We offer...
...our staff, who work together and in cooperation with the congregation's elected leaders.
Kenneth E. Townsend, Pastor
The ReverendTownsend was born and raised in Evansville and is a graduate of William Henry Harrison High School. He received his bachelor of arts from Oklahoma Baptist University majoring in European history and minoring in religion. He received his master of divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He has pursued work towards a doctor of ministry at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.Pastor Ken has served as senior minister for churches in Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina. He has also done foreign mission work in the Ukraine and Zambia as well as ministering on American Indian reservations in Arizona and New Mexico. Ken has served as an ordained minister for nearly four decades. He and his wife, Linda, served together in Zambia, and both were appointed home missionaries by the North American Mission Board. They now live on Evansville's east side.
Mark X. Hatfield, Director of Music and Organist
A native of Evansville, Mark began his career in music as a church organist at the age of ten. Along with being the Director of Music and the Organist here at St. John's East where he directs the chancel, handbell and children's choirs, he is the Director of Music for Alexander Funeral Homes and Cemetery. In 1986 he founded Evansville Choral Artists and was the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for 10 years.Hatfield has distinguished himself as a highly acclaimed Concert Organist, Conductor, Tenor Soloist, Duo-Pianist, Teacher and Vocal Coach and has had a busy and rewarding career that spans portions of six decades. In addition to his other musical activities, he was the Musical Director for the nationally acclaimed University of Evansville Drama Department for many years.
Lynta Carter, Minister of Church Life
Email: parishlife@stjohnseast.org
Lynta was born and raised in Auburn, Maine. She married Doug in 1980, and they have three sons, all of whom were homeschooled through high school. She attended Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, until her marriage, and completed her college career at Oakland City University in Indiana, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Church Music.
Lynta’s experience includes work with mentally and physically challenged individuals. In Maine, she worked at Pineland Center for the Developmentally Disabled. She taught Special Education at the Fort Worth (Texas) State School (for the developmentally challenged). After moving to Indiana, she worked at Evansville ARC for several years.
Her teaching experience encompasses both public and private sectors. She has been a private music teacher for over 25 years. As a homeschool parent, Lynta wrote or compiled much of the curriculum used to teach her sons. While in Texas, she taught at the Fort Worth Yamaha/Music School. During her tenure as a student at Oakland City University, she was a tutor in math, music history, and music theory. After receiving her degree in music, she taught at the university for 5 years, and wrote the curriculum for several of those classes. She was the choral director for Southwestern Indiana Home Educators’ Praise Ensembles, a homeschool fine arts co-op, for 8 years. She developed their graded choir program, and wrote the curriculum used in that program. She has also written arrangements of music for hand bells, choirs, bands, and orchestras.
Lynta and Doug have been in ministry together, both full and part time, for nearly 30 years. They have ministered in churches in Texas, Florida, Maine, and Indiana. Lynta has served as an administrative assistant, accompanist, organist, children’s choir director and hand bell choir director, as well as teaching in Sunday School and Bible School. They and their extended family now live in Evansville.