Staff

Pastor James Muske, Lead Pastor

BIO COMING SOON…

Pastor Juli Thompson, Visitation Pastor

Julia.a.Thompson@gmail.com

Pastor Juli was born in Virginia and raised in Mississippi and Alabama. Despite this, she has endured the Minnesota winters since 1992. She has degrees from Beloit College, Luther Seminary, and the University of Virginia. Since ordination in 2000, she has served as a parish pastor, as an interim ministry specialist, as a faith-based community organizer, and as a chaplain in hospitals, hospices, and senior living facilities. She is the mother of two delightful children, a dedicated knitter, a passionate Tolkien fan, and believes that, while all dogs are good dogs, Dachshunds are the best.

Paul Schultz, Director of Children and Family Ministries

childrenmin@ststephenwbl.org

My name is Paul Schultz the new (or old) Children’s Ministry Director at St. Stephen Lutheran Church. My wife Karen and I have been members since 1981 with our two sons Jason and Stephen. I served as Children’s Ministry Director once before from 1993 – 2000 and now I’m Back. After that I was employed by Independent School District #916 in their Special Education department for 20 years before retiring in 2019. I’ve been a Boy Scout Leader for many years and was honored with the Silver Beaver award. Also have served on Council and have been a Board member for Camp Wapo. In my spare time I enjoy being a grandpa for my two grandchildren, Everett and Aubrey, walking and/or hiking (not so much of this anymore), reading Science Fiction and History, traveling to Hawaii (winter) and Europe. My most recent travel experience was this summer (2023) in Colorado and a Fly-in fishing expedition in Canada (80 – 100 fish per boat, per day as advertised)! Looking forward to more travel experiences!!

Melissa Whitman, Director of Youth and Family Ministries

mwhitman@redeemerwhitebear.org

I have been active in church since I was 11 years old, spending my first 14 years of church life at a large Four Square Church in Washington State before finally stumbling across a Lutheran Church. It was at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Marysville, WA, that I finally felt as though I truly “belonged” at church. I was involved in children and youth programs and served on council. I have two children, Mira (16) and Ezra (7). We live in WBL and we are active in the schools and community.

I have worked at St. Stephen since October of 2013. My favorite youth program is our annual mission trip.

If you need me you can always send an email.

Tami Heart, Communication & Administrative Coordinator

office@ststephenwbl.org

Business Management, Human Relations, Communications, and Marketing were my area of studies in college and combine perfectly to fulfill my passion for outreach within the church environment, which I have been doing for over 19 years. In addition to starting a non-profit (Footprints In Need) delivering shoes to those in need (mostly to children in Jamaica), my heart is most happy when I am serving God by serving His people. Becoming a Christian has been a life-long journey for me. Although not raised in a religious family, I sought various avenues of spirituality in my late teens and early adulthood. Eventually, these spiritual steppingstones led me from my self-centered youth to Jesus. As I walk closer with God, my focus has broadened to include all of His children. In that light, St. Stephen is a wonderful church to be working in, with a Christ-centered mission of bringing God’s love to the world.