I am the Pastor of Youth and Family at Holy Trinity Lutheran.  I began my call here September 1, 2001. This is the church I grew up in when we moved to Ankeny when I was in 4th grade. My father was a pastor here for 26 years. I never imagined that I would be serving as a pastor in my home church.

My faith journey began when I became God’s child in my baptism Jan. 18, 1959. I grew up going to church and Sunday School and affirmed my faith when I was confirmed in this church.

I attended Wartburg College receiving a BA in Social Work and then went to Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque. I met my wife, Nancy while working as a counselor at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp I was ordained in 1985 and began my pastoral ministry in West Prairie, WI. I have also served at Faith Lutheran in Marshfield, WI and Nazareth Lutheran in Cedar Falls, IA. I also have two adult children, Steven and Rachel.

I enjoy bike riding, reading, movies and volleyball.

I hope you will find Holy Trinity a place where God is worshipped, God’s word is proclaimed, and a place where you belong.

I began my term as Intentional Interim Lead Pastor at HTLC September 1, 2009. Since 1978 I have served more than 25 Lutheran congregations across ten different states in this specialized pastoral role so that the critical developmental work of coming to terms with history, re-discovering congregational identity, allowing needed leadership change, re-thinking denominational linkages, and making the congregational commitment to new leadership and new directions in ministry can be accomplished in advance of the interviewing work of the Call Committee.

I received my undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, and his masters and doctoral degrees from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. I have served congregations in Ann Arbor, MI; Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, S.D.; Fargo, N.D.; Newport Beach, CA; Lake Oswego, OR; Appleton, Wausau & Hudson, WI; and Minnesota congregations in Crookston, Coon Rapids, Duluth, Edina, Mounds View, Richfield, and several in the city of Minneapolis. Also, I have served as an interim assistant to the Bishop of the Pacifica Synod.

My wife, Susan Baldwin, has served in the Twin Cities for more than 25 years in non-profit leadership and currently serves Ankeny First United Methodist Church, Ankeny, IA, as Director of Health and Caring Ministries.

We are grandparents to Peyton, Brenna and Kenzie who live with their parents Randy and Melissa (both in the public education field) in Kiel, WI. Daughter Kristy lives in Bloomington, MN, and works in Minneapolis. A native of Benson, MN, I welcome the rich agricultural environment of Iowa as it reflects the rural life where my family and church first nurtured my faith.

Deanna Findley
Business Manager
Email: deanna@htlcankeny.org 
Phone: 515-964-4348 Ext.22

Penney Wilson
Youth & Family Ministry Associate
Email: penney@htlcankeny.org
Phone: 515-964-4348 Ext. 31
 

I was pleased to join the wonderful staff at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church as Business Manager in May 2009. We are all on a journey that touches the lives of all who we encounter. I look forward to the frontier of new members and visitors who join us and to the current members who enrich the travel in life. My most fond memories of childhood are of VBS with cookies, Kool Aide and crafts at Miller Chapel in Southern Iowa. I am one of seven siblings and continue the family line with a husband, 3 children and many grandchildren. I enjoy life. That includes, animals, gardening, nature, and most anything that comes my way.

As a graduate of Iowa State with BBA in Accounting and more than 20 years of accounting experience, I have a varied background from my first job as dishwasher at age 14 to Controller at a Long Term Care Facility in Des Moines. The professional journey included responsibilities of entry level positions to business ownership. I aspire to be a pleasant servant to the community known as Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and I place my experiences, knowledge and talent in God’s hands at your service.

Hello, I am Penney Wilson and I joined the HTLC Staff in August 2007 as a part-time Youth and Family Associate. My main duties are to provide program and clerical support to the Faith Formation Team which consists of Children; Youth; and Confirmation Ministry. I truly enjoy serving this team and the congregation.

Jonette Knock
Children's Ministries Director
Email: jonette@htlcankeny.org
Phone: 515-964-4348 Ext.16

Laurie McClure
Confirmation Associate
Email: laurie@htlcankeny.org
Phone: 515-964-4348 Ext. 33

Hi my name is Jonette Knock and I have served as the Director of Children's Ministry at Holy Trinity since February of 2007. My duties include administration of 4 sessions of Church School for 3 year olds through 6th graders on Sunday AM and Wednesday PM. I also work with Milestone Ministries including Church School orientation for 3 year olds, Bibles for Preschoolers, Kindergarteners, and 3rd graders, First Communion class and a Seder Meal. We also offer Kristou Kids, a fellowship and service based program, for 3rd - 5th graders that meets quarterly, and monthly Parent/Child Book Group.

During the "Funnest Week of the Summer" we offer morning and evening sessions of Vacation Bible School. Other summer activities include SportsLife Camp, Musical Camp, weekly Preschool Story Time and weekly Book Club for 3rd-5th graders. Check out our Church School Blog: www.htlcchurchschool.blogspot.com for ideas on how to engage your child in faith based activities and talk that revolve around their weekly Church School lesson or join our Facebook group "HTLC Families" to read articles and view links that revolve around creating happy faith-based families. Feel free to contact me if you have questions or want to get involved in our programs.

I am so happy to work at Holy Trinity as Confirmation Director. This is not the first time that God has led me here to assist in his work with youth in Holy Trinity. It seems that I have been involved in some capacity or another since we joined many years ago. I have been involved with church school teaching, youth board and also a member of this staff under the titles of Christian Services, Youth and Family Assistant and also a short time as Children’s Ministry Director over the past seven years.

In my position of Confirmation Director, I assist in all of the planning and programming of confirmation, such as recruiting guides and other volunteers, record keeping, mailings, and help facilitate communication between the pastors, parents, youth and guides. I always look forward to working with the pastors, confirmation youth and volunteers, as God shows us the path for each upcoming year.

Mike Eason
Christian Service Director
Email: mike@htlcankeny.org
Phone: 515-964-4348 Ext.15

Shannon Murray
Church Secretary
Email: info@htlcankeny.org 
Phone: 515-964-4348 Ext.10
 

I grew up on a farm outside of Mt. Ayr, Iowa and graduated from Mt. Ayr Community High School in 1978.  I went to college at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.  I graduated in 1982 with a triple major, getting a BS in computer engineering, a BS in computer science, and a BS in Mathematics, and a minor in physics.  While attending Graceland University I played football, baseball, and ran track. 

I worked for TRW, a computer engineering company in California, for 17.5 years (13.5 years in California and 4 years in Belleview, Nebraska.  I went to Wartburg Theological Seminary in 2000, in Dubuque, Iowa, and graduated in 2003 with a Masters degree in Theology with an emphasis in Biblical Studies and Ministry.  I started working at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in August of 2003 as the Christian Service Director, responsible for Small Groups, Spiritual Gifts, New Membership, and Volunteerism.  I addition, I have done (and do) a lot of computer/technical, worship and facilities work and support.

My wife’s name is Lori, and we have four children.  Elizabeth is 14, Jennifer is 11, David is 7, and Paul is 4.  We currently reside in Ankeny, Iowa.  The kids go to a multitude of schools in Ankeny and are involved in a multitude of school, church, and Leisure Services/Parks and Recreational activities.

Hi! I’m Shannon Murray, the person to go to when you need to schedule a baptism, a wedding, church event or use of the building. I am also the information gatherer - for the newsletter, the weekly bulletin, website and member/prospect information for our database.

I grew up in a small town in central Iowa attending a church of well under 50 folks – so coming to HTLC has been an amazing, overwhelming, and yet incredibly fun experience! I’ve been here more than a few years (since 1999) – and I am looking forward to whatever God has planned for Holy Trinity.

Got a question – call or email me!

Hi! I’m Anne, the Youth Director here at Holy Trinity (Since October 2007!)! I’m excited to be here and to be in ministry with you all. I imagine it’s going to take me a while to get to know everyone around Holy Trinity – there seems to be a lot of you! I’ve met some you at worship on Sunday morning, at Confirmation events, on Sunday evening bowling… when you see me, come up and say hi! I want to meet you!

Let me tell you a little something about me: I grew up in Canada and moved to Illinois in 1998 to attend Augustana College in Rock Island. After finishing my BA I attended the Iliff School of Theology in Denver Colorado. I worked in Confirmation and Adult Education ministries from 2004 to 2007. This past summer I started looking for opportunities to be involved in youth ministry full time. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church was too good to pass up! So far I am really enjoying my time here at Holy Trinity and in Ankeny!

WITNESS youth ministries focus on youth from 6th grade to 12th grade. Our middler ministry is for youth in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. High School ministry is for students in 9th through 12th grade. We try to do two events a month – one service oriented event and one “just for fun” event. Check out our bulletin boards, calendars and bulletin inserts. In the near future you can check out our website!

I have been a member at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church since 1974. I joined the staff at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in October 1999. I support the ministry of HTLC by assisting our members, pastors and staff. I help Elaine Haugen, our Parish Health Minister, with Matthew 25 projects and I also assist with Evangelism ministry.  I purchase and maintain supplies for worship, the office and kitchen.

It is also my pleasure to be the “Cruise Director” for the Holy Trinity kayaking group called “The Holy Floaters.” We are a group of over 40 members who meet regularly during warm weather for kayaking, canoeing, potlucks and road trips. We have also started a group for those who enjoy bike outings “The Holy Rollers.” I also coordinate HTLC’s College Parents group. We are parents of college students who meet once a month for fellowship and to assemble care packages for our students. Please contact me if you would like more information on any of these groups.

Office Support   Myrna Murphy

Myrna Murphy, Clerical Assistant
Hi, my name is Myrna Murphy. I have been working here part time since 2007. My job is to keep the Church membership attendance database and support all the staff as they need me. I answer the phone in a professional manner and take messages as needed. I work flexible hours.

Nursery Supervisors

April Soden, Lori Meyer, Nicole Gade, Alyssa Forde, Cindy Kovacs

Music and Choir

Pat Zimmer, Director of Music
Sue Bunting - Hand Bell Choir Director
Brian Lehman - Cherub Choir Director
Liz Nilsson-Halder - Celebration Choir Director
(Open) - Joyful Sound Choir Director
Jeff Hook - Praise Worship Coordinator
Julie Turner - Organist
Nancy Lehman, Barb Grotnes, Julie Miller - Saturday Pianists
Jean Murphy, Angie Gurius - Praise Team Pianist

Preschool

Sue Neumann
Email: neumann_sue@msn.com
Director of "Small Discoveries" Preschool

Hi – I’m Elaine! I began working here in 1998 as our Parish Health Minister. My duties include: Promoting congregational members to view health holistically, be better consumers of health care and understand the church's role in maintaining and enhancing good health, assisting the pastoral staff in providing care, support, and nurture to members in crisis, illness, transition or difficulty. I plan for and support the Matthew 25 ministry areas which include over fifty different outreach projects. I work with the Health Cabinet to provide support for families in a number of ways, and affirm the healing power of prayer and assist with healing services for the congregation.

Before coming to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church I worked with Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota. I served as the program manager for two programs covering four counties of the north for twenty years. Most of my personal interests revolve around nature, such as canoeing, kayaking reading, fishing, camping, hiking and allowing God's creation to renew my spirit in many ways. I am currently serving with the Iowa Crisis Response Teams, Mental Health Debriefing Team of Iowa, Synod Council, and Advisory Board for Polk County Conservation and United Way. I love my job here at HTLC and I look forward to serving my God and this congregation! I am open to outside speaking engagements and will help other congregations develop health ministry projects.