Meet Tom and Nancy Lange
Tom worked at Eli Lilly for 34 years in a variety of positions, concluding in project management. He retired in 2014 and then ran a commercial development corporation for 4.5 years. Nancy worked at Lilly for 32 years in several different positions, finishing in Human Resources. She left Lilly in 2013 to become Executive Director at St. Luke's for the next 12 years, retiring from that position in 2025.
Nancy joined St. Luke's in 1982 when Carver McGriff was pastor. Tom joined in 1993, and the church has been an important part of their lives ever since. Both have been involved in many ways over the years, teaching Sunday School when their children were younger, and serving on various committees. Nancy served as a Stephen Minister and also on the Staff Parish Relations Committee which invited Rob Fuquay to become senior pastor. Tom was deeply involved in mission work, going on several mission trips, nationally and internationally. They both went through Disciple Bible study and helped start several small groups. These groups have fostered deep friendships and have provided support for one another in difficult times. Weekly worship is also a very important part of their lives, and they feel blessed to have had strong preachers and pastoral leaders.
Nancy's accomplishments as Executive Director at St. Luke's were many and varied, including helping to begin a Kitchen Ministry, supporting the Facilities staff by creating a volunteer maintenance team and a security system for the church, overseeing the annual stewardship campaigns, and working with the trustees on several building renovations, including the most recent Making Room campaign. Despite long hours and numerous responsibilities, Nancy states that being on staff of the church she loves has been one of the great joys of her life. Today she continues to help oversee the Making Room building renovation and looks forward to seeing it completed. And, of course, she continues to volunteer and be engaged in the ministries that are important to her.
Tom devotes many hours each week to the Luke's Leaders program at St. Luke's. This year, both Tom and Nancy will partner with Kory Bickel and Alison Bates in cooking the turkeys to help with the church's Thanksgiving dinner preparations for families in need.
When they are not sharing their time and talents at church, you might find Tom on the golf course, or in his woodworking workshop, or exercising, or cooking. You might find Nancy tending her flower garden or sharing her floral bouquets with friends. They also enjoy bike rides, traveling, time at the beach, and, most importantly, spending time with their three children and their families. They feel blessed that all four grandchildren were baptized at St. Luke's by Pastor Rob Fuquay.
Working for St. Luke's taught Nancy the importance of the endowment fund for providing income each year to help address needs not covered by the annual budget and for ensuring the long-term financial strength of St. Luke's. "I care about St. Luke's and what it stands for, and I want the church to be just as relevant and strong in the future as it is today, " Nancy notes. Thus, they have decided to include St. Luke's in their estate plans so the endowment will continue to grow in the future.
St. Luke's has been a blessing to Tom and Nancy for many years. Likewise, both have been a blessing to St. Luke's, generously sharing their time, talents, and treasure. St. Luke's is grateful for their leadership and for their thoughtful estate planning and is pleased to count them as members of St. Luke's Legacy Society. If you would like more information on how you too can become a member of St. Luke's Legacy Society, contact David Heetland, pastor of planned giving, at [email protected] or 317.399.6202.
