Church Leadership
Rev. Marcus J. Mackay was installed as Senior Pastor for Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church LCMS December 9, 2018. Rev. Mackay’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University, WI, and a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He spent three years at Friends in Christ Lutheran Church in Bryant, Arkansas, and then eleven years as Sole/Senior Pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Hastings, Nebraska. Rev. Mackay and his family reside in Zionsville, IN. He is married to wife Jena and they have four sons: Malachi, Matthias, Micah, and Marc. In a message to the congregation regarding his work at Advent, Rev. Mackay quoted John 15:16 – Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
James Grady
Assistant Pastor
James is a lifelong Lutheran who, after an 18 year career as a critical care nurse, left to answer a call to the ministry. “Jim” finished his studies at the Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne in 2017 and was recently installed as Advent Lutheran’s Assistant Pastor.
In addition to his Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Indiana University, he was ordained in August 2017 as a general Pastor in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Jim and his wife Debbie live in Noblesville, IN. They have been married 26 years and have two daughters, Megan and Natalie, who are both attending college.
Phil Spray Music Director
Phil is a long-ago product of the Lutheran school system. He holds music degrees from Indiana University. Phil works closely with Pastor Mackay to direct Advent’s worship through music. He also leads the adult choir, arranges and composes.
Phil is a regular performer on baroque period instruments with choirs and orchestras throughout the United States. He is co-founder of the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra and founding director of Musik Ekkelsia, a period instrument ensemble dedicated to bringing sacred music of the baroque period to contemporary sacred spaces. He has produced and recorded Lutheran baroque music with Concordia Publishing House, the international label Sono Luminus, Seraphic Fire and Indie Baroque.
He and his wife, Judy, have been married 35 years and live in Indianapolis, IN.,
Deb Trewartha Asst. Music Director Preschool Director
Deb has been involved in church work since 1988 when she left her position of 7 years as director of the Zionsville High School Choral Department to start a family while accepting the position of Music Director at Messiah Lutheran Church in Indianapolis.
She began her work at Advent in 1997 as the Director of Youth Music. In 2000, when Advent decided to open a Preschool, Deb was hired as Preschool Director. and well. Her experience in administration and education and her love of children and years in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod made the job a perfect fit.
Deb holds a Bachelors Degree in Vocal Music Education from Depauw University and a Master’s Degree from Butler University . She and her husband Kevin have 3 children and reside in Zionsville , IN.
Phil Lehman
Organist
After serving other churches in Indianapolis and South Carolina, Phil returned to Advent in 2007. In addition to playing for services, he assists Deb Trewartha with the youth, accompanies the choirs, and is our dedicated wedding organist. He also applies his computer skills by recording and posting services on the church website. Phil is active in the American Guild of Organists and other organizations, and has earned many credentials in the areas of piano, theory, organ performance, liturgy, worship and choral music.
Juanita Duncan Office ManagerChurch Leadership
The leadership of Advent Lutheran Church consists of lay men and women who give of their time, talent, and treasure to assist with the spiritual needs of the congregation. Through their oversight of educational programs, fellowship, mission work, and other works of compassion – done in thanksgiving to Christ who has saved us by grace through faith – we pray we share that same message of forgiveness with our neighbors and to the far reaches of the world. .
Officers of Advent
- Chuck Long, Chair
- Eric Hubert, Vice Chair
- Diane Sturek, Treasurer
- Heidi Thayer, Secretary
- Rick Cramer, Financial Secretary
- Amanda Probst & Amanda Morris, Co-School Superintendents
Boards & Committees
- Board of Elders – Monte Weimer, Chair
- Board of Trustees – Mark Harris, Chair
- Board of Evangelism – Jon & Linda Silverberg, Co-Chairs
- Board of Education – Cathy Middaugh, Chair
- Board of Missions – Stacy Alldredge, Chair
- Board of Fellowship – Denise Long, Chair
- Board of Stewardship – Gene Konradi, Chair
- Tech Committee Lead – Jim Dowling
Board of Elders
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- Tom Casciani
- Andy Fordice
- Mark Halverson
- Mark Harris
- Larry Irving
- Mark Mayer
- Craig Phillips
- Monte Weimer