Our Staff at Calvary UMC

As an ordained clergywoman in the United Methodist Church with a background in music therapy and training as a spiritual director, Michelle has pastored and interim-pastored multiple congregations during the last twenty-six years and served as an associate district superintendent. 

Since January 2022, she has served as Senior Pastor of Calvary United Methodist Church in Brownsburg. Michelle’s leadership and teaching gifts really blossom as she encourages and mentors others’ spiritual formation in small groups, spiritual direction, Bible studies, retreats, and workshop settings.    

Michelle and her husband, Eric, have an amazing teenage daughter, two apricot mini Goldendoodles, and one Schnoodle. When not drinking Earl Grey tea, you can find her riding in her husband’s classic car with ’80s music blaring! She will tell you that she is “…an above-average Duke Blue Devil basketball fan who enjoys dark chocolate and a good book.” 

Jolita joined Calvary United Methodist Church in July 2023, having pastored a congregation in Fairland, Indiana, since 2017 and two congregations simultaneously in Lithuania before that.

Before becoming an ordained pastor, she worked in the Lithuanian office of the United Methodist Church as director of the Diaconal Programs, as the UMC worked to re-establish itself after being nearly stamped out by the Soviet takeover following World War II until 1991. Jolita felt the Holy Spirit guiding her to be a leader in the church.

With that in her heart, she attended and graduated from Asbury Seminary in Kentucky and was ordained in Lithuania. She loves praying, preaching, and meeting people where they are. Her love of those and her enthusiasm are a spark for others.

Jolita met her husband, Andrew, in Lithuania. Together, they have three outgoing and bright school-aged children. Her favorite activities beyond her calling in the Church include time with her family (especially at the beach), hiking, walking, and a good cup of coffee.

Mark is in his twenty-third year as the Director of Music and Worship at Calvary UMC, where it is his joy to cultivate an active ministry of vocal, handbell, and instrumental choirs. He also plays Calvary’s world-class pipe organ and leads the worship team. Mark holds degrees from the Jacob’s School of Music at Indiana University, the University of Notre Dame, and Goshen College.

Mark lives in the Indianapolis area and is father of two adult sons. Outside of church, he enjoys photography, hiking, and exploring the outdoors, especially when travel allows.

 

Melissa has been a teacher in the Brownsburg community for over 30 years and has especially loved the past 25 years teaching at the Early Childhood level at CLA. She looks forward to meeting the needs of the children in a different capacity as Director.

Melissa and Steve are lifelong members of Hendricks County. They have 3 grown children, a bonus daughter in law, and an amazing grandson. In their free time, they love to camp and boat in the mountains of Tennessee.

Sara has been a resident of Brownsburg for 13 years. She graduated from Butler University with a bachelor’s degree in education, with certification in special education and high ability. Sara has 6 years of public-school teaching experience within Hendricks County and has served as a teacher at Calvary Learning Academy for the last 3 school years. She is excited to take a leadership role here and bring a new perspective to help continue the success of the learning academy. It is a privilege to work with the amazing families that we serve, as well as the incredible staff of teachers.

Sara is married to her husband Jeff, and they have two sons in elementary school here in Brownsburg. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with them, traveling, musical theater, and being outdoors.

Serving as our Financial Administrator, Leisha Barber is a 20-year resident of Brownsburg. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Purdue and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. She has been serving Hendricks County for several years as a strong advocate for the elderly and numerous Homelessness initiatives, including Family Promise, No One Left Behind, and several other community engagement projects.

In her free time, Leisha enjoys hiking and walking with friends, traveling, scrapbooking, and home improvement projects. She is the proud mother of three beautiful and brilliant adult children and Clyde the cat.

 

Lisa joined the staff in an interim capacity in March 2022 and permanently in August 2022. Previously, she worked as a substitute office assistant, substitute teacher, and volunteer for the Brownsburg School System for several years.

Lisa enjoys reading, doing puzzles, and playing games. She and her husband, Eric, spend their vacation time visiting their family, who all live outside of Indiana.