Shannon Hecksel has served at St. Paul’s since June 2014. Previously he served at 3 other congregations in Minnesota. Additionally, he served at Lutheran High School in Bloomington as the elementary band director and high school band and choir director. Shannon has been married to his wife, Kelly since 2002. They have 4 children that keep them very busy: Cadison, Brayden, Kailyn, and Taryn. Shannon’s passion for youth ministry started when he was in college and worked as a camp counselor at Camp Omega and Camp Luther. One of his favorite Bible verses is Matthew 4:19 “And He said to them, ‘follow me and I will make you fishers of men’.”

Wendy and her husband, Brian, were confirmed and married at South Shore Trinity Lutheran Church (LCMS) in White Bear Lake. They reside in Shakopee and have two grown children, Amanda and Cameron, a grandson, Levi, a dog, Maggie and a cat, Smokey. Wendy currently attends Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Prior Lake where she sings in the Alleluia choir, plays with the Joyful Noise Ringers, subs for Preschool Sunday school, assists with VBS, and is their Recording Secretary. Most of her free time is now spent enjoying being Grammie for Levi, but her other hobbies include walking, reading, knitting, crocheting, boating, and various other activities and crafts. She loves being able to serve the Lord by putting her accounting background to use as St. Paul’s Office Manager.

My name is Mark Christiansen and I am your new Music Director at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. My wife Kris and I have been married 14 years and have three children: Katie (12), Owen (11), and Abby (8). Both Kris and I grew up in northern Minnesota and we have lived in St. Louis Park for almost 14 years. Kris now works as a Spanish teacher for St. Louis Park High School, and I work part-time for Cargill as a computer programmer.

Sound Foundation website.

God’s blessing to you! My name is Susan Parrish and I am an organist here at St. Paul’s.  Each day is a new adventure and God always opens the doors to show Jesus’ love to others. God called our family from Michigan to Prior Lake in March of 2009 where my husband, Brent, serves as pastor of Fishlake Immanuel Lutheran Church.  In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano/organ, putting puzzles together, spending time with family and leading our contemporary worship team at our church. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men….It is the Lord you are serving – Colossians 3:23, 24b.