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Staff Directory |
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Amy Turnbull - Traditional Worship Minister
As a traditional worship minister at First Lutheran Church, I direct three choirs: our main sanctuary choir for adults, a women's chorale, and a handbell choir. I also plan special music events like our Christmas concert and am a passionate advocte for our annual Compassion Sunday sponsorship program.
I have been married to my husband Steve since 2000 and we have two children, Evangeline and William.
Angie Way - Associate Pastor
It’s a joy and a privilege to be joining the ministry team at First Lutheran! I’m excited to be part of the vibrant ministry here! My central passions are scripture, worship, music, drama and prayer. I love to see people find their place in the love and joy of Jesus through these tools, and to grow together as disciples in relationship with our Lord.
Bemidji,
MN was my hometown, so I understand cold! I attended
Concordia
College in
Moorhead, spending my collegiate summers counseling and directing at Minne-wa-kan Lutheran Bible Camp in
Cass Lake,
MN. In 1996 I graduated from Concordia (English and Theology) and began Seminary at Luther in
St. Paul. In 99-00, I took a year off from study to be part of a musical ministry team with Y.E. in
West Africa, returning to complete my Master of Divinity degree from Luther in 2001. For the past seven years I have served as an Associate Pastor in
Princeton,
MN.
In my off time, I enjoy involvement with community theater productions, leisurely Kayaking, bike riding, reading good books, having great faith conversations, and singing both with choirs and with friends.
Bo (Christoffersen) Black - Sr. High Ministry Associate
Council Partner: Dan Amesbury, Council Rep. - Student Ministries
My name is Bodil Christoffersen, though I am commonly known as Bo. I am blessed to be the Sr. High Ministry Associate. I come from Denmark, but felt a calling to be a part of a church family in the States. It is amazing to see how God found a family for me as great as First Lutheran!
In my spare time I enjoy watching movies, reading, playing games, and spending time with friends. Perry Petersen and I work together in the Sr. High program. Feel free to contact me regarding questions you may have.
Bob Dahl - Contributions Coordinator
Brad Smith - Contemporary Worship Minister
I came to First Lutheran Church in the summer of 2006, and I have been truly blessed by the opportunity to be a part of the worship ministries at FLC. I am excited about the mighty things that God is doing here now and will continue to do in the future.
I have been involved in leading worship at churches, conferences, camps and retreats across the country for over two decades. I have a degree in Psychology from Tennessee Tech University in my hometown of Cookeville, Tennessee where I also played football. My wife Jill and I live in Hugo, Minnesota and have three children: Kenan, and twins, Joel & Micah.
Favorite Bible verse: "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
Carl Buettemeier - Visitation Pastor
Council Partner: Orlin Bandt, Council Rep. - Senior Adults
Once retired, I now serve as Visitation Pastor, Senior Adult Ministry Advisor, and Bible Study Leader.
The Science Museum, where I volunteer, provides me with an opportunity to present an Aquatic Invertebrate program. My hobbies include woodcarving and fishing.
Denise Cabak - Communications Coordinator
I believe that I’m a pretty creative person. In January of 2001, I joined the staff after working for the Boys Scouts of America, a mid-size law firm, building management, and a venture capital firm and now use that gift to serve the Lord creating publications for the church, along with various other duties.
I am married to Ted, my high school sweetheart and love of my life. We have two sons, Jordan and Jake. What a joy to see them using their gifts to share God’s love with others here and in the community we’ve lived in since 1993.
I volunteer my time as a Boy Scout leader here at First. I have also been a leader on two High School mission trips. Though I’m not a High School Ministry leader, I still love hanging out with youth. In my spare time I like to scrapbook, garden, and travel. Camping in a quiet place in northern Minnesota or Wisconsin is one of my favorite things to do. That’s where I believe I feel the greatest sense of God’s presence.
Three hermit crabs live on my desk. Feel free to stop by and meet them!
Doug Nelson - Organist
Jeff Montgomery - Church Administrator
One of the great joy’s in my life is seeing God glorified through the generous giving hearts' of His children, and the proper stewardship of those gifts allowing Christ-centered ministry to flourish. My role as Chief Steward enables me focus much time and attention on these two very key sides of the stewardship equation.
Beyond work, Suzanne (my wife since 1993) and my four children (Jacob, Rebecca, Annalise, Amanda) bring more joy to my life than I can adequately describe with words. We moved to White Bear Lake in 2002 from Northwest Iowa where I had a career in camping ministry. After 15 years in full-time ministry I have never been more excited about what God is doing through both my family, and His church. It is an honor to be a part of His plan.
Jim Lemon - Custodian
Council Partner: Mike Kaytor, Council Rep. - Facilities
Council Partner: Joy Erickson, Council Rep. - Children's Ministry
Kari Charboneau - Small Groups Minister
Council Partner: John Engman, Council Rep. - Adult Ministries
I have the opportunity to serve First Lutheran by coordinating small groups. I have a particular interest because I feel that Alpha completely changed the way I viewed "God." Now, I have a personal friend named Jesus and He is here to love all of us-if we let him. Sharing your faith journey with others is so encouraging and enlightening. It's a passion of mine to get people connected!
I am a busy mom of four great kids: Aria, Tanner, Trevor, and Taylor who is my assistant at Alpha as well as a member of the Sunday morning tech team. I love spending time with my husband Carey, and my kids. I love to travel, new experiences, gardening, singing, and my friends! First Lutheran is where I consider my second home.
My favorite Bible verse is Revelations 3:20 which says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me.” I also LOVE Psalm 37:5 which says, "Commit your way to the LORD and He will do this." I have a great story about it if you'd ever like to ask.
Linsey Petersen - Worship Minister
As the traditional worship minister at First Lutheran Church , I direct Kids Praise - a choir for kindergarten through fifth grades and Kids Handbells - a bell choir for 3-6 grades. I also plan and coordinate traditional worship services. I play the piano and some guitar and sing, and in past years I also played clarinet and organ.
Perry and I have been married since 1999, and have two sons, Carson and Caleb, whom we adore. I enjoy laughing, cleaning, listening to others, and eating Cold Stone Creamery ice cream!
Marcia Phillips - Sunday School Coordinator
651-429-5349 ext. 224
Council Partner: Joy Erickson, Council Rep. - Children's Ministry
Melinda Denman - Jr. High Ministry Associate
Council Partner: Dan Amesbury, Council Rep. - Student Ministries
Hi my name is Melinda Denman, and I am the Jr. High Ministry Associate. Jesus has really blessed me by giving me the opportunity to work at First Lutheran with Jr. High students. I have been involved with the Confirmation program since 2000 and joined the staff in 2004, and it continues to be a huge blessing in my life. I love my job and the people that I am privileged to work with here.
I am currently a Theology and Pastoral Ministry major at The College of St. Catherine, in St. Paul. I live in Stillwater, MN with my wonderful parents Cindy and Bill Denman, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Some of my favorite things to do during my spare time are hang out with friends, go to Twins games, swim, play mini golf, watch movies and attend the occasional car show.
My favorite Bible passage is Psalm 121, but I will let you look that one up to know more!
Perry Petersen - Director of Student Ministries
Council Partner: Dan Amesbury, Council Rep. - Student Ministries
I am the Director of Student Ministries and have been working with students at First Lutheran Church for over seven years. I oversee and co-lead the Junior High, Confirmation, Senior High, College, and Young Adult Ministries. My wife, Linsey Petersen, is also on the First Lutheran Church staff as Worship Minister. We have two adorable sons, Carson and Caleb, who loves the nursery and to eat the cookies at church.
I love hanging out with students, watching my beloved Denver Broncos, dominating the church fantasy football league, playing disc golf, watching movies, and eating Chipotle. The television shows 24, American Idol, CSI, and My Name is Earl are some of my favorites to watch.
On Wednesday nights downstairs in the Youth Area, I am always up for a challenge to play some carpetball so I can defend my current title of “The Best Carpetball Player this side of the Mississippi River.”
Rachel Bolte - Director of Children's Ministry
Council Partners: Joy Erickson, Council Rep. - Children's Ministry
I love Jesus and think that I just might have the best job in the entire world! I graduated from Luther College with a degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Religion. I spent two fantastic years on the road with a relational music ministry called Youth Encounter, spent my collegiate summers at Okoboji and Riverside Lutheran Bible Camps, and have even worked as a booking and office manager for the bands Agape and Fuller Still.
I am blessed to be on such a great staff of people and enjoy a good long chat over coffee, watching movies, and singing.
Richard Quast - First Lutheran Winds Director
I am director of First Lutheran Winds and have enjoyed directing this group of Jr. and Sr. High band students for the past sixteen years sharing music with our congregations each month. We are always eager to welcome new members!
I have teaching degrees from Luther College, Decorah, IA, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY, and additional study at the U of IA. My wife, Linda and I are members of the Sanctuary Choir, and Linda is active in the Rachel Circle. We have two grown sons who continue to enjoy and be active musicians. I teach private brass lessons each week to students at our home and work as a music specialist at Lyngblomsten Care Center in St. Paul. Linda teaches all-day kindergarten at St. Jude of the Lake School in Mahtomedi.
Sonia Wegscheid - Administrative Assistant
As an administrative assistant, I work with Jeff Montgomery on financial and administrative tasks, as well as various other tasks in the office. I treasure serving God and his people by supporting the ministry of First.
I am currently a graduate student of Linguistics at the University of Minnesota and enjoy playing cello in the Minneapolis Civic Orchestra. I also love playing games with friends and reading anything that introduces me to new ideas.
Steve Turnbull - Senior Pastor
Serving as a pastor at First Lutheran Church is one of the great joys of my life. I first came on staff here as the teaching pastor in February, 2004 and became the senior pastor in November, 2007. Helping to lead and teach a community of Christians is my vocation – in the ancient sense of that word. It's my calling. It's what God made me to do.
I have been married to my wife Amy since August, 2000 and we have two children, Evangeline (born in 2004) and William (born in 2006), and a faithful Labrador retriever named Zoe. I love sports of all kinds, especially running, biking, and basketball, and I love to eat and read.
I am a graduate of the College of Wooster (Chemistry and German, 2001), Luther Seminary (M. Div., 2001), and Duke University (Ph.D. in New Testament, 2007), but I hope God never stops teaching me more about life with Him.
Sue Quinn - Housekeeping
Council Partner: Mike Kaytor, Council Rep. - Facilities
I am First Lutheran's housekeeper. I also enjoy helping with the prayer network because prayer has been the greatest blessing in my life. Prayer has brought me through many struggles and lets me spend time with my Savior. Sometimes prayer is the best way for me to help others.
Spending time with my family and friends, being a swim mom, sewing, scrapbooking, photography, and camping are my favorite free time activities.
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