Dan Tucker

Senior Pastor

Joining our staff at St. John’s in September of 2023 is Pastor Dan, Senior Minister and Head of Staff. Pastor Dan has over 40 years of ministerial experience. His love of music, combined with his joy of sharing God’s life-changing Word combine to undergird his heart for helping people of all ages and stages of life. He weaves his personal life experiences into his connections with individuals, as well as through his morning messages, and in teaching our Adult Sunday School and Bible Study classes. Pastor Dan’s vision is one of challenging all people to become disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Towards this end, he extends an invitation for ongoing participation in all aspects of church life, well beyond our building and into the world. The ministry theme with which he begins is found in Micah 6:8 which states, “The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God.” The father of 6 grown children who live and work far and wide, he is joined in ministry by his spouse, Brad, and his youngest son, a teenager named JaRon. In his “spare time” Pastor Dan enjoys reading, while quietly sitting in his home library, sipping cup after cup of coffee (especially if it’s either a rainy or snowy day!)

Ryan Endris

Director of Music

Dr. R. Ryan Endris has received critical acclaim for his “ability to imbue his vocal and instrumental forces with his view of the music” and for his ensembles’ “clarity, exquisite phrasing, and vibrancy” (Bloomington Herald-Times). He currently serves as Director of Music at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Indianapolis. Previous appointments include Director of Choral & Vocal Activities at Colgate University; Director of Music at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (Hamilton, NY); and Director of Music at First Christian Church (Bloomington, IN). He has recently appeared as a guest conductor for the Connecticut Music Educators Association Western Region Mixed Honor Choir, the Syracuse Vocal Ensemble and the Monroe County School Music Association’s Women’s Honor Choir; He also has served as a guest clinician and invited lecturer at Universidad Nacional Autonónoma de México (Mexico City, Mexico), Creighton University (Omaha, Nebraska), University of the Andes (Bogotá, Colombia), and University of Cartagena (Cartagena, Colombia). His recording with Collegium Mundi Novi, Antonio Juanas: Premiere Recordings of Selected Choral Works, is currently available under the Centaur Records label. In addition to maintaining an active conducting schedule, Dr. Endris has written several publications. He has published two books with For Beginners, LLC (The History of Classical Music For Beginners and Music Theory For Beginners), and his article on Dominick Argento’s Walden Pondappears in The Choral Scholar. His scholarly edition of Juanas’s Ocho Responsorios para los Maitines de la Santísima Trinidad was published by Carus-Verlag in February 2019. Dr. Endris holds Doctor of Music and Master of Music in Choral Conducting degrees from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, as well as a Bachelor of Music Education (K-12 Choral/General Music).

Rebecca Sorley

Organist

Keyboardist Rebecca Sorley serves as organist at St. John’s along with holding the position of Professor of Music at the University of Indianapolis. She has performed as a pianist in conferences and festivals around the country from Honolulu to Rochester, NY as well as in Australia and Puerto Rico. Dr. Sorley holds degrees in Piano from Butler, Indiana University and Ball State University along with an MBA from the University of Indianapolis. Rebecca enjoys collaborations with her musical family members including husband Darin and children Allegra, Alex and Adam. In addition, working with the St. John’s choir and soloists as accompanist is one of her very favorite aspects of being a church musician.

Debi Burns

Worship Director

Debi Burns was our adult Sanctuary Choir director. She had been in that position since 1997. Debi says she is blessed to be part of the music at St. John’s where all involved are dedicated to making worship services more meaningful and expressive through music of many types.

Debi’s love of church music started early. She sang at the homes of shut-ins in the Chicago area with her grandfather at the age of 4. She continued in church and school choirs from kindergarten through college. With degrees in music, education and music therapy, Debi moved to the Indianapolis area. She has served as organist and choir director in churches of several denominations. She enjoys creating complete worship services with special music adapted to the talents and needs of the congregations she serves.

Mrs. Burns and her husband Jim just celebrated their 37th anniversary. They have three daughters and a new grandchild. Mrs. Burns just retired after many years in music education in Perry Township.

Adam Johnson

Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries

Adam Johnson, a lifelong UCC member, grew up at Zion Evangelical UCC in downtown Indianapolis. With a degree from IUPUI’s Luddy School of Informatics, Adam transitioned from a successful career in Graphic Design and Advertising, working with top clients like CountryMark and Slingshot SEO, to focus on mentoring and youth development. At St. John’s UCC, he draws on his strong non-profit background, including impactful projects with Best Buddies Indiana, to inspire and guide young people through the church’s youth programs.

Ben Mathis

Office Manager

Ben joined the St. John’s team in 2024, coming to the church with a history in general accounting, office administration, and corporate training. He has also been part of the Garfield Shakespeare Company since 2016, filling roles including actor, director, and board chair. An office manager by day and an actor and writer by night, he’s looking forward to life’s next adventures.

Jeff Miner

Facilities Manager