Staff
Shawn Slate - Pastor
Slate is a graduate of Clemson University (B.S. Biological Sciences) and received his M.DIv from Covenant Theological Seminary. He became a Christian through RUF at Clemson, and later served as the Youth Director at Clemson Presbyterian, Assistant Pastor at Covenant Church in St. Louis, RUF Campus Minister for 10 years at the University of Virginia and in 2015 he became the Pastor at Redeemer Church. He loves to pickleball, paint and ride his minivan throughout urban and university Knoxville.
Ben Bannister - Director of Worship and Men’s Ministry
Ben is a graduate of the University of Tennessee (B.A. English, Creative Writing). Before coming to Redeemer in 2016, he served as Director of Worship at Grace Presbyterian Church and Second Presbyterian Church. Ben enjoys making music with friends, cheering on his favorite football teams (from Tennessee to Tottenham), and playing all sports. Ben’s current favorite card game is Nertz.
Karen Ems - Director of Operations and Women’s Ministry
Karen has attended Redeemer since 2011, and has been on staff since 2014. She attended the University of Tennessee and has a degree in early childhood development. Before Redeemer, she did a lot of things, the most interesting of which was 10 years at a fireworks company. In addition to keeping Redeemer’s system running smoothly, Karen organizes the church’s community events. Karen bleeds orange and loves pink cotton candy. Karen’s current favorite game is (beating her family at) RummiKub.
Rob Herron - Assistant Pastor
Rob is originally from Nashville and a graduate of UT. After college he moved to Saint Louis to study at Covenant Theological Seminary (M.Div). After seminary, Rob went to Athens, GA to become the Associate Pastor of Youth at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and it’s there he met his wife, Mary Lee. In 2019, the Herrons moved to Boone, NC, where Rob served as Campus Minister with Reformed University Fellowship at Appalachian State. Rob began as the Assistant Pastor here at Redeemer Knoxville in 2023 and is glad to be home. He loves anything that makes him laugh, working in his yard, and spicy food.
Stephen Welch - Youth Director
Stephen has attended Redeemer since 2021 and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga with a degree in Outdoor Recreation. He spent two years interning in the CSPC Youth Department. You are likely to see him at a dog park with his dog, Dolly, at a coffee shop, on a run, or hanging out with his wife, Allie. His blood bleeds blue (look for an update to this soon). Stephen’s current favorite card game is Spades.
Morgan Fry - Children’s Director and Administrative Assistant
Morgan is a native Texan and she graduated from Texas A&M - Corpus Christi with a degree in Communication and Public Relations. She moved to Knoxville in 2022 and has been attending Redeemer ever since. Morgan spent 6 years working for Young Life - and outreach ministry, and then was an event planner for three years. Now, she will serve at Redeemer as the Children’s Director and Administrative Assistant helping with church wide events. In her free time, she loves hiking with her husband and dog, Howie, and trying out new food or coffee spots around town!
Margaret Payant - Administrative Assistant
Margaret graduated from the University of Tennessee and joined the Redeemer team a few years later in 2024. In her free time, she loves to run and bike with the Dancing Bear Bike Bash being one of her favorite events. She love popcorn, Status Dough and Adopo Pizza.
Elders
Shawn Slate
Rob Herron
Jeff Beckett
Philip Ems
Scott Fann
Josh Flory
Richard Harb
Josh Hurst
Ryan Lind
Deacons
Joe Hickman
Der Hung
Charlie Johnson
Jason Kisner
Andy Nack
Matt Osborne
Dave Parmly
Andrew Ross
David Stooksbury
Logan Wells
Deaconesses*
Amanda Fann
Nicole Flory
Kelly Harb
Pamela Hollis
Kati Hurst
Kat Johnson
Catherine Ross
Connie Vogt
