Pastor Dave Connell's information will be available soon! To be continued...

Niels Carlsen was born to Dr. and Mrs N.C. Carlsen of Royal IA. on June 23, 1927. His father was the President(now called Bishops) of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church. Three years later the Carlsen family moved to Blair NE. where he graduated from High School in 1944.

Upon graduating from High School, he volunteered for the old Army Air Corp and was sent to Creighton University and Wyoming University. While at Wyoming the Army Pilot Training Program was closed. Since he wanted to become a Pilot, he transferred to the Navy Pilot Training Program. A few days before arriving for the pilot training, it too was closed and he was transferred to the Battleship USS West Virginia serving for 18 months. Following that, he returned to Blair and attended Dana College. Upon graduation he taught High School one year, then married his wife Natalie. They moved to Longview WA where he was in the Florist Business with Natalie's father.

At this time Niels had no intention for the ministry. He had two brother pastors and two sisters married to pastors and he felt that was enough. Three years later he felt the call to the ministry and returned to Blair to attend Trinity Seminary. After graduation, he became an Air Force Chaplain, serving at Biggs AFB, and Fairchild AFB. He left active duty to serve a congregation at Pasadena CA. Four years later he was asked to start a new mission congregation in Aptos, located on the Monterey Peninsula. Two years later he was recalled to active duty and served at Hamilton AFB, and Travis AFB, and a short time in Vietnam. When he was released from active duty he returned to Christ Lutheran Congregation in Aptos until his retirement. Following retirement he served three years as an interim pastor at St. Stevens Lutheran in Santa Cruz, and St. Luke Lutheran in Sunnyvale CA. He has served a total of 31 years as an Air Force Chaplain in Active Duty and Reserve.

In 2001 he and his wife moved to Florida and purchased a home at Del Webb where they soon found St. John Lutheran, which has become their second home. They thank God for His Grace which has been sufficient for all of their needs.

The Rev. Chuck Wilson graduated from The Anglican Theological College, Vancouver B. C. in 1960 and was ordained priest in Idaho January 25, 1961 (The Conversion of St. Paul). Over the years he has served in many local, diocesan and national church positions throughout North America, including many years as a self-employed church management and ministry development trainer-consultant. In 1982 he was joined by his wife Lynne and the two served as a team, finally ending up in Wyoming where Lynne was the bishop’s specialist in ministry development and Chuck, now retired, volunteered as chaplain at the university in Laramie. Chuck has four children by a previous marriage. Lynne died in 2006 and Chuck moved to Florida to be near family later in the year.

Associate in Ministry Lynn Hedlund attended Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, and Lutheran School of Theology Chicago and was commissioned as an Associate in Ministry in word and service in October 1987. She served Salem Lutheran church in Rockford, IL, for 22 years both pre and post commissioning. During that time she also served the Northern Illinois Synod Candidacy Committee for 18 years and the multi-Synodical Candidacy Committee for 13 years. She is trained in Spiritual gifts retreats and Stephen Ministries among other church-related groups. She was a member of Salem Lutheran Church for 28 years and transferred to St. John in November 2004.

AIM Lynn was baptized and confirmed in the LCMS in Belvidere, IL, and joined LCA in 1965 upon marriage to Husband Jim. She has two sons, Michael and Todd, and two stepsons, James and Jeffrey, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. She enjoys Christian and country music, Nascar, reading, travel, grandchildren and "living my life to honor God and his many blessings."

Was baptized a Lutheran in Astoria, N.Y. Grew up in Lindenhurst, N.Y. & graduated with an Art degree from High School. I went to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lindenhurst, where I was confirmed, and a choir member and was later married.

I was a member of Ascension in Deer Park, N.Y., for many years. I attended a 2 year Diaconal program (1992-1994) and graduated Diaconia on June 18, 1994 from Metro NY Synod. I started as a congregation Deacon at Ascension N.Y. from Feb. 1996 – March 2004. My responsibilities were Assisted Ministry, Children’s Sermons, Home, Hospital & Nursing Home visits, did some Funerals, Contacted Inactive Members, Council Rep for Deacons with an annual report, was a member of the Vicar Committee for 2 Vicar Interns. I helped out teaching Sunday School & Confirmation Classes, and was youth leader of St. High League.

I also was a Wedding Coordinator for 7 years doing Pre wedding guidelines meetings & leading wedding rehearsal and preparation on the day of the wedding. At Good Samaritan Hospital I went through Hospice training. I helped start & run a free community Shepherds Table (dinners) with fellow churches for those in the area.

Moved with my sister (Dcn. Darlene Haines) on April 1, 2004 & became a member of St. John, Summerfield, May 23, 2004. Installed as Synodical Deacon on March 13, 2005. I am in charge of Children Ministry, scheduling & doing children sermons, VBS coordinator, God Squad and Christian Education.

Grew up for 53 years of my life in Lindenhurst, New York. Was baptized, confirmed, choir member, Sunday school teacher, assistant minister, lesson reader, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lindenhurst, New York. Worked for Allstate Ins. Co. as a clerk in Huntington, Long Island, for 10 years before entering the U.S. Navy, in 1979.

In the Navy-boot camp in Orlando Fl, went to rate training school as Aviation administrator in Meridian, Miss., stationed in San Diego, Cal. With HSL 31, before changing my rate to aviation structural mechanic, then went to school in Memphis, Tenn, and Jackson, Fl., before going to Pax River, Md, to work on P-3 aircraft. Reenlisted and went to Orlando as a company commander, then transferred to Barbers Point, HI, before getting out in 1987.

Back to New York, and worked as a bookkeeper for New Montifiore Cemetery, on Long Island for 16 years. Back at St. John’s in Lindenhurst, I attended a 2 year Diaconal, program (1990-1992). Graduated, Diaconia on June 13, 1992 from Metro NY Synod. Started as congregation Lay Deacon internship Sep 1993 (Confirmation Administrator), and teacher for the 3 year Confirmation program. Installed as Congregation Lay Deacon on Nov 6, 1994 at St. John’s and ran the confirmation program for 11 years.

Moved to Florida, April 1, 2004—became a member of St. John, Summerfield on May 23, 2004. Installed as Synodical Deacon on March 13, 2005. I am one of the Assisting Ministers, do visitations, assist my sister (Deacon Judy Gioeli) with VBS and Christian Education. And at times I sing with the choir.