Sabbatical Speakers & Workshops
During the months of May, June, and July, Pastor Dave will take a clergy renewal leave, thanks to the generous support of the Center for Congregations. During this time, Pastor Dave will travel to Spain (to walk the El Camino as a spiritual pilgrimage) and travel out West (Arizona, Utah, & Northern California) with his family. The clergy renewal grant will also provide for several congregation-renewal activities, along with regular guest preachers in his absence. More information will come in the future, but we hope you will join us on April 26 for Dave’s final Sunday before beginning his sabbatical. For this Sunday, we will combine into one service at 10:00am (with Rev. Glenn MacDonald preaching), followed by an all-church lunch to celebrate the gift of Dave’s sabbatical and to send him off in love!
Speakers
Rev. Glenn McDonald
April 26 & June 21-
April 26 & June 21
Rev. Glenn McDonald is a Presbyterian Church (USA) minister with 42 years of experience as a congregational and workplace pastor. A graduate of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, he has authored ten books on discipleship and spiritual formation. Glenn was the organizing pastor of Zionsville Presbyterian Church, and then served as the Director of Misson Integration for Ascension health. His daily meditations (glennsreflections.com) are read by more than 40,000 people daily.
Glenn and his wife Mary Sue are blessed with four children and nine grandchildren. They enjoy life on a small farm not far from Indianapolis. Glenn is drawn to history, astronomy, reading, and hiking, and lives in the enduring hope that his alma mater Purdue University might one day win a national championship.
Craig MacFarlane
May 17-
Craig MacFarlane has led an incredible life. Despite being totally blind since the age of two, Craig has become a master in many fields including wrestling, track and field, snow skiing, water skiing, water ski jumping and golf. Craig has won more than 100 gold medals (including multiple national championships), the majority against sighted competition. For this reason, he is often recognized as the World’s Most Celebrated Totally Blind Athlete. His remarkable achievements have been featured in the Reader's Digest, New York Times, Washington Times, and 60 Minutes International.
Craig is now an internationally sought-after keynote speaker addressing audiences ranging from National Conventions to Fortune 500 companies to professional and college sports teams. As a keynote inspirational speaker, he has inspired thousands of individuals to ignite their self-lit flame to go beyond their comfort zone. Craig is the author of multiple books including Craig MacFarlane Hasn't Heard Of You Either and Find Your Flame Through Purpose, Passion & Sacrifice. Craig and his wife Patti live in Zionsville with their 2 daughters, Ashley and Morgan and their son, Derek who is a member of our church.
Rory Noland
May 31-
Rory Noland is the director of Heart of the Artist Ministries (www.heartoftheartist.org), an organization dedicated to serving artists and worship leaders in the church. Serving in church leadership for over 40 years, Rory continues to mentor leaders, speak at churches, colleges, and conferences, lead retreats, and consult with churches in the areas of worship and spiritual formation. Rory is also a published songwriter and has authored six books,
including the best-selling book, The Heart of the Artist: A Character-Building Guide For You and Your Ministry Team. Rory earned a Bachelor's Degree in music from the Chicago Musical College at Roosevelt University as well as a Doctorate from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Rory served as the music director at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, for twenty years and as Pastor of Worship for Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. For fifteen years, Rory led worship for the Transforming Center, a ministry that cares for the souls of pastors and leaders. Rory and his wife Sue currently live in Huntsville, AL, close to their three grandchildren.
Dr. Kent Millard
June 14-
Dr. Kent Millard is a United Methodist pastor and educator who has served as President of United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, since 2016. Previously, Kent served as the Senior Pastor at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis for 18 years, growing it into a 6,500-member congregation. Kent served congregations in South Dakota for 23 years before moving to Indiana. Known for his work in church renewal, stewardship, and evangelism, he authored books including The Passion Driven Congregation and The Gratitude Path. Millard is also a recognized advocate for inclusive ministry, dating back to his experience as a seminary student marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Kent and his wife Cheri live in Zionsville.
Rev. John Gable
June 28-
Rev. John Gable is a retired Presbyterian Church (USA) minister with 41 years of experience. He is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary as well as Hanover College. His ministry has carried him through Ohio, Iowa, and Wisconsin. He most recently retired after sixteen years as the Senior Pastor at Tabernacle Presbyterian in downtown Indy. John and his wife Kristin currently live at Hoosier Village here in Zionsville.
Josh Peigh
July 5-
Josh Peigh (pronounced “pay”) is a Regional Director of Church Engagement with World Vision. He served as a Pastor for 18 years before serving alongside World Vision. Josh is passionate about inspiring action and building relationships that bring the help and hope of Jesus to others. Josh has been married for 18 years to his wife, Pilar. Together they have two kids, Abigail and Andrew. And call Pittsburgh, PA home.
While serving as the Senior Pastor of Heartland Community Church (west of Chicago), Josh partnered with World Vision to inspire more than 350 people in the church to run the Chicago Marathon with Team World Vision.
Together, the team raised $900Kfor clean water. Josh has seen the impact of World Vision’s development work in vulnerable communities – but even more so – he has personally experienced how partnership with World Vision impacts personal spiritual transformation right here in local churches.
Yvonne Gentile
July 12-
Yvonne Gentile serves as Resurrection’s Lead Director of Guest Experience & ShareChurch. Prior to joining the church staff in 2011, she worked in an executive leadership capacity in retail, where she discovered the power of intentional hospitality. During her corporate career, Yvonne also served as a volunteer leader for 13 years, overseeing the church’s spiritual gifts and leadership development ministries, and serving on the Committee on Nominations. She has written five books: Serving from the Heart, Leadership from the Heart, Leadership Essentials, The Usher & Greeter Handbook, and The Art of Hospitality. Yvonne and her husband Frank have two adult children, and two very spoiled long-haired chihuahuas. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and travel.
Rev. Kim King
July 19-
Rev. Kim King is an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and has been a practicing therapist (LMFT) since 2007. Kim also held a variety of corporate (Fortune 500) roles prior to her congregational work. She is a graduate of Christian Theological Seminary (MDiv & MAMFT) and Indiana Wesleyan University. Kim has served as an associate pastor at Roberts Park, St. Luke’s, and Zionsville UMC (which she and her husband Bryon still claim as their “home church”!). Kim currently serves as an Associate District Superintendent for the West Central Plains district of our conference. Her passion is to promote emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness for both individuals and congregations.
Rev. Doug Anderson
July 26-
Rev. Doug Anderson is a retired Indiana United Methodist elder, author, and consultant. Anderson has over 20 years of experience consulting churches and leading workshops. He served as the Associate Director for Church Development for the Indiana Annual Conference and led the Reuben Job Center for Leadership Development. He authored The Race to Reach Out: Connecting Newcomers to Christ in a New Century (2004).
Anderson is known for his love for God, his insight into effective leadership, his sense of humor and his devotion to the Purdue Boilermakers & Chicago Cubs. He and his wife, Jan, live in the Muncie area.
Dr. Amy Lindeman Allen
August 2-
Amy Lindeman Allen is Indiana Christian Church Associate Professor of New Testament at Christian Theological Seminary. An ordained pastor in the ELCA, she serves as Theologian in Residence at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in Brownsburg, Indiana. She has written extensively on children and family in the New Testament and church today. Recent books include Parenting Beyond Boundaries in Mark’s Gospel (2026; co-authored with Sung Uk Lim) and The Gifts They Bring: How Children in the Gospels Can Shape Inclusive Ministry (2023).
Dr. Jack Levison
August 16-
Dr. Jack Levison holds the W. J. A. Power Chair of Old Testament Interpretation and Biblical Hebrew at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. He is the author and editor of many books, including A Boundless God, which was selected as a 2021 Christianity Today book award winner.
Jack is married to Dr. Priscilla Pope Levison, who also works at Perkins as the Associate Dean and Professor of Ministerial Studies.
Dr. Priscilla Pope Levison
August 16-
Dr. Priscilla Pope Levison works at Perkins as the Associate Dean and Professor of Ministerial Studies. Priscilla is an ordained United Methodist minister and the author of multiple books, including Models of Evangelism. Her particular passion is exploring the historical role of women in shaping the mission and outreach of the church.
Workshops
The Heart of Worship
Rory Noland presenting
May 31, 11:00am, Lunch Provided
Sunday morning can be more than just going through the motions — it can actually change your life. Author of Transforming Worship, Rory has spent decades leading worship in churches of all shapes and sizes, and he brings a practical, grounded vision for what happens when a congregation worships with real purpose and depth. If you've ever wondered whether church could mean more, this workshop is for you.
Building Belonging
Immigrant Welcome Center presenting
June 14, 11:00am, Lunch Provided
This interactive workshop will help our community better understand and serve the diverse people around us. Through group activities and honest conversation, you'll explore what it truly means for everyone to belong — and walk away with practical tools for your everyday life and work. Whether you're a volunteer, on staff, or simply someone who wants to love your neighbor well, this is an encouraging and eye-opening experience.
Being a Welcoming Church
Yvonne Gentile presenting
July 12, 11:00am, Lunch Provided
Engaging worship and follow-up matter, but what truly draws guests back is a welcome that exceeds expectations. In this workshop, we will explore why hospitality is not simply a ministry team, but a shared culture. Participants will learn principles for creating environments where guests feel seen, known, and genuinely valued from the moment they arrive.
The Outward-Directed Spirit Retreat
Drs. Jack & Priscilla Pope Levison presenting
Aug 14, 7:00-9:00pm
Aug 15, 9:00am-3:00pm
What sort of a church do we want to become? Huddled or hospitable? Fading or flourishing? Sleepy or Spirit-led? Of course, Zionsville United Methodist Church, we want to be hospitable, flourishing, and Spirit-led! So let’s take a few hours from our busy schedules to spend time with each other and our dynamic guests, Priscilla Pope-Levison and Jack Levison, professors at Southern Methodist University, who’ll offer us great teaching, practical strategies, and lots of interaction to become even more what we want Zionsville UMC to be—faithful individuals who come together as a Spirit-led community with the potential to transform our neighborhood—and world!