Staff & Leadership
The Staff of First Baptist Church in Beverly
Welcome to the First Baptist Church in Beverly! Our vision is to be an open, welcoming, diverse fellowship of believers. We are committed to social justice through local outreach and mission work, and run fun initiatives including Zoom Coffee Hour, Theology on Tap, Parents’ Night Out, Lectio Divina, seasonal Book Study Groups and the list goes on. Our goal as a staff is to support you on your journey. Hopefully you will quickly see how much we love FBC and working together! Please read on to learn more about us – we can’t wait to get to know you!
Who We Are
Rev. Julie Flowers, Senior Minister
Rev. Julie Flowers (she, her, hers) graduated in 2001 from Wellesley College; she holds a BA in English and Spanish. She received her M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School in 2007, where she was a finalist for the prestigious Billings Preaching Prize. Julie has also served as chaplain intern at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton. She is a member of the Beverly Rotary Club, through which she is able to meet with many other community members and to be engaged in active and lively community service, like that practiced and valued by the church. In her free time she enjoys skiing and sailing (depending on the season!), reading, going to local Farmers’ Markets, and spending time with her son, Emmett, and their dog, Genevieve.
To connect with Rev. Julie regarding ministerial concerns, youth programming or anything else FBC Beverly-related, please email her at jflowers@fbcbeverly.org or you can call her directly at 978-922-3295 ext. 109.
Dr. Daniel Johnson, Associate Minister
Dr. Daniel Johnson (he, him, his) was born and raised outside of Pittsburgh, PA, and received his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Virginia in 1996. He spent twenty-two years on the faculty of Gordon College, during which time he oversaw the development of new academic programs in Gender Studies, Sustainable Development, and Peace and Conflict Studies. He was also the founding director of the Initiative for the Study and Practice of Peace. His current research focuses on the significance of hope, understood as an essentially communal good, in communities that are seeking to reconstitute themselves in the wake of violent conflict. Daniel is an avid cyclist, a die-hard fan of all major Pittsburgh sports franchises, and a crossword puzzle addict. He and his wife Susan have three children—Samuel, Timothy, and Catherine.
You can contact Daniel via email on ways to get involved with his programs at djohnson@fbcbeverly.org or dial him at 978-922-3295 ext. 103.
Dr. Esther Chang, Director of Music
Dr. Esther Chang (she, her, hers) came to FBC in 1998 and is a native of Korea who grew up in Canada. She received her Master’s Degree from Eastman School of Music, and her Doctorate Degree through a fellowship from the University of Illinois. Prior to her work with FBC, she served as a faculty member of the Canadian Institute of Performing Arts, and served several churches as Director of Music. In 1998, Esther won the Royal Canadian College of Organist National Organ Competition. Esther lives in Beverly with her son, Ben.
To learn more about music at FBC Beverly, email Dr. Esther Change at echang@fbcbeverly.org or at 978-922-3295 ext. 107.
John Thomson, Treasurer
John Thomson (he, him, his) serves as Treasurer of FBC and as such, oversees all financial matters. He graduated from Yale College and received his law degree from Harvard Law. John has extensive experience in real estate law and has served on the City of Beverly Planning Board and the Beverly Historical Society Board of Directors.
John provides staff support to the Finance Committee, the Church Home Committee and the Trustees of Endowment, and work with our Financial Secretary and with our team who count our weekly collections. He would be happy to try to answer any and all questions about how the financial side of the church works, from pledges and donations, to budgets and accounting.
John lives in Beverly with his wife Loyce. As empty nesters, John and his wife Loyce enjoy spending time with their children and granddaughter who still live locally, travelling, and playing in the church’s bell choirs. He also has side interests in both Beverly and church history, travel, archaeology, reading, painting, evolution and dinosaurs!
To connect with John, please email him at jcthomson@fbcbeverly.org or you can connect by phone at 978-922-3295 ext. 105.
Pat Haight, Office Manager
Pat Haight (she, her, hers) joined the First Baptist Church in Beverly in 1989 as a Part-Time Office Assistant. Over the years, Pat’s career at FBC has evolved into the Office Administrator/Financial Secretary role(s). She provides support to the ministers and members of the church and also works closely with the church Treasurer, John Thomson. Pat is always happy to answer questions regarding pledges and any financial donations.
Another important part of Pat’s role is managing the church building usage. If you need a room for a meeting or gym time she will gladly assist you, and find time and space to accommodate you!
Pat lives in Danvers and enjoys spending time with her family. She loves to travel whenever possible and enjoys playing golf as much as can during the spring, summer and fall.
To connect with Pat, email her at phaight@fbcbeverly.org or call the church office at 978-922-3295, ext. 101.
Jeremy Weir, Facilities Manager
Jeremy Weir (he, him, his) has served as FBC Beverly’s Facility Manager since 2017. He’s the person to call regarding any needed repair, property enhancement, or access to the building. During his tenure with FBC Beverly he’s been involved with the painting of the steeple, and removal and replacement of the steeple finial. Next he’ll be coordinating the replacement of the nursery school windows and during the pandemic he oversaw an air purification system for the church.
Jeremy and his wife bought their first home in 1981 in Beverly and never looked back! For most of his career Jeremy was in banking but interestingly enough, also a cast member of the Le Grand David Magic Company at the Cabot Street Theatre.
You can reach Jeremy with any questions you have regarding the church building via email at jweir@fbcbeverly.org or by phone/text at 617-957-4793.
Jack Hadley, Worship Production Coordinator
Jack Hadley (he/him/his) joined First Baptist Church as the Worship Production Coordinator in 2023, leading a small team of volunteers in the production responsibilities for the livestreaming of weekly church services. These responsibilities include camera/sound operation and the management of any multimedia sources including graphics, videos, and recorded music. Jack first became involved as a member of the virtual worship team in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, assisting First Baptist Church in the recording/streaming of their Sunday services to allow members to view the services remotely. A lifelong resident of Beverly, Jack first began attending FBC as a member of the Senior High Youth Fellowship in 2008, becoming involved in many of their volunteering opportunities including Mission Trips, holiday fairs, First Night in Beverly, and the Saturday lunch program. In 2017, Jack returned to Senior High Fellowship as an advisor, helping to create and lead programs that first inspired him to be involved with First Baptist Church. Jack works full-time as a Quality Assurance Engineer in medical supplies production, focusing on risk mitigation and corrective and preventive actions. For fun, Jack enjoys being outdoors on hikes and local trails, kayaking, playing music, and cooking. To contact Jack or to learn more information about the virtual worship team, including volunteer opportunities, you can email him at avtech@fbcbeverly.org.
Sherri Kohley, Communications Associate
Sherri Kohley (she, her, hers) joined the team at FBC Beverly in June 2021 as a Communications Lead to coordinate all marketing and public relations efforts for the church internally & externally. Sherri graduated with a BA in Public Relations from Westminster College located in New Wilmington, PA. She then gained 10+ years of experience working across industries which include a creative agency, financial advisory firm, and top-tier higher ed institution. Although Sherri is a remote employee, she’s found herself right at “home” with the folks of Beverly! She presently lives outside of Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and two girls, (who are the apple-of-her-eye!)
If you have any media, website, social media or newsletter-related questions or requests, shoot Sherri an email anytime!
Abby Johnstone, Childcare Coordinator
Abby Johnstone (she/her/hers) is a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, and joined the FBC team as Childcare Coordinator in 2018. A Pre-Kindergarten teacher at Glen Urquhart School in Beverly, Abby holds a BA in American Studies and Government from Connecticut College and an M.Ed in Elementary Education from Endicott College. Passionate about fostering joyful learning, Abby loves to be with children as they ask curious questions, explore creatively, and make connections with one another and the world around them. In her free time she enjoys reading at the beach, baking cookies, and learning to quilt.
To connect with Abby, please email her anytime with childcare or children’s programming-related questions!
Sarah Mascioli, Elementary Age Christian Education Coordinator
Eva Oliveira, Elementary Age Christian Education Coordinator
Emily Feldman, Infant and Toddler Room Coordinator
Emily Feldman (she/her/hers) worked in childcare as a daycare teacher for 5 years while also working for a local family as a nanny for 11 years. She has since achieved her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Fitchburg State University. Emily works full time as a Critical Care nurse at a hospital located just outside of Boston. Emily joined the FBC childcare team in 2023 as the infant and toddler room coordinator. It is important to her to provide a joyful and safe space for the youngest in our FBC community to have fun on Sunday mornings. Emily has been part of the FBC family since 2012 as a youth-member of the senior high fellowship program and has been an advisor since 2013. When Emily is not working she enjoys spending time with her Husband and their extended families. She also enjoys baking, reading, crocheting, and learning new things.
Kelsey Belis, Student Minister
Kelsey Belis (they/them) has been a member of First Baptist Church in Beverly for 4 years. Originally from the coast of Maine, Kelsey grew up with a strong appreciation for community and connection—values that have shaped their approach to life and ministry.
With a degree in Christian Ministries and Biblical Studies, Kelsey brings both academic knowledge and a heartfelt passion for ministry. In addition to their role at the church, Kelsey serves as the director of a Head Start program at a local nonprofit, where they are dedicated to fostering growth and opportunity for children and families in the community.
Kelsey and their wife, Amber, discovered First Baptist Church in Beverly at a time when they were searching for an affirming and welcoming community. Needless to say, FBC Beverly quickly became a place where they felt at home. Outside of work and ministry, Kelsey enjoys spending time outdoors, diving into a good book, and exploring local coffee shops.
As Student Minister, Kelsey hopes to inspire young people—and the entire congregation—to discover and share their authentic selves, challenge their existing worldview, and deepen their faith. They are also particularly passionate about creating a safe and affirming space for queer youth in the congregation, ensuring they know they are loved just as they are; a message Kelsey once found themselves needing.
To connect with Kelsey, please email them at kelseybelis.kb@gmail.com.
Jenny Lane, Student Minister
Jenny Lane (she/her) has been a member of First Baptist Church in Beverly for 4 years. Jenny grew up as a member of the UCC in North Reading, MA which shaped her innate love of community, connection and faith. She focused her first career on teaching yoga; owning a yoga studio in Middleton for six years and creating two yoga-inspired 501c3 non-profits. She is currently working on a Masters of Divinity with a concentration on conflict transformation, spirituality and faith and ecological justice at Boston University. Her previous degrees include a Bachelors from Umass Amherst, Masters from Cambridge College and more certifications in yoga and spirituality than she can count!
During her seminary journey, Jenny met her fiancé Ben, who’s love for God often rivals her own and who’s support is unwavering. Together with his daughter Ayla and her son Zyan, they are blending their beautiful families.
As student minister, Jenny hopes to bring inspire us to explore deeper conversations around faith, community and what it means to walk with God as our fully authentic selves. Jenny also brings a joy of the ocean (and perhaps ocean clean-ups), a deep passion and love for intergenerational conversations and relationships, and a call towards social justice so we can continue working together to keep our communities safe and loved. Outside of ministry and teaching, Jenny enjoys being in nature, good books, the ocean, really good espresso, art, yoga and deep conversations.
Ultimately her dream job may not exist yet, as she dreams of coordinating with 2-3 local churches as a community minister; perhaps serving as extra pastoral care while creating spaces for safe interdenominational and interfaith conversations.
To contact Jenny, email her anytime at jennylaneyoga@gmail.com.