Meet Our Elders!

Some of our elders are vocational elders. That is, they are a part of our paid pastoral team. Others are non-vocational, or lay elders. Together, under the Lord Jesus, our elders lead us.

Non-Vocational Elders:

Scott Anderson:
Downtown Campus Elder
Born and raised in the Twin Cities, Scott was born again at age 11. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Minnesota in 1992. While working in Marketing at Northwest Airlines, he received a call to vocational ministry and met his wife Julie. He interned in the Foreign Missions Department of Bethlehem while working on his M.Div. from Bethel Seminary, which he completed in 2002. In 2004, God blessed Scott and Julie with a son, Silas, and then another son, Solomon in 2006. Scott oversees the missionaries of BUI and the creation of new urban ministry initiatives. He desires to serve and equip others to serve in the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:11).

Tony Campagna:
North Campus Elder
Tony grew up in California in a Catholic home. After 1 ½ years of college, 4 years in the Navy, and marriage to Sue (also a Catholic), the Campagnas returned to California and were blessed with 2 children. In 1974, after graduating from a Physician's Assistant program, Tony worked at a medical clinic where the Lord had a faithful servant who introduced him to the gospel and gave him his first Bible. While Tony was reading the Gospel of Mark, the Lord opened the eyes of Tony's heart to see Jesus as the Christ, his Savior. One month later, the Lord graciously also called Sue to Himself. The Lord has used 3 churches prior to Bethlehem to grow the Campagnas in the love of His Word, the love of the brethren, and the importance of understanding and holding fast to right doctrine. Through the leading of 4 small groups here at Bethlehem, the Lord has given Tony a heart and desire to shepherd His flock.

Steve Christiansen:
South Site Elder & Chairman of the Elder Council
Steve was born in Pontiac, Michigan. The son of medical missionary parents, he lived in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) through age 14. During this time Steve, by grace, understood the truth of the gospel, and began following Jesus as Lord. After completing high school in the States, he attended Wheaton College, followed by medical school in Milwaukee. Steve met his future wife, Karen, there and they married in 1981. Steve's training and early career took them to Virginia, Kentucky, Florida, and Arkansas. In 1997, Steve accepted a position in the Ophthalmology Department at the U of M, and he with his growing family, began attending Bethlehem. They now live in Edina and serve at the South Site where Steve & Karen co-host the Getting Acquainted Class with another couple.

Steve's primary area of ministry at Bethlehem is men's discipleship, and he has led a group of men downtown on Friday mornings since 1998. He's also involved in Treasuring Christ Together and in short-term medical missions. Steve is energized by the blessing of loving, serving, praying for, and working alongside a people at Bethlehem who are God-ward in their affections and doing so among a company of gifted like-minded elders who love Jesus above all else.

Dave Clifford:
South Site Elder
David was married to Evelyn in 1980. They have two grown children. The Cliffords began attending Bethlehem in the spring of 2002 and became members in February 2004. Dave was drawn to Christ at age 12 after an evangelistic music concert. After hearing the gospel, Dave felt the weight of his sin and his mother prayed with him to give his life to Christ. When the Cliffords first visited Bethlehem, Pastor John was preaching on Romans 8. Dave realized that he didn't have a theology for suffering and was drawn to the proclamation of a sovereign God in control over all of life - including difficult times. Since then, God has used two heart attachs, the loss of a job, and the slow process of watching his mother die from Alzheimer's disease to shape his life and to teach him to trust and delight in Christ. Dave & Evelyn serve together leading a nursery team and a shepherd group. Dave oversees the bookstore cart at the South Site. Evelyn is active in women's ministry and teaches preschool Sunday school.

Kurt Elting-Ballard:
North Campus Elder
Kurt grew up in Los Angeles, California and accepted Jesus into his heart at an early age. He continued to grow in his relationship with the Lord in college through the ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Kurt and Heather were married in 1990 and were active participants and leaders in the young adults ministry at their church in San Diego, as well as in the local chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship during Kurt's medical training. They came to Minneapolis in 1995 for Kurt's residency training and have been involved at Bethlehem since then. Kurt and Heather have led a shepherd group in their home for the last 10 years. Kurt has been involved in TBI. Heather is the Kindergarten team leader at the North Campus. They have two children, Samuel and Sarah. God has given Kurt a heart for His Word and longing to serve the church.

Peter Hedstrom:
Downtown Campus Elder
Peter grew up in a Christian home, the fifth of nine children. He professed faith in Christ as a young boy during release time school in 6th grade. However, as he grew up, his Christian witness was weak, especially during his high school and college years. While in college, opportunities to associate with Christ and His people in more spiritual fellowship were numerous and ignored. Crisis set in as graduation from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, loomed in the spring of 1983. Unsure of future plans and with no felt direction in his life, Peter knew it was a crucial time; a time to seek the Lord while He may be found. The Lord graciously led him to something unexpected. He applied to a Bible school in southern Germany called Bodenseehof (a Torchbearers affiliated school.) It was there that the Word of God came with unusual power and influence in his life. The Lord taught Peter many things that year and was gracious to him in many ways. One unexpected blessing was meeting Sharon Huisinga. They fell in love and married in 1985. Years later, Peter and Sharon find themselves with 9 active children. Praise the Lord!

Tim Held:
North Campus Elder
Tim and Gretchen have been married since 1984. Together they have three children, Peter, Joe, and Caroline. They live in White Bear Lake and have attended Bethlehem since 2001 - calling the North Campus their home since it was launched at Northwestern College. Tim and Gretchen have been involved in numerous ministries at Bethlehem, including parenting/fathering (Tim), Jr and Sr High, Small Group, Inductive Bible Study (Tim), and prayer groups. In the past, they both served in various leadership roles with Bible Study Fellowship. They treasure Bethlehem's mission, worship, and unashamed faithfulness to God's Word.

Karl Kanowitz:
Downtown Campus Elder
God saved Karl when he was age 19. When he was age 23, God gave him a precious wife, Gerrilyn. They have been blessed with four children, Karlyn, Katie, Rachel and Calvin, and two wonderful sons-in-law,Weyland Leach (Katie's husband), and Haddon Anderson (Karlyn's husband). Karl feels that his whole family is indebted to Bethlehem for the grace of God given to them through the body. They love Bethlehem! Karl & Gerrilyn have served together in the nursery for a number of years, since coming to Bethlehem in 1992. He enjoys the opportunity to work with young children and see God's amazing love for them firsthand. He is also thankful for the missions emphasis at Bethlehem, which has given his family a number of opportunities to see God work with other people groups.

Karl loves to study theology and read some of the works from saints of old. He would highly recommend Morning and Evening, by Charles Spurgeon, for every family, and The Existence and Attributes of God, by Stephen Charnock, for the heavy readers. Karl says "It is my prayer that I will always be zealous for good works done in the name of Jesus Christ for the Glory of God."

Terry Kurschner:
South Site Elder
Terry & Eileen have been involved at Bethlehem for over 15 years and have been members since 1993. They have 2 married sons and 6 grandchildren who live in the Twin Cities. Terry owned a manufacturing company in Burnsville for 25 years and now works at Desiring God as Director of Finance. He & Eileen live in Bloomington. Terry became serious in his walk with the Lord through a small group Bible study about 35 years ago. He says, "My experience at Bethlehem has awakened me ot truths about God that have transformed the way I enjoy worship and have given me a greater understanding of the wonderful unity of Scripture and the joy of involving God in every area of my life."

Dan Lehn:
North Campus Elder
Dan has been attending Bethlehem since 1982. He met his wife Colleen here and they have been married 20 years. They have four children and live in Shoreview. They have both been involved in a variety of ministries at Bethlehem, including multiple terms that Dan has served on the Council of Elders. They attend the North Campus.

Michael Meloch:
North Campus Elder
Mike has been attending Bethlehem since 1986 and has been a member since 1992. His wife, Karin, became a member in 1980. Together they have 3 children: Jeremiah, Matthew, and Madeline. The Melochs live in Shoreview and attend the North Campus. In 1991 Mike began managing a small underwriting business. In 1996 he became the owner of the business in NE Minneapolis and now has 10 employees. His heart and prayer is for them all to be satisfied in and glorify Christ in their work.

Mitch Pearson:
North Campus Elder
Mitch grew up in Northeast Minneapolis and had the blessing of being raised by Christian parents. He graduated from Bethel in 1981 and has been attending Bethlehem since 1982. He has been married to his wife, Mary, since 1985 and they have four children. Mitch has been teaching youth Sunday School at Bethlehem for several years. In 1988, he began teaching the 5th-6th grade class; currently he teaches the 7th-8th graders. Mitch first began serving on the Council of Elders in 1994.

Bryan Pickering:
Downtown Campus Elder
Bryan and his wife, Debby, grew up in Richmond, VA. They met in high school and were married in August of 1996. God graciously triumphed over Bryan's unbelief around 1995 when He opened Bryan's eyes to see the beauty, majesty, and all-surpassing value of Jesus Christ. Bryan attended Southeastern College and Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, and he and Debby moved to Minneapolis in 2004 so that Bryan could attend TBI (The Bethlehem Institute) Track 2 Program. Bryan currently leads a small group and has been teaching New Testament Greek in TBI for the last two-and-a-half years. Bryan and Debby have two wonderful children: David and Olivia. The Pickerings live in downtown Minneapolis.

Bruce Power:
South Site Elder
Bruce and his wife Karen grew up in Rochester, NY and met in high school. After graduating from college, they married in June of 1979. The Lord had been drawing Bruce to Himself for a couple of years prior to that, and shortly after marrying, Bruce committed his life to Jesus Christ. From early childhood, Bruce had a desire to be an airline pilot. In 1984 the Lord graciously allowed him to fulfill that desire when he was hired by Northwest Airlines which brought him and his family to Minnesota. Bruce has been actively involved in several types of ministry over the years, including one-on-one discipleship, small group leadership, teaching Sunday School and Eldership.The Powers came to Bethlehem in 1998 and have rejoiced to see God moving through His people here ever since. They currently live in Eagan. Bruce currently teaches an adult Sunday School class at the South Site. Karen has been involved in youth ministry for many years. The Lord has blessed Bruce and Karen with two daughters, Sarah and Rebekah.

Todd Rasmuson:
Downtown Campus Elder & Vice Chairman of the Elder Council
Serving as part of Bethlehem has been Todd's joy for the last 20 years. He loves Jesus and desires to serve as an elder in the strength that God provides, so in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:11). God drew Todd to faith when he was 8 years old when his sister told him about Jesus. A pastor discipled him in graduate school, and Todd's studies centered on communicating to the glory of God. Todd taught Communication at Bethel University for five years, and then God dramatically pointed his life to missions. The Rasmusons served for 8 years with Mission: Moving Mountains (M:MM) in Tanzania. In 2002, Todd accepted the role as president of M:MM. In 2006 he became the Executive Director of Daystar University. Todd, Tamara, and their sons, Jacob and Daniel, live in the Phillips neighborhood of South Minneapolis.

Paul Tattersall:
Downtown Campus Elder
Paul and his wife Pattie have attended Bethlehem since the spring of 1998. They have two married (believing) daughters who each have four children; one daughter lives nearby in Minnetonka and the other lives in Maputo, Mozambique. Paul accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at Northern Pines Family Camp in August 1976 and, thereafter, spent six years in Bible Study Fellowship. From 1978 to 1988 Paul and Pattie were members of Grace Church Edina. From 1988 to 1997 they lived in the Chicago area where Paul was an elder at Winnetka Bible Church. Paul works in the Information Technology department of Park Nicollet. He has attended various TBI offerings including two in 2007. Paul serves as the leader of a small group in the West area and in one-on-one discipleship. Paul and Pattie have served on the prayer team. Paul has served as a head usher and Pattie has been active in women's ministries. Paul and Pattie love the uncompromising truth from Scripture that is preached at BBC every week and the passion for Jesus Christ that is evident among the believers.

Klaas Van Zee:
South Site Elder
Klaas & Mary have been married for 36 years and have 3 adult children: Matt, Ben, and Maggie. Klaas built homes and developed land for over 20 years, but his current company does land development and real estate consulting. The Van Zee family has been at Bethlehem for almost 4 years. At their previous church, Klaas & Mary taught in Sr. High Sunday School and had a Bible study for 15-24 year olds in their home. Mary still has 15-20 girls that come over on Mondays for Bible study. Klaas is currently teaching TBI and Mary is a Sr High leader at the South Site. Klaas writes, "God has given me a passion to help others grow and mature in their faith. It is my prayer that as an elder I will be able to serve the church and continue to help others grow to maturity."

Steve Walmsley:
North Campus Elder
Steve is a lifelong resident of the Twin Cities. Christ called Steve to himself through the Gospel testimony of a coworker when Steve was 20. Steve and Laurie were married in 1985, and now live in Brooklyn Park with their daughters Emily & Grace. They've been members at Bethlehem since 1993. Steve has served as a Small Group leader, in worship, on several committees, and as Elder Recorder. God has placed a deep, consistently growing desire in Steve's heart to serve Christ and his body at Bethlehem.

Randy Westlund:
Downtown Campus Elder
Randy came to saving faith around the age of 12 by the grace of God, the shepherding and modeling of his parents, and the ministry of Camp Nathaniel. God convicted him of sin and his need for a savior, and then opened his eyes to the beauty of the cross. Randy has since trusted God for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Randy and his wife, Kathi, were married in 1981, began attending Bethlehem Baptist in 1983 and became members in 1988. They have five children, Jacob, Samuel, Salem, Abraham and Gabriella and currently live in River Falls, Wisconsin. Randy works for Guidant Corporation as a research scientist. His previous ministry involvement at Bethlehem has included eldership, teaching Jr High and elementary grades, small group leadership, ministering to dads and families in various venues, and participating on many committees over the years.

Bill Zwicky:
South Site Elder
Bill & Emily have been members at Bethlehem since December 1990. They have two daughters, Abby and Anna. The Zwickys are one of the many families who have an intentional, committed involvement in Bethlehem's South Site in Burnsville Senior High School. Bill has been in various ministries at Bethlehem, including significant IT and web assistance for the church. Bill & Emily have served in the Welcome Ministries at the Information Booth and have been leaders in Family Discipleship.

Keith Anderson:
Interim Coordinator for Ministry to Senior Adults
Keith has served on the elder council in the past and is currently on a constitutional year off of the council, during which he will be focusing on pastoral care and shepherding of the senior members at Bethlehem.

God used Christian parents and grandparents to move Keith, at an early age, to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior. Keith was raised at Bethlehem, was baptized here, met and married his wife Mary and dedicated their three children here, gave two daughters away in marriage here, and have dedicated their five granddaughters here. Bethlehem Baptist Church is Keith & Mary's church home and God has richly blessed them here. Keith, Mary, and Preston live in Robbinsdale.

Vocational Elders (their photos & biographies are listed on the Pastors page):

• Melvin Brown, Pastor for Church & Neighborhood Relations
• Sam Crabtree, Executive Pastor & Lead Pastor for Life Training
• Ken Currie, Pastor for College Ministry &
  Director of Campus Outreach Minneapolis
• Jack Delk, Pastor for Covenant Member Care
• Jon Grano, Lead Pastor for Operations
• Dan Holst, Pastor for North Campus Worship & Vision
• Erik Hyatt, Pastor for Foreign Missions
• David Livingston, Pastor for Shepherd Groups & Adult Ministries
• Gil McConnell, Pastor for Child & Youth Discipleship
• Rick Melson, Pastor for South Campus Worship & Vision
• David Michael, Pastor for Parenting & Family Discipleship
• John Piper, Pastor for Preaching & Vision
• Chuck Steddom, Pastor for Worship & Music
• Tom Steller, Pastor for Leadership Development
• Kenny Stokes, Lead Pastor for Spreading