Brian Amundson

Jay Anderson
janderson@c3ec.org

I came to Bethesda in the fall of 1988 when I moved here from the Twin Cities.

I have always believed in Jesus, but it was not until High School that I understood that Jesus died for me, personally. I grew in my faith quite a bit during college through the ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

I serve on the Elder Board, as well as the Trustee Committee. I also help lead a Bible Study on Wednesday nights.

Tim Anderson (on sabbatical)
tanderson@c3ec.org

I was born in 1955 to Ivan and Penny Anderson who were members at Bethesda. This has always been my church home.

Psalm 51:5 “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” I too was born a sinner in need of God’s grace. My parents, trusting the word of God, brought me to the Lord in baptism as an infant. Act 2:38 “repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Although I have struggled with sin and indifference to God all my life, I never rejected the faith given to me through baptism. Through the word of God and the convicting of the Holy Spirit I am continually driven to the cross of Christ in repentance. It is there that I receive forgiveness and am reminded of the gospel that Jesus died to pay for my sin and that his righteousness has been imputed to me.

The bible verse on a plaque that hung on my wall as a child I still think of to this day. Ecclesiastes 12:1 “Remember your creator in the days of your youth”. Although I have reached old age the key to wisdom is to remember the one who created me. From dust I was created and to dust I shall return. My hope is in Jesus Christ my savior who died and rose again and that one day I and all who believe will be raised to eternal life together with him. “Lord I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in.”

I am involved in the Adult Choir and serve on the Deacon Committee as the Elder Representative. Often you will see me serving communion at the first worship service…which is my joy and honor.

Andy Johnson
ajohnson@c3ec.org

I started attending Bethesda as a child in the mid-1980s, attending both children’s and youth ministries as a student and was confirmed at Bethesda. Middle school was an impactful time for me spiritually. I grew to understand the price Jesus paid on the cross for my sin was an act of grace on my behalf – I couldn’t earn this gift through my own works. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

While attending UWEC, I spent several years volunteering in youth ministries at another local church. Feeling a call from the Lord in the summer of 2000, I began volunteering at Bethesda in what is now called student ministries. I spent the next 10 years volunteering and leading in that area, in addition to other small groups.

I started serving on the Elder Board in the fall of 2010 and have also served on the children’s & worship committees.

Gabe Larson — Intern

I’ve been at Bethesda since my family moved to Eau Claire in 2002 from Fullerton, CA when I was 9 years old. At the time, my dad Paul was the lead pastor at Bethesda before moving into his current role of President of the Lutheran Brethren denomination.

In many ways I feel like I was raised within the walls of Bethesda. From my
time in middle and high school youth group, going on mission trips and summers at Inspiration Point, I grew to know and love Jesus alongside friends and mentors. Later, I joined the staff as the College Ministry Coordinator for a couple years, leading Bible studies and community events for our college-age community.

For work, I am a musician. I write songs and record/produce records for other artists. My brother Nick and I built a recording studio a couple years ago out of a late-1800’s horse barn at my house. Much of my time is spent in the studio recording, writing and mixing. When I’m not working on songs, I also refinish and install hardwood floors with my brother Nick for our other business, Larson Brothers Flooring.

My wife Mikelle and I got married in February 2016 and recently welcomed our new daughter, Ruth, born on April 3rd this year.

I love coffee, cheap diner food, bad puns, guitars and guitar pedals, C.S. Lewis, long walks on the beach, National Parks, Sabbath days, my cat Huck, Willie Nelson and mafia documentaries. Above all, though, I love Jesus. I believe that He is the ultimate hope, joy and fulfillment of everything humanity wants and needs. It is our privilege and responsibility as His followers to share the Joy of trusting Him.

John Lutz
jlutz@c3ec.org

I have been a member of Bethesda since 1997. Over the years I've been involved in the following ministries: Nursery, Sunday School, Middle and High School youth ministries, LIFEGroup leader, ABF leader, Evangelism Committee, and Worship ministries.

Ryan Morris
rmorris@c3ec.org

I have been attending Bethesda since 2004.

I first came to know about Jesus in the basement of my grandmother's church during Sunday school classes. My personal relationship with our savior began the summer of 1987 at a camp geared toward inner city kids like myself.

In my time at Bethesda I have been involved in leading the Branches LIFEgroup, the Adult Ministries Committee, the Deacon Committee, and currently serving as an Elder Intern.

My life verse: Romans 10:10, 13 — "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. . . . for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Mike Swenson
mswenson@c3ec.org

I have been at Bethesda since 2002. I was saved at a Lowell Lundstrom Crusade in Fergus Falls in May of 1970.

Along with being on the Elder board, I am on the Personnel Committee, Council of Directors for the CLBA, Board of Directors for Inspiration Point Bible Camp, and one of the leaders for Branches Life Group.

My life verse: Romans 12:2 — "Do not be conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Terry Tjelta

My wife, Vicki, and I moved to Eau Claire and began attending Bethesda in 1995. Our infant daughter, Renae, was soon joined by our sons, Dan and Scott, in 1996 and 1997. I was employed as a loss control/safety representative by a property/casualty insurance company where I still work today.

Growing up in a Christian home, I have always known that the only source of forgiveness and eternal life is through Jesus Christ. Somewhere on my way to becoming a husband and father, the depth of my own sin (self-centeredness, doubt unbelief . . .), became real to me and the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection grew. I prayed for and eventually received assurance that Jesus has fully paid for every sin that I have, and will, commit. Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Bethesda has been my primary source of fellowship and worship, enhanced by being a part of various worship teams and the worship committee.

Wes Vlcek
wvlcek@c3ec.org

I have been attending Bethesda since 1986.

As a child I was taught about God and Jesus but did not fully understand the significance of Him until after I was married and was raising a family. As my life journey progressed God kept reminding me about Himself through life experience’s, people he put in my life and occasional church services.

Many years ago the Lord put this verse in my heart: Proverbs 3:5–6 — "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

I currently serve on the mission committee youth committee and help out with the 7th grade youth on Wed. nights. Charlene and I have been members since 1988 at Bethesda.