Pastor Jeanne Winter
Life Verse: To whom much is given, much is required Luke 12:48
Vision: Kokomo Zion is blessed with many folks who truly love the Lord. We pray that you will join us in worship and service for Jesus. You will have an opportunity to learn, serve, and love. We believe all people need the Lord. The Lord Jesus can be your friend and guide. We are praying that you will join us.
Background - Pastor Jeanne grew up on a Jersey farm in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Her husband Sandy (Sanford) grew up in Chicago. Despite very different backgrounds, they have been blessed and serving the Lord together for 40 years.
Vision: Kokomo Zion is blessed with many folks who truly love the Lord. We pray that you will join us in worship and service for Jesus. You will have an opportunity to learn, serve, and love. We believe all people need the Lord. The Lord Jesus can be your friend and guide. We are praying that you will join us.
Background - Pastor Jeanne grew up on a Jersey farm in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Her husband Sandy (Sanford) grew up in Chicago. Despite very different backgrounds, they have been blessed and serving the Lord together for 40 years.
- They have three children: Chris and wife Kristin have four children - Anna, Allison, Abigail, and Amelia; daughter Megan and son, Brian and wife Bre with daughters, Kinley, Elliana, and Rowan. We are indeed blessed.
- Pastor Jeanne received her Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.
- Pastor Jeanne is blessed to continue working with persons with special needs through Vacation Bible School and United Methodist church camps.
- Sandy is a licensed paramedic currently working at the VA Hospital in Indianapolis. He is a trained Stephen Minister and has a great sense of humor. He has previously worked as a funeral director and firefighter. He uses those skills and experiences in the Emergency Room where he works now.
- Together they have enjoyed hot air ballooning and whitewater rafting. He has discovered a new hobby in woodworking and making crafts for the grandkids.
- "We are glad to serve Kokomo Zion as we share Jesus Christ with the community. May God be glorified in our work together."
Melissa Fipps - Director of Youth & Children's Ministries
Life Verse: "Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 NLT
Background: Melissa and her husband Ernie are natives of Howard County. Melissa grew up in Greentown and attended Eastern where she spent a lot of time in the band and choir hallway. Youth group and summer camp were her favorite activities. When Melissa joined the Zion team, she and Ernie had been married almost 29 years.
Background: Melissa and her husband Ernie are natives of Howard County. Melissa grew up in Greentown and attended Eastern where she spent a lot of time in the band and choir hallway. Youth group and summer camp were her favorite activities. When Melissa joined the Zion team, she and Ernie had been married almost 29 years.
- Ernie and Melissa have 2 married children: Kiersten and Clayton with son Benjamin live in Lafayette; Joseph and Lindsay live in Bloomington. Melissa's mother still lives in in Sycamore. Her brother lives in Kokomo.
- Melissa earned her M.A. in youth ministry from Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University in 2012.
- She has served in both children's and youth ministry for over 30 years. She has also taught private music lessons and worked as a paraprofessional at Eastern and Oak Hill. She spent 11 years as an administrative assistant and Kern Ministry Program coordinator in the School of Theology & Ministry at IWU.
- In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, crocheting, helping Eastern and Taylor's marching bands as a woodwind tech, and playing with her grandson, Benjamin.
- Melissa is a kid at heart. One of her favorite things as a child was swinging while very loudly singing songs from the Gaither kids albums. She still loves to go to the park and swing.
Matt Gerhard - Director of Music
Matt Gerhard has been Director of Music at Zion since August of 2010. Matt earned a Bachelors of Church Music from Olivet Nazarene University and a Masters in Choral Conducting from California Baptist University. Matt directs our Worship Choir, Handbell Choir, and leads our praise band. Matt enjoys leading the congregation in worship through the great hymns of faith, gospel songs, and contemporary praise songs.
In addition to his duties at Zion, Matt serves as Instructional Assistant for the Choral Program at Northwestern High School, teaches private piano and organ lessons, works with the marching band at Northwestern High School, and is on the boards of the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, Indianapolis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, Long Center Theatre Organ Society, and Kokomo Symphony Orchestra.
Outside of music, Matt's other passions include Disney and Cadillacs.
In addition to his duties at Zion, Matt serves as Instructional Assistant for the Choral Program at Northwestern High School, teaches private piano and organ lessons, works with the marching band at Northwestern High School, and is on the boards of the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, Indianapolis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, Long Center Theatre Organ Society, and Kokomo Symphony Orchestra.
Outside of music, Matt's other passions include Disney and Cadillacs.
