Paul Addison
Director of Music Ministries
Paul (he/him) has directed the Chancel Choir since 2015, and more recently added Director of Music Ministry to his role. Paul has a long history with the music program at St. Andrew as an active participant since the 1980s, directing children’s choirs and VBS musicals, singing and playing with the Praise Team, leading brass ensembles for Easter services, and presenting music on the trombone. Paul is living his best "retired" life as part of the local music and community theatre scene.
765-497-7755
Danielle Buckley
Director of Children's Ministries
Danielle Buckley (she/her) is the Director of the Children’s Ministries and has been working to make the children's ministry a fun and intentional place for family discipleship. She studied Youth and Pastoral Ministries at Indiana Wesleyan University. She has a passion for creating intentional spaces where people feel seen and loved, while also sharing the love of God. Danielle loves anything Disney and making people laugh. She is often found in the Kids' Area on Sunday mornings playing games and teaching the kiddos.
765-497-7755 ext. 804
Brian Cook
Lead Pastor
Originally from Missouri, Indiana has been home for over 30 years. Brian (he/him) has been married to Michelle since 1988. They have one son, Caleb, and two grandchildren. When not engaged in ministry, Brian enjoys the outdoors kayaking, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, and camping. When not enjoying the beauty of the outdoors you will probably find Brian occupied by one of his favorite sporting events and teams.
Equipping and encouraging the “priesthood of all believers” describes Pastor Brian’s passion for ministry. He has been discerning and refining his call to ministry since first serving the church in 1990. Pastor Brian has served God in the areas of youth ministry, as a college campus pastor, sports chaplaincy with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and pastoral ministry.
765-497-7755
Janet Dietz
Communications Specialist
Janet Dietz (she/her) is originally from Yorktown, Indiana, came to West Lafayette as a Purdue student, attended and interned at the Wesley Foundation (United Methodist Campus Ministry) where she met her husband, Jason. They are parents to two fantastic teenagers, Isaac and Avery. Janet enjoys her current opportunity to be creative, communicate details clearly, and communicate ideas visually. In her free time, you can often find her running through the woods, in the kitchen baking, or spectating her kids' sports.
765-497-7755 ext. 807
Karen Field
Financial Assistant
Karen has attended St. Andrew since 2011. She has led Bible studies and grief groups, sharing her passion for cooking, and helping with blessing boxes.
Karen began working as the Financial Assistant in 2019. She also works from home as an Independent Insurance Agent insuring churches, homes, autos and farms. Karen was an actuary when she and her husband Todd were first married, and a teacher when their adult sons (Scott and Jason) were in school.
765-497-7755
Barb Jones
Director of Connecting Ministries
Barb (she/her) relocated from Lexington, KY to West Lafayette in 1998. She has worshiped at St. Andrew since 2000. In 2012 she joined the staff as the first Director of Small Group Ministries. Her job description and title changed in 2019 and again in 2023. She is currently working with a team to create intentional discipleship and connecting ministries within the St. Andrew community.
Barb takes great delight in helping people deepen their connection to God, as they learn and grow in the ways of Jesus. Barb is especially proud of her daughters, Katie in Wilmington, NC and Becca in Chicago, IL.
765-497-7755 ext. 805
Janée LaFuze
Director of Student and Young Adult Ministries
Janee (she/her) started at St. Andrew in 2021 and has been working to rebuild our Student Ministry. Currently she oversees discipleship and connection of students from 6th - 12th grade, along with young adults. She first started her ministry career at age 18 with First UMC in West Lafayette. She loves our community and loves to share her passion for young people to anyone who will listen. Janee recently started seminary and is in the process of becoming an ordained minister (Deacon). Janee loves to geek out and is known to be a big nerd. She can be found Sunday in the Student Room or chit chatting with people before and after service.
765-497-7755 ext. 808
Gina Riendeau
Director of InTouch Ministries
Gina (she/her) is originally from Minnesota but lived in several places in the U.S. and abroad before settling in Indiana. She and her husband, Alan, moved to West Lafayette from the Logansport area in 2018 to retire. She graduated from Indiana University and Indiana Wesleyan University and went on to careers in hospital administration, teaching, church administration (Indiana conference of UMCs), and consulting. Gina brings many years of church leadership experience, but especially enjoys ministries of music, congregational care, and education. As a newer member at St. Andrew, she has been impressed by the congregation’s love and commitment to God and neighbor.
Gina and Alan have three grown children and eight grandchildren. She enjoys reading, music, family, crafts, and walking.
765-497-7755 ext. 803
Juan Valdez
Church Caretaker
Juan Valdez (he/him) joined the staff at St. Andrew in 2010. He is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. He has eight sisters and four brothers, most of whom still live in Mexico City. He also works at Purdue University as a custodian. Juan has served in the Mexican Army and studied nursing.
He has four children—two in Mexico and two in the United States. When he isn’t working, Juan enjoys gardening, running, swimming, and working around his house.
765-497-7755
Tammy Ward
Church Administrator
Tammy (she/her) was born and raised in Tippecanoe County. She earned her Secretarial Sciences degree from Ivy Tech and has worked in local biotechnology, both residential construction and group medical insurance in Indianapolis, and since 2017 in the local UMC community. Tammy is married to her husband, Joe of over 20 years, and they have three children with their first grandchild on the way. They are renovating a 1900 Folk Victorian home. She enjoys researching and reading articles.
Tammy believes Paul tells us we are called to anything but a life of separateness. Meaning, as Christians, we meet people where they are.
765-497-7755 ext. 810