Kathy and I have two wonderful daughters; Aimée, a college sophomore, and Hannah, a high school junior. Kathy teaches preschool and when we aren’t occupied with work and school, we love hiking, biking and the occasional popcorn and a movie. When I have free time, I like to read, run and strum the guitar.

Being a pastor was never part of the career plan and, contrary to expectations, I never heard a voice from heaven; things unfolded and sometimes that’s how God chooses to work. I’m a University of Kansas graduate (go Jayhawks!) and have an MBA from Indiana University. After spending 12 years in marketing at General Mills, (I still eat Cheerios most every morning), I left the corporate world for the non-profit - going to seminary and serving on the boards of several Christian organizations.

When I heard the vision for starting a church in this community, I was all in. Kathy and I met when I lived on the west side of Lake Harriet and she on the east. We both loved SW Minneapolis and on a brisk November day in 1990 got engaged in the Rose Garden. Even today our favorite date is a walk around the lake and a stop at Sebastian Joe’s for a scoop of raspberry chocolate chip.

Our love for this neighborhood and the vision of a church committed to serve the city is what grabbed me. To be a part of a church committed to “love God and love others” is something I can give my life to.

My wife Andrea and I will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary this summer. We have been blessed with two boys, Jack (5) and Carter (3) and Douglas, our miniature Daschund. Jack is an avid drummer and Carter’s hobbies include copying his brother and destroying everything he touches.

4 random facts about me:
1. I am the Mr. Rogers of hoodies.
2. I think Rice Krispie treats are proof that God loves us.
3. I firmly believe that if Johnny Cash was still alive, he and I would be close personal friends.
4. I am honored to be a part of City Church’s mission to seek the peace and welfare of Minneapolis.

Even though I have a Bachelor of Music Education and I enjoyed working with students, I never really felt like I was making full use of all of my musical skills and interests. As the lead singer/guitarist for the band Moxie Bliss (2001-2008), I had the opportunity to travel, perform and record everywhere from Los Angeles, California to Glasgow, Scotland. I put teaching on the back burner and started painting with a remodeling company until my son was born. Andrea and I both felt it was time for a change. She was ready to stay at home, and I was ready to not come home smelling like lacquer all the time. As it has turned out, City Church has turned out to be not only a great place of employment for me but also a great church home and a community where we have been able to plug in and get connected with people. I am more and more convinced every day that God called us here and that He has been so faithful in directing our steps. It has been a great privilege and honor to serve here these last 5 years, and I am still excited to see what God has in store for City Church and how I can be a partner in that.

I live in Linden Hills with my husband (of 19 years) Doug, daughters Samantha (16) and Jocie (11), and our 6 year old black & white half-beagle, Lilly. I enjoy reading and gardening, but have trouble finding time for either one in between the girls' volleyball games.

I graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor of Architecture and worked for design firms in New York City and Minneapolis. Since the birth of my daughters, I have done several freelance architecture projects, been an in-home child care provider, and volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, SWAC soccer and volleyball coach, neighborhood board member, and worked on various school and church projects.

Ten months after my first visit to Wooddale Church in 2004, a plan was announced to start a new church, City Church, 10 blocks from my house. I was excited to be a part of the Children’s Ministry here, hoping to continue in my volunteer teaching role with the preschoolers. My responsibilities increased slightly, taking on the leadership of the Children’s Ministry at City Church. These past 7 years have been a testament to God’s grace and faithfulness, as Paul’s words of 2 Corinthians 12:9 – 10 have come alive for me countless times. This summer, I've transitioned into overseeing many community endeavors, both inside and outside of our church community.

Hi! My name is Fish and I'm having a great day. I grew up in Bloomington and after living in Iowa, Banff, Arkansas, and St. Cloud, I have settled in Edina with my super sweet family. My wonderful wife, Betsy, and I have been married for 7 years. I proposed on the Eiffel Tower on the way to Mozambique to serve with World Relief, working to control the AIDS epidemic through education and prayer. When we finished school we celebrated by hiking the entire Superior Hiking Trail, 200+ miles. Also, we have two magnificent daughters: Zoe and Ainsley.

I have another job which I like to describe to junior high boys as cleaning poop. I'm really a Professional Engineer in the wastewater treatment industry but that doesn't sound quite as cool. I also enjoy hugs, biking, climbing, guitar, drums, euphonium, fixing my house, disc golf, mini golf, regular golf, puppies, gooey chocolate chip cookies, hanging out at gear stores pretending to work there, tree-bending, laser tag, drinking syrup, and anything in the snow.

I started in ministry as a camp counselor in the Canadian Rockies. When I moved back to the Minneapolis area, I started going to Wooddale Church and volunteered leading a small group of senior high guys, playing on the praise team, and trying to be at every event possible. After getting my M.Div from Bethel Seminary (class of '09), I spent over three years as the Youth Pastor for the River Church at Mall of America. For a couple years I found myself as a volunteer in the City Church Student Ministries program and happily stepped up when an opening presented itself. Ta-da!

It is a privilege to direct children’s ministry at City Church. I’m thankful to be a part of this growing, dynamic, group of believers where every Sunday I have another chance to share God’s love with children.

I was blessed to grow up in a small church. The people of that church were my extended family—a family that taught and shared the Christian faith with me. I hope the children of City Church will be able to say that they grew up here;I pray the adults of City Church will become their extended family—a family that will pray for them and help them grow in faith.

My husband and two daughters are very supportive of my work in children’s ministry. As a family, we enjoy travel and adventure, but we’re just as content at home reading and playing Scrabble.

I don’t know if it’s possible to have a favorite verse, but I always seem to jot down, read, memorize, or quote Micah 6:8:
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

During the school year, I’m generally in the office Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 9:45 to 4:30. In the summer it will vary, so let me know in advance if you need to meet with me.

When City Church advertised a part-time administration position, I was happy to apply. I really do enjoy all things having to do with numbers and organization, which I blame on the genes I inherited from an accountant father. It is a privilege to serve on the City Church staff. They are a group of individuals with unique abilities – both analytical and creative. They clearly put God first, aspiring to serve Him with their lives – and to encourage the family of City Church to do the same.

Mike and I have been married 21 years and two of the best outcomes so far are Zachary (17) and Courtney (16). They are wonderful friends, and they keep us honest, smiling, humble, and very thankful. I met Mike while we were undergraduates at Valparaiso. I received a Master’s in Physical Therapy from Duke and an MBA from University of Illinois - Chicago. I worked as a physical therapist with inpatient, spinal cord patients and then with outpatient, sports medicine clients. As much as we enjoyed the beautiful city of Chicago – we decided that it might not be our preferred location for raising a family after our 4th! bike seat had been stolen. Moving to Minnesota was coming home for me, as I grew up in Bloomington.

When I am not working, I enjoy volunteering at Eden Prairie High School, golfing, spending time up north at our cabin, reading, eating anything with mint and chocolate combined, watching Duke basketball, running, and all things with my family.