Ellie Johns-Kelley’s territory covers: West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware

The Rev. Ellie Johns-Kelley serves as Ministry Relations Officer for the Presbyterian Foundation, supporting congregations across the Allegheny and Chesapeake region. In this role, she partners with churches to cultivate a culture of generosity, offering seminars and workshops, developing comprehensive fundraising and gift plans, and providing coaching for finance, stewardship, and endowment committees.

“Building relationships and resourcing churches to strengthen funding for their ministry are my top priorities,” Ellie says. “I am passionate about helping congregations recognize the breadth of resources available through the Foundation and collaborating closely with other agencies of the PC(USA).”

Before joining the Presbyterian Foundation in 2013, Ellie served nearly four years as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Warren, Pennsylvania. She previously held leadership roles at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary as Director of the Summer Youth Institute and Assistant Director of Admissions.

An active leader in the wider church, Ellie is a member of the Presbytery of West Virginia, where she serves on the Committee for Nurture and Relationships. Over the past 25 years, she was deeply involved in the Presbytery of Lake Erie, most recently serving as Co-Moderator of the Administrative Committee and President of the Trustees. Her broader service includes work with the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, Regional Resource Person for the Theological Education Fund in the Synod of the Trinity, participation on the Synod’s Campus Ministry Task Force, and service as a synod commissioner.

Ellie received a Bachelor of Science in biology at Muskingum College and a Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She resides on a farm in Carmichaels, PA with husband Dr. Eric Kelley and two daughters.