| MEET OUR STAFF |
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| Pastor
Bill Knippa has served at Bethany since 1977. He is married
to Melissa, who is from Tomball, Texas, a town north of
Houston. They have three children, Cathleen, Noah, and
Michael. He graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis,
and received his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the
University of Texas at Austin. He has also studied at Cambridge
University, Cambridge, England and did post doctoral work
with the Menninger Clinic in marriage and family counseling.
Pastor Knippa particularly enjoys the preaching and
teaching responsibilities of the ministry, and is committed
to assisting people in being faithful to Bethany's mission
to "make disciples of all nations." His column, "The
Family Counselor", appears in The Lutheran Witness.
He has conducted many seminars and retreats on topics
related to Christian living, marriage and family, and
personal and professional growth.
Pastor Knippa states that, "Bethany is the PLACE
where Jesus meets His friends, and a BASE from which
people launch out into their daily lives assured of God's
love, Jesus' presence, and the Spirit's power in their
lives."
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| Pastor
Kevin Lentz was born to David and Juanita Lentz on July
10, 1964 in Monroe, Michigan. He was baptized on July 26th
of the same year and confirmed in 1978 in Elkhart, Indiana,
where his parents still live.
He attended Trinity Lutheran School for grades 1-6 and
public schools for grades 7-12. After attending Indiana
University at Bloomington for two years, he attended
Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he received
his BA in 1986. He then attended Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis, receiving a Masters of Divinity in 1990. He
was ordained into the Holy Ministry in Elkhart on July
15, 1990.
He met Kathy Phillips while on vicarage in Dallas, TX.
They married June 16, 1990. They are blessed with two
children, Rebekah and Jacob.
Pastor Lentz has served parishes in Minnesota, as well
as St. Paul, The Grove, TX and Messiah, Corpus Christi,
TX.
Beyond the parish, he has served the church in various
local and district capacities. His interests include:
time with his family, golf, and yard work/garden work.
Pastor Lentz's Sabbatical Journal
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David Angerman, has been Director of Music and organist at Bethany Lutheran Church since 1980. The music ministry at Bethany currently includes choirs for grades 3 through adult as well as opportunities to be involved in worship through praise teams, orchestral and handbell music.
David holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree and Master of Church Music Degree from Baylor University and a Master of Music Degree in Organ Performance from the University of Texas. As a composer, Mr. Angerman’s published works include choral and handbell music as well as organ and piano solos. He has written the music for several youth and children’s musicals, and is co-writer for a Christian piano method titled KEYS FOR THE KINGDOM, published by Shawnee Press.
He loves writing music and has a passion for helping others worship more meaningfully through music.
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Landon Becker has served at Bethany since October of 2006. He is married to his beautiful wife Amanda, who is from Carol Stream, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Landon and Amanda met while attending Concordia University in River Forest, IL. They were married on January 5th, 2002. They have one child and her name is Hope. Hope was born on July 26th, 2005.
Landon was born on July 21st, 1978. He was raised in a small town in DeWitt, Iowa. His parents are Kevin and Vicki Becker and Dee Dee and Steve McCormick all of Iowa. He grew up being blessed with four brothers and three sisters.
Landon graduated from Central Community High School in DeWitt, IA in 1997. He attended Concordia University in River Forest, IL and graduated in December of 2002 as a Director of Christian Education.
Landon’s Internship was at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin, Minnesota in 2002-2003. His first call was to Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt, IA as their Director of Youth and Camp Ministry in 2003-2006. Landon currently serves as Bethany’s Director of Youth and Education in Austin, TX.
Landon loves the sport of wrestling and football. He loves to fish and spend time with his family during his free time. Landon and Amanda love watching the Chicago Bears.
Landon loves working with youth. His prayer is that all youth would be “loved, accepted, and cherished right where they are at in their faith walk with God.”
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Mark Boerger grew up in the country near Wharton, Texas, down among the coastal plains. He became an Aggie and graduated from Texas A&M with a BS in Zoology, and followed with a second bachelor’s in Medical Technology from UTMB-Galveston. He worked in the medical laboratory arena for 31 years, the last 24 of which were spent as the Laboratory Director at South Austin Hospital.
By early 2007, Mark felt called out of the medical field and into active full-time ministry. He joined the staff of Bethany in May of 2008 as Director of Young Adult Ministries, and in May of 2010 was awarded a Master’s in Family Life from Concordia University- Nebraska.
Having been blessed enough to meet Carolyn (Carol) Doering while attending school in Galveston in the mid ‘70’s, they married after finishing their respective college degrees. They have lived in Denton, Madisonville, and now Austin. Meanwhile, they raised two beautiful daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, both of whom are now married to great young gentlemen whom Mark and Carol are proud to call their sons-in-law. The latest addition to the family is our first grandchild, Norah.
Mark has been involved at Bethany since 1982, having had the opportunity to serve as elder, chancel choir member, Bible class leader, youth program volunteer, young adult leader, and member of VLQ (male singing group). He is thrilled to have the chance to play the roles of teacher, mentor, and older (sometimes wiser) friend to younger people, encouraging them in faith and service. He enjoys singing, various sports, reading, snorkeling and scuba, hiking, and just being out in God’s nature.
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Kim Lauer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was raised there by her parents, Jim and Shirley Fischvogt. Kim grew up with one sister, Casey Bustle, and many dogs throughout the years. She attended Concordia University in Saint Paul, MN where she met her husband, Karl Lauer. At Concordia, Kim was very active in music and theatre. She graduated in December of 2002 with her DCE certification and a minor in music.
Kim served her internship in Fairbanks, AK from June of 2000 to June of 2001 at Zion Lutheran Church. Her first call was to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL (a suburb of Chicago). She served there for 5 years, working with children from the age of 2 to young adults. She also directed many plays and musicals while at St. John’s.
Kim joined the Bethany staff on October 1 of 2007 as the Director of Children and Middle School Youth. She is married to Karl Lauer (from Arlington, TX), and they have a daughter named Ellie and two dogs. Kim spends her free time writing Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction and hopes to one day become a published author. Karl and Kim love to watch baseball and football, and they actively cheer on the Rangers and Cowboys.
Kim loves working with kids of all ages. She hopes to help each child she works with grow closer in his or her relationship with God and to use the gifts that God has given them to serve others. Kim’s favorite part of ministry is Vacation Bible School every June, when she gets to play and sing praises with over seven-hundred children and teens.
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Jim officially joined our Ministerial Staff as our Lay Minister in October of 2004. Mr. McHan has been a member of Bethany for approximately 30 years. He was an elder of Bethany for 20+ years and also served as the chairman of the board of elders. Jim served as a Pastoral Assistant for over 15 years, a 30-year member of the choir as well as leading various bible classes. Jim previously served Mt. Olive as its lay minister as well as an elder, Sunday School teacher and choir director, before coming to Bethany. He has directed and assisted in Sonrise dramatic and musical productions as well as directing, singing and acting in many major dramatic and musical productions by our Chancel Choir. Jim’s Bethany duties include: assisting with Sunday services, baptisms, funerals, home communion, hospital visits, home visits and coordinating special projects as well as teaching bible classes and serving in many other capacities within the Bethany community as directed by the Senior Pastor.
Jim received his undergraduate degree in 1971 and his Masters degree in 1976 from the University of Texas. His wife Retta was a varsity letter winner in Volleyball and Golf at Michigan State University. Jim and his wife Retta have been married for over 35 years and they have two children. Lacy is a high school teacher in Dripping Springs teaching pre-AP English classes. Their son, Kash, graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in electrical engineering and has begun his career here in Austin. Jim proudly served in the Navy for a short period before beginning his 30-year career in education. He is retired from Crockett High School, in Austin, serving as an Advanced Placement honors chemistry teacher, tennis coach and department head. His wife Retta is also a retired teacher and coach from Crockett. They both are G.I.F.T. group members, avid golfers and enjoy playing any sport as well as watching movies. They love to travel, eat out with friends and attend any UT sporting event as well as enjoying wonderful fellowship with their Bethany family.
Jim lives by his favorite Bible verse: Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. |
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Mike Penn was born in Dallas, Texas on January 16, 1947. After spending his youth in Dallas, Mike moved to Austin to attend The University of Texas. During this time, he met Deborah Stanley of Austin and on August 28, 1971 they were married. They have been blessed with two daughters, Melinda and Michelle, who currently live in Austin.
After graduating from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finace, Mike began his professional career with the University of Texas, Office of Investments. He held several positions all related to managing the financial assets of the multi-billion dollar Permanent University Fund. On February 1, 2000, after 31 years, Mike retired from the The University of Texas Investment Management Company.
After a brief retirement, Mike joined the church staff as Business Manager on September 1, 2001. Mike, Deborah, and family have been members of Bethany since 1998. Mike is an avid fan of University of Texas Longhorn sports and loves to spend his free time boating, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors with his family.
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Linda Shirley has been a part of the Bethany Lutheran Child Care ministry since October of 1995. She has been a 3 and 4 year old teacher as well as becoming the Curriculum Coordinator in the summer of 2001.
Linda earned her Child Care Director's Credential in October of 2004. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana to Nolan and Virginia Richardson. She married SFC John Shirley on August 5, 1978. She has two grown children. Widowed since 1994, Linda uses her free time reading, spending time with family and friends and shopping.
She is an active member of Faith Baptist Church.
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Carol was born in southern Illinois, and grew up in Abilene, Texas. She attended Texas Lutheran College and the University of Texas, earning a Bachelors Degree in English. Carol also received a Masters in Applied Geography in Environmental Concerns from Texas State University in 1997. She worked at the Austin Chamber of Commerce for 10 years, then for state agencies, including the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, for 14 years.
Carol and her family have been members of Bethany for over 30 years. She has served in many capacities including Sunday School teacher, youth counselor, Board of Directors member, president of the women’s organization, adult Bible class leader, and many others. Carol and her husband, Sid, have two adult children and two grandchildren. Carol’s parents, Troy and Bernice Mescher, are also members of Bethany.
Carol Stuewe joined the staff in April of 2005. She works primarily with assimilation of new members, assuring that our new members do not get lost in the crowd during their first year or two, and that they are presented with opportunities for fellowship and service within the Bethany family. Carol also works with the welcoming program to assure that everyone receives a warm welcome when they come through the church doors.
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