Pastor Jeff grew up in Detroit, Michigan. He has served congregations in Arkansas, Tennessee, Nebraska and Ohio before coming to St John in 2016.  He has been married to Anette for over 40 years and they have two sons, two daughter-in-laws and three grandchildren.  He loves to preach . write devotions, songs and dramas, lead worship and chapels, all in ways that connect the Bible to everyday life.  He also loves to hike, bike and explore botanical gardens.

Pastor Tim grew up in Concordia, MO and met his wife while attending Saint Paul Lutheran High School. They graduated as teachers from CUNE and were soon married. They taught at Concordia Middle School, Taiwan for 2 years before starting Seminary (CSL) graduating in 2024. He loves to travel with his family (2 young boys) and experiencing new cultures, foods, and sites. His favorite thing about ministry is building relationships whether through leading worship or personal conversation. 

Anette grew up in a small town (Napoleon) in Ohio.  Jeff and Anette met at Concordia, Ann Arbor and the rest is history.  She taught school for many years (pre-school through middle school).  She then went back to school and graduated from Concordia, Seward with her Masters in Family Life. They have 2 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws and three grandchildren (by the way grand-kids are the best!). Finding ways to connect children, youth and adults to Jesus is her passion whether that be through Bible Study, service opportunities, dramas, mission trips, cooking or even hanging out together.  In her free time she enjoys cooking, gardening, hiking and reading.

Grew up in Pensacola, Florida as a charter member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and School.
Graduated from University of West Florida in July 1969, married Shirley in August 1969, joined
the US Army in October of 1969. College administrator at Pensacola Junior College, FL for 7
years. Joined Florida Farm Bureau as an Insurance agent assigned as Agency manager here
in Marion County May of 1986 and joined St. John Lutheran Church. Employed as Director of
Outreach February 1999. Graduated from Concordia University – Mequon, IL as a
Commissioned Minister of Religion – Lay Minister in 2008. Continues serving as Director of
Care & Outreach for our Congregation and community. Served several years with the District
office as Mission Church planting, and served two years as Pastoral assistant preaching at
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at Chiefland, FL.

Liz grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan where her love of music was fostered in school and church. It is here that she started her Church Music Ministry journey as a MS and HS student playing in the church handbell group and brass ensemble at St. Paul Lutheran. Liz has her Bachelor’s in Music Education from Grand Valley State University with a performance emphasis in trumpet and her Master’s in Music Education from Florida State University. Here in Ocala she is blessed to have been the 2nd Trumpet player in the Ocala Symphony Orchestra since 2009, has taught at the local high school level, taught private lessons and remains active in the music community. Liz and her husband Brian have 2 children, Caleb and Abigail. She and the family love to watch sports, travel and play golf in their spare time. Liz’s greatest joy is making music to glorify God. Soli Deo Gloria!

Tracy grew up in Miami, Florida and moved to Ocala in 1992.  Together with James, her husband of 30 years, they have 2 daughters and a son, and 7 grandkids.  The Williams family has been members at St John since 1972 with multiple generations attending and graduating from St John School.  Tracy enjoys traveling and hanging with the grandkids.  She finds joy in fundraising, volunteering, and serving the St John community and the ministries of the Church and School.

Even though Jim loves Florida, he will always be a Cornhusker from Nebraska!  After growing up in Grand Island, NE and receiving his Bachelor's degree from Concordia University Nebraska, he has served as a teacher and administrator in Lutheran schools for over 30 years.  He previously served in Terra Bella, CA; Sioux Falls, SD; Kearney, NE; and Fremont, NE.  He also received his Masters in Education Administration degree from Concordia University Nebraska.   Jim is happily married to Aimee Knoepfel (also a Lutheran school administrator), and they celebrated their 3rd anniversary in February.  Jim has 3 grown children living in Nebraska and Texas, along with a one-year-old grandson from Texas.  Aimee has 2 grown children living in Ohio and Illinois.  Aside from their love for church work, Jim and Aimee enjoy traveling to see their family, visiting beaches (especially Anna Maria Island), exercising with walking and kayaking, cooking, entertaining, and just spending quality time together.  One of his favorite Bible verses is from Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”