Our Staff

Pastors Music Dept. Office Staff Youth Custodians

Pastor Jeff Stratton Executive & Preaching Pastor jpastor@evvabe.com Jeff describes himself as a 21st century renaissance man. He started his adult life as a police officer and ended up in banking before he came back to full-time ministry in 1998. Jeff is a graduate of Indiana University and Oakland City University, Chapman School of Theology. He often quotes his grandparents who were farmers and educators and blue-collar workers in Ripley and Rush Counties in Indiana. Jeff has spoken to audiences as diverse as the Georgia State Teachers Association and for the US Department of Defense in Coronado Island. His messages always challenge you to fulfill God’s highest purpose for you. Jeff has been married for twenty-seven years to Gayle and has three children, April, Jay, and Katie. Born: Rushville, Indiana High School: Fort Wayne Northrop College: Indiana University Community Organizations: Our Greater Community - Board President; Public Education Foundation - Board President; Eastside Optimists Favorite Vacation: Lake Tahoe Shoe Size: 13 Favorite Soft Drink: Lime Diet Coke Favorite Song: Up on the Roof - Drifters

Ange Humphrey-Relyea

Minister of Community

angepastor@evvabe.com

Ange attended seminary with Pastor Jeff, where they became good friends and began a journey of service together. Ange earned her Master Divinity Degrees from Oakland City University's Chapman School. She is a self-proclaimed "life long learner" with a heart for education across a number of disciplines. She has spent most of her professional career in television broadcasting, most recently as news anchor for a local TV affiliate. These days her energies have turned to serving the church family she loves here at American Baptist East. Her passions include creating exciting programs and activities for the women of ABE. She also hopes is to design, promote and develop programs that will encourage whole, integrated, and healthy lives for every member of our church family. Ange is married to George Relyea and she is the mother of Clayton Brown and Laura Kathryn Brown.

Born: Rumsey, Kentucky

High School: Calhoun High, Calhoun, KY

College: Murray State University. BS Theatre Arts

Graduate School: Oakland City's Chapman School of

Religious Studies. M. Div

Community Organizations: Alpha Psi Omega Theatrical

Society, Inter-Faith Group for Religious Diversity,

Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, Bread for

the World

Favorite Vacation:

Shoe Size:

Favorite Soft Drink: Water & Caffeine Free Diet Coke

Favorite Song: Too many to name.

Melissa Bethel Minister of Worship mbethel@evvabe.com Melissa is our Music Director and is responsible for our Adult Choir, praise teams and band. She is a graduate of Cedarville University and sings with the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus. Melissa also gives private piano and voice lessons. She is an accomplished keyboard player and is capable of playing just about anything. Melissa has played and sung throughout the area for countless groups and is always well received because of her abilities and "upbeat" attitude. Born: Evansville, Indiana High School: Faith Heritage Christian College: Cedarville University Community Organizations: Evansville Philharmonic Chorus; Music Teachers National Association; Evansville Ecumenical Choir Favorite Vacation: Italy Shoe Size: 6 Favorite Soft Drink: Cherry Ski Favorite Song: By Heart - Jim Brickman

Richard Wilson Pianist & Assistant Music Director

Susanne Williamson Office Assistant susanne@evvabe.com Susanne is married to Rick Williamson. She has three grown sons - Michel, Josh, & Joey. Born: Evansville, Indiana High School: Castle Community Organizations: Ecumenical Church Secretaries Organization; Marrs Township Volunteer Fire Dept. Women's Auxiliary Favorite Vacation: Hawaii Shoe Size: 8 1/2 Favorite Soft Drink: CocaCola Favorite Song: Somewhere Out There - Linda Ronstadt & James Ingram
Karen Smith Financial Secretary ksmith@evvabe.com

Chris Cannon Minister of Families ccannon@evvabe.com Chris oversees all of the youth programs and activities for families. He joined us in 2006, along with his wife CarrieAnn and children Hannah, & Eli.
Eric Burgdorf Middle School Leader ericb@evvabe.com Eric heads up our middle school program. He and wife Liz are also involved in our praise team.

Robin Duckworth Elementary Leader rduckworth@evvabe.com Robin takes care of all of our elementary programs...besides the weekend children's classes this includes VBS and We're Kidd'n.


Craig Blackford Custodian

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