 Amy Turnbull
Choir Director
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.
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 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!
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 Bob Dahl
Contributions Coordinator
Council Partner: Stan Monson, Council Treasurer
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 Brian Shoberg
Worship Technology Lead
The single greatest medium of communication and it alone holds enough power to change world. My goal is to change it for the better.
I recently accepted the position as Worship Technology Lead. I have a passion for creative media and a deeper passion for serving Christ. I have been blessed with a gift in technology and media and I love that I get to use that gift to glorify Christ in such a real way.I have also been blessed with an amazing fiancee, Anna. She and I will be married in June 2011 and are looking forward to the rest of our lives together. We will live in South Maplewood. I attended Crown College and majored in Creative Media Communication and Anna has a degree in Elementary Education from Crown as well.
I love the San Diego Chargers. There is no other team or sport that I cheer for. I have a slight case of OCD but nothing that ruins my character. (Don't ask Anna that, though.) We are grateful for our gifts and the things God has given us.)
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 Carl Buettemeier
Visitation Pastor
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.
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 Corey Paxton
Director of Youth & Family Ministries
Ever since a youth leader led me to Christ as a teenager, God has given me a passion to share the gospel with others. I’m excited work with First Lutheran to equip young people to develop a passion for living as a disciple of Jesus and become servant leaders in His Kingdom. My role is to work directly with senior high students while overseeing our ministry efforts with children, youth, and families.
I have been married to Danielle since 2003, and we have three daughters—Hannah, Shiloah, and Norah—who are very sweet. Besides dating my wife and playing with my kids, I love sports, adventure, movies, and learning.
I studied Religion and History at the College of William and Mary and earned two Master’s degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary focused on missional theology and leadership in post-modern culture. I am currently finishing an MDIV from the Master’s Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota. Before moving to Minnesota, I served as Youth and Young Adult Minister with St. John Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Virginia from 2008-2012.
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 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 and two dogs. In my spare time I like to research my family history, 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.
Two hermit crabs live on my desk. They remind me that when we are made new in Christ, we too get rid of the old self (crabs molt) and become new. Feel free to stop by and meet them!
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 Doug Nelson
Organist
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 Jeff Montgomery
Executive Adminstrator
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.
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 Jim Lemon
Custodian
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 Jordan Beckers
Worship Technology Associate
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 Kari Charboneau
Connections Coordinator
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.
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 Linsey Petersen
Community Groups Coordinator
I lead music and worship for Kids First - the Wednesday night kids' program, and direct Kids Handbells - a bell choir for grades three through six.
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, teaching Jazzercise, and hot weather!
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 Melinda Kern
Jr. High Ministries Director
Hi, my name is Melinda Kern, and I am the Junior High Ministries Director. 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!
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 Perry Petersen
Service Teams Director
I am the Service Teams Director and have been working with students at First Lutheran Church for over eleven years. I oversee and co-lead First Lutherans partnerships with Mission of Hope, Operation HOM, and Operation Neighborhood. My wife, Linsey Petersen, is also on the First Lutheran Church staff as Community Group Coordinator. We have three adorable sons, Carson, Caleb, and Bennett who love socializing in the commons and eating 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.
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 Ken Stead
Contemporary Worship Leader
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Rachel Bolte
Children's Ministry Director
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 Children's Ministry Director I have the joy of working with kids from itty bitties all the way up to sxith grade. I lead Sunday School for grades one through four on Sundays and Kids First for grades one through six 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 children 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 children!!!
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 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 of 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 never get tired of good pizza and great books.
I am a graduate of the College of Wooster (Chemistry and German, 1997), 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.
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 Sue Quinn
Accounts Payable/Housekeeper
I am First Lutheran's housekeeper and account payable person.
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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