REV. DR. JOHN P. GARDNER - Senior Pastor
jpg@plymouthfw.org

The Rev. Dr. John P. Gardner has served as the Senior Pastor & Teacher at Plymouth Church since the summer of 1998. He has previously served congregations in Ohio, California, and Michigan. He is a graduate of Grove City College (PA.), and attended the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California where he earned both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Religion & the Arts degree (1980). In 1994 he earned his Doctor of Ministry from the Chicago Theological Seminary. John is married to Vida McCray-Gardner and is the proud father of two sons, Gabriel James and George Henry.

REV. RUTH E. PHILLIPS - Associate Pastor
rep@plymouthfw.org

Rev. Ruth Phillips was called to Plymouth Church in February, 2001. She is a graduate of Colgate Rochester (NY) Divinity School with a Master of Divinity degree. She was ordained in the American Baptist Churches. Her B.A. in Social Work was earned at Anderson (IN) College.

Ruth's experience in thirty years of ministry has included work as a chaplain in hospice, geriatric/long-term care, psychiatric, and hospital settings primarily in New York State. She also taught a pilot project in HIV/AIDS education with pastors and congregations.

JOHN R. WHITEBREAD C.M.C.E. -  Minister of Christian Education
jrw@plymouthfw.org

John Whitebread is a Commissioned Minister of Christian Education in the United Church of Christ. He has served Plymouth Church since January 2001. John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education/Communication Arts from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. He was a public school teacher of English and Theatre for fifteen years before beginning to work in Christian Education. He previously served churches in Pennsylvania. He was Commissioned in 1992. John also serves as the Chairperson of the Indiana/Kentucky Conference Faith Education Committee, and is the Chairperson of the Association of United Church Educators, a national advocacy and support organization for Christian Educators within the United Church of Christ.

ROBERT NANCE - Director of Music
bob.nance@verizon.net

Robert Nance is a distinguished graduate of DePauw University School of Music (BM, Piano Performance, 1982) and the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD (MM, Conducting, 1984). He serves as the Director of Music (Organist/Choirmaster) for Plymouth Church, and the Professional Choir Director and Organist of Temple Achduth Vesholom Congregation, also in Fort Wayne. He also maintains a private piano and voice studio, and performs regular recitals throughout the region. He has received many honors and awards, including an appearance as guest director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir during their regular international radio and television broadcast on January 7, 2001.

Bob is the founder and Music & Executive Director of the Heartland Chamber Chorale, Fort Wayne's premiere professional choral ensemble. Under his direction, the HCC has grown at a tremendous rate, has earned a solid reputation for excellence in performance, music education and advocacy for the choral arts and has brought local, regional and national distinction to the Fort Wayne community.