|
Give Online | ||
Greetings in Christ, Hope Family!
I look forward to serving as your vacancy pastor beginning June 1, 2024.
I have served churches in Utah, Colorado, and Arkansas, until at last we got to Texas 31 years ago. Diane and I have four grown sons, all married and with children. We have 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. They live in Texas, Florida, and Germany. I retired from full time pastoral ministry in January of 2021, having served St. John in Cypress for 16 years. I began working part time for the Texas District in May of that year, helping congregations in strategic mission planning, as well as the call process. Diane and I also teach for PLI International and will travel to Tanzania this June for our final session there with pastors and their spouses. I am also an avid amateur photographer (Flowers by God Photos by David). I also write a daily personal devotional blog.
I hail from the mid-west, namely Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, before joining Hope's faith family in 2005. Happily a Jesus freak as long as I can remember, it was on a youth group trip to the Rockies that God captured my heart for sharing His unique love in the lives of teens. I attended the University of Missouri, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Health Education and slid in the back door of ministry, attaining my degree in religion through the colloquy program at Concordia University-River Forest while already serving as a Director of Youth Ministries in St. Louis. I have served in parish ministry for more than 25 years and am passionate about helping every generation see their calling in the development of disciples and the spread of the Gospel.
My greatest joy has been, and continues to be, the kaleidoscope created in marriage to my best friend, Kevin and our four incredible children, all of whom are now young adults and figuring out their own paths. I steady my heartbeat with a long list of arts and crafts and digging into/preserving family history.
I am originally from Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from Concordia College, Ann Arbor, Michigan, I was a teacher of choir and theology at Martin Luther High School, first in Greendale, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee) and then in Maspeth, New York (part of Queens). After that, I worked for many years in church music in Omaha, Nebraska. I came to Hope in Fall of 2018.
I met my wife, Vivian at Concordia College, Ann Arbor. She is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. We have 4 children. Natalie is married, has an infant daughter, and lives in Omaha. Ethan is married and he and his wife live in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Son Avery is a student at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska and youngest son, Jonah.
Growing up in Detroit my spiritual path included time in the Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church and the Baptist Church until I became a confirmed Lutheran in 8th grade. Throughout my life there has been a connection between my faith in Jesus and the expression of that faith in music. I find great joy in using God’s gift of music to deepen our connection with God’s Word and to enhance worship services. It is my goal to encourage people to use their God-given gifts to serve the Lord and His church.
When not making music l enjoy biking, exercise, cooking, reading, shopping, and sight-seeing.
The Director of Children's Ministry incorporates the children of Hope Lutheran into the fabric of the congregation and helps them grow in faith through programs, education, and coordination. Krista has been Hope's Director of Children's Ministry since July, 2010.
Katherine is responsible for effectively administering the business affairs of the church - freeing the ministry staff from the burden of managing day-to-day operations. She is responsible for financial affairs, human resources, and insurance administration. Katherine has been Hope's Business Manager since July, 1999.
I was born and raised on a small dairy farm near Oshkosh, Wisconsin. I met my wife Wendy in high school and we married after her graduation. We moved to Madison where I graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Our daughter was born during my senior year of college after which we moved to Charleston, West Virginia where I went to work for Union Carbide Corporation. Our son was born in Charleston. In my 32 years working for Union Carbide/Dow Chemical we were able to see the world, but this did require a number of moves – from Charleston, WV – to Yokohama, Japan – to Jubail, Saudi Arabia – to Charleston, WV – to Victoria, TX – to Friendswood.
I have been a Lutheran all my life. Baptized, confirmed, and married in small Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church in Pickett, Wisconsin. In Charleston our Lutheran Church options were rather limited - so we decided to get more liberal and joined an LCMS church – one of only three Lutheran Churches in Charleston. In Yokohama our English speaking church options were even more limited, so we attended an Anglican Church. In Saudi there were no legal church options available, but we returned to LCMS churches in our subsequent moves. I have been involved as member of the Board of Directors and Building Committee at Hope and managed Hope’s most recent project to build the Family Life Center/Gym, offices, and classrooms and after the project was completed, I joined the Staff as the Facilities Manager.
My time away from work is spent attending sports and theater events our grandsons are involved in. I also enjoy fishing, boating, and kayaking and following sports – still root for the Packers and season ticket holder with the Texans.
I've been blessed to work in education for 30 years, receiving my bachelor's in education from Texas A&M University (Whoop!) and my master's in educational management from the University of Houston. My roles have included public school administrator, early childhood director, education professor, supervisor of student teachers, and special education and elementary education teacher. I also own a tutoring company, Encompass Academics. In 2020, God led me to become the director at Tiny Treasures, a ministry of Hope Lutheran Church.
At Tiny Treasures, we partner with families to teach children to love themselves and others just as Jesus has called us to do, while also laying a strong educational foundation. Our families truly become extended families; we love spending our days with their treasured blessings. God has blessed us with an amazing team that loves the Lord and little learners. Each person is an answered prayer; I'm honored to work alongside them.
I've been married since 1997 and am the proud mother of two grown children. Soon, I'll be an empty nester, or as I like to call it, a bird launcher. It's hard to see your babies leave the nest, but I am proud of them as they follow God's guidance for their lives. I'm blessed to witness their journeys and thankful God chose me to be their mom. I'm grateful I still get the JOY of working with little ones at Tiny Treasures. In my spare time, I love spending time with my family, going to the beach, enjoying sunsets, volunteering, playing pickleball and tennis, and exploring new places. I believe God wants us to do our best to enjoy every moment; I'm grateful for each day HE allows me to serve HIM and enjoy this precious life.
9:00 am - Worship/Communion
10:45-11:45 am - Education Hour