Jeff Mohl has a familiar church resume: grew up in a Lutheran congregation, attended worship regularly, active in activities through high school, and then completely disconnected during college and young adulthood. He was all in until he was all out.
Alexis Kostelny is an 18 year old local that grew up in the Russian Orthodox faith and still has family in Ukraine. During the isolation of the Covid pandemic, she felt a driving need for more of a connection to God and began investigating other Christian faiths online. She felt drawn to the Lutheran faith but was not sure which church to try.
The daughter of a Lutheran school teacher and a pastor – the father who baptized, confirmed, married and then baptized both her children – Becky Bork has a firm faith foundation.
Sylvia’s spiritual journey began in an unexpected place. Growing up in China, she wasn’t raised in a Christian home, and she didn’t find her faith until later in life. After moving to the United States, Sylvia was seeking more than just a church service—she longed for a place to grow in faith and community, a place where she and her family could find belonging.
Like so many who find their way to St. Luke’s, Katie Knapowski and her husband Greg were searching for a place where warmth, acceptance, and opportunities for growth were abundant. As a busy mother and professional, Katie wanted to get more involved but struggled to find something that fit her hectic schedule while also offering deeper meaning.
Dr. Timothy McCurry, or simply “Tim,” as most of us know him, first connected with St. Luke’s when Tim’s oldest child was ready to begin confirmation classes. Tim and his wife, Debbie, were searching for a church that offered more support for their children’s faith formation. It was a friend’s invitation and recommendation that first led them through the doors at Prospect and Cedar.
When asked what she looks for in a church home, Heather O’Reilly will tell you that she wanted a place where the congregation lives out the gospel, creating a vibrant culture and a place where every person can connect and help shape the ministry.
As family mottos go, Lisa Ramsey embodies the Ramsey credo– Ramsey’s show up. Despite some introvert tendencies, Lisa’s heart compels her to action in caring for those around her. Seeking a church home, she wanted a congregation that was more than just a place to worship; she sought an active place where she and her family could act and effect positive change in the congregation, the community and the world.
Clyde Walter feels like he’s had two coming out experiences in his life… the first, when he was 19, coming out as a gay man. The second, when he was 33 years old, coming out as someone who lives with Bipolar 2 […] St. Luke’s was again a community he knew he’d be welcome and embraced as he is.
When Alex and his family first came to St. Luke’s, they were looking for a welcoming congregation to raise their children in the Lutheran faith. Having had limited and often excluding experiences with churches growing up, Alex desired a different experience for his family. He found this welcoming community at St. Luke’s, where Pastor Alex LaChapelle’s inviting presence and the warmth of the congregation immediately made them feel at home.