BLL Candidates
Join us for the Voters’ Meeting on Sunday, Feb. 16 @ 2 pm (Sanctuary). We had two voters meetings in 2024, view meeting minutes from June 2 & October 6.
On that day,our congregation meets to accomplish two important goals:
Call Chad Van Meter to serve as Associate Pastor of Holy Cross. We committed to this as a congregation in 2022 (see minutes) when encouraging and approving him for seminary training. As the longest-tenured senior leader on the Holy Cross staff, Vicar Van Meter brings considerable wisdom and experience to Holy Cross. Pastoral ministry will provide even more opportunities for him to exercise servant leadership for God's work in and through Holy Cross.
Elect members of the Board of Lay Leaders (BLL). Learn more about our three candidates for the Board of Lay Leaders.
Madelyn Bienz
A little bit about me - I am a Fort Wayne native and current 05 resident with my husband, Brian, and golden retriever, Dasie. I have been around Holy Cross most of my life (HCLS ’10, CLHS ’14, and Valpo ’18). I was flattered when approached about the Board and look forward to growing and serving with members of the congregation.
Phil Harris was born and raised in Fort Wayne, where he developed a strong passion for sports and academics. He attended Snider High School, excelling as a multi-sport athlete before graduating in 2002. Continuing his education at Franklin College, Phil majored in Education, preparing for a career dedicated to teaching and mentoring young minds. After earning his degree, he spent several years as a teacher, where he not only made an impact in the classroom but also met his wife Ashley, whom he married in 2009 and is currently a 1st grade teacher at Holy Cross. They have two children, Ethan, (7th grader) and Molly, (3rd grader) at Holy Cross.
While Phil has since transitioned into career with L’Oreal in pharmaceutical sales, his dedication to education and youth development remains strong. He actively volunteers in various school activities and has been involved in coaching boys’ basketball for the past three years, currently assisting with the JV team. His faith plays a central role in his life, and he finds strength and inspiration in his favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Whether in the workplace, on the court, or at home with his family, Phil strives to lead with integrity, faith, and a commitment to helping others success.
Kelly Wiejak was born and raised in Fort Wayne, where she attended Holy Cross Lutheran School and graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School. She pursued the medical field and played golf for Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne. After graduating with a General Studies degree with minors in communication, psychology, and dance, she found her love for helping people in Occupational Therapy. She continued her education and after receiving her Occupational Therapy degree, started working with children with special needs at East Allen County Schools.
Kelly and her husband, Garrett, were married in 2011 at Holy Cross and started a family in 2015. She stayed home and raised her most precious gifts, Dylan (2nd grade) and Easton (Kindergarten), who are currently Holy Cross students. Her favorite verse, Ephesians 3:17-18, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Holy Cross has always been a constant in her life. She contributes her faith, strong family values, and love for serving others to her roots at Holy Cross.