Staff at Faith Lutheran Church

Rev. Jason Okrzynski
Associate Pastor
JasonO@waconiafaithlutheran.com
Pastor Okrzynski was called to Faith Lutheran church in Waconia on May 28, 2006. Jason, who grew up just South East of Waconia in Rochester first began contemplating this call during his time at John Marshall high school. This call become more apparent during his college years at Concordia in Moorhead. Jason was particularly influenced by his time as a camp counselor and work in youth ministry. In the Spring of 2006 this calling became a concrete reality with his graduation from Luther Seminary in St. Paul and arrival at Faith.
Prior to his calling to Faith Lutheran, Jason worked as a youth director in several churches. Jason spent two years as the youth worker at Bethel Lutheran in Rochester. Later, he served at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran in Apple Valley, MN during which time he completed his youth and family ministry certification at Luther Seminary. Most recently Jason served part time as the youth assistant at Our Savior’s Lutheran in Stillwater, MN.
When not at church Pastor Jason spends most of his time with his wife and dog Benny. Jason and Maren met during college and were married in August of 2003. They look forward to starting a family. They also eagerly await the day their puppy’s energy subsides.
Jason is also passionate about movies, music, golf and is an avid gamer. He would do next to anything to find an excuse to be in the mountains. Pastor Okrzynski loves, warm Chocolate chip cookies and milk more than just about anything.
Jason looks forward to his time serving faith. As a vibrant and growing congregation the future looks bright, and the opportunities endless. Jason serves faith as it associate focusing his passion and time on youth, mission and outreach. Of course Jason will also support Pastor Peterson by sharing the teaching and preaching load. When asked why Jason took the call at Faith, he responded positively “Faith seems like a place where God is definitely up to something big!”

Dan Carlson
Pastoral Assistant
dan.carlson@publicsafetyministries.org

We welcome Dan Carlson to our staff this February. Dan will serve Faith part time as a pastoral assistant with Pastor Dale and Pastor Jason for one year as he fulfills internship requirements for ordination in the ELCA. His responsibilities will include general pastoral duties such as preaching, teaching, visitation, worship leadership and pastoral care. Dan will also put particular focus on Thursday evening worship and work with the Social Outreach Ministry Area on building a stronger relationship with our partner church in north Minneapolis,
Redeemer Lutheran.

Dan retired in December of 2006 as Chief of Police of the Eden Prairie Police Department. He is currently the director of Public Safety Ministries. Dan is a candidate for ordination through the Minneapolis Area Synod and Luther Seminary. Dan and his wife Camilla have been married 25 years and live in Excelsior. They are active members of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. Dan and Camilla have a son, Peter, and two daughters, Amy and Sophie. Welcome to our ministry at Faith!


		Staff
	Rev. Dale R. Peterson Senior Pastor Dale@waconiafaithlutheran.com Pastor Peterson is a graduate of Minneapolis Washburn High School, the University of Minnesota, and Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Prior to seminary and ordination Pastor Peterson worked for many years as a youth worker and chemical dependency counselor. Before coming to Faith Lutheran, Pastor Peterson served Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Circle Pines, Minnesota, Bethesda Lutheran Church in Jewell, Iowa and most recently Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Pastor Peterson stated, “I am very excited to be Senior Pastor at Faith. I have received a very warm welcome to the congregation and the community. I look forward to getting to know the people of Faith and the people of Waconia. We have an energetic and growing congregation and community. At Faith we will continue and grow in our rich traditions of meaningful worship, excellent music, great youth and family programming, ministry to all ages, and social education and outreach. We welcome anyone who does not have a church home to be our guest at worship any Sunday morning at 8:00, 9:30 or 11:00 AM. Christian Education opportunities are available at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 AM. A special welcome to new residents in the area.” Rev. Jason Okrzynski Associate Pastor JasonO@waconiafaithlutheran.com Pastor Okrzynski was called to Faith Lutheran church in Waconia on May 28, 2006. Jason, who grew up just South East of Waconia in Rochester first began contemplating this call during his time at John Marshall high school. This call become more apparent during his college years at Concordia in Moorhead. Jason was particularly influenced by his time as a camp counselor and work in youth ministry. In the Spring of 2006 this calling became a concrete reality with his graduation from Luther Seminary in St. Paul and arrival at Faith. Prior to his calling to Faith Lutheran, Jason worked as a youth director in several churches. Jason spent two years as the youth worker at Bethel Lutheran in Rochester. Later, he served at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran in Apple Valley, MN during which time he completed his youth and family ministry certification at Luther Seminary. Most recently Jason served part time as the youth assistant at Our Savior’s Lutheran in Stillwater, MN. When not at church Pastor Jason spends most of his time with his wife and dog Benny. Jason and Maren met during college and were married in August of 2003. They look forward to starting a family. They also eagerly await the day their puppy’s energy subsides. Jason is also passionate about movies, music, golf and is an avid gamer. He would do next to anything to find an excuse to be in the mountains. Pastor Okrzynski loves, warm Chocolate chip cookies and milk more than just about anything. Jason looks forward to his time serving faith. As a vibrant and growing congregation the future looks bright, and the opportunities endless. Jason serves faith as it associate focusing his passion and time on youth, mission and outreach. Of course Jason will also support Pastor Peterson by sharing the teaching and preaching load. When asked why Jason took the call at Faith, he responded positively “Faith seems like a place where God is definitely up to something big!” Dan Carlson Pastoral Assistant dan.carlson@publicsafetyministries.org We welcome Dan Carlson to our staff this February. Dan will serve Faith part time as a pastoral assistant with Pastor Dale and Pastor Jason for one year as he fulfills internship requirements for ordination in the ELCA. His responsibilities will include general pastoral duties such as preaching, teaching, visitation, worship leadership and pastoral care. Dan will also put particular focus on Thursday evening worship and work with the Social Outreach Ministry Area on building a stronger relationship with our partner church in north Minneapolis, Redeemer Lutheran. Dan retired in December of 2006 as Chief of Police of the Eden Prairie Police Department. He is currently the director of Public Safety Ministries. Dan is a candidate for ordination through the Minneapolis Area Synod and Luther Seminary. Dan and his wife Camilla have been married 25 years and live in Excelsior. They are active members of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. Dan and Camilla have a son, Peter, and two daughters, Amy and Sophie. Welcome to our ministry at Faith!


Our Program Staff: Ms. Mary Westlund serves as Faith’s Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator Age 3 - Grade 5. Mary came on staff in1992, but has worked in the area of Christian Education most of her adult life. Mary manages all of our programs for children age 3 - grade 5. She coordinates Faith’s Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, Day Camp, Good News Bearers, and Christmas Festivals for children, and sits on the Christian Education Ministry. You may contact Mary at, Mary@Waconiafaithlutheran.com Ms. Kallie Stroh Kallie Stroh is the Director of Youth and Family Ministry for 6th-12th grade. She came on staff in October of 2006 and coordinates Peace & Justice, Confirmation, high school Sunday school and the Revolution. Kallie is a 2002 graduate from Mankato East High School and graduated in 2005 from Gustavus Adolphus College with majors in Communication Studies and Religion. She also spent a semester studying social justice, peace, and development in India. She and her husband, Tyler, were married in December of 2006 and they live in Chaska with their cats Page and Rory. You may contact Kallie at, Kallie@Waconiafaithlutheran.com Music Staff: Mr. Aaron Olson is our Director of Faith Choir (adult) Ms. Lisa Roddy is the Director of the Joy Choir, for children 3rd - 6th grade. Ms. Lea Ann Burau is the Director of the Cherub Choir, for children Kindergarten - 2nd grade. Ms. Colleen Albani is our interim Director of Faithful Ringers, our bell choir. (adult & youth) Mr. Mark Hannan is our 11am music worship coordinator, you can email Mark at linesfordeparture@yahoo.com. (adult & youth) Our Support Staff: Mr. Mike Christopherson is Faith’s Church Administrator, Mike began this position in March 2006, in addition to his administrative duties Mike is also the financial coordinator. Contact Mike at, MikeC@Waconiafaithlutheran.com Ms. Jean Krukowski is Faith's Youth and Family Ministries Administrator. Jean began this position in 2002, and supports both Youth and Family Ministers by preparing Youth Ministry publications, managing schedules, preparing and sending mailings,all registrations. Website coordinator with Melonie Elvebak. .Jean also serves as Faith's Comunication editor. she designs and publishes Faith In Action & bulletins. Contact Jean at, Jean@Waconiafaithlutheran.com Ms. Susie Watts is Faith's Volunteer Coordinatior. Susie began in April 2007, she will be organizing our volunteer data base, and support the administrators. Contact Susie at, Susie@Waconiafaithlutheran.com Mr. Dennis Degn joined our staff in September 2004 as our full time custodian. He keeps our facility clean and in good running order. Our staff is proud to serve Jesus Christ through our ministry together at Faith Lutheran Church!