Senior Pastor, Russ Berg email
Russ has been our Senior Pastor since 1992. His wife and best friend, Melody, are the parents of two married daughters, Autumn and Crystal and are grandparents to Jacob, Brynn and Grace.
His ministry background includes serving three previous churches in the areas of Youth, Family Ministry, Christian education and counseling. Russ's passion includes seeing lost find Jesus, communication of the Word, and leadership development through men's discipleship groups.
Melody and he enjoy being grandparents, rollerblading, biking, having folks over, and growing together in God's grace.
Russ earned a B.A. in Evangelism and Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute, and M.A in Educational Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Senior Associate Pastor of Administration and Missions, Troy Nelson email
Troy is the Senior Associate Pastor of Administration and Missions at MGEFC. Troy and Barb have three children, Alyssa, Ryan and Joshua. All are native Minnesotans and Viking Fans.
Troy came to MGEFC from Berean Baptist in Burnsville, Minnesota where he served from 1997-2003 as the Director of Equipping Ministries. Troy has a B.S. from Liberty University with a minor in Greek and a M. Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
Troy & Barb also enjoy traveling and camping with their family.
Senior Associate Pastor of Ministries, Dan Peterson email
Worship Associate, Jeff Warren email
Jeff has been working at MGEFC as Worship Ministry Associate since 2002. He and his wife Megan have four amazing children, Karis, Isaac, Celia, and Maggie who fill their lives with joy and constant excitement.
Jeff also teaches classical and jazz guitar at North Central University in Minneapolis . While living in Chicago , Jeff taught guitar at Olivet Nazarene University , Chicago Academy for the Arts, and Moody Bible Institute.
He received a BA in Music Performance and Advanced Theory from Trinity International University and a MM from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University . Jeff enjoys music, soccer (watching and playing), and hockey.
Adult Ministry / CARE and Women's Ministries Director, Becky Peterson email
Becky and her husband Roger have been attending Maple Grove Evangelical Free Church since 1983 and joined our staff in 1999. They have three grown children, Matt (married to Amy), Breanne (married to Casey), and Megan. Their two grandsons and granddaughter are the light of their hearts!
Becky is completing her B.A. in Christian Counseling at Northwestern College in Roseville, MN. Her passion is helping others to live in the victory and freedom Christ has for them as Christ-followers. In her spare time, between ministry and fulltime course work, Becky enjoys reading, gardening, biking with Roger and spending time with her kids and grandchildren.
"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17
Director of Small Groups and Equipping Ministries, Danielle Allen email
Danielle is our Director of Small Groups. She came to MGEFC originally, after moving to Minnesota from Chicago to study at Bethel Seminary.
Danielle's ministry experience ranges from children and youth to adult, but has found her passion in helping adults grow in their relationship with and become like Christ so that they can serve Him. She holds an M.A. in Theological Studies from Bethel Seminary.
She and her delightful 16 pound dog "Moose" live in Maple Grove!.
Pastor of Youth Ministries , Paul Stewart email
Paul grew up in Edina, Minnesota, graduated from Bethel College (1993) and has a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies. His hope is that God uses him to help students find the true joy in living out real, genuine and authentic relationships with Jesus Christ.
Paul is married to Karie (15 years). They have three children, Isaiah (11), Paige (9), Ella (6). Paul joined our staff in 2007 and lives in Maple Grove. Paul has served as a Youth Pastor for over 15 years in Minnesota, Wisconsin and San Diego, California.
Director of Youth Ministries , Toni Sather email
Toni has served the past 11 years in in the Junior High Oasis Ministry. She has been married to her husband Judd for 27 years and has 3 daughters, Ashlynn, Janaya, and Annali.
Her youth ministry background began as a college student. She trained 4 years at the "Campus Crusade for Christ" Training Center in discipleship and evangelism. Toni was on staff and trained 5 years at Grace Church Eden Prairie, as a campus missionary intern.
Her passion is working with youth and seeing God work in and through students!
Children's Director, Kristy Kratky email
Kristy Kratky is the Director of Children's Ministries and has been on staff since 1988. Kristy's first teaching experience came in her junior year of high school when the 11th grade girls' Sunday School teacher said she would quit before having Kristy in her class so she graduated to the role of teacher early. From that time on Kristy's passion has been to make being at church the best part of a child's week.
She has been married to Bruce for 30 years and has a married daughter (and son-in-law) and two teenage daughters. In her spare time Kristy enjoys reading, walking and going anywhere with a beach.
Missionaries to the Community , Pastor Del & Jeanne Laitenen email
Del Laitinen is Pastor of Congregational Care at Maple Grove Evangelical Free Church. He and his wife Jeanne are parents of two married daughters and one son that died while he was serving the Lord in full time ministry. They also have ten grandchildren, including one granddaughter-in-law and two great grandchildren. The Lord rescued their marriage around the time their first grandchild was born.
Del & Jeanne have been serving the Lord together in missions and various ministries for the past twenty years. They have a passion for the lost and those that are hurting in our world that are in need of "a touch from God."
"The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
Worship Arts Ministry Intern, Matt Damico email
Matt has been interning with MGEFC since June 2008, where he and his wife Anna, have enjoyed being a part of the community. Matt and Anna were married in July 2008 and have been blessed to be at MGEFC during these first stages of their marriage.
Matt is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, where he received a BA in English and was very involved with Campus Crusade for Christ. He plans to attend seminary in the near future to further prepare him for ministry.
Besides spending time with Anna, Matt enjoys running, playing basketball, (and pretty much every other sport), camping, fishing (and pretty much anything outdoors), reading, and music.
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21
Financial Manager, Julie Roberts email
Office Manager & Assistant to Senior Pastor, Lynn Hanf email
Lynn joined the office staff in 2004 and enjoys working with staff and our church family.
She has a passion for women and ministering through mentoring and Bible Studies. as woman experience the joy of living a Christ-centered life.
Lynn is married to Larry, they have three children, Rebecca (Ryan), Jay (Sarah) & Ryan and grandchildren, Breanna & Noah.
Senior High Coordinator & Database Specialist, Lynette Aanerud email
Children's Ministry Coordinator, Jane Rice email
Adult Ministry Coordinator, Anna Damico email
Anna has been on staff at MGEFC since summer 2008. She is finishing her degree in Interior Design at the University of MInnesota. Anna and Matt married in July 2008 and live in Hopkins, Minnesota.
Communications & Junior High Ministry Coordinator , Shawn Rockwell email
Shawn grew up in Hutchinson, Minnesota and has lived in the Twin Cities area since 1982 when she married Win. They have three children, Leslie (20), Stephanie (18), Rocky (16) that were all home schooled. She has worked for a collection agency, Archiver's Scrapbook store, housecleaning and co-truck driving with Win. She has attended MGEFC for 5 years and has worked in our church office since June 2007.
Parish Nurse, Miriam Blalock email
Mariam is the Faith Community Nurse, a Stephen's Ministry leader, and assists Care Ministry in areas of focus groups and community social service connections. She is also involved with short-term missions, and the Prayer Shawl Ministry. She has also have been involved in Children's Ministry. Mariam works as an adult in-patient psychiatric nurse. Her educational background includes degrees in missions, christian education and nursing. She has a passion for the healing of people's mind, body and spirit.
Preschool Coordinator, Breanne & Casey Pilon email
Preteen Coordinator, Mark Neubauer email
Mark is a full time teacher in the Osseo School District and has been there since 1990. He and his family have been attending MGEFC since the fall of 1990. Mark has been the Pre-teen Coordinator since the summer of 2007. Mark and his wife Meg have been volunteering in the Children's Ministry for many years.