JOHN MICHAELSON Assistant Pastor

John was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1995 with a B.A. in Communications and later attained a M.Div. at Austin Seminary. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God church. After he served as a campus missionary for 10 years with Chi Alpha Campus Ministries in the Midwest and Texas, John and Lynne were married and planted Chi Alpha at Brown University where he led for 10 years. Afterwards, he served as an assistant pastor and then a counselor at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Providence. John’s passion is discipleship, as in teaching and mentoring younger Christians to be lifelong holistic followers of Jesus. He and Lynne have two great kids, Grace and Sam.

Contact Pastor John at johnm@renchurchri.org

KATHERINE GOSNELL CityLove Director

As CityLove Director, Katherine coordinates local mission initiatives for Providence neighborhoods. She also oversees the church’s communication platforms and visual aspects of the Ren space. Katherine has served with the wider Church throughout her life, be it camp counseling where she grew up in Ohio or community outreach near Anderson University, SC where she studied Drawing and Painting. Hearing about Ren from a friend who grew up in this church, Katherine’s intrigue for Providence grew, and in 2019 she moved for a term in the CityLove initiative, becoming director in 2020. She resides in Providence, making art and getting to know the city’s people.

Contact Katherine at katherine@renchurchri.org

ALLI LESON RenKids Director

Alli discovered Ren while a student at Rhode Island School of Design. After graduating with a B.A. in Illustration, she made Providence (and Ren) her permanent home while working as a designer. She has always loved serving people and creating beautiful things, and since having children she has channeled that passion into her family and the RenKids ministry. Alli is a wife to Chris and a homeschooling mama to Emery and Levi.

Contact Alli at renkidsri@gmail.com

SHAYNA BANFE Videographer

Shayna was born and raised loving Jesus in Hawaii. She studied in Seattle at a liberal arts college, Antioch University, designing her own major on the study of God in film. She traveled the US filming a documentary on speaking in tongues and is currently directing a short film based off the book of Job. Heading the film side of things with the production team at Ren is a mash up of her two biggest passions—God and film.

JACKIE PLANTE  Building Care

Jackie and Roger Plante have been a part of Ren from its origin. They have been by Pastor Scott and Tiffany's side in prayer, servanthood and devotion throughout its existence until today. They maintain the beautiful space at Ren and are loved by the community there.