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Pastor Paul has served as Lead Pastor at Normandale Lutheran Church since 2010. He is indebted to his parents who instilled faith, his wife who embodies love, and his children and grandchildren who teach him to serve. He sees the church as a gathering of seekers, encountering God in worship, fellowship, and service, all wrapped in love. From newborns to end of lifers, we walk together in community; supporting, strengthening, and serving each other on the journey. Life is grace…abundant, unfettered grace!
Pastor Hans began serving as interim lead pastor at Normandale in June 2024. He has served congregations in the Twin Cities west metro for more than 25 years. Prior to that he pastored congregations in Wisconsin and Iowa. Pastor Hans is honored to journey among the people of Normandale during this important time of transition. He and his wife, Nancy, have three adult sons (two are married) and two grandchildren. They live in Southwest Minneapolis, ten minutes from Normandale. Hans enjoys reading novels and historical nonfiction, travel, theater, and holds season tickets for the Minnesota United Football Club.
Joining the pastoral team in 2019, Pastor Rebecca is inquisitive by nature and most passionate about exploring the
transformative work God is up to among us! She brings to Normandale Lutheran Church experience from several years of global service work and ministry, a degree in social work (with an emphasis on homelessness) from Luther College, a Masters of Divinity from Luther Seminary, and four years of formative pastoral ministry in Prior Lake, MN. Pastor Rebecca’s husband and pup continue to help her live with a more robust sense of joy, gratitude, and adventure. She can be found rock climbing, traveling, camping, testing out daring new recipes, and attempting to grow her vegetable garden!
Pastor Maria started at Normandale as Interim Associate Pastor in September 2024. In this 80%-time role, she has the privilege of walking alongside the people of the congregation during this time of transition, serving in ministry with seniors and in other ways as well. With 26 years of pastoral experience, Pastor Maria comes to us after serving 17 years on the pastoral staff of Our Saviour’s Lutheran in East Bethel. Prior to that, she served a long-term call in the Milwaukee area, then served as an interim when first moving back to Minnesota. She and her husband Jon live in Eden Prairie and have two children, one in college and one finishing high school this year. Maria is a self-professed documentary nerd who enjoys learning new things, reading mysteries, baking, and helping her children become kind, responsible adults. On Sundays when she is not at Normandale, Maria worships at All Saints Lutheran in Minnetonka where her husband, Jon, is Lead Pastor.
Pastor Ian joined the Normandale Lutheran Church community in 2018 as Director of Worship Production and Congregational Development, and became Pastor to Emerging Generations in February 2019 after being ordained. He brings enthusiasm, laughter, and a passion for being co-creators of goodness with God for the sake of those in the margins and comes to Normandale with a decade of diverse experiences in children, youth, and young adult ministry and community development. He studied communication and film production at the University of MN, graduated from Augsburg College, and earned his Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary, with an emphasis in youth ministry, justice, and reconciliation. Of the various “hats” he wears, being Rachel’s spouse and dad to Rollie and Sigrid are the most important ones, and any time he can be with them is time better spent. He loves music, dreaming about / in the garden, being outdoors, happy hours with friends, Timberwolves basketball, and connecting with people. Come say “hi!”
Pastor Jeff has deep roots at Normandale Lutheran Church and in Edina. His parents lived a few blocks from Normandale and became members in the early 1960’s. His mother, Joanne, is still a member of the congregation and has lived in the same home for 60 years. Jeff attended Sunday School here at Normandale and was confirmed here in 1970. His faith was largely formed as part of Normandale’s high school youth group, including memorable retreats and trips to the BWCA. Following graduation from high school, Jeff felt the call to ministry and began preparing to attend seminary, graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1977 with a BA in English. From 1976 – 1979, Jeff had his first paid experience in ministry, serving as Normandale’s part-time youth director. During this time he met his future wife, Melissa (also a Normandale member), and they were married at Normandale on August 26th, 1978. Jeff graduated from Luther-Northwestern Seminary in 1981, and, after receiving a call to Augustana Lutheran Church in West St. Paul, was ordained at Gustavus Adolphus College. Former Normandale pastors Carl Manfred and David Andert served as Jeff’s ordination sponsors. Jeff served three congregations over the time of his ministry. He was Associate Pastor at Augustana, West St. Paul, from 1981-1989. He was Senior Pastor at St. Paul Lutheran, Wyoming, MN from 1989-2009. He was Senior Pastor at Our Saviour’s Lutheran, Salt Lake City, UT from 2010-2017. He retired in June of 2017 to return to Minnesota to be closer to family and friends.
Jeff and Melissa have three adult children and two granddaughters. They now live in Andover. With his free time, Jeff enjoys sports activities, family activities, travel, and small projects around the house. Pastor Jeff is grateful for the opportunity to return to Normandale and serve as visitation pastor, bringing communion to members who have difficulty attending worship, some of whom may remember him from his youth!
