Our Staff

Get to Know Us! 

Rev. Dr. Tracy Keenan, Senior Pastor/Head-of-Staff
Tracy has been at Covenant since 2004, and she loves ministry at Covenant. She received a BS in Education from Duquesne U., Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from McCormick Theological Seminary. Also a singer/songwriter, she provides music and leadership for denominational events as well for Covenant. When she is not working, she loves to read, write, compose music, and she and husband Jim Mehler can be seen riding their motorcycles around the region. (Tracy's the one with the Harley.) They have two grown daughters. 

Rev. Katie Kinnison, Assoc. Pastor for Spiritual Formation
Katie has her Masters in English from The Ohio State University and earned her Master of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Katie has been a teacher all her adult life and is clearly in love with words and exploring new ideas. She has two daughters in college, Abby and Emma, and a third, Sarah, who still lives at home with her.

Rev. Jim Mehler, Parish Associate
Jim is part-time Parish Associate at Covenant. A graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Jim has served several churches in Ohio and Pennsylvania for more than 30 years. He is the staff liaison and support person for the Board of Deacons, Older Adult Ministries, and the Nurture and Outreach Commission. You may have already figured out that he is married to Tracy Keenan, Covenant's senior pastor. 

Cherie Brooks, Director of Music
Cherie also is the Vocal Director and Performing Arts Department Chair at Olentangy Orange High School, Lewis Center, OH. She is in her 20th year of music education, teaching five years as an Elementary Music Specialist (Keystone Central School District, PA), nine years as a middle school vocal director (Zanesville City Schools and Delaware Schools), and is in her sixth year as a high school vocal director (Olentangy Local Schools). Cherie grew up as the daughter of Rev. H. Raymond and Ethel Brooks, singing and playing the piano in church. She has most recently served as the Traditional Music Director/Cappella Choir Director/Pianist at the Indian Run United Methodist Church in Dublin, OH. She is a proficient vocalist, pianist and director, and loves working with all the wonderful musicians at Covenant.

Erin Wise, Director of Children's Ministry
Erin has been an active member of Covenant since her family moved to Columbus when she was 1.  She volunteered with the Children's Ministry program for 10 years before officially joining the staff in 2014. She received her Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Education from Miami University. She has taught Algebra, Geometry and Algebra II in high school as well as preschool Spanish, Movement and Enrichment. She currently teaches preschool in Dublin and Jazzercise at the Dublin Jazzercise Fitness Center to grown-ups as well as kiddos. In her free time she enjoys reading, eating chocolate and spending time with her husband Michael and their 3 children, Natalie, Adrienne and Owen. 

Shea Watts, Director of Youth Ministry
Shea comes to us with wonderful experience as a youth leader, worship leader, and musician. He and his wife, Kathryn, moved here for her to finish her degree in Endodontic Dentistry at OSU. Shea is working on a PhD from Chicago Theological Seminary (he's there Mon.-Wed. each week), and brings a vibrant sense of faith and fun. He will work with Verge and Older Youth, and may lend his preaching and music abilities from time to time at Gathering. 

Caroline McGeoch, Director of Covenant Children's Center 
Caroline received a BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, obtained her early childhood teaching license through Ohio Dominican University, and completed her MA in Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University. Caroline became interested in how children learn when she and her husband Peter were raising their 3 sons. She has worked as a teacher for over 18 years, and has been the Preschool Director and an after school program site supervisor since 2011. She loves having the opportunity to serve children and families in the welcoming environment provided by the Covenant community.

Katie Wynkoop, Organist/Pianist
Katie Wynkoop received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Capital University in May 2013. While at Capital as a piano major, Katie was active as an accompanist, president of the Capital Collegiate Kodaly Educators and worked as a choir manager for the Isabella Choir, part of the Columbus Children's Choir. Katie began her professional career this fall as the K-5 elementary general music teacher at Westfall Elementary School in Williamsport, Ohio. At Covenant, Katie is the organist and choir accompanist. She also directs the children's choir. In her spare time, Katie likes to read, play euchre, shop, spend time with her family, and play with her kittens, Liza and Lucy.

Say hello the rest of our staff at Covenant! 
Shane Spicer, Assistant for Children's Ministry
Ingrid Smith, Financial Administrator 
JP Pogalies, Communications Administrator
Dave Seifert, Facilities Manager
Mary Pat Helvey, Membership Administrator
Nancy Davidson, Bell Choir Director
Lisa Dale Press, Indie-Gospel Band
Joanne Pratt, Wedding Coordinator
Lisa Swartz, Weekday Custodian
Brian Ball, Weekend Custodian