Jeff and Bethany keenan
Lead Pastor and worship pastor
Pastor Jeff and Bethany serve as the Lead Pastor of The Assembly EVV, where their ministry is deeply shaped by their love for family and desire to help others build strong, Christ-centered homes. They believe that faith begins in everyday moments; around the dinner table, in conversations with kids, and in the quiet places where families learn to trust God together.
As parents and grandparents, they bring a grounded, relational approach to leadership striving to make church feel like an extension of family: welcoming, supportive, and full of grace. Their heart is to walk with people through real life; celebrating joys, navigating challenges and helping families grow in faith, unity and purpose.
As parents and grandparents, they bring a grounded, relational approach to leadership striving to make church feel like an extension of family: welcoming, supportive, and full of grace. Their heart is to walk with people through real life; celebrating joys, navigating challenges and helping families grow in faith, unity and purpose.
Meet the Assembly team
Jerry & Linda Lefler
Men's Ministry & Life Group Lead
Jerry & Linda
Jerry and Linda serve as Life Group Lead at The Assembly EVV, where their ministry is centered of helping people grow deeper in Scripture, stronger in faith, and more confident in living out the gospel every day. They love creating a space where conversations are honest, prayer is meaningful, and everyone is encouraged to take real next steps with Jesus.
With a strategic, relational approach, they develop and equip Life Group leaders to guide their groups with clarity and purpose. The focus on creating environments where discipleship is not accidental but intentional - built on Scripture, accountability, and real-life application. Through coaching, training, and ongoing support, they work to ensure every Life Group is a place where people are known, challenged and encouraged to take their next step with Jesus.
Jerry also leads The Assembly EVV Men's ministry group and has helped our men build trusting relationships with each other, grow spiritually together and battle through the storms of life together. His team also provides an awesome men's breakfast the last Saturday each month.
With a strategic, relational approach, they develop and equip Life Group leaders to guide their groups with clarity and purpose. The focus on creating environments where discipleship is not accidental but intentional - built on Scripture, accountability, and real-life application. Through coaching, training, and ongoing support, they work to ensure every Life Group is a place where people are known, challenged and encouraged to take their next step with Jesus.
Jerry also leads The Assembly EVV Men's ministry group and has helped our men build trusting relationships with each other, grow spiritually together and battle through the storms of life together. His team also provides an awesome men's breakfast the last Saturday each month.
Michael & Breanna Bechtel
Next Gen Lead
Michael & Bre
Michael and Breanna serve as Next Gen Lead at The Assembly EVV where they lead with passion, creativity and a deep commitment to helping the next generation know Jesus and grow in their faith. They oversee kids, students and young adults with a clear focus on building environments that are fun, welcoming and spiritually formative.
Driven by a heart for discipleship, they invest in leaders, partner with parents, and build ministry pathways that help young people move from curiosity to ownership of their faith. Their approach blends biblical truths with real-life relevance, creating spaces where kids and students feel seen, valued and encouraged to follow Jesus boldly.
Driven by a heart for discipleship, they invest in leaders, partner with parents, and build ministry pathways that help young people move from curiosity to ownership of their faith. Their approach blends biblical truths with real-life relevance, creating spaces where kids and students feel seen, valued and encouraged to follow Jesus boldly.
Pastor Mike & Jan Ballard
Care Pastors & Elder Lead
Pastor Mike & Jan
Pastor Mike and Jan serve as Care Pastors and Lead Elder at The Assembly EVV where they love coming alongside Pastor Jeff and Bethany in ministering to people in real-life moments and offer encouragement, prayer and support. They lead with a calm, approachable style that helps people feel comfortable opening up and finding the help they need.
Whether they are checking in on families, praying with someone going through a tough week, or coordinating the Elder team, they bring a steady compassion and genuine desire to make sure no one in the church walks through life alone. They are passionate about creating a church family where people feel seen, valued and supported through every season.
Whether they are checking in on families, praying with someone going through a tough week, or coordinating the Elder team, they bring a steady compassion and genuine desire to make sure no one in the church walks through life alone. They are passionate about creating a church family where people feel seen, valued and supported through every season.
TErry & Melissa Baker
The Storehouse Pantry Lead
Terry & Melissa
Terry and Melissa oversee our church’s Pantry Ministry, managing weekly operations, volunteer teams, and partnerships that help provide food and essential resources to families across Evansville. Known for their organization, kindness, and steady leadership. The Bakers ensure that every guest is treated with respect and every need is
met with excellence. Their commitment reflects our church’s mission to serve our neighbors with grace and compassion
met with excellence. Their commitment reflects our church’s mission to serve our neighbors with grace and compassion
Ghassan & Debbie Dughaish
Board of Directors & Women's Ministry Lead
Ghassan & Debbie
Ghassan serves on the Board of Directors at The Assembly EVV and brings a steady leadership, spiritual wisdom and deep commitment to helping the church stay healthy, focused and aligned with its Mission. He approaches the board ministry with humility and clarity, working to support the pastoral team, steward resources well and help guide the church with prayerful discernment.
Debbie serves at the Women's Ministry Director at The Assembly EVV where she loves creating spaces for women to connect, grow and discover who God has called them to be. She leads with a friendly, down-to-earth style that makes women feel welcomed, supported and encouraged from the moment they walk in. Her heart is to help women build real relationships, dig into Scripture together and find strength in community. Whether she's planning gatherings, mentoring leaders or cheering on women as they take their next step with Jesus, she brings warmth, authenticity and a s steady passion seeing lives transformed.
Debbie serves at the Women's Ministry Director at The Assembly EVV where she loves creating spaces for women to connect, grow and discover who God has called them to be. She leads with a friendly, down-to-earth style that makes women feel welcomed, supported and encouraged from the moment they walk in. Her heart is to help women build real relationships, dig into Scripture together and find strength in community. Whether she's planning gatherings, mentoring leaders or cheering on women as they take their next step with Jesus, she brings warmth, authenticity and a s steady passion seeing lives transformed.
Ray & trina Tooley
Elder & Prayer Ministry Lead
Ray & Trina
Trina oversees our prayer ministry, encouraging believers to pray boldly, consistently and together. Her heart is to help people experience God’s presence, support one
another, and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance for our church and community.
Ray serves on the Elder Board at The Assembly EVV and brings a steady leadership, spiritual wisdom
and deep commitment to helping the church stay healthy, focused and aligned with its Mission. He approaches the board ministry with humility and clarity, covering the Leadership team, congregation with prayer and encouragement.
another, and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance for our church and community.
Ray serves on the Elder Board at The Assembly EVV and brings a steady leadership, spiritual wisdom
and deep commitment to helping the church stay healthy, focused and aligned with its Mission. He approaches the board ministry with humility and clarity, covering the Leadership team, congregation with prayer and encouragement.