Don is the newest member of the St. Luke staff arriving in late September 2009.  A preacher’s kid who never really thought about going into ministry, this new stage in life has been a transformation not only for Don, but for his wife and family as well.

Don was born in Douglas, Arizona, spent his early years in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and graduated from high school in Cloquet, Minnesota.  His educational pursuits included a degree in Global Studies from the University of Minnesota, a Master’s of Divinity degree from United Seminary, and travels to foreign lands to pursue spiritual growth and interfaith perspectives.  What a great match with St. Luke.

His deep love of music and experience playing in a variety of bands (The Brutes, The Steadies, Girl Friday, and Syrup to name a few) provides fodder for lots of conversations with youth.  Present interests include indie/Brit pop music from groups like Suede, Blur, and Radiohead, as well as 20th century classical composers and a few of those old classics … Bach and Beethoven.

Reading, especially non-fiction, is one of Don’s favorite pastimes.  Biking woodworking, and camping are hobbies which Don also enjoys, but he readily admits there isn’t much time for them.  As for a dream vacation, how about starting on one side of the Strait of Gibraltar and traveling around the Mediterranean to the other side. 

Don is excited to be at St. Luke and is looking forward to working with the youth program.  In looking for a church in which the prophetic voice of the gospel is grappled with and seen as a calling, St. Luke really caught his attention.  In his own words, “I feel like this job is heaven sent, an ideal place for me.”