What was the project that you had to do while at WLC?

At that time, none. Pastor Paul Pfotenhauer and I put that program together for future vicars.

Family?

WIFE: Kellie. KIDS: Makenzie (16) Nathan (12) Madeline (10)

What is your present location?

Currently at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston, TX. I am developing the church’s multi-site/multi-campus ministry. Previously, I started Summit Community Church in Phoenix, AZ.

Anything else that you would like to share with the members of WLC?

We have always considered WLC our family. Many deep friendships were formed and continue on (Scott Stebbing family, Dick Stehr family, Gwen Finke, Mark Baltes family to name a few).

What’s something you remember about WLC?

I remember so much during my Pastorate at WLC. During my vicarage year, several things stand out:

• Trying to keep up with Pastor Paul.
• Learning never to drive with him!
• WLC people are very forgiving when it comes to vicar sermons.
• Our ho-down going away party in the parking lot. Unbelievable!

What was the project that you had to do while at WLC?

I really didn’t do a specific project. I did a lot with the Release Time program, confirmation, shut-in visits, VBS, couples group and other ministries.

Family?

I am married to Jeannine as I was on vicarage. I have three sons, Jacob is 5, Jesse (who was born on vicarage) is 9, and Joshua just turned 13.

What is your present location?

I am currently serving at St. Marks Lutheran Church in Eureka, MO. I am working with youth, 7th grade through college.

Anything else that you would like to share with the members of WLC?

Our vicarage year is full of wonderful memories. I will never forget my Promise Keepers group and the love and care they offered me as a young husband and father.

The small group of crazy 7th graders I mentored in confirmation impacted me more than they could imagine. I am now serving youth full time because of how I saw Jesus working in their lives.

What’s something you remember about WLC?

My wife still talks about the great love and care we received at Woodbury. My second son, Jesse was born there far from her parents. The way we were loved by the congregation turned what could have been a hard time into a wonderful time we will never forget. Thank you.

What was the project that you had to do while at WLC?

• Small group leadership training: led a leadership “turbo group” along with a general small group training for congregational members, wrote a manual called “Leading Leaders” for small group ministry
• Senior fellowship ministry: including trips and events for seniors (including putting together a jazz band for a couple of parties…I mean, fellowship events!)
• Neighbor-to-neighbor evangelism project, distributing WLC flyers to local and developing neighborhoods

Family?

My wife, Diane, and I both worked on several initiatives while at WLC. Our children: Aaron and Nathan are 14½ and going into high school, Stephen is 12 and going into 7th grade.

What is your present location?

I have served as the Assistant Pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Richmond, Virginia for seven years. Redeemer is beginning a satellite congregation in 2009. I am also finishing my Doctor of Ministry degree at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

What’s something you remember about WLC?

I have many fond memories of Woodbury Days. Playing pool with Pastor Stocker in the youth room, preaching in the Genesis room with no lights because it was too hot (no air conditioning), Confirmation Sunday, Christmas services, the 54-hole Young Life golf marathon (my arms fell off on the 52nd hole!), SNOW!, Roxanne’s Tea House desserts (the German Chocolate Cake is out of this world!), my obnoxious wife putting up a sign to tell EVERYONE about my 30th birthday, setting off the church alarm (I still can’t believe the Woodbury Police Department doesn’t know what a “vicar” is!), painting the inside of the vicar’s townhouse during March Madness, Pastor Pfotenhauer’s 65th birthday party, and did I mention the jazz band?

What was the year you served at WLC?

I served during the transition year of ’99 to 2000. And wow, what a year it was! Talk about drama. Founding pastor retiring . . . search committees . . . highly touted pastor coming on . . .. Ahh . . . those were the days ☺

What was the project that you had to do while at WLC?

Under Pastor Paul’s regime we were more generalists than specialists. I remember working closely with Chad Starfeldt on the new confirmation curriculum was being developed. I worked a lot on the Small Group ministry including training sessions and starting a young couples’ group. I wrote a sermon series. One of the things that I remember most fondly regarding my duties was that I always felt that Paul respected me as a fellow minister, no more nor less than he.

Family?

Karen and I will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary this August. We are the proud parents of a beautiful and energetic 20 month old daughter.

What is your present location?

I am currently an assistant pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Downers Grove, IL (a western suburb of Chicago). I was called here to plant a postmodern worship ministry in an adjacent community, which we did in 2003. It is called Sanctuary. God continues to bring new people to the faith who might otherwise have never met Jesus. I am blessed to be part of a congregation who, like Woodbury, was willing to take a risk in order to follow the mission direction of our Savior who came to seek and save the lost.

Anything else that you would like to share with the members of WLC?

The vicarage year was a year of great tumult in the congregation. But it was the people of the congregation, from the leadership to the faithful volunteers who thanked me, encouraged me, and reminded me that God was actually using me to transform their lives through the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s what fired me up most of all. And that got me through a lot of hard days.

What’s something you remember about WLC?

• One day I was leaving for lunch with Paul. He said, “Vicar, what time are you coming back.” I said, “In an hour.” “Huh,” he grunted, “then I guess I’ll be back in two.”
• Due to lack of space, my office, at the bottom of the stairs, literally, was the broom closet.
• Walking across a January parking lot, with the wind howling through me, and thinking, “So, this is what a fishstick feels like.”
• Gathering at Brandon and Dawn Cordt’s house for small group.
• HCYKWJWDIYDKWHD?
• Two words: Famous Dave’s. I’ve been addicted ever since.
• The kindness and generosity of a congregation that loved Karen and me so much that we could tangible feel the love of God

What was the project that you had to do while at WLC?

I organized the first Christian Art Festival at Woodbury.

Family?

My wife, Carolyn, and I will have been married for 10 years in Sept. 07. Our son Evan was born while on vicarage in Woodbury. Since taking my first assignment in 2002, we have had two more children: Elise, born April 2003; Bryce, born August 2004 – both while serving in Indianapolis.

What is your present location?

I am serving as Associate Pastor at Our Shepherd Lutheran in Indianapolis, IN, where I focus on Outreach & Missions, New Member Assimilation, Small Group Ministry, and Spiritual Care (including Stephen Ministry and Social Concerns). I have been here for five years. (This was my first call.)

What’s something you remember about WLC?

I could go on and on about things I remember about Woodbury. I remember Mike and Debbie Brocker and their family sponsoring us and welcoming us the first night in Minnesota. I remember Kent and Carol Hadrits adopting us like a son and daughter. I remember having one of the best years of our lives. A staff that is exceptional. A facility that is beautiful. I remember a lot of snow! (A great winter☺) But mostly I remember Woodbury for the warmth of the people. Carolyn and I were welcomed and embraced from the beginning. People at Woodbury love Jesus, and it shows. The church wants to reach people with Good News in Christ. And that is refreshing. And the worship of God is authentic and unlike anywhere else I have been – whether in the sanctuary, in small groups, in an elders meeting, or staff devotions. The people of Woodbury seem always to want to praise the Lord and bring others to know Him. Praise God for that! I remember a great year of learning and growing personally – from a senior pastor who is a fabulous teacher and from the church as a whole that had such a depth of Spirit that you rejoice in being immersed in it for a time. I pray that Woodbury Lutheran will always have her eyes on the community and making Christ known there. God bless!

What was the project that you had to do while at WLC?

Marriage Renewal Service and Celebration

Family?

Wife: Jennifer
Daughters: Megan (6), Allison (3), and Nina (6 months)

Their picture is to the right. Obviously, they are much cuter than I am!

What is your present location?

I accepted a call as Senior Pastor at Fair Lawn Lutheran Church in Fairlawn, Ohio in November 2007.

I served for 4½ years as the Senior Pastor of Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church (English District of the LCMS), 16935 W 14 Mile Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025. I also served as an adjunct faculty member at Concordia University, Ann Arbor, MI, teaching ethics and leadership.

Anything else that you would like to share with the members of WLC?

Much of what we left behind has changed, including staff and vision, but we remember our year with great joy. We met wonderful people and pray God’s continued blessings on the people and mission of WLC.

What’s something you remember about WLC?

A trip to the Boundary Waters with Bill L., Paul G., Dennis S. and Dan K. Our young-adult, small-group bible study as well as my confirmation small-group. Mary Lehman’s laugh echoing down the hall; Mark Shepherd’s Christmas extravaganza; a Lake Superior sunrise; Geese, geese, and more geese everywhere; the Soaring Eagles; Pastor Dean’s Darned Socks; Schuessler’s guitar playing and song solos for the shut-ins; My daughter Megan’s first steps, her first word “Amen,” and her first visit to the ER at Children’s (one of many!); a great Children’s ministry team; excellent worship; Neighbor 2 Neighbor nights “on the beat” with Vince Setten; Pastor Todd buying my car then promptly running it out of gas; and SO MUCH MORE!

What was the project that you had to do while at WLC?

I (with a bunch of fantastic WLC members) helped revive the bread ministry that we called “ambassadors.” We also began laying out more comprehensive plans to welcome warmly anyone who came to WLC and to follow-up on returning guests.

Family?

Still married to Jocelyn☺. In addition to Ellie (age 4) we’ve got Aria (ARE-EE-UH think opera) now who is 18 months. Two is plenty for us now, we’re holding steady!

What is your present location?

St. Matthew, a two campus church in Walled Lake and Wixom, MI (www.st-mattthew.org). I’m as associate pastor here recently redirected to give my attention to outreach and spiritual growth. I get to preach a lot which I’m glad about, I’m also the “teaching” pastor here which is something I really enjoy. I’m no Pastor Dean but give me another 25 years we’ll see what God can do!

Anything else that you would like to share with the members of WLC?

Jocelyn and I still have a deep love for the Woodbury community. We get the warmest feelings when we talk about our incredible year there. I also remain a silent web-stalker and read up on the latest events through newsletters, etc. You’re definitely special to us.

What’s something you remember about WLC?

WLC stands out in my mind as the friendliest church ever. I also admire the strong commitment to outreach and loving the forgotten of society. Those were values that were kindled inside of me during my year there and are now being used here at St. Matthew.

Also foremost in my mind is how good everyone was to me in Genesis when Pastor Todd left and I had to fill his large shoes. ☺ The love was incredible!

What was the project that you had to do while at WLC?

Porch Light Ministry

Family?

Wife – Jill…Two Daughters – Jane (4) and Adele (2)

What is your present location?

Buda, TX. The name of our ministry is The Well (www.lifeatthewell.org). We are starting a church as worker/priests.

Anything else that you would like to share with the members of WLC?

We love you all dearly!

What’s something you remember about WLC?

The beauty of Christ that is shown in the disabilities ministry.

What was the project that you had to do while at WLC?

“Revamping” Neighbor to Neighbor and Dive 54 (20’s ministry)

Family?

Married to my wife, Beth

What is your present location?

I am serving as Associate Pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Macomb, MI

What’s something you remember about WLC?

Beth and I look back at our year at WLC with thanksgiving in our hearts both to the Lord and to the people of WLC. It was a wonderful year of spiritual growth for us, and the relationships we formed in that year still impact us today. Thank you for sharing your heart with us, and showing us what it means to serve the Lord and seek the lost. God be praised!

What was the project that you had to do while at WLC?

The Leadership Forum, Dinner at the Women’s Battled Shelter

Family?

Married to Amy Lynne Wilford (from Woodbury Lutheran) in December 2007

What is your present location?

Associate Pastor/Director of Multi-Site Ministries, Redeemer Lutheran Church, 7755 Greenstone Trail, Fort Collins, CO 80525

Anything else that you would like to share with the members of WLC?

Thank you for the unforgettable vicarage year!

What’s something you remember about WLC?

The Lenten Series when I painted Jesus on an 8-foot tall canvas. Now the canvas hangs in the sanctuary each year during Lent.

What was the project that you had to do while at WLC?

Develop 10 acres of the land in Afton for outdoor worship, recreation, prayer path, sign and community gardens.

Family?

Married to Brenda (nee Offermann) with two children: Payton (son), Ainsley (daughter)

What is your present location?

Will attend final year at Concordia Seminary in St Louis, MO and will continue field work at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles, MO.

Anything else that you would like to share with the members of WLC?

Thank you all for the love that you shared with my family while I was here. While we are excited about our final year at Seminary we will miss your love, care and encouragement. Please continue to pray for us as I finish up at the seminary and Brenda begins her call at Concordia Publishing House as editor of Day School, Midweek and Confirmation curriculum.

What’s something you remember about WLC?

WLC has such a love for missions and outreach. This was something that I had never experienced in such great depth. That love has carried over into my own passion to reach the lost with the Good News of Jesus Christ in my own home, church, community and world. What a great mission!