Staff
Pastoral Staff
Tracy R. Keenan, Senior Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Tracy Keenan is the senior pastor of the Covenant Presbyterian Church. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Duquesne University, a Master of Divinity from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from the McCormick Theological Seminary. Tracy enthusiastically lends her musical background to ministry at Covenant and to the Church at large, leading seminars and providing the music and worship leadership for various synod, presbytery, and seminary events. She has been at Covenant since 2004, and finds much joy in working with the folks there.
Tracy is married to Jim Mehler, an ordained Presbyterian minister. They have two daughters, Susan and Tori, who are in graduate school in Arizona and in Boston. Tracy loves to read, write, compose worship music, hike, and jog.
Karen Ware Jackson, Associate Pastor
A graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA, Karen began her pastoral ministry at Covenant in 2008. After graduating from Texas A&M University, she served for 2 years as a Young Adult Volunteer with the PCUSA in Hollywood, CA. As the Youth Program Director in a low-income urban community, she walked alongside her neighbors through times of great joy and deep sadness, and experienced a ministry of mutual transformation. She is committed to loving God and loving neighbors by building strong families and strong communities.
Karen and her husband Rob welcomed their first child, Grace Anne, in November 2010. She is a great blessing, and loves coming to work with Mommy! Karen’s husband is also serving in the Presbytery of Scioto Valley as pastor of New California Presbyterian Church.
Katherine D. Kinnison, Director of Christian Education
Before coming to Covenant, Katie was the Director of Christian Education at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Dublin, Ohio for 6 years. Katie is continuing her education with courses at Trinity Lutheran Seminary and other programs. She holds degrees in English Literature, and she has taught writing, literature, history, and world religion courses at the Ohio State University and Franklin University. Katie has three daughters: Abigail, Emma, and Sarah.
Rob Rucker, Music Director
Rob holds a Bachelor of Music Education with a Theater Minor from the Ohio State University and a Master’s of Music in Choral Conducting from Southern Methodist University. He has taught general music, choral music and theater to elementary and high school students in the Franklin Local School District, and K-2 music classes at Windermere and Wickliffe Elementary Schools. He was Director of Music and Arts at several Presbyterian churches in Dallas, TX, as well as directing upper school theater productions for 2 years at The Covenant School. He has directed choral and orchestral performances at national (e.g., Meyerson Symphony Center Dallas, Irving Symphony, New York choral festival) as well as international venues (Moscow and Bern). Rob’s wife, Amy, earned a Master’s in Piano Pedagogy and is currently a National Teacher Trainer for Musikgarten and music assistant at Jones Middle School. They have two children, Elise (13), who survived seventh grade, and Benjamin (10), who wants to be a physicist if designing Nintendo games doesn’t work out.
Jim Mehler, Parish Associate
The Rev. Jim Mehler is a part-time Parish Associate at Covenant. He is also the Pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Columbus. A graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Jim has served several churches in in Ohio and Pennsylvania for over 30 years. He is the staff liaison and support person for the Board of Deacons, Older Adult Ministries, and the Nurture and Outreach Commission.
Jim likes to golf, kayak, and ride his scooter. You may have already figured out that he is married to Tracy Keenan, the senior pastor.
Other Staff
Communications Administrator, Joan (JP) Pogalies, extension 11
Shane Spicer, Assistant in Children’s Ministry
Financial and Membership Administrator, Ingrid Brooker, extension 13; E-mail
Facilities Manager, Lloyd Muench, extension 15; E-mail
Custodian, Don Luther, extension 22