Amy Turnbull - Traditional Worship Minister
Council Partner: Keith Nelson, Council Rep. - Worship
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 serve the Lord together with the people of First Lutheran! I love to see people find their place in the love and joy of Jesus, and grow, together, as disciples.
I attended
Concordia
College in
Moorhead, spending my collegiate summers working 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 to be part of a Youth Encounter ministry team to
West Africa, and returned to complete my Master of Divinity in 2001. From 2001 through 2008 I served as an Associate Pastor in
Princeton,
MN, and joined the staff at First Lutheran in April of 2008.
In my off time, I enjoy theater, leisurely kayaking, bike riding, reading good books, having great faith conversations, and singing both with choirs and with friends.
May God bless you to know His presence with you today!
Bob Dahl - Contributions Coordinator
Brad Smith - Contemporary Worship Minister
Council Partner: Keith Nelson, Council Rep. - Worship
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: Ted Schaff, 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
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. I believe that I’m a pretty creative person 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 adult 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.
Ted and I have two cats, two dogs, and two goldfish. 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
Council Partner: Keith Nelson, Council Rep. - Worship
Jeff Montgomery - Executive 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: Greg Nuss, Council Rep. - Facilities
Kari Charboneau - Connections Coordinator
Council Partner: Penny Hanson, Council Rep. - Adult Ministries
I have the opportunity to serve First Lutheran by connecting people to their perfect group and service! It's a passion of mine to help people to feel they have a place to belong.
I am a busy mom of four great kids: Aria, Tanner, Trevor, and Taylor, and one very sweet dog: Jenny. Two of my children attend Magnuson Christian school and I can attest that it is an excellent school. My son, Taylor, is the technical director here at First Lutheran Church and I enjoy working with him daily. I love spending time with my family, I love to travel, and experience new things! Singing, laughing, shopping, reading and Bible study are my hobbies. I adore my brothers and sisters here at First Lutheran and consider being on this staff a true gift from God.
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.” If you're reading this and don't know about Jesus, just remember that he just wants to be asked by you into your heart... Jesus is a gentleman and will never force himself on anyone! Hence, no door knob on that door. Ask him in.
Laura Fever - Children's Ministry Associate
Council Partner: Lisa Ambli, Council Rep. - Children's Ministries
Linsey Petersen - Community Groups Coordinator
I direct Kids Praise - a choir for first through fifth grades and Kids Handbells - a bell choir for 3-9 grades.
Perry and I have been married since 1999, and have three sons, Carson, Caleb, and Bennett whom we adore. I enjoy laughing, cleaning, listening to others, and eating Cold Stone Creamery ice cream!
Melinda Kern - Director of Junior High Ministries
Council Partner: Luann Flater, Council Rep. - Student Ministries
Hi, my name is Melinda Kern, and I am the Student Ministries 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 married to Erik and we live in Oakdale with our dog. I'm from Stillwater, MN where my wonderful parents Cindy and Bill Denman still live. 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: Luann Flater, Council Rep. - Student Ministries
I am the Director of Student Ministries and have been working with students at First Lutheran Church for over ten 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 three adorable sons, Carson, Caleb, and Bennett who love the nursery and to eat the cookies at church.
I love hanging out with students, watching my beloved Denver Broncos & Minnesota Twins, dominating the church fantasy football league, playing disc golf, watching movies, and eating Chipotle. The television shows 24, American Idol, and Heroes 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: Lisa Ambli, 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 in 1999 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 artists Agape and Fuller Still.
As the Director of Children's Ministry I have the joy of working with kids from itty bitties all the way up to 6th Grade. I lead Sunday School for Grades 1-4 on Sundays and Kids First for Grades 1-6 on Wednesdays. In between, I get to plan fun events, write and organize curriculum, and many other things that generally amount to making sure things in Children's Ministry keep trucking along and kids keep learning about the indescribable love that Jesus has for them!
I am blessed to be on such a great staff of people and enjoy a good long chat over ice cream or coffee, watching movies, spending time with my friends and family (especially my nieces & nephews!), singing, and traveling...oh, and KIDS!!!
Sonia Wegscheid - Business Coordinator and Service Director
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 recently finished a degree in 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
Council Partners: Mike Kaytor, Council President; Dan Amesbury, Council Vice President/Personnel; Keith Nelson, Council Rep. - Worship
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 and William, 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: Greg Nuss, Council Rep. - Facilities
I am First Lutheran's housekeeper.
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.