More about our staff

Our Pastor

Pastor Rick & Kim Pfaff

Pastor Rick was born on September 19, 1955 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was baptized at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Brentwood and attended their day school through sixth grade.

In 1968 Rick moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he attended high school and college. He graduated from Concordia College-St. Paul in 1978 with a B.A. degree in liberal arts. Staying on at the college, he served for one year as an admissions counselor for Concordia.

On May 28, 1978 Rick was married to Kimberley Joy Lees, a 1979 graduate of Concordia College-St. Paul, who majored in early childhood education and school music. The Pfaffs have three sons: Andrew married to Phuong with son Caleb; Ben who is a member of Messiah; and Peter, a graduate of Concordia-Texas.

Rick studied for pastoral ministry at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri from 1979 to 1983. He served his vicarage from 1981-1982 under Pastor Walt Niermann at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Iowa City, Iowa.

Upon graduation from the seminary and ordination into the pastoral ministry on May 28, 1983, Pastor Pfaff was appointed as an evangelistic missionary to Korea where he served for six years as Director of Parish Services. His duties included administration of a Ten Year Plan of Church Planting and serving on various boards and committees of the Lutheran Church in Korea.

Rick & Kim have also served at Grace, Kansas City, Kansas for 8.5 years and at Zion - Pasadena, Texas for just over 10 years. While at Zion, Pastor Rick served on two District Convention Committees, as LWML Zone Advisor, Missionary Alumni Reunion Committee, OAFC Summer Training Overall Coordinator, and Circuit Counselor for four years.

Rick & Kim both enjoy reading, working puzzles, traveling, and spending time outdoors. They are excited about all of the wonderful opportunities at Messiah.

 

Staff

Nancy Knettel

Nancy has been with Messiah from the very beginning as the church pianist. In 1995, Nancy became Messiah's Minister of Music. Nancy is currently involved in planning the music for the worship services and children's choirs, accompanying the adult choir, leading the praise singers and men’s chorus, and working with soloists, duets, and ensembles. She is looking forward to Messiah's expanding music ministry. Nancy, is married to Kurt.  They have two sons, Paul and Jacob.

Kelly Mitchell

Kelly joined Messiah's staff as Office Manager in May 1995. She is highly qualified for her position and adds a bright smile around the church office. A CPA, Kelly divides her time between Messiah and her family, which includes her husband and her two wonderful children, Kelsey and Dakota.