Our Founder: Pastor Lewis A. King

Growing up in Fort Wayne, Lewis A. King felt called to be a pastor. But he wasn't a natural speaker and was unsure about giving sermons from the pulpit. First he became a barber and then later graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 2018. He doesn't often use a pulpit to convey his message. Instead, he's more of a community pastor, working in the inner neighborhoods throughout the city as the mission director of Northeast Indiana Neighborhood Engagement and pastor of urban outreach at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

“I have a lot of love I want to show and share and I want them to know Jesus,” King said. “I operate under the commandment of 'Love thy neighbor,' and if I do that then I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. God knows. The blessing is having a point of contact that people can relate to, they can trust and it's not about me. It's about what Jesus was doing, which was meeting people right where they are. I just walk in with the utmost humility and honor God for being in this position.”

 

  • Chairman

    My Purpose professionally and privately is driven by this simple bible verse. Philippians 2:1-8: Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.

    I learned a long time ago that life is not necessarily about myself but about others. In my professional life managing people is all about building relationships, helping others be successful, leading by example, being focused on the future, and taking complex issues and driving solutions. Having a positive mindset provides a foundation that anything can be accomplished.

    My volunteer work reflects who I am. NINE provides an opportunity to build community in our great city. We look to the future; we drive solutions and we recognize common values to build sustainable community.

 

  • My life has been tremendously blessed with a great family. Married and shared 40 years of my life with my late Husband Edward D. Harris, we were blessed with 3 amazing children, Dr. Elicia Harris, Durane Harris, Elaena Harris, Esq. Plus my 2 little sunshine’s, my Grandson Trey and my Granddaughter Emery.

    My favorite Bible verse is Joshua 1:9 Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

    Very blessed to be on the Board of NINE. Looking forward to serving, giving and sharing our gifts for our community within the bounds of the Nine Lutheran Churches.

    I’m a member of New Covenant Worship Center and many years at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Also a Graduate of CLHS class of 1978.

 

  • Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Ahlersmeyer received his B.A. from Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne in 1976, his M.Div. from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne in 1979, and his Ph.D. in Interpersonal and Public Communication from Bowling Green State University in 1989. He is the senior pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

    Pastor Ahlersmeyer and his wife Janet are blessed with 8 children and 10 grandchildren.

 

  • Melvia is the office manager at Zion, was born and raised in Fort Wayne and graduated from Wayne High School. She has received degrees from Ivy Tech State College, PFW and also Indiana Wesleyan University.

    Melvia has two children from Haiti that are in college. She enjoys spending time with them as much as she can.

    Most of Melvia’s spare time is spent with her family, traveling, cooking, reading and volunteering. She also does direct support care for Res Care after spending 20 years in the nursing field.

 

Meet the Board

Northeast Indiana Neighborhood Engagement was organized to impact neighborhoods with community development, grassroots leadership, and the engagement of churches through Christ’s love. Our mission is to bring transformational life change through Christ’s love to individuals living in underserved neighborhoods. We bring together churches and community leaders from all across our community for strategic ministry opportunities in southeast Fort Wayne.

 

  • Acting Nominating Committee Chair

    Randy has been a NINE board member for the past 3 years. He attends Bethlehem Lutheran Church where he has been a member for 20 years.

    Mr. Stewart believes in NINE’s vision of supporting the community by connecting people with people and people to Christ.

    “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)

 

  • Since moving here in 1981, Fort Wayne has become home for Marge and her family of 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She worked at Concordia Theological Seminary for almost 25 years in various positions until retirement in 2010. Mrs. Gruber is currently a teacher’s aide at Franke Park Elementary School. She finds it a blessing to be able to witness to the children each day.

    Marge is a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and is currently on the Board of Lay Leaders. She has been an active member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League since 1971 and is past President of the LWML Indiana District twice.

    Mrs. Gruber is very mission oriented and has traveled on mission trips to Guatemala City approximately 15 times. She is excited to be involved with the Northeast Indiana Neighborhood Engagement because there is so much hopelessness everywhere, especially within the city.

 

  • Dawn attended Emmanual- St Michael Lutheran School and has been a member of St. Michael Lutheran Church her entire life. Her parents were one of ten families with the vision and mission to start a Lutheran Church in SW Fort Wayne.

    Mrs. Buuck has been married for 46 years to her husband Tom. They are blessed with a daughter, son-in-law and three grandsons. She works part-time with SourceOne Insurance. She belongs to Times Corners Home Economics Club for 20 years.

    Dawn finds it a privilege to be a part of an organization that aligns with what Our Father has taught us in Hebrews 13:16, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” She is one of our newest board members and looks forward to doing her best to help NINE to move forward and help others.