Urban Light believes in raising up local, indigenous leaders to be about the work of the Gospel in our own community. Our ministry leadership team reflects the diversity of our community in race, gender, age, and socioeconomic status (Gal:3:23). We desire for people who are active in the work of the ministry to have the authority to lead the church, so we work to empower people to lead and serve. Our leaders are committed Christians who are moving toward maturity in Christ. We hold up Paul's list of qualifications for leadership as the model of who our leaders should be in Christ (1 Tim:3:1-3 ). Some of our leaders are paid and some are volunteers, but they are all servants who are fiercely committed to the vision God has given us. We aren't all alike, nor do we all agree on everything, but we come together because of Jesus and His calling for Urban Light Community Church. Click on the pictures below to find out more about our leaders.
Andrew is Lead Pastor of Urban Light and President of the Urban Light Christian Development Corporation (CDC). Andrew's calling and mission is one of reconciliation. His main areas of focus include: preaching and teaching, overseeing the staff, leadership, ministries, and vision of Urban Light, mentoring leaders from the community, community organizing and advocacy, and building strong and diverse community connections. Andrew is a graduate of Taylor University and Winebrenner Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity. He is currently undertaking guided research relating to the intersection of theology, place, and race in the PhD program in Practical Theology of the University of Aberdeen. In addition to advocating around justice issues affecting the community, Andrew is a member of the boards of: Hoosier Academy, Weed and Seed, NAACP Muncie Chapter, and the Ad Council of the Midwest Region of the Churches of God. Andrew is an adjunct faculty member at Taylor University, where he teaches on holistic urban ministry. Andrew is married to Leslie Draper and they have two sons: Aidan and Alister.
Toddrick Gordon serves as Pastor of Community Outreach and Assistant Director of Academic Coaching. Toddrick has been called to serve those who struggle with substance abuse and to mentor the youth in our community. Toddrick partners with other local churches and organizations. His passion is to display to the world a unified body by breaking down walls of racial and socio-economic barriers. Toddrick is planning to open The House of Hope in the fall of 2012. The House of Hope will be a spiritual recovery house to meet the needs of men who struggle with substance abuse and men who are reentering society after incarceration.
Joe serves as pastor of Worship and Administration at Urban Light. Joe is married to Emilie Carpenter and has three children, Josephina, Julian and Frederik. Joe oversees the Sunday worship service and is passionate about creating a multisensory worship experience for the body of Christ with different styles of music, spoken word, congressional reading, and dance. Joe oversees all of the administrative duties at Urban Light including treasurer of Urban Light and CDC, Fund Development and Human Recourses. Joe has an associates degree in Human Services and plans to attend Winebrenner Theological Seminary in the fall of 2012.
Leslie serves as the Director of the Academic Coaching program at Urban Light. She also orchestrates trips for the youth during the summer months. Leslie is passionate in helping youth reach their academic potential and to realize their value as children of God. Leslie has submitted a proposal with hopes to begin a charter school for the local community in the fall of 2012. Leslie has a BA in Communication Studies from Taylor University with minors in Biblical Literature and Theatre Arts. Leslie is married to Pastor Andrew Draper and has two sons Aidan and Alister.
Pat and Lezlies marriage theme was reconciliation to God and to each other and that continues to be the story of their life. They have enjoyed working with children in various capacities over the course of their lives and are thankful to be doing so here at Urban Light. They enjoy sharing their love of gardening and cooking and have two young children, Israel and Eden.
Pat McCrory teaches the K-5 Sunday School class each week at Urban Light and leads the young mens group. He also lends his soulful voice to the gospel choir. Pat is currently studying at Ball State University to earn a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. He has volunteered as a coach for LACES basketball and as a director and teacher of a neighborhood summer enrichment program.
Lezlie McCrory leads the young womens group with the capable help of Joy Rediger and also sings in the gospel choir. She is a graduate of Taylor University with a BA in Philosophy and a minor in Applied Music. Lezlie is employed as a full time mom and a piano teacher at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. She volunteers as a lunch lady for the Academic Coaching Center and as a worker in the preschool nursery, and in the community as tutor and mentor.
Danny preaches within Urban Light and leads the Wednesday night ministry training group. Danny is a ligament in the body of Christ, and he is especially intertwined with Nichole, his wife of 12 years. They pray together, Lord, make up for our mistakes over their children Josiah, Hannah, Moses, and Noah. Danny and Nichole met at Taylor University where they both graduated with a BA in Christian Education, then spent two years as missionaries in Kenya, East Africa. Then they spent another two years at Asbury Theological Seminary where Danny graduated with a MA in Biblical Studies. Danny now works with the Mens Program at the Muncie Mission.
Carol V. Jackson serves as the Intercessory Prayer Group Leader for Urban Light. Carol has also served for over four years with Kingdom Force International Ministries as Prayer Network Coordinator. Carol has a B.A. in Business Administration and is married to Carl Jackson Sr.
Mike Ingram currently serves on the Leadership Team and for the Urban Light Worship Team as a drummer. Mike is married to Amy Ingram and has 3 daughters Kendra, Shelby and Jaileigh. Mike attended Lincoln Tech and works as a mechanic at a local shop in Muncie.
Lauren Jones is a former social worker and now a full-time mom to her three kids: Judah, Naomi and ?. Lauren also works part-time as a Childbirth Instructor at Ball Memorial Hospital. She serves on the Intercessory Prayer Team as well as in the nursery. Lauren graduated from Taylor University with a B.A. in Art and Outdoor Recreation Ministry. Lauren and her husband Jacob are passionate about providing employment opportunities for their community, family and fellowship for recovering addicts, and sustainable living.
Shameka leads the Dance/Drama Team at Urban Light and is a member of the gospel choir. She really enjoys the gifts of song and dance that God has blessed her with. "I know that to whom much is given, much is required and I am prepared to continue to do the work of the Lord wherever he leads me. I am very thankful for being apart of the Urban Light Community Church family and everything that it stands for." Shameka has two beautiful girls and is employeed at St. Lawrence Catholic School.
