LEADERSHIP MODEL
Our Leadership Model is unique to Our Savior's Lutheran Church. You may access the wheel by clicking here.
PASTORS
J. Mark Halvorson: Senior Pastor | mark@oursaviorslutheran.org
Brief bio: I am a husband to Karen, a father to one daughter, Jessica, a grandfather to Chance, a foster dad to two, Kim and Dan, a foster grandparent to two, Lang and Bao
Music: lite classical, new age, and most styles of choral music
Movies: Chariots of Fire, Forrest Gump, Lawrence of Arabia, and The Thorn Birds
Books: The Kite Runner, most historical fiction, most books by John Grisham, Friedman's Fables, church leadership books by Peter Steinke, cookbooks with pictures
Heroes: Martin Luther, Abraham Lincoln and Harry Truman
Little Known Fact: Karen and I met on the streets of New York City after being classmates at Luther College for 2 1/2 years. We then discovered that our moms introduced us as babies when they were young pastor's wives in Washington state.
Quote: "Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace midst the storm"
Myron E. Nysether: Associate Pastor | myron@oursaviorslutheran.org
Brief bio: I am a husband of 44 years, the father of two grown sons, the grandfather of two wonderful children, a parish pastor, a former state legislator, a retired military chaplain and a Full Blooded Norwegian
Music: Classical, Sacred, Some Country, Rock and Roll Before 1960
Movies: Casablanca, East of Eden, Giant, Verdict, Saving Private Ryan
Books: Biographies, History, "The Hammer of God"
Heroes: Lincoln, Eisenhower, The Four Chaplains
Little Known Fact: If I told, it would not be little known anymore
Quote: "Faith is believing in that which you do not fully understand"
Megan Clapp: Pastor | megan@oursaviorslutheran.org
Brief Bio: I’m a newlywed, a lover of clothes, shoes and accessories, but especially shoes and an avid yogi. Along with two of my colleagues in the Midwest, I’m an amateur blogger of fashion, ministry and leadership. A great book or movie keeps me entertained. Travel opportunities keep me dreaming. Good food and good friends are one of my favorite combinations. I’m the oldest of 4 kids and a graduate of Augustana College (IL) and Luther Seminary (MN). My internship was at Central Lutheran Church in Everett, WA. I think being a pastor is pretty cool (at least so far).
Music: The Civil Wars, The Avett Brothers, The Weepies, Dave Barnes, Florence and the Machine, Sara Barellies
Movies: Almost any romantic comedy, Away We Go, The Holiday, UP, Center Stage
Books: Little Women (I read it every year at Christmas), The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor
Heroes: Dr. Karoline Lewis (professor at Luther Seminary),
Little Known Fact: I was born on August 5, 1984 at 28 weeks gestation. I weighed 2 lbs 11 oz. I spent the summer of 2010 as a chaplain in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at the University of MN hospital and it brought my story full circle
Quote: "Christian living does not mean to be good but to become good; not to be well, but to get well; not being but becoming; not rest but training. We are not yet, but we shall be. It has not yet happened. But it is the way. Not everything shines and sparkles as yet, but everything is getting better" - Martin Luther
John M. Braaten: Assistant Pastor | john@oursaviorslutheran.org
Brief Bio: I am a retired pastor serving part-time with major responsibility at the Epiphany Campus of Our Savior’s
Music: I am a lover of classical music (think Beethoven and Saint-Saens) but can appreciate other
musical genre as well…except rap
Movies: Movies aren’t my thing but I am somewhat of a TV sports aficionado
Books: The Bible, The Denial of Death, Man’s Search for Meaning, What’s So Amazing about Grace, and any book by Helmut Thielicke
Heroes: The wonderful people who have touched my life with grace and comfort when I most needed someone
Little Known Fact: Few people would expect that, at 70-plus, I am an avid racquetball player and am competitive with competition over 50
Quote: "He who laughs last…is very fortunate!"
Eric Clapp: Intern Pastor | eric@oursaviorslutheran.org
Brief Bio: I’m a new husband, the older of two boys to wonderful parents and a diehard Minnesota sports fan. I graduated from Concordia-Moorhead and spent my seminary time at both PLTS in Berkeley and Luther in St. Paul. In my free time I’m an amateur chef, avid reader, lover of golf, and travel enthusiast.
Music: Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz, Counting Crows, The Civil Wars, The Killers, Mumford & Sons, David Crowder Band, James Taylor, Ray Charles, Adele, Snow Patrol, and Matt Wertz
Movies: The Godfather trilogy, Shawshank Redemption, Up, Away We Go, The Thin Red Line, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Big Lebowski and Memento
Books: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Kirby Puckett, and Desmond Tutu
Heroes: I think I have at least as much to learn from my dog as anyone else
Little Known Fact: I started playing guitar when I was 9 years old because I wanted play along with my parents’ cassette tapes of The Eagles
Quote: "The grace of God means something like this: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you" - Frederick Buechner
EAST MESA CAMPUS
Jason Gahm: Office Administrator | info@oursaviorslutheran.org
Phyllis Keith: Secretary | phyllis@oursaviorslutheran.org
Lorayne Thompson: Secretary | lorayne@oursaviorslutheran.org
Kimberly Bergh: Assistant Treasurer | kim@oursaviorslutheran.org
John Weber: Director of Music & Organist
Dwight Walth: Chancel & Handbell Choir Director
Ned Potter: Senior Choir Director & Substitute Organist
Kimberly Welch: Nursery Coordinator
EPIPHANY/APACHE JUNCTION CAMPUS
Jackie Kruse: Secretary | epiphany@oursaviorslutheran.org
Kay Johnson: Organist
Bob McDowell: Choir Director
GOLD CANYON CAMPUS
Richard Wall: Keyboard & Choir Director
CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS
President - Robert Keller
Vice President - Steve Reiland
Treasurer - John Malmberg
Secretary - Tracie Curtis
Administration - David Anderson
Care - Carol Meshefski
Discipleship - Jennifer Uphoff
Epiphany - Stan Lehman
Gold Canyon - Glen Mesker
Mission - Ron Nordin
Welcome - Keri Young
Worship - Bobbi Salzbrun