Meet our staff
Chris has served as Senior Pastor at St. Michael’s since September, 1991. He and his wife, Jan, have two grown daughters. A 1979 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Chris has a passion for preaching and teaching, evangelism, and Christian apologetics. An avid reader, he has interests in history, archeology, aviation, bicycling, Cardinal baseball and exercise. Prior to the congregation’s recent expansion, Chris and Jan committed themselves to remain at St. Michael’s.
Phil’s mission is to motivate, train, equip, unleash, and assist Christians to share Christ’s Good News far.
In the past, he has served as a church planter, pastor, missionary to Venezuela, media ministry producer, professor of evangelism and missions.
Phil has served at St. Michael’s since 1997. In addition, he is a free-lance writer and speaker. Learn about his other life at www.rollercoasterpress.com.
He and his wife, Julie, have raised three children, Katy, Sam, and Kristy, and they have one grandson, Zack. His favorite pastimes are biking, tennis, and gardening.
Kevin lives with his wife, Diane, in Bloomington and has three adult daughters. He has been serving at St. Michael’s since 1998, first in youth ministry and young adult ministry, and more recently in the areas of prayer, counseling and healing ministries. His passion is to see God work restoration in a person. Kevin serves as Associate Pastor in the areas of prayer and care ministries. He has a teaching degree from Concordia University in Nebraska, and is ordained as Specific Ministry Pastor, through Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO. His hobbies include motorcycling, small engine tinkering, playing guitar, camping and exploring. He desires people to know Christ, to become whole in Christ and to live life abundantly for Christ until he returns!
Jane is a charter member (l964) of St. Michael’s. she is a member of St. Michael’s first confirmation class and served as president of the first youth group. Jane is a graduate of Concordia, St. Paul, where she studied organ with Dr. Paul Manz. In August 1977, she accepted the call to serve as St. Michael’s Music Director.
Jane is a single parent with four children: Benjamin, Joshua, and twin daughters, Rebekah and Rachel. Jane enjoys gardening, antiquing, and building pipe organs. She is fully committed to nurturing the gifts of music and the arts among all ages that bring glory to God and minister to our souls.
Jim Anderson has served at St. Michaels for the past 29 years as Director of Christian Education in youth and adult ministries. Presently his responsibilities involve him in training and directing the adult small group ministries, adult education, new member classes with assimilation, Helping Hands ministry, Social ministry, singles groups, Men and Women’s ministries, trainer and consultant with Synod as well as assistant in various pastoral duties.
Jim graduated from Concordia College in St. Paul, MN in the DCE program in 1978 and received his MA in Education and Leadership from Augsburg College in 2000. He is married to Karen and has two daughters, Katie and Amy. Katie is married with two children, and Amy is single and Assist. Director of Admissions at Univ. Wisconsin Whitewater.
Martin has arrived from England after spending 20 years as Youth Minister in Farnborough. He is married to Rachel and has 3 children spread between grade and high school: Josh, Hannah and Tabitha. Martin is passionate about seeing children, youth and young adults coming to know and love the Lord. He is also a proud graduate of Oak Hill Theological College, Kings College London and Christ Church Canterbury. In his spare time he would love to watch an English soccer match, but will go for a jog or bicycle ride instead!
Came to faith when a neighbor kid asked me to go with him to confirmation.Sharon and I have been members of St. Michael’s for over 40 years. Graduated from Univ. of Minnesota with a BS degree in Business. Sharon and I married. We now have three children, grand children and great grandchildrenBecame an officer in The Strategic Air Command (SAC) in Field Maintenance and related classified duties.Returned to the Univ. to get a Masters in Human RelationsThen 22 years with Control Data Corp.and became head of HR and Public Relations for 62,000 employees in 47 countries.Traveled throughout those 47 countries extensively.Was implementor of Inner City and Rural Manufacturing plants, of mobile Medical clinics for Rosebud Indian ReservationWas held hostage for a short time in South Korea.Left to become CEO of one of the first HMOs in the USJoined together with another HMO to become one of three founders of United HealthCare.Corp. Retired at age 56. Was lead director for Thrivent Corporation and predecessor for 13 yearsCreated three companies in the aviation business. Sold those to become Congregation Manager for St. Michael’s. Am 77 and still serving God.
Louise has been on staff at St. Michael’s since 2000. She and her husband, Jim, live in Richfield. Louise enjoys reading, walking, weekend outings with her husband and listening to people’s life stories.
Anika Palodichuk has been teaching at St. Michael’s Lutheran Preschool since 1998. Her passion is planting seeds of faith in the hearts and lives of children and their families, and watching how the Holy Spirit grows those seeds.
Anika graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul in 1998 with degrees in Early Childhood Education and Theatre. She and her husband Matt live in Eagan.They enjoy bike riding and playing games. Most of all they desire others to come to a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Chaplain Day was ordained in 1963 and served Lutheran Churches in Torquay, Saskatchewan, Winona and Glenville, Minnesota. He went on active duty as a Navy Chaplain in 1970. His tours of duty included two deployments to Viet Nam on Navy Destroyers, 1971-1973; Naval Hospital, Long Beach California; Naval Air Station Keflevik Iceland; first active duty Chaplain stationed in Hong Kong to assist ships personnel coming for a week of rest and recreation and Senior Chaplain at five different Naval Stations. He served his last tour of duty as the Submarine Force Pacific Fleet Chaplain, Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He retired after 22 years active duty with the rank of CAPTAIN. Following active duty he served for 12 years as the Administrative Assistant to the Presiding Pastor of The American Association of Lutheran Churches, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He also served as the Chaplain at Trinity Care Center, San Antonio, Texas and was supervisory chaplain for 18 other nursing homes in Texas with chaplains. Chaplain Day is presently working as the Care Minister at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Minnesota visiting members of the congregation needing pastoral care in homes, hospitals and nursing homes. He is also a member of the Consumer Advisory Board of the Minneapolis VA Hospital.
Chaplain Day and his wife Peggy have been married 50 years and have two children, Karis Lynn Gabrielson, Registered Nurse/ Senior Clinical Analyst at United Health Group, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Dr. John R Day, PHD, Research Scientist III at Gen-Probe, Inc., San Diego, California.