the team lead for PC(USA) the Art of Transitional Ministry leadership training in the central part of the United States. She loves to teach and mentor fellow pastors as they explore calls in transitional ministry.
She is a second career pastor, finishing her M. Div. in 2002 at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. She received an undergraduate degree in elementary education with pre-school emphasis from Northern Illinois University in 1979.
Beth is married to Jim Wagner (a retired computer programmer) and mother to Paul and Alyson and Nana to Elias and Ember Yates (her shining stars). When she is not pastoring, she loves to read (everything from business books to mystery stories and a few rhyming books live on her Kindle) and do creative sewing projects. Her family loves to camp and visit National Parks, and there may be a Disney princess or two within this family if you check carefully.
Amy Willis
Church Secretary
Amy Willis joined the John Knox staff in November, 2017. Amy is a long time resident of the west side where she and her family have lived for 20 years. She has two grown daughters, three granddaughters, and her first grandson is due in December 2022. Amy enjoys music, spending time with her family and her dog Musiah. Amy has an Associate Degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University and has been working in the field of Administration for 28 years. Her interests include canine training, cooking, gardening, playing with her grandchildren, and listening to live music. One of her favorite quotes is "Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches." - Wanda Hope Carter
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