OUR TEAM

Senior Pastor

Brian Ebel

Executive Pastor

Nora Conner

Extension: Ext. 242

Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3404

Email Nora

Nora, a Lexington native, loves nature and enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time outdoors with her husband Todd and their adult son Taylor. She even has a cozy cabin in her backyard, built by Todd.

As the executive pastor, Nora handles missions, finances, and facilities. She loves the St. Luke community, saying: “The people, and the people! St. Lukers are really wonderful to work in ministry with, and they truly care about taking their faith seriously and making a difference in the world.”

Director of Events and Production

Amanda Draughn

Extension: Ext. 246

Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3401

Email Amanda

Amanda is a lifelong Lexington resident with a love for creativity, especially sewing, quilting, and crafting. As a theater major in college, she’s passionate about the performing arts and enjoys musicals like “Hamilton,” “The Lion King,” “Something Rotten,” and “Wicked.”

At St. Luke, Amanda manages serving and recreational ministries, coordinates special events, and leads in production and creativity in running the church facilities and the audio/visual technologies.

Swahili Lead Pastor

David Balondani

Extension: Ext. 222

Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3406

Email David

David, originally from the Congo, lived in a refugee camp in Mozambique for 11 years before moving to Lexington with his wife Magy in 2013 through a UN resettlement program. They have one daughter, Suzana Charles. Their ministry with Methodist denominations began in the 1990s.

At St. Luke, David leads the preaching and teaching ministry for the multicultural worship service and guides the Swahili multicultural and multigenerational community. His passion is to equip and train God’s people for service, helping them grow in their relationship with Christ and serve their community.

Children's Pastor

Susan Cutshall

Extension: Ext. 225

Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3409

Email Susan

Susan, who moved frequently growing up due to her dad’s Navy career, settled in Clarksville, Tennessee, for high school and college. She and her husband Greg love cruising, especially in the Caribbean, where she enjoys surfing on the FlowRider. They have two grown children, Lance and Lauren, and two grandchildren.

At St. Luke, Susan oversees the ministry for children from newborns to 5th graders, including Sunday School and God’s Backyard Worship for Children. Since joining the staff in 1994, she has loved watching kids grow in their faith and become young adults who serve the church.

“I love seeing when kids ‘get it’—that they are loved by God. It’s been a joy to watch children progress in their faith and become youth/young adults who serve the church.”

Chaplain

Frances Cadle

Extension: Ext. 240
Direct Phone Number: 859-407-1279

Email Frances

Frances and her “awesome” husband, Ron, have three kids and seven grandkids. She has a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Care from Asbury Theological Seminary. She loves her new kitty, Cam, and enjoys history, traveling, PBS Masterpiece Theater, and eating.

As the congregational chaplain at St. Luke, Frances coordinates and supports the pastoral care ministries. She feels blessed to help people at St. Luke use their spiritual gifts to love God and each other better.

Pastor of Encouragement

Bob Ockerman

Email Bob

Bob and his wife Bettie attended the first service at St. Luke UMC in September 1976 and are charter members of the church. Married for over 60 years, they have four daughters, four granddaughters, and two great-grandsons born in early 2020. Bob has a wealth of knowledge about St. Luke’s early days.

As the Pastor of Encouragement, Bob ministers to St. Luke members who are homebound or in hospitals and rehab facilities. He enjoys making home visits, phone calls, and sending cards, and especially loves serving communion and praying with those he visits.

“I love the spirit of our St. Luke family, who consistently demonstrate the love of God to others”

Director of Communication & Technology

Mark Walz, Jr.

Extension: Ext. 226

Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3402

Email Mark

Mark has many interests, including painting, graphic design, reading and writing, rollerblading, puppetry, and building websites. He loves the parks of the North American West, especially the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, and hopes to visit Banff National Park in Canada.

Mark handles St. Luke’s internal and external marketing, including newsletters, announcements, social media, video production, graphic design, and promotions for events and programs. He also manages the church’s computer network and runs the technology, audio, visual, and projection systems in the Sanctuary, gym, and classrooms.

Choir Director

Brent Merritt

Email Brent

Brent, a pastor’s kid from central Illinois, found his passion for music early on. Alongside serving as St. Luke’s Choir Director, he enjoys gardening, home projects, traveling, and swimming—a family affair, as his wife Tonya is a USA Swim Official and their sons are active in local swim teams. Brent met Tonya in Frankfort while teaching music after college.

As St. Luke’s Choir Director, Brent also oversees the new St. Luke Choral Scholars Program and assists with worship planning.

“The folks in the choir are such a fun group to work with,” Brent says. “Our Wednesday rehearsals are a mid-week shot of the Holy Spirit, and I often come out with much more energy and inspiration than I had when I arrived.”

Contemporary Worship Leader

Wes Wilcox

Email Wes

Wes, originally from Maysville, now resides in Versailles with his wife Heidi. He has a deep-rooted love for music, influenced by his family—his mom played organ, his grandmother led the choir, and his aunt and sister played piano. Inspired by a pastor who played guitar, Wes picked up the instrument in high school and has been playing for over 16 years.

As the leader of the music team for St. Luke’s Contemporary Worship Service, Wes selects songs, arranges music, and schedules and leads practices for the praise band. He finds great joy in working with the talented musicians, describing rehearsals as one of the highlights of his week.

“I love working with the band. We have very gifted musicians who work hard, and practicing with them is one of the things I enjoy most in my week.”

Bookkeeper

Debbie Beidleman

Extension: Ext. 227
Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3408

Email Debbie

Debbie, a longtime Lexington resident, is a proud alumna of Lafayette High School and the University of Kentucky, where her love for Wildcat basketball runs deep. Alongside her passion for sports, Debbie enjoys needlepointing and is actively involved with the Central Kentucky American Needlepoint Guild. After retiring from a 33-year career in accounting and human resources in October 2018, she found fulfillment volunteering at God’s Pantry at St. Luke, where she eventually discovered and embraced a bookkeeping role.

In her current position, Debbie manages financial responsibilities at St. Luke, including paying bills, processing contributions, handling payroll, and maintaining accounting records—an opportunity she sees as an answer to her prayers to continue her financial work.

Youth Pastor

Logan Brendle

Extension: Ext. 230
Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3407

Email Logan

Logan is a Master of Divinity student at Asbury Theological Seminary. She grew up in Florida and has experience in youth ministry and worship leadership. Logan and her husband, Lawson, got married in August 2023.

At St. Luke, Logan leads the ministry for 6th- to 12th-grade students, helping them explore the Bible and grow in their faith. She also oversees youth activities, directs summer programs, and assists with adult studies.