Randy Gehring
Senior Pastor for Vision, Worship and Leadership
My role here at Bethesda encompasses the responsibilities associated with 1. Casting a clear vision for ministry and mission, 2. Planning and leading worship that takes worshipers deeper in the faith through Word and Sacrament, 3. Providing faithful administrative and spiritual leadership to staff and lay leaders as well as to the congregation as a whole, and 4. Discerning God's will in any number of pastoral settings. In addition, I fully recognize that the degree to which I am successful in fulfilling the call God has given me through Bethesda is directly related to the collaborative relationships I enjoy with a very capable and competent staff and a strong base of lay leaders.
I began serving my call July 1, 2004 after moving to Ames from Wahpeton, North Dakota, where I lived and served at Bethel Lutheran Church for 10½ years. I believe with all of my heart that God has called me to serve as Bethesda's senior pastor, as this call has been confirmed time and again throughout the process of moving and becoming a member of the community both here at Bethesda and in the town of Ames. What's more, I stand in awe as a witness to the movement of the Holy Spirit almost on a daily basis as God's will is accomplished through the ministry of this congregation. To God be the glory!
Joel Wight Hoogheem
Associate Pastor for Discipleship, Evangelism and Outreach
In addition to preaching God's Word and administering the Sacraments, my call at Bethesda involves providing leadership and oversight to the faith development ministry, especially adult discipleship. I teach different classes and coordinate the Course Catalog that contains all the education opportunities of the congregation. My responsibilities also include Small Group Ministry, so I work closely with the Small Group Planning Team. Another role I have is working with the Evangelism and Lay Ministry Board and its related ministry teams: the Gifts of Grace Team and the Renewing the Passion Planning Team.
April 1, 2006, was when my call began at Bethesda. As Pastor Karen and I went through the interview process with Bethesda's Call Committee, I could sense that God was working through the history of faithful ministry to lead this congregation in some exciting new directions. When the congregation voted to call us, I experienced the leading of the Holy Spirit as we came to a new and unfamiliar place. In our short time here, however, we already feel at home in this community. Thanks be to God!
Karen Wight Hoogheem
Associate Pastor for Spiritual Care, Prayer and Visitation Ministries
God calls us to be Christian care givers in our daily lives! To that end, Bethesda has called me to equip caregivers through classes, provide opportunities for Bethesda members to implement caring ministries, and to develop leadership teams for lay visitation and prayer ministry. I oversee hospital visits and appreciate the faithful members who share this ministry with the pastors. I spend some time calling on homebound members of the congregation.
God called me to Bethesda in the spring of 2006. Joel and I thought the move to Ames would be a good one. We looked forward to working together, the job responsibilities matched our individual passions and gifts, and a half-time call for one of us would provide more time and flexibility to take care of our family. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sunday mornings I am in the office. The rest of my time is spent caring for my favorite little girl!
Shelly Gehring
Associate in Ministry for Youth and Young Adults
In my position as Associate in Ministry for Youth and Young Adults I have the privilege of organizing programming for all Bethesda members from 12 to 29+. This includes the Head to Heart confirmation program, Stepping Stones for 10th and 12th graders, special youth worship experiences, Bible Study and fellowship opportunities, as well as service learning opportunities both in Ames and away from home. My favorite part of this job is the time that I get to spend hanging out with the young people of Bethesda. They are all such wonderful individuals!
I came to Bethesda nearly 3 years ago, at the time my husband, Pastor Randy, accepted the call of the congregation to serve as Sr. Pastor. I did not start working at the church right away as I was still finishing requirements for a Master of Arts degree. I finished that work by the end of August and I was asked to join the staff at Bethesda in an interim capacity until additional staff could be hired. During my time as interim staff I did a little bit of everything. I officially graduated from Luther Seminary on December 14, 2004 and was issued a call to serve Bethesda as the Associate in Ministry for Outreach and Discipleship. Bishop Hougen was here on February 20, 2005 to commission me as an Associate in Ministry. I worked as the AIM for Outreach and Discipleship, which included a 6 month stint as the Acting Office Manager, until Andrew Nyren left the position of Director of Christian Education. Then Sherry moved from Youth Ministry to Children's and Family Ministry and I moved to Youth and Young Adult Ministry making way for our pastoral team of Joel and Karen Wight Hoogheem to be hired. I have been working with youth ministry programs for the past 21 years. According to my own kids it took me an awfully long time to realize that God had been calling and preparing me for work in Youth Ministry but I've finally figured it out. God is Good!
Deb Anderson
Office Manager
I see my role as Office Manager being one of a support specialist-my goal is to make it possible for other people to function more efficiently. I act as a resource for staff members regarding a variety of issues-Human Resources policies and procedures, legal issues, insurance liability coverage, as well as provide administrative support to our pastors. I provide a variety of financial information and reports to various board chairs regarding their expenditures and church policies, and I research a wide variety of items for the boards as requested. I also serve as editor for The Reminder, our monthly newsletter. In addition, I supervise our bookkeeper, Cathy Wright, office assistant Sandi Frank and administrative assistant Heather Botine. I also have the pleasure of recruiting and working with our delightful office volunteer group.
I started at Bethesda the week of the Centennial Celebration, which was May 1, 2005. My dad, a retired pastor, actually saw the newspaper ad for this position, called me up and said, "Here's the number-call now." Once I discovered what the job entailed, I truly had this "Aha!" moment. My past job experiences made this position a ‘perfect fit' as did my upbringing as a "preacher's kid". Working as your office manager here at Bethesda has been a real blessing in my life, and my prayer is that I, in turn, will be a blessing to the community of believers at Bethesda, as well.
Cathy Wright
Bookkeeper/Accounts Payable
In my role, I assist the Bethesda congregation by processing the bills and accounts that need to be paid to vendors. I receive statements from our vendors and receipts from the congregation; distributing checks weekly and more often if necessary. I work to ensure your tithes, gifts and offerings are handled in a diligent manner.
My family lives rural route Story City. My husband Dan and I have 3 children. One son is a senior at ISU, the other is a senior at Iowa Central College and my daughter is a senior in high school. Christina might be a familiar name as she has been preparing the Wednesday Fellowship meals. I joined the Bethesda staff just over 6 months ago. I am excited to learn more about each of the ministries here at Bethesda and understand how I can be of assistance to you in relationship to tracking and paying expenditures.
Gary Deal
Head Custodian
I have been employed at Bethesda Lutheran for 24 years. My responsibilities include securing supplies and working directly with vendors and contractors. Daily I work to keep the building reasonably clean and to have rooms ready for all of the meetings, classes and other happenings going on here. I also work closely with the Properties Board and ensure that the building meets fire codes and other city, state and federal requirements.
Curtis Malone
Assistant Custodian
My job at Bethesda involves cleaning the church building, setting up the Commons for Sunday morning coffee and assisting the Head Custodian, Gary Deal, in whatever tasks are needed. Most of my time involves cleaning the daycare rooms, the bathrooms, high school room, music room and Food Pantry. I also sometimes clean the upstairs hallway and kitchen.
I have worked at Bethesda nearly a year. I have some experience as custodian at Northminster Presbyterian Church and applied for this job after reading the ad in the newspaper.
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