Donovan Drake - Pastor

The Rev. Dr. Donovan Drake became the Pastor and Head-of-Staff at Trinity Avenue in February of 1998. Soon after Donovan arrived the church began an extensive revitalization, renovation and building program. Donovan enjoys preaching and leading worship, and he is also interested in developing avenues of ministry to help the church grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Donovan graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. He earned his Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from McCormick Theological Seminary. Donovan currently serves on the board of Housing for New Hope a non-profit organization that seeks to end homelessness in Durham.

He is married to Beth and has two children who make his life very interesting.
Email Donovan Drake

Harry Jansen - Director of Music Ministry

Harry has served TAPC as organist and choral director since October 1996. He is also conductor of the Trinity Chamber Orchestra, a professional ensemble comprised of community musicians. Harry received the Master of Music degree in Church Music from Westminster Choir College in May 1987. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Organ Performance from the University of Western Ontario (Canada) and followed that with advanced studies at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam (Holland). Prior to coming to TAPC, Harry was the Minister of Music at First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton, Illinois where he also directed a full time music program. Active as a performer and conductor, he has appeared in concerts throughout Canada , central and eastern USA and the Netherlands. He has appeared on television and radio, including CBC Radio, and has made several recordings which feature him both as organist and conductor.
Email Harry Jansen

Graham McChesney - Parish Associate

Nathan Peifer - Dir. of Youth Ministries

Nathan joined the Trinity Avenue family in September of 2006. Originally from Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Nate has brought his love of Penn State football, rolling mountains, roasted sweet corn, and chilled apple cider with him to Durham. Formative experiences for Nathan include serving as a youth leader for two years while earning a BA in American Studies from Penn State University, hiking in the Alps, competing in several triathlons, and serving as a vocational adviser at three central Pennsylvania church camps. If you hear a rumor that Nathan is a United Methodist…it’s true, but he respects Calvin and is thankful for this ecumenical opportunity
Email Nathan Peifer

Janet Burney - Office Administrator

Janet has served as our Office Adminstrator since 2002.  She is a native of Durham, NC. She has two children and six grandchildren, not including all the staff for which she has to care.
Email Janet Burney

Cheryl Medlin - Office Assistant - Email Cheryl Medlin

Chrissy Moore - Financial Manager - Email Chrissy Moore

Sloan Nuernberger - Christian Education

Sloan grew up in Lincolnton, North Carolina. She graduated from UNC-CH with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.  Her college summers were spent in Montreat as part of the summer staff.  It was there that she met Doug, her husband of 10 years.  Sloan taught elementary school for six years before having children of her own.  She and Doug have three wild boys – Silas, Jack and Bo (8, 6, and 4 years old.)  In her free time, Sloan enjoys running and reading.

She has been involved with the Children’s Ministry program for quite some time.  Sloan is excited to have the opportunity to work with the children of the church as well as the members of the congregation to create a nurturing children’s ministries program
Email Sloan Nuernberger

Lori Hardin - Weekday School Director -  - Email Lori Hardin

Janet Stockburger -  Webmistress

Janet and her husband, Len, moved to NC in January of 1980.  She has worked with computers since 1983 when she started to teach computers at Mangum Primary School in Bahama.  She has a B.A. in Business Education from Grove City College in Pennsylvania (1969) and a M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from NC State (1992).  She worked at Duke University from 1993 through February 2008, doing computer support work. She is now enjoying her retirement and getting back to her hobbies and having time for her grandchildren.
Please email her with any updates or additions for the website. Email Webmistress