WELCOME WORSHIP TEACH SERVE GIVE PASTOR JEFF WHILLOCK, LEAD PASTOR Jeff grew up in Rapid City where his family enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and skiing, as well as patchy participation in the Roman Catholic church. Jeff and his wife, Nancy (an RN), have two grown children. Jeff’s greatest joys come in enjoying times outdoors and at home with family, as well as helping people connect with God in the midst of everyday-life struggles. He began serving Bethlehem in January of 2005, and was called to serve as Lead Pastor in May of 2008. He is a graduate of Augustana College, with Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Luther Seminary. jwhillock@bethlehemaberdeen.org / facebook.com/jeff.whillock PASTOR HEIDI YOUNGQUIST, ASSOCIATE PASTOR Heidi grew up in Lincoln, NE and is a proud Cornhusker! She and her daughter Violet, a student at Central High School, love to travel and enjoy the thrill of going new places and trying new things. Heidi is in her happy place whenever she is outdoors, but especially when she is in the mountains. Heidi savors time to read, cook, share in deep conversations, and the blessing of a shared laugh or a good cry. She received a BA in music from Saint Olaf College and an MA in Marriage and Family Counseling from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX. Heidi graduated from Wartburg Theological Seminary in May of 2021 with her Master of Divinity with a concentration in Mission Development and Redevelopment. One of her greatest joys in ministry is helping people connect with God’s presence in life’s joys and sorrows and celebrating the gift and promises of baptism in daily life. It is her firm belief that everyone has a story to share, a gift to offer, and a difference to make. hyoungquist@bethlehemaberdeen.org / facebook.com/heidi.youngquistwidner PASTOR LISA HEFFERNAN, INTERIM PASTOR Lisa grew up splitting her time between Wecota, SD and Pierre, SD. She received a BA in Religion from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in 2009, and her Master of Divinity in 2013 from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA. Living with a disability herself, Lisa has a passion for disability ministry and advocacy and is also serving as the Coordinator for ELCA Disability Ministries—a part time position that began this summer. She is also a current Doctor of Ministry student with Western Theological Seminary, focusing on disability theology and ministry. It is her hope and prayer that the ELCA and other denominations can one day fully embrace people with disabilities in their congregations and as congregational leaders. She loves to spend time with her family here in SD, and in IA and MN, exploring genealogy and all the interesting “finds” that come along the way. She cherishes time with her friends when she can, loves to read and write, and appreciates a good hour (or many!) listening to historical and archaeological documentaries. Lisa has loved her time with the folks of Bethlehem, and is thankful for their interim partnership. lheffernan@bethlehemaberdeen.org / facebook.com/lisa.heffernan86 Our Team How can we serve you today? 225.9740 / office@bethlehemaberdeen.org JANIS HEIER DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION jheier@bethlehemaberdeen.org DOUG EISENBEISZ DIRECTOR OF WELCOMING & SERVING deisenbeisz@bethlehemaberdeen.org CODY SWANSON DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP & MUSIC cswanson@bethlehemaberdeen.org CYNDI BISHOP DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION cbishop@bethlehemaberdeen.org JASON ROHRBACH DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES jrohrbach@bethlehemaberdeen.org DENNIS SMOOK COORDINATOR OF MS MINISTRIES dsmook@bethlehemaberdeen.org SANESSA LINDEMANN CO-COORDINATOR OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC sanessalindemann@gmail.com BETH KOPECKY COORDINATOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & BUSINESS OFFICE ASSISTANT bkopecky@bethlehemaberdeen.org LORI CARPENTER ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST lcarpenter@bethlehemaberdeen.org MEGAN KUKOWSKI COORDINATOR OF GENEROSITY & ONLINE COMMUNITY mkukowski@bethlehemaberdeen.org JOSIE FOLDEN DIRECTOR OF YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES jfolden@bethlehemaberdeen.org CASSIE AXTELL PRE-K TEACHER prek@bethlehemaberdeen.org SHANNON ELVERUD CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ASSISTANT Pastoral Care Team How can we pray for you today? ANN RASMUSSEN PASTORAL CARE MINISTER arasmussen@bethlehemaberdeen.org BOBBI ANDERSON PASTORAL CARE MINISTER banderson@bethlehemaberdeen.org BRENDA GLASFORD PASTORAL CARE MINISTER bglasford@bethlehemaberdeen.org  facebook |  instagram Bethlehem Lutheran Church / 1620 Milwaukee Ave NE / Aberdeen, SD 57401 / office@bethlehemaberdeen.org / 225.9740 church websites by clover