Leadership and Staff
Rev. John Gill, Pastor
John Gill is a graduate of Yale Divinity School with over 25 years of experience as a pastor, teacher and community leader. He is especially interested in fresh approaches to Christian theology, interfaith dialogue, and is passionate about environmental justice and creation care. In addition to his work at Church of the Savior, John currently serves in leadership positions with Justice Knox, Interfaith Worker Justice of East Tennessee, the Welcoming Immigrants Network, and the AL-TN Association of the United Church of Christ.
Rev. Tonya Barnette, Associate Pastor
Tonya Barnette is a graduate of Lexington Theological Seminary. She served as Minister for Youth and Children for six years before becoming Associate Pastor in 2023. Besides youth and children’s ministry, she is especially interested in affirming and supporting the faith journeys of LGBTQIA+ folks and teaching the good news of God’s boundless love. Tonya serves on the Winter Youth Regional Retreat Committee, Knox PRIDE Interfaith Coalition, and is passionate about welcoming immigrants to our community.
Carol Shane, Accompanist & Interim Music Director
Pianist & Interim Music Director Carol Zinavage Shane's first job was music director of Faith United Methodist Church in Hazelwood, NC when she was 16. She holds degrees in piano from Maryville College and the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. In her five-decade career, she has played/coached/accompanied/directed hundreds of operas, opera roles, musical theater productions, cabarets and recitals, both vocal and instrumental. During her 31 years as the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra's Principal Keyboardist, she backed up the Moody Blues, accompanied violinist Joshua Bell, shared a piano bench with Henry Mancini, and did shtick with Martin Short. She's exhausted. Words cannot express how much she enjoys being at Church of the Savior.
Nancy Best, Administrator
Nancy Best’s face is the first you will see if you visit our office during the week; her voice is the one you will hear if you call the office-whether live or recorded for our voice mail. Nancy always has a smile and a kind word. She also knows lots of things and is happy to help!
COS Council Officers & Deacons
2024 Officers
Congregation Moderator - Jan Thomas
Congregation Vice Moderator - Boo Tyson
Treasurer - Maryanne Cunningham
Secretary - Brent White
2024 Deacons:
Deacon for Communications - Brenda Britton
Deacon for Community Building - Keith Richardson
Deacon for Congregational Care - Mannie Switzer
Deacon for Buildings & Grounds - Alice Wershing
Deacon for Justice Concerns - Linda Brown
Deacon of Hospitality - Amy Mihalik
Deacon for Stewardship - Pamela Schoenewaldt
For contact information, see the COS Online Directory (password protected) or call the church office at 865-584-7531.