Our Staff
Scott Christenson, Senior Pastor -
Education: B.A., Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois, 1992. M.Div., Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1996.
Personal Info: Born in Bloomington, Minnesota. Married to Linda since 1992. They have two sons.
Enjoys: Acoustic guitar, cheering for the Chicago Cubs and the Minnesota Vikings!
What I love about my job: Watching people who thought they could never do anything for God now doing significant, life-impacting ministry.
Bible verse with special personal meaning: Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
John Glover, Teaching Pastor -
Education: B.A. Concordia University, Bronxville, New York, 1987. M.Div., Concordia Theological Seminary, St Louis, Missouri, 1991.
Personal Info: Born in New Jersey. He has a daughter, Naomi.
Enjoys: Playing electric bass, traveling locally and internationally, listening to live music.
What I love about my job: The "ah ha!" moments when you're talking to someone about the things of God, starting where he/she is, and leading that person to a discovery moment where there's growth in faith and knowledge.
Bible verse with special personal meaning: Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.
John Scott, Outreach Pastor -
Education: B.A., B.S. Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri, 2002. M.Div., Concordia Seminary, St Louis, Missouri, 2006.
Personal Info: Born in Chicago Heights, IL. Married to Erin. They have two sons, Ethan and Miles.
Enjoys: Cheering for Chicago sports teams, playing/listening to music, spending time with family, reading, good coffee!
What I love about my job: Connecting people with Jesus. Leading and encouraging others to do likewise. It’s the best ‘job’ ever!
Bible verse with special personal meaning: 1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Jim Bauman, Visitation Pastor -
Education: B.A., Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, 1964; M.A. Cantab., Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, 1970; M.Div., Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, 1970.
Personal Info: Born in Decatur, Illinois. Married to Gayle, who has served over 16 years as a Lutheran school teacher and is preparing to become a Deaconess. They have four children, two sons and two daughters, ranging in age from 13 to 25. And two dogs.
Enjoys: Swimming, time by lakes and oceans, walking, cooking out for family and friends, working with words (including composing hymns).
What I love about my job: Sharing in the lives of other Christians, observing how their faith sustains them in difficult times or brings them abundant life. Also, preaching a helpful sermon or teaching a life-changing Bible class. Being useful to God.
Bible verse with special personal meaning: "The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1, which I chose as my Confirmation verse.
Matthew Hoehne, Minister of Worship and Music -
Education: Bachelor of Music, Culver-Stockton College, Canton, MO 1989; BA Elementary Ed., Concordia University, River Forest, IL 1992; Master of Church Music, Concordia University, River Forest, IL 1992
Personal Info: Married to Jodi, two entertaining children, Bethany and Katie, and twins Rebekah and Elliora born in March 2004.
Enjoys: I enjoy being with my family, model railroading (HO scale), the great outdoors (especially the North Shore of Lake Superior).
What I love about my job: The opportunity to praise God in a variety of musical styles with many accomplished musicians!
Bible verse with special personal meaning: Matthew 28:20b - "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (New Living Translation)
Vera Wisniewski - Music Ministry Assistant -
Education: B.A., Blackburn College, Carlinville, Illinois.
Personal Info: Married to Michael since 1982. They have a daughter, Lisa, and a son, James.
Enjoys: Reading and (some) TV.
What I love about my job: I get to spend my day doing what I love best (making music) with a great staff and a wonderful, loving congregation!
Bible verse with special personal meaning: Psalm 150 "Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."
Timothy Kaufmann, Director of Student Ministry -
Education: B.A., Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois, 1992, in Elementary Education. DCE degree in 1993.
Personal Info: Married to Joy. They have a son, Jonah, and a daughter, Hannah.
Enjoys: Computers, movies, and spending time with family.
What I love about my job: Seeing students, alive with Christ, grow in their relationship with Him and others through service and leadership.
Bible verse with special personal meaning: (I love the reference to "youth" in this passage, but it is a verse that constantly restores me in my service to God) Isaiah 40:29-31 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Joy Kaufmann, Student Ministry Assistant -
Education: B.A., Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois, 1994, in Elementary Education and Director of Christian Education (D.C.E.).
Personal Info: Married to Tim. They have a son, Jonah, and a daughter, Hannah.
Enjoys: Quiet time with my Bible, spending time with family and friends, crafts, and movies.
What I love about my job: Fulfilling my call to be a minister and Educator of God’s word to the students and families so they can develop a growing personal relationship with their Savior and best friend, Jesus! It’s a very rewarding ministry!!!
Jeni Walker, Children's Ministry Director -
Education: Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, Early Childhood Education and Youth Ministry.
Personal Info: Married to Glynn. They have a son, Jordan, and a daughter, Ashleigh.
Enjoys: Reading, swimming, and basket weaving.
What I love about my job: Listening to the early childhood students sing on Sunday morning!
Bible verse with special personal meaning: Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Diana Vander Pas, Director of Small Group Ministry -
Education: B.A., Rutgers University, Douglas College, double major: Psychology and Communications.
Personal Info: Married to Tim and together have 5 children.
Enjoys: Traveling, trying new ethnic cuisines, playing the flute.
What I love about my job: The most exciting part of my job is the opportunity to bring people into a loving, caring, environment — a safe environment where they can learn, grow, and build each other up in Christ.
A Bible verse with special personal meaning: Psalm 46:10a “Be still, and know that I am God;”
Prince of Peace Administrative Staff:
Dennis Freres, Parish Administrator - ()
Sandy Wunluck, Administrative Assistant - ()
Carol Baker, Administrative Assistant - ()
Gloria Freres, Publications Coordinator - ()
Judy Kiehl, Bookkeeper - ()
Mary Mattes, Nursery Coordinator
Dawn Lange, Nursery Coordinator
Mike Way, Building Services
Justin Freres, Building Services
James Gruben, Building Services