Introductions

We would like to introduce you to our staff. Bethlehem depends on its ordained and lay staff members as well as its many, many volunteers to carry out our Vision for Mission here at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. We are indeed fortunate to have such a dedicated and qualified staff.

Program Staff

Pastor Mark Larson, Senior Pastor, and Pastor Jeff Fricke, Associate Pastor for Discipleship, both work closely with the program staff in addition to their pastoral responsibilities. In case you haven't looked yet you can click here to "Meet our Pastors," or if you want a full biography use this link to Pastor Mark or this link to Pastor Jeff.

Donna Blomquist
Director of Church Operations

Donna has been on staff with Bethlehem since 1999.  She was appointed Director of Church Operations in July of 2000.  Donna grew up in Geneva, Illinois, and graduated from Geneva Community High School.  She received her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Southern Illinois University.

Professionally, Donna’s prior experience includes 3 years as an Auditor at a large public accounting firm in Chicago, Illinois, 8 years as the Business Manager and Finance Director at a not-for-profit association and foundation in Schaumburg and Chantilly, Virginia, and 2 years as an Administrator of a law firm in Chicago, Illinois.

As a stay-at-home mom, Donna was active in school activities at Lincoln, Haines and St. Charles High School.  She also was a member of the Board of Directors of Community Contacts for 14 years and the Association for Individual Development for 3 years.  She was President of her Homeowner’s Association.

Donna lives in St. Charles with her husband Craig.  They have two children, Jonathan, a graduate student at Northern Illinois University, and Ingrid, a 3rd year student at Illinois Wesleyan University.  Donna enjoys reading and knitting in her spare time. 

Kelly Collins
Director of Community Ministries

Kelly has been a staff member at Bethlehem since 2004 as Director of Care and Connection. She earned bachelor degrees in both Social Work and Urban Affairs and a Masters degree in Social Work from St. Louis University.  For over 20 years, Kelly has worked professionally with adults, children and families in a variety of settings, helping others navigate through challenging life transitions and personal struggles.  

Using her professional skills, experience and faith, Kelly provides leadership to our many caring and connection ministries. She is passionate about helping others feel welcome, accepted and encouraged in experiencing genuine community here at Bethlehem; a community of nurturing relationships, opportunities to serve, and support in learning and growing. Newcomers and long-time disciples alike are thankful Kelly is here to help us along in our faith journey.       

Kelly has been part of the Bethlehem family for 14 years. She lives with her husband and two sons in St. Charles.

Sylvia Weaver
Director of Music

Sylvia has served Bethlehem as organist and director of adult and children’s choirs since 1979. She became the full-time Director of Music in 1985 and works with a staff of eight musicians who are in music leadership roles.

Sylvia is from eastern Pennsylvania, received the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education at Lebanon Valley College and has taken graduate courses in music at the American Conservatory of Music/Chicago and Concordia University/River Forest.  She has studied organ with Barbara Hartenbauer, R. Porter Campbell and Herbert Goetsch, and conducting with Pierce Getz, James Thurmond, Paul Christiansen and Richard Hoffland.  Numerous workshops under Helen Kemp have greatly influenced her work with children’s choirs.

Sylvia and her husband James currently reside in St. Charles.

Michael Patrick Burgess
Praise Team Director

A Chicago native, Tenor Michael Burgess is a voice instructor at the Naperville School of Performing Arts as well as a private voice instructor in Geneva and St. Charles, IL.  He spent five years as an Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Texas - San Antonio.  He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance at University of Michigan and received his Master of Music degree from Western Michigan University.

Dr. Burgess is also an experienced church musician, having been a Minister Of Music, Cantor, Worship Leader, Soloist/Choir Section Leader, and Music Director in church denominations and worship styles as diverse as the Catholic Church, Episcopal and Lutheran Churches, Reformed and Christian Reformed Churches, Non-denominational and Community Church, also the Congregational and Bible Church denominations.  Michael also maintains a professional singing career, giving classical recitals, symphonic and concert music, opera and musical theater.  He is a passionate devotee of modern music, particularly committed to premiering works of living composers.

Andy Sahl
Director of Youth Ministries

Andy has served as the Director of Youth ministries at Bethlehem since 2005.  Andy studied psychology as an undergrad at the University of Texas at Dallas and graduated from Luther Seminary in 2007 with a Masters in Youth and Family ministry.  Andy grew up in the Dallas, TX area where his parents still live.

Andy works with all students in grades six through twelve and is passionate about creating an authentic community where young people and their families can grow in faith and Christ centered relationships. 

In his spare time Andy enjoys hanging out with his wife Gayla, working out and playing sports of all kinds, and various home improvement projects. 

Pong Sayasane
Director of Bethlehem Preschool Center

Pong graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development.  She has been working in the early childhood field since 1994.  Pong has been employed at Bethlehem since September of 1996.  She lives in St. Charles, Illinois, with her husband Tom, and 2 children, Ally and Lexy. Pong enjoys reading, drawing, traveling, skiing and playing volleyball and badminton.

(Meet the rest of the Preschool and Daycare Staff)

Support Staff

Patty Snyder
Administrative Assistant

As the youngest of seven children, Patty was born and raised near Midland, Michigan. She attended the Merrill Public Schools and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunication from Michigan State University in 1986. In June of 1998 she married Stan Snyder, who is a Director of Sales for Interstate Brands Corporation. The Snyders moved to the Fox Valley area from Stow, Ohio, in the fall of 2004. They enjoy their current residence in South Elgin. Patty also has a daughter, Candace, in Perrysburg, Ohio and a son, Jared, living in Michigan. In her spare time Patty enjoys reading and keeping in contact with family and friends.

Laura Oscarson
Finance Secretary
Newsletter Editor

Laura is a lifelong member of Bethlehem. She lives in St. Charles with her husband Jeff, son Steven, who is a senior at DePaul University and daughter Kate who is a senior at St. Charles North High School. Laura directs the X-altation and Proclamation Handbell choirs and participates in the Sounds of Joy Handbell Choir. Laura joined the staff in July of 2003 as the Finance Secretary and became the Messenger Editor in January of 2004.

Randy Shedd
Director of Maintenance

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