Reverend Nicole Martin – Pastor
Who am I? I have held a lot of titles in my life, but the most important titles are Wife, Mom, Teacher, Reverend, Pastor and Chaplain. Each of these title are not just jobs or roles I do; they are expressions of my identity as a Child of God. They are also expressions of my faith as a Lutheran-flavored Christian. To be a Lutheran-flavored Christian has helped me understand the elegance and abundance of God’s grace for the world and each of us. We Lutherans have a unique perspective on God’s love song for the world. It is a song of freedom to dance and move with God and our neighbors as partners for the wellbeing of communities and people. For me, this love song propels me to respond to God in concrete ways like being a pastor and serving the wonderful people of Zion Lutheran. This song bonds us together, as one people, named, claimed, and ready to serve God; rooted in faith, growing in spirit, to cultivate communities of caring. For all of this I give great thanks and look forward to my days being a child of God, a servant in Christ, and a proclaimer of the Gospel.
Saundra Anderson – Pastoral Assistant for Child, Youth & Family Ministry and Communications
Saundra began serving in her current roll in June 2020. She earned her B.S.Ed in Chemistry from NSU in May 2012 and taught high school science for eight years before becoming Pastoral Assistant. She likes to travel, cook, read, and spend time with her family and friends.
Email: saundra.anderson@nvc.net
Sonya Kempf – Director of Music
Sonya has been Zion’s organist for the past 54 yrs, which has been a gift from God! She graduated from NSU with an emphasis on organ and has done a great deal of studying with Dr. John Ferguson of St. Olaf College. Sonya started a Kindermusik program and taught piano lessons but is currently focusing on teaching organ students. She loves to spend time with her family and husband, Karl, along with reading, having coffee with friends, walking, and swimming.
Sue Gates – Assistant Director of Music
Sue joined the music staff at Zion in 1988 as its assistant director. Reading, walking, knitting and biking occupy Sue’s spare moments.
Art Ketterling – Maintenance
Art has been building and grounds maintenance at Zion since 2003. He has a passion for writing Christian children’s books, gardening and working in his yard.
Stephanie Hawkinson – Praise Band Director
Stephanie has been a member of Zion since she began college at Northern State University in 1999, where she earned her BS in Professional Accountancy in 2003. She has been a member of the Praise Band from its inception, singing and then playing the piano, but took over as Director in 2017. Stephanie spends her time outside of Zion working as the Assistant Registrar at NSU and spending time with her two sons, Chase and Hunter.
