Pastor Chris
Background and Education
Pastor Chris grew up in the Minneapolis area, before attending Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, seminary at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN and the Executive Leadership program at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He served as a pastor at several churches in the Minneapolis suburbs, before being called to Good Shepherd in 2016 as lead pastor. His favorite part of Good Shepherd is the sense of community he feels every time he walks through the doors of either campus.
Family
He is married to his wife, Carrie, and has two daughters, Berit and Liv.
Pastor Sheryl
Background and Education
Pastor Sheryl grew up in Richfield, MN, before attending Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN and seminary at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. She was called as a pastor to Good Shepherd in 1987 and has served here for more than 33 years. She loves that our congregation engages families in intergenerational ministry experiences, which help everyone grow together in their faith. She also is an avid lover of nature and wildlife. She spends one week a year taking care of black bears and volunteering as a Bear Educator at the North American Bear Center in Ely, MN.
Family
She has been married for 27 years to her husband, David, and has a daughter, Kristen, who just graduated from Luther College in Decorah, IA.
Pastor Dara
Background and Education
Pastor Dara (pronounced like Sarah with a D) grew up in Northern Wisconsin and spent a lot of time outdoors fishing, hiking, and camping with her nature-loving parents. She attended Luther College in Decorah, IA and seminary at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, before she got her first call as a pastor to Good Shepherd in 2012. She has had the joy of working in a variety of ministries in her time at Good Shepherd, including leading adult Bible Studies and book studies, helping develop connections in the Verona community and being a part of the Reconciling in Christ Task Force. She can often be found out in the Food Pantry Garden, which the church started in 2018. Planting, tending and harvesting food for others reminds her of all the gifts of God, and how God calls us to share them.
Family
She enjoys reading, being outdoors and spending time with her husband, Bjorn, her sons, Thor and Griffin, and her rescue dog, Maggie.