Our Team

Pastor Mohlatlego Makgoba

Senior Pastor

Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Rev. Mohlatlego Makgoba’s call to ministry has been shaped by a deep commitment to community, spiritual care, and the belief that all people are connected. She earned her BA in Economics from Berea College, where she also served as a student chaplain at the Christian Center. During her time at Berea, she organized worship services and interfaith events and helped international students connect with local faith communities.

After graduating from Berea, Rev. Makgoba attended Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where she earned both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Religion. She also completed her Clinical Pastoral Education at Norton Hospital Downtown. Rev. Makgoba was ordained in January 2025 through MOLO Village CDC and St. Peter’s UCC in Louisville, Kentucky.

Her ministry is grounded in community engagement, compassionate spiritual care, and connecting people with the resources they need to live with dignity and fulfillment. As a member of the Bapedi people of South Africa, she draws on the value of Ubuntu—the belief in a shared humanity and a universal bond of mutual care: “I am because we are.”

In her free time, Mohlatlego enjoys traveling, experiencing new cultures, and exploring cuisines from around the world.

Terri Jordan

Church Secretary

Terri has been church secretary at St. John for the past 7 years. She attended the University of Indianapolis way back when it was called Indiana Central College and has a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education, majoring in Business and minoring in Physical Education and a Masters Degree from IU in Secondary Education. She taught middle school in Washington Township for 11 years before her children were born and then spent several years as a stay-at-home mom. She later taught preschool for 5 years and tutored for the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress test for 14 years in the New Palestine School system before taking the position as St. John Secretary.

Terri has been a member of St. John for most of her life and enjoys serving as secretary saying, “I’ve been very blessed to work with some very amazing pastors and lay people through the years.”

Jim Kiser

Choir and Chimes Director

Jim graduated from The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University with a Bachelor of Music Education. Jim has soloed with and sung with numerous choirs throughout his career. He was the music director at the Medina United Church of Christ – Congregational for 15 years where he directed the adult choir and the adult bell choir. He was also involved in starting a youth bell choir and assisting with the children’s Christmas Concert. Jim values the adult choir and chime choir at St. John and feels that the choirs enhance the overall church service.

Judy Wieneke

Bookkeeper

Judy graduated from New Palestine High School. She was secretary and bookkeeper for an electrician for 13 years. Currently, Judy works for the Indiana Family and Social Services Agency as Deputy Director of Accounting Operations General Ledger. Judy has been married for 36 years and has been blessed with two sons and two grandchildren. Judy is a lifetime member of St. John and enjoys her work as bookkeeper. She appreciates that it gives her an opportunity to learn about and provide support to the business side of St. John.

Suellen Kipp

Pianist/Organist

Suellen Kipp has been a choral music teacher for more than twenty-five years, teaching in public schools in Indiana and Florida. Suellen has received many honors and awards with her performing groups winning Grand Champion, Best Vocals, Best Choreography, Best Show Design, Best Costuming. Suellen has produced, directed, staged, and choreographed hundreds of public performances, concerts, and musical productions since graduating from Ball State University in 1990 with a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education and General Music Education. Suellen holds a master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Indiana University along with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Indiana University. Suellen notes that, she loves that St. John is an open and affirming congregation; that who ever you are or wherever you are on life’s journey, St John’s is a place for you.