Jacob's Porch Staff

Pr. Grant Eckhart

Grant is an Ohio State Alumnus and ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America who received their masters level education at the G.T.U. in Berkeley, Ca. and Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.

Grant is married to Tammy, has 2 children Grayson and Tobias, and has served this community since 2013.

B.S., M.Div., S.T.M.(ABD)

Sammi ShivenerSammi has been the Pastoral Associate here since 2017, is married to Ethan, and has a sweet dog, Louise.

Sammi Shivener

Sammi has been the Pastoral Associate here since 2017. She is a lay minister connected to the United Methodist Church and received their masters education from Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

Sammi is a queer, pop culture loving, contemplative follower of Christ. They are married to Ethan, and has a sweet dog, Louise.

B.A., M.Div., M.T.S.

Lauren Payne

Lauren is the Minister of Outreach and served through the Mennonite Central Committee’s SALT program before joining us at Jacob’s Porch.

Lauren graduated from Capital University (#CapFam) and is an alum turned staff person here at Jacob’s Porch. They have a lovely cat named Hilda.

B.A.

Taylor Barner

Taylor joined Jacob's Porch in 2023 and is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA).  He is a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, receiving his MDiv in 2016.

Taylor loves connecting with others, playing volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and chess, and cheering on the Buckeyes with his wife Annie, dog Lewis, and cats Poppy and Penny.

B.A., MDiv.