Meet Our Servants
At Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church, we are blessed with godly servants who lead our congregation and community activities. Their passion and commitment reflect in the warm, welcoming environment of our church. Let's meet the individuals who devote their time and energy to guide our Christian spiritual journey and community outreach.
Pastor Paul Krentz
Pastor Paul Krentz received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan in the field of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering in 1981. He was employed for four years by the Burger Boat company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin where he was a project manager in the design and building of custom-built luxury aluminum yachts, 75 feet and up.
During his time in Wisconsin, Pastor Krentz attended Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Two Rivers, WI, where he grew in his own faith, served as an Elder of the congregation, and eventually met his wife Chris. Pastor Krentz was encouraged by many to become a pastor, and left Wisconsin to enter the seminary. In 1989 Pastor Krentz was awarded the Master of Divinity Degree by Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Prior to accepting the call to Holy Emmanuel, Pastor Krentz served as the pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beemer, NE for 10 years, and then at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Watertown, MN, for 20 years.
Pastor Krentz enjoys fishing, hunting, playing chess, model railroading, has competed in running and inline speed skate marathons, and is currently an avid cyclist.
Pastor Krentz’ favorite Bible verse is Philippians 2:5-11: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus; Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
Pastor Krentz and his wife Chris have been married for 40 years and have been blessed with 3 grown children; Jonathan, Jordan, and Jennifer.
Kate Horejsi
Open Arms Early Childhood Center Director
Kate Horejsi is the Director of our Open Arms Christian Early Childhood Center.
Kate's education background includes a Bahelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Program Leadership from Rasmussen University. She has also taken college classes in Sociology at Hamline University, earned the NAEYC Director's credential, and holds certificates in both book-keeping and grant writing.
Kate's interest in how children learn and devolp began in High School when she took a developmental psychology class. Later on she was a DARE instructor to 6th graders, and did volunteer work at various preschools in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Kate says what she enjoys most about being a Director is lifting up children, families, staff, and the community to honor the blessing that children are to us all.
In addition to serving as our Director, Kate has a 13 year old daughter and two rambunctious cats. She also enjoys gardening, crocheting, cooking, and reading.
Christina Krentz
Volunteer Youth Group & Sunday School Coordinator
Christina Krentz is our volunteer Youth Group and Sunday School Director for 1st - 12th grades.
Chris has had over 12 years of experience working with youth. In a previous congregations she regularly organized mission trips, in both the USA and abroad, as well as various youth service events.
When Chris is not working she enjoys taking care of her flower gardens, playing with her puppy, reading, and participating in all kinds of outdoor activities.
Kelly Raske
Accounting and Bookkeeping
Kelly Raske comes to Holy Emmanuel with over 20+ years of experience in financial services. She works under the oversight of Holy Emmanuel's elected treasurer, and is responsible for the accounting and bookkeeping needed by the congregation and the Open Arms Early Childhood Center. It's a big task, but Kelly does a wonderful job making sure the financial resources of the congregation are dispersed in a timely and efficient manner.
Chad Bjornson
Facilities Manager
Chad Bjornson comes to us with a background in facilities management from many years of working at Nordstrom's. His expertise and dedication is critical when it comes to keeping the facility running in tip top order.
Chad oversees all maintenance for both Holy Emmanuel, and our Open Arms Early Childhood Center. He ensures that the propery is clean, safe, comfortable, and well maintained both inside and out. Chad is a licensed boiler operator, and among many other things ensures that all annual licenses and inspections are kept current for the facility heating, fire avoidance, and security systems, while seeking to maximize their efficiency.
Vern & Sally Endresen
Custodial Service
Vern and Sally Endresen use their God given gifts and loving, serving hearts to help keep our congregation's facility clean and sparkling. Both of them come to us from a background of long service orientd roles within the Bloomington public school system. For more than 15 years, the people of Holy Emmanuel have been blessed by Vern and Sally's tireless work!