Staff & Clergy

Parish Staff

Jessie Meriwether

Executive Director

Jessie Meriwether, Executive Director

Jessie oversees the operations and finances for New Garden Park: Parish, Park, Farm and Abbey. She has a M.A. in Nonprofit Management from High Point University, has been on staff at Church of the Redeemer since 2012.

With a passion for equipping organizations for effective, efficient work she also offers consulting services for other nonprofit organizations and churches, desiring to see the flourishing of communities and the expansion of God’s kingdom. She also assists with spearheading the ongoing collaboration between senior administrators across our diocese.

She has been married to her wonderful husband Chris since 2009, and they have 3 children - Everest, Eden and Hazel. When not working or spending time with family, you can find her reading a good book or organizing something!

Get to know Jessie a little more by watching this video!

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Brayden Armes

Curate

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Rev. J.D. Meeder

Parish Director

The Rev. J.D. Meeder, Parish Director

Before coming to Redeemer, JD served in leadership roles with parachurch ministries and non-profit organizations. JD is a graduate of Clemson University with a B.A. in Political Science and Religious Studies and is earning his Masters at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He was ordained as a deacon on January 19th, 2025, and ordained as a priest on March 15th, 2026.

JD enjoys spending time with his wife, Katherine and their kids, Nora, Jack, and Paul. Originally from the Lowcountry of South Carolina, JD loves the smell of salt water, but has fallen in love with the Triad. You can often find him outside running, mountain biking, reading, playing with their golden retriever (Howard), and cheering on the Clemson Tigers. He would love to get coffee or a beer with you.

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Rev. Jonathan Munyakazi

Pastor of East African Service

The Rev. Jonathan Munyakazi, Pastor of East African Service

Originally from Congo, Jonathan spent 8 years in Rwanda & Kenya working as an assistant pastor and teacher overseeing youth ministry and church growth, and emigrated to the U.S. in 2008. He graduated from Gospel Garden Bible College in Kenya, and earned a diploma in Leadership and Church Growth while serving with the African Ministries Network in Rwanda. He speaks 6 languages and has worked as an interpreter with Church World Service, serving refugees in Greensboro. He currently leads our East African worship service and organizes revivals and prayer meetings in partnership with other sister churches in the area.

Jonathan is married to his wife Anastasie, and they have 6 children: Laurence, Patrick, Maxime, Angel, Jennifer, and Jasmine.

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Rev. Zach Croonquist

Priest-in-Charge & Abbey Director

The Rev. Zach Croonquist, Abbey Director

Zach began as our curate in June 2023 and now serves as the director of the Abbey. He is passionate about healing prayer and is delighted to come alongside you in prayer and pastoral care in whatever season of life you find yourself; he’s convinced there is nothing better than being refreshed in the Holy Spirit and spending time with Jesus, our gentle Shepherd.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Zach attended Gustavus Adolphus College, a small liberal arts college with a Swedish Lutheran heritage in St. Peter, MN. In June 2019, he graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and Religion. After a gap year serving as a missionary volunteer in Belgrade, Serbia, Zach felt the Lord was clearly calling him to further theological education and a vocation in ordained ministry. In May 2023, he graduated from Duke Divinity School with an M.Div. and certificates in Anglican Studies and Worship.

In his free time, Zach enjoys drinking coffee (bonus points if it’s at a cool local coffee shop), craft beer (especially at breweries), hiking, bingeing Netflix shows, most any activity on or around water, and spending time with friends and family.

Get to know Zach a little more by watching this video!

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Anna Lynch

Nursery Coordinator

Anna Lynch, Nursery Director

Anna has the privilege of serving our youngest in the church as our Nursery Director. She has always loved children and grew up in an environment that valued them. Whenever she walks into a room with a baby, she does her best to get a chance to hold them. She is married to her best friend, David Lynch, and together they have three kids that keep them on their toes: Samuel, Melea, and Mary. They moved here from Boone, NC in 2013 and came to Redeemer in 2014.

Anna has been working with children on and off since 2011 through Mother's Morning Out, preschool work, as well as Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) here at Redeemer since 2016. She received Montessori training for her work at Trinity Covenant Preschool and Level 1 training for CGS as well.

Anna appreciates serving our young families and getting to know our volunteer teams as well. She enjoys volunteering with her family at NGP Farm, drinking coffee, and being outside.

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Victoria Morris

Children’s Ministry Director

Victoria Morris, Children's Ministry Director

As the Children’s Ministry Director, Victoria’s greatest joy is helping children grow a love for Jesus and equipping parents and families to share the love of Christ in the midst of everyday life.

Victoria has been working with children for over 11 years and previously served as a Children’s Ministry Director in Winston-Salem, where she met her incredible husband, Ryan. Together, they have two beautiful children, Corinne and Malik, who are the highlights of her life. With a background in Musical Theatre (Go Spartans- UNC-G-G-G-G-G), Victoria is excited to bring her creativity and passion into the Children’s Liturgy and Ministry here at Redeemer.

Originally from sunny San Diego, California, Victoria is also a fan of the theatre, Disney movies, and bringing imagination to everything she does. She would love to connect with you—send her an email to grab a coffee or chat about how your family can get involved.

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Jake Portillo

Director of Next Generation Ministries & Youth Director

Jake Portillo, Youth Ministry & Director of Next Generation Ministries

Jake Portillo serves as the Youth Ministry Director and oversees all of our Next Ministries. He is passionate about the next generation and believes strongly in partnering with parents in helping students take their next steps towards Jesus, to follow Him for a lifetime. He is enthusiastic about encouraging, equipping, and empowering the next generation to know and love God.

Jake has served in ministry around the world. From evangelism in remote villages off the Amazon River in Peru, to discipleship in skateparks in South Africa, Jake has served in various ministries in 13 different countries, including national and international youth ministries. He has also served as a staff member of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ.) Now, he is dedicated to serving the students at Redeemer. In addition to the global experiences he holds, Jake is currently earning his Master of Divinity at Grace Theological Seminary.

Jake is married to his better half, Shari. They met on the mission field and have been married since 2014. The Lord has blessed them with two amazing children, Lionel and Nora. Jake enjoys music of all kinds, hiking, camping, playing and watching futbol (Vamos Barcelona!), and skateboarding.

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Stahr Nethery

Greensboro Fellows Director

Stahr Nethery, Greensboro Fellows Director

Stahr serves as the Fellows and Next Gen Ministry Coordinator. Originally from Tucker, GA she graduated from Berry College in 2022 with a degree in Psychology and Religion (with a Biblical and Christian studies concentration). She moved to Greensboro later that year to participate in the Fellows program and fell so in love with the city and its people she decided to stay!

Stahr is excited and honored to be stepping into this role to help Fellows grow closer to the heart of Christ. She believes that our vision of the new heavens and the new earth shapes what we do in the world. We image God as we work, play, create, and contribute to God’s good world between the “already” and the “not yet.” Her prayer is that as image bearers we might find joy in building the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. Let us truly know God and enjoy him forever.

Stahr loves lots of things but at the top of this list are national parks, the local church, and learning new things. You can almost always find her somewhere outside, reading a book, playing frisbee, or spending time with her friends and family both in Georgia and North Carolina.

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Laura Hendrick

Communications Director

Laura Hendrick, Communications Director

Laura is passionate about using her creative skills to glorify God, whether that is expressed through graphic design, photography, videography, or the written word. She has been attending Redeemer since the summer of 2023 and joined the staff team in 2024.

Laura graduated from Elon University in 2008, earning a degree in Communications with a concentration in Film. Unfortunately, due to the recession at the time, several post-graduate plans did not come to fruition, and she had to pursue other work for many years. However, God made a way for her to once again use the creative gifts and passions he created her for in surprising ways. Prior to working at Redeemer, she was the Training and Engagement Coordinator at Home Instead, where she facilitated various communication methods to help employees feel connected, informed, and engaged. She also served on her previous church’s Creative Team as a video editor and assisted with filming various projects. She is also a member of a global, learning community of filmmakers called The Art of Documentary. She is humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve the Redeemer community.

Originally from Connecticut, Laura has lived in Greensboro since 2016, and she is grateful for the early springs and short winters. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, visiting local wineries, reading, and, of course, watching movies. She has twice participated in Greensboro’s 48 Hour Film Project and created a short film for a “One Day Doc” challenge.

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Assisting Clergy

Rev. Drew Hill

Priest

Rev. Sergio Sapunar

Priest

Rev. Jeff Weber

Priest

Rev. Dcn. Ashley Davis

Deacon

Rev. Dcn. Deogratias Niyonzima

Deacon

Rev. Dcn. Edourd Muhoza

Deacon

Rt. Rev. Alan Hawkins

Bishop

Rev. Andy Watson

Priest

Rev. Dcn. Ezechiel Runesha

Deacon

Rev. Yousif Koly

Priest
Pastor of Arabic-Speaking Service

Rev. Dcn. Michaya Ladu

Deacon

Rev. Dcn. Melissa Lewkowicz

Deacon

The Rev. Dcn. Innocent Muco

Deacon

New Garden Park, Farm, & Abbey Staff

The Rev. Dcn. Steven Hebbard

Farm Director

The Rev. Dcn. Steven Hebbard, Farm Director

In the last decade before he joined us here at Redeemer, Steven has worked as a farmer, pastor, and educator in Austin, Texas, living and working at a tiny-house community for the homeless. Ordained as a deacon the week before COVID shut down the world, Steven has a passion to bring the Church and the poor into deeper relationships with one another. For several years Steven had found a long distance mentor in Bp. Alan Hawkins, and in 2021 this friendship led to an invitation for Steven to bring his ministry to Redeemer.

As our Farm Director, Steven is excited to be overseeing the care and growth of New Garden Farm. As a site for restorative Edenic homemaking, the Farm can become a laboratory for radical hospitality, where Redeemer members can grow in deeper relationships with God, with one another, and with the stranger in our midst.

When Steven is not casting giant visions, he is fiddling around in his organic garden and playing with mud and straw as a natural builder. Steven is joined by his wife and fellow maker, Dr. Bethany Bear Hebbard, daughter Pearl, and son Caedmon.

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Mark Hastings

Facilities Manager

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Hawken Sawyer

Park Operations Coordinator