These numbers are yours to use!
Church Office: 952-934-5659
Pastor Josh: 763-684-2420 (h)
Pastor Kristie: 952-470-5177 (h)
We take emergency calls (crisis, accident) anytime, though we ask that for non-critical contacts you respect time-off and call the church office. We frequently check voicemail and our office staff quickly seeks us out and forwards important calls.
Senior Pastor Josh Nelson 952-934-5659, Ext. 13 josh@familyofchristonline.com
Pastor Kristie Hennig 952-934-5659, Ext. 12 kristie@familyofchristonline.com
I grew up in the state of Illinois, living on a couple of farms, in various small towns, a couple of Chicago suburbs and a university town. I attended high school, undergraduate and graduate school in Urbana, Illinois, where Dad was the assistant coach of the University of Illinois basketball team, and I earned degrees in English and teaching English as a Second Language.
After a somewhat starry-eyed attempt to find work in Venezuela teaching ESL, I wound up in Valparaiso, Indiana, on the faculty at Valparaiso University - fortuitously, as it turned out, for that is where I met and married a law school professor named Gene Hennig. He proposed 89 days after our first date - not a schedule I recommend for everyone, but it turned out great for me! We have lived in Minnesota our whole married life - 30 great years. Gene is a business lawyer at the Gray Plant Mooty law firm in Minneapolis. He also teaches at William Mitchell College of Law and the University of St. Thomas Law School. He grew up in India, the son of Lutheran missionaries. As a family, we lived in India for 6 months in 1995, and we remain connected to people there through Bethania Kids a foundation, which serves orphans and other destitute children.
Marilyn Syverson 952-934-5659, Ext. 10 Church Administrator
marilyn@familyofchristonline.com
Leann Thompson 952-934-5659, Ext. 24 Director of Faith Formation
leann@familyofchristonline.com
I was raised on a farm in eastern South Dakota and graduated from Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD with degrees in Psychology and Religion.
During college, I worked as a Bible camp counselor in the mountains of Montana. It was from that experience that my passion for ministry was born. I moved to the Twin Cities right after college and worked for 10 years in Youth Ministry and Education at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Bloomington.
I have been on staff at Family of Christ since the fall of 2002 working in a variety of positions. Currently I am Director of Faith Formation, working with a fabulous ministry team in the areas of children, youth and family ministry.
I live in Chaska with my husband John, who works with the Minnesota State Patrol, and our three children, Noah, Ellie and Isaac. In our spare time, we enjoy camping, fishing, being on the lake, biking, all sports, and music. I always look for more opportunities to scrapbook and spend time with family and friends.
I look forward to continuing the partnership with this congregation to bring the message of God's saving love to those in our church family and to our larger community as well.
Lindsey Ruhland 952-934-5659, Ext. 30 Minister to Youth & Families
lindsey@familyofchristonline.com
I was born and raised in the small town of Lewiston, MN. I went to Luther College in Decorah, IA, where I double majored in Management and Sociology. During college, I spent 3 summers on staff at Luther Point Bible Camp in northern WI. I also interned at a church in Fairfax, VA-- a suburb of Washington, DC. After realizing that God was calling me to Youth Ministry and not the corporate world, I earned my MA from Luther Seminary in Children's, Youth, and Family Ministry. While studying at Luther Seminary, I interned at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka, MN. I am excited to be part of Family of Christ in my first go at full-time Youth Ministry!
I currently live in Minneapolis with my husband, Jake. We are anxiously awaiting the birth of our first child at Christmas time! In addition to being my number one youth ministry volunteer, Jake is a Park Technician for the Three Rivers Park District, spending his time between Cleary Lake Regional Park, Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, and The Landing. Jake and I are both huge animal lovers and have 2 cats and 2 dogs! We love to spend time outside hiking, camping, rollerblading, biking, and canoeing. When we're inside, we enjoy salsa dancing! In general, we love to explore all the different things Minneapolis and St. Paul have to offer. We also love to travel to the North Shore of Lake Superior whenever we get the chance!
Teri Burns 952-934-5659, Ext. 21 Minister to Children & Families
teri@familyofchristonline.com
I was raised right here in the Twin Cities, in the suburb of Cottage Grove to be exact. I have never lived anywhere but the Twin Cities, I guess that makes me a true Minnesotan. Having been raised by two parents from Wisconsin, I was brought up to be a Packer fan in a sea of Vikings. My parents, two brothers and I (I feel being the oldest and only girl was always a great advantage) grew up and lived in the same house from the time I was 5 years old. I received my degree in Occupational Therapy at the College of St. Catherine in 1985 and pursued a career in O.T. for the next 7 years, working mostly in adult handicapped day treatment facilities. With a move from the Shoreview area to Chanhassen in 1992, my time spent in Occupational Therapy came to an end. It was followed by 10 years running my own in-home daycare facility and caring for my own children. Once my own kids where successfully out of diapers, I felt that another change in careers was on the horizon. I had spent about 8 years volunteering in children's ministries here at Family of Christ and was being pulled in that direction. The Family of Christ Preschool was just opening its doors, so I closed my daycare and was hired as a teacher's assistant in the preschool. The rest, shall we say is history, and I worked towards my present position as the Minister to Children and Families here at Family of Christ. I couldn't feel more honored or privileged.
My husband Kevin and I met way back in 3rd grade and were neighbors for 4 years before his family moved to the Lakeville area. After being high school and college sweethearts, we were married in the summer of 1985. Kevin has his Doctorate in Pharmacology and currently works at the VA Medical Center. Together we have 5 children: Bryan (who is married to Amber Olson--daughter of FoC members Ernie & Gayla Olson), Patrick, Aaron, Christopher, and, last but in no way least (she will just not allow it), Dana.
When not working, my favorite thing to do is to curl up under a blanket with a good book. I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I also love going on scrapbooking weekends with the girl friends.
I look forward to the fun and exciting times to come here at Family of Christ and in helping to make stories of the Bible come alive and be received in a personal way by all of our children.
Susan Schmidt 952-934-5659, Ext. 27 Preschool Director
preschool@familyofchristonline.com
Jolene Satre 952-934-5659, Ext. 11 Publishing & Communications
jolene@familyofchristonline.com
Kris Spangrud 952-934-5659, Ext. 18 Finance
kris@familyofchristonline.com
Greg Provo 952-934-5659, Ext. 26 Custodian
greg@familyofchristonline.com
Pamela Schumacher 952-934-5659, Ext. 29 Connections Coordinator
pam@familyofchristonline.com
Pamela Schumacher is a graduate of North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science after earning an Associate Degree in Computer Programming from North Dakota State College School of Science.
After working in the computer field for several years in various states as her husband, Mark, was relocated for work, she found herself enjoying life at home raising her two young children and participating in considerable volunteer opportunities in the church and community.
Her love of helping people on a personal level and sharing positive faith experinces led her to pursue a position in the field of religion. She was Director of Family & Children Formation at St. Michael’s Catheral in Boise, Idaho, until a relocation opportunity moved our family to home Minnesota. Pam currently holds the position of Connections Coordinator at Family of Christ Lutheran Church, which gives her the opportunity to continue to help people connect and to share her faith.
In her spare time, Pam enjoys art, gardening, reading, and spending time with her family. Pam and Mark, live in Victoria with their two children, Alexandra and Conner, and their family pets, Pepper and Ginger.
Andrea Jeitz Interim Director of Worship & Music
Director of River of Joy, Praise for Him, Lux Aeterna
andrea@familyofchristonline.com
Ron Larson Interim Director of Family of Christ Singers
Executive Team
Church Council Members
