Say hello to our leadership at Gloria Dei. Got questions for them? Contact us.

Originally from Wisconsin (Watertown and Neenah), I spent many years in Mankato, Minnesota. While there, I attended Bethany Lutheran College, graduating in 2007 with a degree (BA) in English. I then obtained a master's degree (MA) in English Literature and fiction writing from the University of Maine (Orono) in 2012.

Following this, my wife Anna and I taught English in South Korea for three years. When asked if I know any Korean, I can only reply, "jogeum" -- a "little bit." However, this wonderful experience helped me discern the call into the public ministry of God's Word.

While still in Korea, I began studying the Biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek). I then returned to Minnesota to attend Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary. My thesis focused on pastoral theology and mental illness, in particular ministering to those experiencing bipolar disorder.

Following three years of classroom instruction, I was called to serve as vicar (pastoral apprenticeship) at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota. I received a master's degree (M.Div.) from Bethany Seminary in 2020 and was immensely blessed with a call to serve Gloria Dei here in beautiful Saginaw, Michigan.

I love to read books, and have even finished a few of them. I also enjoy writing, translation, having strong opinions about films, making music and listening to it (Bach and Warren Zevon in particular), baking, getting away to the woods, and hunting for Petoskey stones.

Hello, my name is Rob Kain, and I am a charter member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. I am married to my wife Sue of 29 years, and we have two girls, Marisa and Kayla. I have also recently retired and enjoy spending more time with my family, hobbies, and volunteering.

I welcome you to come and worship with us at Gloria Dei, a church home we founded because we believe the Bible is God's inspired, inerrant Word. Through the years, God has blessed our congregation immensely with a beautiful sanctuary, fellowship hall, family viewing room, talented vocal and bell choirs, and a young and energetic Pastor. 

I hope you will come and worship with us.

Hello, I am a charter member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, and I am also the organist and bell choir director. I have been a church organist for over 40 years and have directed handbell choirs for over 30 years. I received my Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music from the University of Nebraska. For many years, I also taught general music and band in elementary and junior high school. 

I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren, and I like to sew, craft, and read in my spare time. 

Hello, my name is Melissa Everett, and I am a charter member of Gloria Dei Lutheran. I am grateful to be part of the friendly and supportive Gloria Dei family. 

At Gloria Dei, I direct the vocal and children’s choir, am a Gloria Dei bell choir member, and teach Sunday school.

I hold a violin performance and music education degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Over the years, I have taught orchestra, grades 5-12, in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools and the Saginaw Township Community Schools. Currently, I perform in the Midland Symphony Orchestra and teach private music lessons.

I enjoy being with my family, playing cards or board games, and reading in my free time.

My name is Amanda Doyle, and I have attended Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for 12 years. I became a member after marrying my husband. He has been a member of Gloria Dei his whole life.

At Gloria Dei, I am the Pre-K and Young Children's Sunday School Teacher. In addition, I am a member of both the vocal and bell choirs here at church.

I have an Early Childhood Master's from SVSU and an Elementary Special Education degree from Calvin College. I have taught for the past 18 years at Saginaw Public Schools. For the last 8 years, I have been an Early Childhood Special Education Infant and Toddler teacher. I believe that all children should be celebrated no matter their abilities.  

I love spending time with my family and friends, camping, riding bikes, and playing cards!

Hello. My name is Anna Kempfert (the pastor's wife). My father was called to be a vicar in the ELS the year I was born, so I have been an ELS member my whole life. From a young age, Christ, His Word, and His Great Commission (Matthew 28) have been written on my heart and have been a primary motivating force in my life.

I was born in Minnesota but spent several years of my childhood in Iowa and Ohio (pastor's kid here). However, my extended family is from Michigan, so Michigan was my summer home state, and I feel blessed to call it my primary place of residence now.

While in Minnesota, I graduated from Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School (WELS) in New Ulm, Minnesota. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with a Language Arts and Communications Certification at Bethany Lutheran College (ELS) in Mankato, MN. Pastor Kempfert and I married the summer after finishing my student teaching.

Next, I worked for AmeriCorps in Orono, Maine, at the University of Maine where I ran their mentorship program, managed and trained 50+ volunteers, and wrote several grants to help fund programs for impoverished youth.

Following my year at AmeriCorps, I taught English in public schools in South Korea. After that, I worked for a private Christian international school in Seoul, South Korea, where I taught 9th-12th grade Honors English and Literature.

While in Korea, my husband discerned the call to the ministry, and we moved back, halfway across the world, to Minnesota. I taught composition classes at the University of Mankato, Minnesota, for a time and then, for several years, taught 6th through 8th grade at Mt. Olive Lutheran School in Mankato.

While in Minnesota, God gifted me with my first child, so I stayed home with my daughter her first year of life. I now work as an editor.

My first calling is to my family and two beautiful children (our son was born just this year). However, my secondary calling leads me to help in any capacity needed at Gloria Dei. I currently teach Sunday School youth (6th-12th) classes. It's a privilege and an honor to prepare the future leaders of our synod and church.