Leadership Team

Our Staff

  • The Rev. Josh Evans

    PASTOR

    pastorjosh@stjohnsalbany.org

    The Rev. Josh Evans (he/they) has served as pastor of St. John’s since April 2023. Previously, Josh has served congregations in Glenview, Illinois, and Brookfield, Wisconsin, and has also worked as communications director for the Metropolitan Chicago Synod.

    Originally from Shelby Township, Michigan, Josh is a lifelong Lutheran, with a mission of creating sacred spaces of welcome and inclusion for all people, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, religion, ability, or past. They also have a tremendous passion for preaching, liturgy and worship, and spiritual practices and formation.

    Josh holds degrees from Concordia University Chicago (B.A., English, 2011) and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (M.Div., 2018) and is a member of Proclaim, a professional membership organization for LGBTQIA+ ministers and seminarians in the Lutheran Church. Josh now resides in Troy, New York, where he lives with his three cats, Sophia, Boris, and Edgar. When they aren’t busy with ministry, Josh enjoys reading, drinking too much coffee, discovering local eats, and cheering for the Cubs.

    Let's get coffee!

  • Daniel White

    ORGANIST

    daniel.white@stjohnsalbany.org

    Daniel White (he/him) has been involved in Music at St. John’s since 2016. Outside of St. John’s, Daniel keeps himself quite busy. He has been a Music Teacher for 8 years, serves as the Artistic Director of the Albany Gay Men’s Chorus, accompanies the Festival Celebration Choir, directs summer musicals at the Cue Theater. You can find Daniel accompanying all over the region, from NYSSMA and All-County festivals to school musical pit orchestras. Daniel currently resides in Guilderland with his tuxedo cat, Daisy.

    Contact Daniel

  • Alec Hicks

    CHOIR DIRECTOR

    alec.hicks@stjohnsalbany.org

    Alec Hicks (he/him) has been an established church musician and a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church since the spring of 2016. He’s a graduate of The College of Saint Rose and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Through his schooling, he is a classically trained tenor who sings with numerous groups predominantly in the Capital Region and the Berkshires. Of note—he performs with the newly founded Excelsior Vocal Ensemble where he is often featured as a soloist. He displays a strong passion for working with people of all different ages in the arts especially within sacred music.

    In his free time, he enjoys getting outdoors with his wife Kali and dog Oakley, kayaking, golfing, and traveling (especially to Cape Cod & Disney). 

    Contact Alec

Congregation Council

St. John’s is governed by a congregation council (similar to a board of directors) made up of lay leaders elected by the congregation at its annual meeting.

Contact the council at council@stjohnsalbany.org

(contacts entire council)

Council Members

(pictured left to right)

  • Pastor Josh Evans

  • Lindsay Stannard, president

  • Melissa Savage, treasurer

  • Joy Pierle, assistant treasurer

  • Jerry Schwab, vice president

  • Staren Bielinski, at large

(not pictured)

  • Karen Bielinski, secretary