Church Leadership
Rebecca Bell, M. Div.
Lead Pastor
Hi there! I'm Rebecca (she/her), and I'm honored to have served as Threads' Lead Pastor since early 2022.
Like many of you, my family came to Threads looking for something we hadn't found elsewhere—a church that would genuinely welcome everyone, including our refugee friends. That was 2016, and Threads felt like the answer to our prayers. Less than a year later, I joined the team as Threads' Child and Family Life Developer, and in 2022, stepped into pastoral leadership.
My journey to pastoral ministry wasn't straightforward. Growing up as a pastor's kid in Kalamazoo's conservative evangelical community, I thought I had faith figured out. But college and early adulthood opened my world, and suddenly the easy answers weren't enough. Over the years, I've wrestled with big questions about women in leadership, had my eyes opened to the ubiquitous nature of racism in church spaces, moved from biblical literalism to more nuanced interpretation, and embraced full LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Through every theological shift and season of doubt, I've discovered that honest wrestling actually brings me closer to Jesus, not further away.
These days, life is beautifully full. I'm mom to six amazing teens and young adults (both biological and adopted), bonus mom to one more, "Nana" to three little ones, and partner to my dear spouse Joel. I hold my Masters of Divinity from Western Theological Seminary. I love getting lost in good books, attempt to keep plants alive in my garden, and experience God's nearness in both running trails and piano keys.
My hope for Threads is simple: that we'd be the kind of community that extends the same patient, faithful love that God has shown me—especially in the messy, complicated, beautiful middle of life's big questions. I want Threads to be a place where questioning is welcomed, growth is celebrated, community is genuine, and every person discovers they belong in God's love story.
Email: rbell@threadschurch.org
Rebecca’s phone: 269-569-5931
Rod Tucker
Associate Pastor
Hi! I'm Rod (he/him). I joined the Threads staff as Associate Pastor in August 2025 following a long journey of community-rooted ministry, church planting, and nonprofit leadership. I am no stranger to Threads, my family and I have been part of the Kalamazoo faith and justice community for many years, and my heart for healing, transformation, and belonging fits deeply with the mission of Threads.
I hold a Master of Divinity from Rockbridge Seminary and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Greenville College. I have spent over two decades helping churches, nonprofits, and neighborhoods imagine new possibilities.
I am also a published author of several books including My Idea: A Guide to Bring Your Vision to Light, Uncovered: The Truth about Honesty and Community, Remembering a Forgotten Grace, Love(d) Anyway, and Taking Jesus Seriously. My work—whether written, preached, or lived—is grounded in the belief that healing is possible, honesty is powerful, and love is the greatest force for change.
My wife, Anna and I live in Kalamazoo. I am a dad of three, a chess fan, a storytelling enthusiast, a backyard philosopher, and someone who loves playing games of all kinds. Whether writing, pastoring, or working alongside neighbors, I bring an unwavering belief in grace, community, and the God who holds us all together.
Before coming to Threads, I founded and pastored Edison Chapel and launched Edison Initiatives, a nonprofit supporting first-generation homeowners in one of Kalamazoo’s most underserved neighborhoods. We have worked in workforce development, reentry services, discipleship coordination, and coaching for creatives and ministry leaders.
Anna Joy Tucker
Worship Pastor
Hey there! I'm Anna Joy (she/her), and I became a part of Threads as a now-and-then worship leader in February 2025 and officially joined the Threads Staff as Worship Pastor in August 2025 in connection with Edison Chapel's merge into Threads.
I graduated from Greenville University in Illinois with a degree in Ecclesiology and the Arts, which combines church history, biblical studies, worship leadership and church doctrine with music, visual arts, and creative writing.
My history in church is a mosaic that has spanned many different denominations and church traditions over the 25+ years I have been leading worship. From the charismatic Assembly of God church, I took a passion for worship. From the non-denominational megachurch, a value in excellence. From the small traditional Free Methodist church, a delight in utilizing liturgical elements. From the downtown Reformed church, a return to the joy of musical creativity. From the tiny urban neighborhood church, a belief that corporate worship should be a place for peace, healing, and freedom. I craft worship experiences and services with all these tools in my tool belt, remaining curious about the ways we can continue to look for more of God and the ways God continues to invite us in.
