DEACON TEAM
What We Do
The Diaconate is a ministry of mercy that reaches out to people in our congregation and in our city who are in crisis or in challenging circumstances and offers help in assessing their needs and working together to find solutions. Unlike elders, who are responsible for teaching the gospel, administering healing prayer, and overseeing the church, the Diaconate focuses on deed ministry by extending mercy and compassion.
God’s mercy moves him to relieve suffering and misery. Mercy is the impulse that makes us sensitive to hurts and lacks in others and makes us desire to alleviate them. Our purpose is to show God’s love and mercy by trying to help people out of difficult circumstances and to be facilitators of the work God is doing in their lives.
Deacons and deaconesses:
Practically assist and encourage Redeemer members and regular attendees who are in challenging circumstances.
Pray, answer questions, and give counsel after all Redeemer services.
Conduct church membership interviews.
Conduct various other administrative and operational tasks and roles.
Get Involved at Redeemer
Meal Train Team
Meal train serving opportunities are on an as-needed basis. When a meal train need arises for an individual or family without a community group, the Meal Train team is the first to be contacted and invited to provide meals.
Mercy Closet
The Deacon team aims to lead with mercy in our interactions with the poor and marginalized. The Mercy closet is stocked with groceries and self-care-related items to help bring relief to our neighbors.
4:8 Fund
Since the summer of 2020, our church has sought to confront the racial injustice we find in our city. One of our solutions to seek the wholeness of our city was to establish the 4:8 Fund, which provides mental health services to people of color in our neighborhoods.
Redeemer & Partner Ministry Events
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Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides free legal services and education statewide to those who can't afford them, believing everyone deserves access to justice regardless of income. As a faith-based organization, we serve and empower all clients, regardless of their background, reflecting God's heart for justice. Our goal is to free clients from legal burdens that may be holding them back from their full potential.
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Foster and/or adoptive moms (current or prospective or kinship) and also Safe Families & Family Hope host moms are welcome to join Foster the Family's monthly support group. These meetings take place on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. here at Redeemer.
During the meetings, participants will watch a short, topical training (such as Trauma 101 or Blocked Care) and participate in small group guided discussion while enjoying drinks & treats. Leave feeling equipped, connected, and supported as you care for the children in your home.
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Shepherd Community Center is a partner ministry of Redeemer’s deacon team. We believe that God is at work in the various ministries in the city, so by partnering with organizations like Shepherd, we are working to wisely steward the congregation’s resources to positively impact these ministries.
You can learn more about Shepherd Community Center and how to get involved by visiting their website or emailing Julianne.
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Family Hope, a partner ministry of Redeemer's deacon team, invites you to learn more about how you can get involved! Family Hope is a Christian non-profit that offers temporary host families for children and provides resources and support for parents in real, tangible ways. Opportunities to serve include host family, support friend, and support coach volunteer roles.
![Foster the Family Support Group [Monthly]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aec630e3e2d0934d11d88ae/1772496613847-YSWCZ5VPJGPF0WU7LLL3/2026-Lent-Promos_FosterTheFamily-SupportGroup.png)
Helpful Resources
Handbook of Help
The Handbook of Help is a listing of services available to individuals in Indianapolis who may be homeless or at risk of homelessness. CHIP annually verifies and updates information in the Handbook of Help.
To view the Handbook of Help in English, please click here.
To view the Handbook of Help in Spanish, please click here.
If you are looking for other crisis lines/hotlines and resources, please click here.
Deacons & Deaconesses
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Luke Granholm
TEAM CHAIR
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Joel Atkinson
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Vince Cutrona
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Phil Foster
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Warren Griffin
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Jamison MacKillop
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Mark Nottingham
On sabbatical
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Jenny Baenziger
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Erin Hall
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Sally Johnson
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Amy Lurker