Pastor
Reverend James E. Smith
Pastor James’ Email: pastorjames@saronlutheran.org
Pastor James joined Saron in March 2025. He holds a BA in political science from American University and a masters in divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg with honors in Old Testament and Reformation Studies. He has previously served calls in Madison, IN and Three Rivers, MI.
He lives in Three Rivers with his wife Pastor Nicole Smith who serves as pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Plainwell, MI, their two sons Titus and Timothy, and their two cats Doc and Benny.
He enjoys reading (esp. history), running, sports, gardening, and travel (harder with two kids).
Pastor James is usually in the office Monday through Thursday and welcomes loitering and oddball questions. Please come see him!
Communications Director
Amanda Bradley
Communications Director
Amanda’s Email: info@saronlutheran.org
Amanda is a long-time volunteer at Saron who was excited to officially join the staff in 2021. She grew up in the area and is a graduate of Lakeshore High School and Central Michigan University. Pastor Gary Cowall married her and Matt, her high school sweetheart, at Saron in 2002. They moved to Ohio, then Georgia, then back to Ohio before finally settling down in St. Joseph near her parents and in-laws. They have two teenage daughters, Mia and Alaina, who were baptized and confirmed at Saron and are active in the church through acolyting and various youth programs. Her favorite things to do are plan vacations, write, scrapbook, and spend time with her family.
After more than a decade of being a stay-at-home (but not literally) mom, working at the church was the right opportunity to use her organizational, communication and graphic design skills in a way that fulfills her professionally and spiritually.
Financial Secretary
Ken Boyd
Financial Secretary
Ken’s Email: financial@saronlutheran.org
Ken is a member of Saron Lutheran Church. He and his wife Janet relocated full time to St Joseph in early 2020 from Carmel, Indiana. Together, they have frequented St Joe and Southwest Michigan for nearly 40 years before calling it home.
He is originally from the western suburbs of Chicago, having graduated from Lyons Township High School in LaGrange and Illinois State University with a BS in both Business Administration and Business Information Systems. Ken’s career moved him and Janet around the country. They lived in Des Moines, IA; Harrisburg, PA; Plano, TX; and Louisville, KY; before putting down roots to raise their two daughters Meredith and Rachel in Carmel, IN.
Ken’s interests include: reading, visiting his two adult daughters in Chicago and Los Angeles, home projects with Janet, and walking his dogs. He has recently retired and is excited to serve Saron in the role of Financial Secretary.
Organist
Dr. Rodney Abriol
Organist
Rodney’s Email: info@saronlutheran.org
Organist and composer Rodney Abriol was born in Los Angeles, California. In addition to working at Saron since May 2026, he also teaches music composition at Andrews University, having served as Professor of Music at Arizona Western College. Rodney studied piano with Victor Rosenbaum at the New England Conservatory in Boston, graduating with a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance. Following studies in Massachusetts, Rodney attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Composition, studying composition with Darrell Handel and piano with William Black. Rodney is passionate about composing vocal and instrumental sacred music for the glory of God, and is honored to have his works in the catalogs of multiple sacred music publishers.
Choir Director
Marcus Roll
Choir Director
Marcus’s Email: roll.marcus17@gmail.com
Marcus has been music director at Saron since fall of 2011. He directs the senior church choir, the bell choir and helps with children’s music. Marcus attended Central Michigan University where he earned a Bachelors degree in Voice, and Masters Degree in Choral Conducting. Marcus is no stranger to the music and theatre scene in Southwest Michigan. Since moving here in 2011 from the mid Michigan area, he has been a part of many local choral ensembles, and has served as director for many theatre companies.
Professionally, Marcus taught at Southwestern Michigan College for 10 years serving as music faculty, as a voice instructor, a lecturer of music history, and academic advisor for music students. His role changed in 2017 when he took over the theatre department at Southwestern, directing shows, designing technical theatre, and continuing his passion of private voice instruction. In Fall of 2021 Marcus took a new job as the auditorium and facilities director for St. Joseph Public Schools. Marcus has been involved in church music his whole life, starting in high school singing in the church choir. Marcus has served as music director of many congregations over the years, but has found a home here at Saron. Marcus lives in the area with his daughter Piper, and sons Finnegan, Emmett and Thatcher.
Nursery Director
Mackenzie Dressander
Nursery Director
Mackenzie’s Email: mackenzie.trail99@gmail.com
Mackenzie grew up in the area, attending Berrien Springs schools and graduating in 2017. She was active in jazz band and choir while in school. She currently lives in Benton Harbor with her husband, Michael, and her two cats, Roggie and Raya. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and playing instruments.