Our Team
We would love to hear from you! If you have any questions for us or if you want to get plugged into the church or just want to meet for coffee (or tea) please feel free to find a staff member below and click the "email" button to contact us.
Rev. Dr. Brian Ebel
Senior PastorExtension: Ext. 224
Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3403
Brian helps people live into the church’s values of being unashamedly passionate about following Jesus and bringing hope, healing, and wholeness to Lexington and beyond. He says this of his role: “It involves being the chief cheerleader, vision caster, entrepreneur and empowerer of new ministries, and teacher of the scriptures to help people grow closer to Jesus.”
Rev. Matt Penny
Associate PastorExtension: Ext. 242
Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3404
Rev. Matt Penny oversees adult discipleships, supervises our youth and children’s ministries, provides pastoral care support, shares in preaching responsibilities, and collaborates with leadership to further our mission at St. Luke.
Matt is married to Marissa, and they have a one-year-old son, Oliver, as well as a beloved dog named Saint. He grew up in northeast Arkansas, where he was part of a large, multi-generational Methodist church similar to St. Luke. In 2016, he moved to Central Kentucky to attend Asbury Theological Seminary, earning both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Leadership in 2021. Over the past four years, Matt has worked with college students at Asbury University, guiding them in their faith and helping them step into their callings.
Rev. David Balondani
Swahili Lead PastorExtension: Ext. 222
Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3406
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.
Rev. Bob Ockerman
Pastor of EncouragementAs 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.
Rev. Frances Cadle
ChaplainExtension: Ext. 240
Direct Phone Number: 859-407-1279
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.
Meredith Fulda
Children's PastorExtension: Ext. 225
Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3409
Meredith brings a deep passion for helping children grow in their relationship with Jesus, shaped by more than 15 years of cross-cultural ministry, educational leadership, and hands-on experience in children’s discipleship. She graduated from Asbury University with a degree in Spanish and Christian Ministries. After graduation, she joined One Mission Society (OMS), serving in Spain where she led community outreach efforts, including curriculum development for family and English camps.
In 2011, Meredith moved to Taiwan as a Caregiver and Adoptive Family Coordinator, providing 24-hour care for infants and walking alongside adoptive families in transition. She then returned to Wilmore, Kentucky, to marry her husband, Jeremy, while he completed his studies at Asbury Seminary. In 2014, Jeremy and Meredith returned to Taiwan for the next five years as missionaries, reaching marginalized children through ESL instruction and sports-based outreach. During that time, they welcomed their first two daughters, Maddox and Emery. The Fulda family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2019 where Meredith served at Asbury Seminary’s Tulsa Extension Site and gave birth to their third daughter, Jovie. The family relocated back to Wilmore, Kentucky, when Meredith accepted a position in the provost’s office at Asbury Seminary. Last year, they joyfully welcomed their fourth child, Hayes.
Meredith had this to say about her new role: “I am thrilled to step into this new season of ministry at St. Luke. My heart is to create a space where children are not only cared for but are encouraged to encounter God personally, grow in faith, and know they are deeply loved by Christ.”
Email:[email protected]
Amanda Draughn
Director of Events and ProductionExtension: Ext. 246
Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3401
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.
Mark Walz, Jr.
Director of Communication & TechnologyExtension: Ext. 226
Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3402
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.
Brent Merritt
Choir DirectorAs St. Luke’s Choir Director, Brent also oversees the St. Luke Choral Scholars and assists with worship planning.
Wes Wilcox
Contemporary Worship LeaderAs 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.
Jake Harvey
Business AdministratorExtension: Ext. 236
Direct Phone Number: 859-407-3405
Jake is a 2021 Graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration in Managerial Finance. He has over 9 years of experience in financial management, stemming from his role at his family business. Jake looks forward to applying his knowledge and experience to the daily operations at St. Luke, which will allow him to serve Jesus and the congregation in a new way. Jake and his wife, Grace, recently married in October of 2024. They reside in their hometown of Mount Sterling with their dog, Reggie.
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ACCOUNTANT
Debbie Beidleman
PIANO ACCOMPANISTS
Mark Andersen
MAINTENANCE MANAGER
Gil Rouse
EVENING DESK WORKERS
Dick Simpson, Kaye Simpson, Megan Simpson, and Ryan Kim