Meet the Staff
Pastor:
Rev. Melinda Baber
Rev. Melinda Baber has been in ministry here in Colorado since 2003. She has led churches and communities throughout Colorado as a pastor, certified spiritual director, and as a hospice and law enforcement chaplain. She felt the Call to fulltime ministry as a teenager, but raising four children took priority. Rev. Baber is a graduate of LeTourneau University in 1988 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies, and with two Master’s degrees from Iliff School of Theology. She has led in the Mountain Sky Conference with gifts and passion for church vitality, preaching, disability justice, interfaith partnerships, cross-cultural ministry, and trauma-informed pastoral care. She stays active by taking long walks with or without her dogs. To recharge both body and spirit, she enjoys playing with babies, amateur photography, lap swimming, and having courageous conversations about things that matter.
Director of Music:
Jeannette Turchi
Jeannette began taking piano lessons at the age of 9 and has been enjoying music ever since. She branched out to voice, flute and piccolo in school and taught herself hammered dulcimer and musical arranging/composing as an adult. In 2008, she began directing the Sonsingers (Phillips’ Children’s Choir) and formed a band comprised of youth and adults to play for special occasions. She was the choir accompanist at Phillips from 2011 to 2016. In fall 2016 she became Director of Music, including the Chancel Choir, Handbells, Selah (Women’s Ensemble), Sonsingers and Band. Her husband, Craig, is famous for his Children’s Sermons and Heifer Project fundraising drives. Together, they have a son, David, and a daughter, Alison.
Pianist:
Holly Holverson
Holly joined our music team in October 2021 to provide piano accompaniment for our Chancel Choir. She now shares her amazing keyboard skills for the entire service! Holly has a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with a minor in Theory/Composition from Boise State University. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Northern Colorado. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, she continued her education at Lamont School of Music, University of Denver in the Jazz/Commercial Music Certificate Program. Holly has over 17 years professional experience performing with a myriad of local, national, and international groups. She is well-versed in classical, jazz, rhythm and blues, classic rock, as well as Christian music – both traditional and contemporary. We welcome Holly to the Phillips family!
