Our Staff

Pastor Evan was called to Lord of Life during the summer of 2023. He arrived here after 5 years as a solo pastor of a shared ministry of two ELCA congregations in Brenham, Texas. Before that, he completed a two year internship at St. Stephen Lutheran in Des Moines, Iowa. 

In both Texas and Iowa, Pastor Evan was often called ‘a people’s pastor.’ He is passionate about relationships and community building as central ideas to ministry, based on the model of Jesus coming to earth and revealing God’s unconditional love to us through relationships, parables, and connection.

Pastor Evan studied English and biology at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, and graduated from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus. He is married to Katharine, who is an ELCA deacon serving at All Saints Lutheran in Worthington. Together, they are parents to two sons, and they have a goal of visiting every U.S. national park. So far, Joshua Tree is their favorite. 

Sara lives outside Columbus with her husband, four children and two cats. She and her family are members at Liberty Presbyterian Church, where she also serves on Children's Ministries. A former teacher, Sara manages business administration and facilities for Lord of Life. When she isn't working at the church, she's either driving one of her kids to soccer or is lining words up in a row, sentence by sentence, page by page, until they've made a book.

Michele has been the Administrative Assistant at Lord of Life Lutheran Church since July of 2022.  She is a member of Harlem Road Church, in Galena, and participates in Community Bible Study.  She lives in Westerville with her husband of almost 32 years, Jonathan, two adult children, and 3 cats.  She enjoys reading, making cards, and petting cats and dogs. She does NOT need any more cats (per her husband).

Emily is excited to be working with so many wonderful people and children as the Faith Formation Director. She started attending Lord of Life in 2008 and has served in many roles including Leadership Support, Council, Life Passages teacher, and various teaching and supporting roles with kids and ministries. After teaching full-time for 15 years, Emily decided in 2022 to stay home with her three young children. Connecting youth and families with faith in fun ways feels like a perfect way to blend together her experience as a summer church camp counselor with her experience as an elementary classroom teacher.

In between the "on-the-go" moments of life with kids, Emily enjoys staying physically active and partnering with other women to do the same. She loves getting outside in nature and trying out new restaurants around Columbus with Bret!

Bret is a capricorn, who thought he was a sagittarius until he was about 12.  He's been affiliated with Lord of Life off & on (mostly on) since 1994. He loves being a part of the crossCurrent band, which he joined when he returned to Columbus in 2008.  He also enjoys running. And lastly, in a full-and-busy married life with three kids, he very much enjoys a moment of silence.  

Suzanne lives in Worthington, Ohio with her husband, daughter, son and dog.  She has been a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church since 2001, serving in many various ministries and in several staff positions. She is currently serving as the co-leader of the crossCurrent contemporary band, which she has been a member of since 2006, and helps lead the Cherub choir. Her primary employment is as manager and a certified mastectomy fitter at Over My Head Boutique, a cancer boutique in the Columbus area. She loves spending time with her family, connecting with friends, hiking, a good murder mystery, crafting, and a good puzzle. 

Eric lives in Hilliard with his wife, Sarah, two children and two cats. He is the band and orchestra director at Pleasant View Middle School in the South-Western City School District. Eric and his wife are both part of the music ministry team at Lord of Life. Having met in the clarinet section of the Miami marching band, music is a huge part of their family. Eric enjoys playing disc golf and video games in his free time. He and his wife have a goal of seeing every ballpark in the country...and they have a long way to go!

Sarah has been a member at Lord of Life since 2017 and served as organist and choir accompanist since 2019. She studied Kinesiology and Piano Performance at Miami University, and earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Ohio University. She currently works as a Physical Therapist in outpatient orthopedics. Sarah enjoys spending time outside, reading, and listening to Cleveland Guardians baseball on the radio. She lives in the Hilliard area with her husband, who also serves in the music ministry at Lord of Life. Together they are parents to a 2-year-old daughter and are expecting a baby this spring. Sarah and her husband have the goal of visiting every MLB stadium.

Mark is the bookkeeper for Lord of Life. He also manages the finances for HopeWood Outdoors.