Staff & Leadership

Scott Austin

Scott is one of Artisan’s founding pastors and has been known to say he couldn’t imagine being a pastor anywhere else. He graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College in 1999 with a degree in contemporary ministries and music and earned his Master of Divinity degree from Northeastern Seminary in 2005. He is dedicated to loving and serving all people, with a particular interest in caring for those who have been marginalized and treated as outsiders in religious communities. In 2023, Scott graduated from SUNY Brockport with a Master of Science in mental health counseling. He is currently co-vocational, working as a therapist in the Wellness Center at Roberts Wesleyan University.

In his free time, Scott plays volleyball at Hot Shots and is active in the Rochester music scene as a guitarist and singer-songwriter. His greatest joy in life is his family: his wife Tracey, and their two sons.

Jessie Brajcki

Jessie oversees connection ministries and children's & youth ministries at Artisan. She is passionate about creating an inclusive space for all to experience the love of God. Jessie graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College in 2008 with a degree in Contemporary Ministries. She has been on staff at Artisan for over ten years, during which she established our first children's and youth ministries.

Jessie and her husband Dave have three school-aged children who keep their lives interesting! The Brajckis can usually be found playing board games, running around a playground, or driving to and from dance or theater rehearsals. Jessie also enjoys substitute teaching and co-leading a Brownie troop in her free time.

Jae Newman

Jae is the Executive Pastor at Artisan charged with preaching and administrative pastoral duties.  He’s a graduate of Lindsey Wilson College (2004) where he studied English and American Studies.  In 2006, he earned an MFA in Writing from Spalding University where he began work for his first book of poetry Collage of Seoul (Cascade Books 2015).  In 2015, Jae graduated from Northeastern Seminary with a Master of Arts Degree in Theological Studies.  Prior to working in this role, Jae has honed his pastoral vision and skills working as a cook, coach, teacher/professor, and writer.  He is the Director of International Engagement at Roberts Wesleyan University, where he enjoys co-creating and planning events with students to help others feel welcome, seen, and then “at home” on campus.  

Jae enjoys exploring new cities with his family, visiting independent bookstores, and strengthening his faith by watching the Buffalo Bills.  He lives on the westside of Rochester with his wife, Tasha, and their three children.

Cheryl Bertou

Cheryl Bertou has been serving Artisan Church as the Church Administrator since 2015. She resides in the city of Rochester with her husband Shane and two sons. Outside of her church duties, Cheryl enjoys reading, gardening, crochet, embroidery and learning new things. She likes to travel and explore new places with her family.