Core Leadership Team for Children, Youth, and Family Ministry

The Core Leadership Team is comprised of 12 members and staff from the Minneapolis Area and Saint Paul Area Synods. The committee works to provide fellowship events, networking opportunities, and other support to congregations, ministers, and the young people with whom they serve. Their mission: “To support, empower and develop children, youth and family ministries to nurture discipleship for leaders and congregations.”

Saint Paul Area Synod

The Rev. TJ Anderson
Pastor – Family Ministries
Trinity Lutheran Church
115 N 4th Street
Stillwater, MN  55082
W: 651.439.7400 x120
tanderson@trinitylc.org

Don Marsh
AIM/Director of Youth and Family Ministry
Augustana Lutheran Church
1400 South Robert St.
West S. Paul MN 55118
W: 651.457.3373 C: 612.708.0373
dmarsh@augustana.com

The Rev. Cassandra (Cassie) Nault
Associate Pastor
Pilgrim Lutheran Church
1935 St Clair Ave
St Paul, MN  55105
W: 651.699.6886
cnault001@luthersem.edu

Joe Rand
Director of Youth Ministry
Chisago Lake Lutheran Church
Box 175
Center City, MN  55012
W: 651.257.6300 C: 612.483.3003
cllcyouth@citlink.net    

Mel Johnson
Children’s Ministry Director
All Saints Lutheran Church
8100 Belden Boulevard
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
651.452.7256
Email: mel@allsaintscg.org

Nina Joy
Luther Seminary
2481 Como Ave
St Paul, MN  55108
C: 605.677.8306
njoy@ilovejesus.net     

The Rev. Susan Miller (SPAS staff)
Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Life and Mission
Saint Paul Area Synod
105 University Ave West
St. Paul, MN  55103-2094
W: 651.224.4313 C: 651.324.5779
susan.miller@spas-elca.org

Minneapolis Area Synod       

Bob Windels (Chair)
Director of Youth Ministry
Gethsemane Lutheran Church
715 Minnetonka Mills Rd
Hopkins MN  55343-7291
W: 952.935.1753 
bwindels@glconline.org

Lonna Fields
Volunteer
Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
1800 Glenwood Ave N
Minneapolis MN  55405
C: 612.708.1107
lonna_field@yahoo.com   

Raul Garcia, III
Associate in Ministry
Associate Director of Youth and Family Ministry
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
18500 County Road 101
Maple Grove MN 55311
W: 763.420.5015 C: 952.451.9398
raul@lordoflife.org

The Rev. Mark Lepper
Pastor
St. John Lutheran Church
148 Chestnut St S
Belle Plaine, MN  56011-1909
W: 952.873.6492
thelepper@gmail.com   

Chris Okey
Director of Youth Ministry
Woodlake Lutheran Church
7525 Oliver Ave S
Richfield MN 55423
W: 612-866-8449 C: 612.701.5749
cokey@woodlakechurch.org

The Rev. Jason Okrzynski
Associate Pastor
Faith Lutheran Church
800 Waconia Parkway N
Waconia, MN  55387
W: 952-442-2101 C: 612.964.7808
jasono@waconiafaithlutheran.com

Jo Mueller (MAS staff)
Associate in Ministry
Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator
Minneapolis Area Synod
122 W. Frankin Ave, Suite 600
Minneapolis, MN 55404
W: 612.230.3305 C: 612.812.4323
j.mueller@mpls-synod.org