Pastors & Staff

Pastors

Pastor David J. Lose

Senior Pastor

Pastor Lose became the ninth senior pastor of Mount Olivet in July, 2017. Previously, he served as president of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, taught on the faculty of Luther Seminary, and served several congregations in New Jersey. He is the author of the “Making Sense” series of books and resources from Augsburg Fortress. Pastor Lose is grateful for his wife, Karin, and children, Jack and Katie. He looks forward to building on Mount Olivet’s distinguished history and present strengths so that it can be a leading light in the greater church, community, and world as we share the good news of Christ in creative and compelling ways.

612.767.2269

Pastor Kurt P. Kalland

Associate Pastor

Pastor Kalland has served as an associate pastor at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church since 1992. Pastor Kalland is the Pastoral Adviser to the Congregational Care Team and is happy to be known as the “Monsignor” of the Mount Olivet Motorheads group. He has been happily married to his wife, Dawn, for over 30 years, (they met at Cathedral of the Pines), and is blessed with two exceptional daughters, two son-in-laws, and a wonderful granddaughter. Pastor Kalland remains active in the recovery community. In his free time, he enjoys cleaning automobiles, humor, shooting sports, playing outside, and his work as a volunteer Chaplain for the Edina Police Department.

Pastor Monica M. Hammersten

Associate Pastor

The daughter of an Irish Catholic father and a Swedish Lutheran mother, Pastor Hammersten was raised at Mount Olivet and has served in many roles here throughout the years, being called as a pastor in June of 2008. A graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and Luther Seminary, Pastor Hammersten has worked as a Spanish Interpreter and a restaurant manager and owner. She currently works with the Mount Olivet Church Women (MOCW), Hi-er League (College Aged Ministry) and the Mount Olivet Thursday Friends and Mount Olivet Friends groups (Special Needs Ministry). She and her husband Tom have three sons:  Jack, Ben and Eli. When not at church, you’re likely to find her anywhere outdoors in God’s creation.

Pastor Mark J. Dixon

Associate Pastor

Pastor Dixon came to Mount Olivet in August of 2018 from New Jersey, where he earned his PhD in history from Princeton Theological Seminary and his wife Mollie worked as an RN in labor and delivery. Since their marriage in 2009, the Dixons have lived in Minnesota, Alaska, New Jersey, and Germany. Also part of the Dixon family: three (very) energetic sons–James, August, and Casper. Pastor Dixon serves as the Pastoral Adviser for Youth, for the West Campus with Pastor Freeman, for Hi-er League with Pastor Hammersten, and for Young Adults with Pastor Cieslik. When not pastoring, he enjoys watching movies, cooking, and reading. He and his wife also like taking their boys to wide open fields to watch them run.

Pastor Rebecca C. Freeman

Associate Pastor

Pastor Freeman joined Mount Olivet in September 2019. Pastor Freeman brings 12 years of pastoral experience to Mount Olivet. She is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and Luther Seminary. Pastor Freeman is the Pastoral Advisor to the West Campus with Pastor Dixon, and shares responsibilities for our disability ministries programs with Pastor Hammersten. She eagerly shares that she loves God and loves people. As a Pastor, she enjoys connecting with people of all generations, walking with people on their journey of life, and helping them understand how deeply they are loved. She is married to Sedge and is a mother to two beloved children: a son, Stellan, and a daughter, Liv. Pastor Freeman was a three-sport college athlete at Gustavus and continues to love sports. She reports that her favorite things to do include spending time with family and enjoying a good cup of coffee.

Pastor Benjamin M. Cieslik

Associate Pastor

Pastor Cieslik brings 12 years of pastoral experience to Mount Olivet, having served at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the Twin Cities since 2010 in the roles of Associate Pastor (2010-2015), Executive Pastor (2015-2017), and Co-Lead Pastor (2017-2022). He is a graduate of St. Olaf College and Luther Seminary. Pastor Cieslik will oversee our digital outreach initiatives, will take primary responsibility for our Young Adult ministry, and will focus on expanding our community engagement. He will start his role at Mount Olivet on or about April 10, 2022.

Pastor Cieslik is a strong preacher, a creative thinker, and brings deep and varied leadership experience to Mount Olivet. He is particularly passionate about engaging people of all ages with the Gospel by both traditional and new means. He is married to Beth (Bevis) Cieslik, a life-long member of Mount Olivet and former Cathedral of the Pines staff member. They are parents to two beloved children: daughter Greta, and son Bjorn. Pastor Cieslik knows Mount Olivet well, having served as a Confirmation Mentor and as a participant in the Young Marrieds group along with Beth.

 

Staff

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Cody Anderson

Facilities Support, West Campus

Geoff Arenson

Director of Youth Ministry

612.767.2212

Tricia Asuncion

Director of Facilities Operations & Congregational Care Young in Heart & Friends Coordinator

612.767.2218 or 612.767.2210

Sam Balzer

Nursery Coordinator

612.767.2223

Jody Barbee

Operations Coordinator, West Campus

952.767.1501

Amanda Betz-Rolph

Co-Lead Preschool Teacher B

Jeremy Bork

Director of Programming & Communications, Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center

952.469.2175 x 307

Gail Breen

Coordinator of Membership, Fellowship, & Special Events

612.767.2289

Emma Brink

6th Grade Support Staff

Jordan Buchholtz

Principal Organist

612.767.2283

Jonna Bundul

Administrative Assistant to Congregational Care & Funeral Coordinator

612.767.2257

Maggie Carlson

Part Time Wedding Coordinator

612.767.2266

Sam Chavezvaladez

Facilites Support, Minneapolis Campus

Beverly Claflin

Director of Worship & Music

612.767.2263

Greta Cologne

Assistant Preschool Teacher

Allen Dyar

Facilities Support, Minneapolis Campus

Noah Elrod

Facilities Support, Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center

Jackie Enestvedt

Director of Congregational Engagement & Communications

612.767.2240

Carl Engbretson

Youth Staff, West Campus

Kris Ericksen

Coordinator of Cathedral of the Pines Camp

612.767.2207

Becky Faison

Lead Teacher Preschool B

Libby Fotland

Coordinator of Marketing & Communications

612.767.2203

Kris Fruetel

Assistant to the Director of Finance

612.767.2229

Julie Goodman

Director of Congregational Care

612.767.2208

Kristi Grall

Kitchen Staff

Ron Groat

Psychiatrist, Mount Olivet Counseling Service

612.927.7335

Heather Guerin

Director of Development

d. 612.767.2213 m. 651.216.6524

Laurie Hancer

Coordinator of Service & Volunteers

612.767.2267

Tyler Hauser

Coordinator of Development

612.767.2214

Anna Herd

Coordinator of Junior High Youth, Minneapolis Campus

612.767.2279

Sherri Herman

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Mount Olivet Counseling Service

612.927.7335 x 117

Bradley Hinz

Lead Cook, Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center

952.469.2175 x 305

Bella Hueffmeier

Receptionist, Minneapolis Campus

612.767.2200

Julia Jallo

Coordinator of Senior High Youth, West Campus

952.767.1502

Amanda Jenkins

Administrative Assistant to Worship & Music

612.767.2277

Kris Johnson

Coordinator of Membership Records

612.767.2253

Kristie Johnson

Coordinator of Benefits & Payroll

612.767.2249

Sam Karon

Facilites Support, Minneapolis Campus

Nikki Knudson-Dalal

Individual and Couples Therapist, Mount Olivet Counseling Service

612.927.7335 x 114

Emmet Kowler

Coordinator of Video Production

612.767.2256

Theresa Latini

Executive Director of Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center

Rebecca Leahy

Co-Lead Preschool Teacher A

Jon LeBlanc

Head Chef & Culinary Director, Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center

952.469.2175 x 305

Tricia Lerohl-Morgan

Coordinator of Financial Records

612.767.2255

Pastor William B. MacLean

Visitation Pastor

612.767.2230

Stephanie McGinty

Coordinator of Congregational Care

612.767.2209

Sally McNamee

Director of Culinary Services

612.767.2222

Katy Michaletz

Director of Children & Family Ministry

612.767.2245

Jason Millard

Coordinator of Audio Production

612.767.2247

Brian Mortenson

Head of Vision Partners and Planned Giving

612.767.2259

Nancy Nash

Senior Director of Operations

612.767.2275

Deanne Nelson

Director of Finance

612.767.2280

Espen Nelson

Facilities Support, Mpls Campus

Mike Nelson

Kitchen Staff & Beekeeper

Nancy Nelson

Coordinator of Congregational Care

612.767.2288

Rodney Nelson

Kitchen Staff

Amy Nelson

Accounts Payable

Stacy Nessett

Facilities Support, West Campus

Macey Oliver

Coordinator of Senior High Youth, Minneapolis Campus

612.767.2237

Kristin Olson

Mount Olivet Summer Camp Coordinator and Children & Family Ministry Support

612.767.2246

Emily Osnes

Manager of Community Engagement and Donor Relations

651.336.0762

Molly Pach

Office Manager, Mount Olivet Counseling Service

612.927.7335 x 110

Beverly Pitt

Preschool Aide

Amy Porthan

Coordinator of Children’s Faith Formation, Minneapolis Campus

612.767.2285

Austin Rau

Facilities Operation Manager

Julie Reece

Operations Coordinator, Minneapolis Campus

612.767.2260

Allison Richards

Director of the Mount Olivet Counseling Service

612.927.7335 x115

Meghan Rickert

6th Grade Support Staff

Katie Ridler

Youth Staff and Confirmation Support, West Campus

952.767.1581

Colleen Roess

Musikgarten Coordinator

612.767.2258

Lisa Rosenfield

Director of Mount Olivet Preschool

612.767.2216

Lacy Rouland

Facilities Support, Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center

Andrew Ruona

Groundskeeper and Facilities Operation Support, Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center

Sam Sanda

Youth Staff

612.767.2211

Pastor Linton Scott

Outreach Ministry Pastor

612.721.2588

Mandie Siems

Director of Guest Engagement, Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center

952.469.2175 x 304

Angie St. Dennis

Coordinator of Confirmation

612.767.2244

Isabel St. Dennis

Receptionist, Minneapolis Campus

612.767.2200

Elena Stabile

Coordinator of Mount Olivet School of Music & the Arts

612.767.2262

Jaime Stansberry

Lead Teacher Preschool A

Samantha Stevens

Co-Lead Preschool Teacher

Katie Stevenson

Director of Stewardship & Coordinator of Adult Education

612.767.2232

Rachel Sufficool

Congregational Care Wellness Coordinator

612.767.2235

Charlie Teien

Youth Coordinator, Mpls & West Campuses

612.767.2268

Anna Teurman

Assistant Preschool Teacher

Megan van Deusen

Nature Educator and Facilities Coordinator, Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center

952.469.2175

Sara Watne

Individual, Adolescent and Group Therapist, Mount Olivet Counseling Service

612.927.7335 x 113

Amy Wiesner

Lead Teacher Preschool C

Kristi Youngdahl

Director of Cathedral of the Pines