Staff

It is my joy to serve as senior pastor at Faith. Ordained in 1984, I served congregations in Minnesota and Virginia before coming to Albuquerque. I also served as a chaplain in the Army Reserve. My wife, Kirsten, and I have lived here since 1998. Like many of you, New Mexico has truly become our home. My interests include archery, hiking, biking, and camping.

Our four children, Jessica and her husband, Jay, Emily and her husband, Brian, Meredith and her husband, Ryan, and Melinda and her husband, Israel, have blessed us richly in this new season of life with our grandchildren, Carson, Landon, Oksana, Makaria, Elazar and Makayla.

People often ask me, “What does it mean to be a Lutheran?” The best answer I can give is this, “It means being a Christian!” Here at Faith, we are serious about following Jesus and inviting others to experience the joy that is ours as sons and daughters of the living God. Come join us.

My wife Joy, our four children, and I all thank God we are part of the body of Christ called Faith Lutheran. With over 20 years experience serving congregations in California, Texas, and now New Mexico, we are blessed to call Albuquerque our home since 2010. I oversee all the ministries for children at Faith and desire to partner with families for a vibrant faith in Christ. I love teaching the Bible, talking about following Jesus in real life, discussing the culture around us, and where they all cross paths. When any of that involves my family, watching football, or drinking coffee it’s even better.

A part of the Faith Lutheran Church family first as a member and then as a pastoral intern, Carol was ordained at Faith in 2012. She now serves as an Associate Pastor. In addition to assisting with worship and preaching, Carol teaches adult education classes. Previously a college instructor in art history, Carol says, “Having this background influences the way I teach and preach in the church. So much wonderful Christian art has been created to inspire faith over the centuries, and I enjoy including examples to provide a visual anchor for the Gospel message.”

I was born in a Displaced person’s camp in Austria after World War II, and five years later, my family immigrated to Nebraska through the sponsorship of the Lutheran World Relief. My father died suddenly a few months later. I attended the University of Nebraska for two years, was drafted, and then served in the U. S. Air Force for four years. I finished my bachelor’s degree and the Master of Divinity at Abilene Christian University. I was the Minister of two congregations, one in Missouri and one in Connecticut and then served as an active duty Navy Chaplain for eight years. I subsequently served in the Navy Reserve until retirement as a senior chaplain in 2007. Meanwhile, I obtained a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a Dr of Ministry from Fuller Seminary in Family Systems. I have been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 1991, and have served on staff as a counseling Pastor in a church in Michigan for 18 years, and then in Albuquerque for 7 years before coming to Faith Lutheran in March, 2016 as an LCMC Pastor.

Operating on a suggested donation basis, I provide Professional Counseling Therapy and Pastoral Care in the context of thoroughly integrated Biblical principles, informed by Counseling Psychology, and tempered by extensive experience.

My goal is to provide healing, grace-filled counseling that seeks to reconcile individuals and families to God, themselves, and each other.

My high school sweetheart, Wanda Lee and I have been married for 48 great years. W e have three children and eight grandchildren. We enjoy bicycling, hiking, disc golf and travelling.

I was raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, where my father was senior pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church. While a language major at Luther College, I met my husband Bruce. Together we enjoyed raising four daughters, who are all adults now. I joined the Faith staff in September of 2002. I assist with the assimilation of our new members, our various mission and service projects, and our military support ministry. The highlight of any given week is spending time with family, especially our two precious grandsons, Carson and Landon.

I am blessed to serve as the school director after having served in education with young children for over 20 years. I grew up in Santa Fe, NM and have lived in Albuquerque for 37 years. I became a member of Faith Lutheran 7 years ago and love to hear my daughter, Anna Gear and her husband Brady sing in our church band. I ask love spending time with my grandchildren Hunter and Harper. I strive to keep Children of Fatih a quality Christian preschool and living out our mission to lead to children to Christ.

Stephanie has served at Faith Lutheran for 9 years and is in charge of all elementary school programs. She has a passion for working with children and watching them grow in their faith. A kid at heart, you can usually find her tinkering with craft ideas and experimenting with messy object lessons. Stephanie also enjoys hiking and exploring God’s creations, as well as a good cup of Starbuck’s coffee.

I have had the honor of being a member of Faith Lutheran Church along with my wife Christy Strachan and 3 kids for almost 4 years now. I was blessed to grow up here at Faith, since the age of 4. Faith has always felt like home for me and I couldn’t be happier that Christy feels the same way. Our children Laila 8, Jaimes 6 and Abbey 4, who were baptized at Faith, love this church just as much as we do. We are grateful for our Church family and couldn’t be more thankful for the people God and Faith, has put into our lives.
I am currently attending Grand Canyon University with the goal of attaining my bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies.
We strive as a family to live Christ centered lives, in which we learn, serve and grow together.

Helen moved to Albuquerque in 2002, and has been on staff at Faith Lutheran Church since 2003. She directs the chancel choir, the children’s choir, and small groups. Outside of church, Helen keeps herself busy with the activities of her three children.

Ruth joined Faith Lutheran Church in 1980. The church purchased two octaves of handbells in 1983 and Ruth became the director of Campanas de Fe (Bells of Faith) in 1984. Outside of church, Ruth keeps busy with the Del Norte Rotary Club, ushering at Popejoy Hall and weaving.

Tom and his family have been members at FLC since 1998. Tom joined the praise team in 1999, and became its leader in early 2009. He has been playing “at” the piano since he was 4 years old, and has been a singer, songwriter and church musician for as long as he can remember. He and his wife Vicki have three grown children. “I am humbled and honored to lead an amazingly talented and dedicated group of musicians who strive every week to bring glory to God through beautiful music.”

Ronda grew up in Minnesota and Iowa and graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She moved to Albuquerque in 1983 and started playing organ and piano at Faith in 2000. She and her husband Tom have three adult children.

My family and I began attending worship services at Faith Lutheran almost 25 years ago. Faith was not the first church we visited after moving to Albuquerque from Texas, the state in which I was born; however, Faith was the church where we felt we belonged and “at home” with our new Faith family. My baptism took place here at Faith Lutheran as well as my wedding to my wonderful husband, Chris Otero.

For the most part, I grew up in Texas along with my older brother and only sibling who still resides there with my two very active and curious nephews. Attending a week of church camp three summers in a row with a fellow sister in Christ was one of the highlights of my childhood growing up in Texas, in addition to the life-long friends that were made. Other fond memories come to mind while spending time at the beach after a drive to Galveston taking only a couple of hours.

After graduating high school in Albuquerque and while working part-time, I attended Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), although it had a different name back then, earning my Associate of Arts in Pre-Management degree. In pursuit of an undergraduate degree and working full-time, I attended the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico (UNM) earning a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree while maintaining a 3.5 grade point average (GPA). The achievement was particularly important to me being the first female in my family to receive a college degree. Currently, I am pursuing a graduate degree and am enrolled as a full-time student at the Anderson School of Management UNM. In the fall of 2020, I anticipate receiving a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and will be the first female in the family to do so.

Past professional work experience includes employment at an Attorney’s Law Offices located in the downtown district, Re-Insurance company domiciled in the Turks and Caicos Islands located in the Uptown area, and briefly at a Real Estate company.

During my down-time, I enjoy being in the great outdoors and cannot get enough of mother nature.

It has been a blessing to serve Faith as a staff member for the past 13 years!

My  husband and I were raised in Maryland. A job offer to my husband from Sandia Labs brought us to Albuquerque in 1977. My family and I first visited Faith for a Christmas Eve service in 1994 and joined in July 1995. I joined the staff in August 2000. I feel blessed to be part of a wonderful church family, have a wonderful husband, two children, and two grandchildren.

In Roswell, I attended the New Mexico Military Institute and then Eastern New Mexico University before entering the Army Signal Corps in 1966 to spend 23 years, and retiring in 1989. I also have a MS in Media Technology from the University of Wisconsin-(Stout) and am a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College. Upon retirement, I returned to the Institute where I served as the Chief of Staff for nine years. I elected to move to Albuquerque when my wife had been offered a position as a school librarian. I worked for Lucent and Qwest for 9 years before coming to Faith in 2006.

I have worked in the front office at Faith Lutheran Church for about 3 years. I answer the phone and greet visitors. There is some office work involved and opportunities to work with volunteers. This is a warm cheerful environment and it is a pleasure to be a part of this staff.

I have been Faith’s Kitchen Coordinator since 2005. I’ve been blessed to work with a wonderful staff and great volunteers. Together we create a comfortable atmosphere to learn about God’s love and his many blessings. I’ve been married 30 years to Ross; a now retired Air Force Officer. We have two sons, a grandson, and two dogs. I enjoy traveling and gardening with my dogs. I look forward to cooking for you!

I have been a member of Faith Lutheran since 2012. I have been blessed to be a member of the staff since December of 2016! I love getting to cook and serve food to the many different groups at Faith! Faith has members of all ages. The kids programs are awesome; and the adult programs are fun and have provided me with spiritual growth! I am a native of Albuquerque. I have four children and one grandson! In my free time I enjoy walking my dogs, going to the gym, watching English Premier League Soccer and card making!

TR

It has been my pleasure and honor to be a part of the Faith staff since 2013. I enjoy the working relationships and friendships I’ve made with everyone and feel blessed each day. I was born and raised in Albuquerque. I am married to a wonderful man, Steve Marsh. Together we have four beautiful daughters and seven grandchildren. I want to extend a warm welcome to any visitors looking at Faith Lutheran Church as your home church. I hope you will join us for worship and find out more about what our beautiful church has to offer.