VACANCY SENIOR PASTOR

Pastor Schudde is honored to serve St. Paul’s as the vacancy senior pastor while the congregation seeks God’s leading in their search for the next senior pastor. He has 40 years of pastoral experience, serving congregations in Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Maryland. He and his wife, Kris, currently reside in Cottleville. The Schuddes have two daughters, both Lutheran school teachers — one serving in Minnesota, and the other in Missouri. Pastor and Kris Schudde are blessed with six grandchildren, ranging in age from 10 to toddler.

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Pastor Wade attended Concordia University Irvine, graduating in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies. In 2016, Pastor Wade and his wife, Whitney, moved from California to St. Louis, where he graduated from Concordia Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in May 2020. Shortly before graduation, in April 2020, he received a Call to serve as assistant pastor at St. Paul’s Des Peres. He advanced to associate pastor in July 2023.

VISITATION PASTOR

Pastor Prange has served as a part-time pastor with St. Paul’s since 2000. He regularly visits and ministers to at-home members and congregants in senior living facilities. He previously served as senior pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Bridgeton, Missouri.

KANTOR

Director of Adult and School Choirs, organist, worship planning

Matt Gerhardt serves as St. Paul’s Kantor. He is a 2012 graduate of Concordia University Wisconsin (Bachelor of Arts, Director of Parish Music) and received a Master of Music degree in organ performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Additional studies include a year as a guest student at the Hochschule für Kirchenmusik in Herford, Germany, where he earned the top score of 1,0 (Excellent) on the organ performance exam.

DIRECTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRY

Sharon Shearman oversees children’s, women’s, men’s, older adult, and special event program ministries. She coordinates small groups (focused on Bible study, fellowship, and outreach), support groups (such as Grief Support, MomCo, and prayer ministry), Sunday school, VBS, military ministry, and the Faith Milestone ministry. She assists with assimilation of members, serves as a resource for discipleship, marriage mentoring, Christian education, and family enrichment materials, and provides support and resource information for members during health difficulties, life transitions, and other challenges.

Shearman received a Bachelor of Journalism degree with an emphasis in advertising and a minor in public relations from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Prior to joining St. Paul’s staff in August 1999, she worked for a Christ-centered company committed to providing products and resources to equip customers for their ministries.

ASSISTANT KANTOR

Organist, choir accompanist, composer/arranger, worship planning, school music.

Joel Stoppenhagen serves as Assistant Kantor. A native of Ossian, Indiana, he holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Valparaiso University and a Master of Sacred Music degree from the University of Notre Dame, with a concentration in organ performance. He has additionally studied at Westfield House in Cambridge, England, and at the Smarano Early Keyboards Academy in Smarano, Italy.

LIVING STONE MUSIC DIRECTOR

Coordinates and directs music in the Living Stone worship service.

Whitney Wade serves as St. Paul’s kindergarten through fourth grade music teacher and Living Stone Music Director. She is a 2014 graduate of Concordia University Irvine and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education, with a minor in Lutheran Teaching and Worship Arts Leadership.

YOUTH COORDINATOR

Provides leadership and support for the congregation in youth ministry; coordinates social and service opportunities for elementary, middle school, and high school youth; provides administrative support for the confirmation process of non–day school students; plans and operates the annual rummage sale; organizes Christmas setup and cleanup; plans and leads retreats for confirmation or senior high groups; and assists with annual graduation recognition.

Becky Blake is a graduate of Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She has more than 10 years of sales experience and has been actively serving and volunteering for church and school. Becky Blake joined the St. Paul’s staff in 2019.

FACILITIES MANAGER

Manages the maintenance and care of the church, school campuses, administration building, and Early Childhood Center facilities, ensuring that all equipment, furnishings, and grounds are properly maintained and in good condition at all times. 

Steve Brosch has served as Facilities Manager since 2017 and loves serving St. Paul’s. He has a well-rounded knowledge base, with a background in construction management and financial management.

WORSHIP SECRETARY

Serves as pastors’ assistant, providing administrative and ministry support. Responsibilities include preparing the weekly bulletin, coordinating the Weekly Word e‑letter and Good News publication, and managing calendar and room requests. Vicki Brosch assists with scheduling funerals, weddings, and baptisms, and helps facilitate prayer requests and hospital updates.

MINISTRIES SECRETARY

Assists with special events, Bible studies, small groups, ministries, retreats, hospitality, promotion, communication, and reception.

Julie Claus received a bachelor’s degree in Community Health Science, with a minor in Psychology, from Truman State University, as well as a Master of Public Health degree from Saint Louis University in Behavioral Science and Health Education. After many years in public health research and consulting, Julie shifted her career to focus on her family and has served on St. Paul’s staff since 2010.

TECHNICAL ARTS COORDINATOR

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

Supports members with requests such as transfers, contact updates, memorial acknowledgements, and homebound ministry. Greets visitors, directs phone calls, distributes mail, and orders weekly altar flowers. Prepares reports and materials for members and staff, including offering envelopes, attendance records, children’s clipboard activity kits, and tracts. Assists pastors with new member needs and the What We Believe class. Assists those from the community seeking church assistance with gasoline and food cards. Oversees supplies, office equipment, and coordinates service calls.

Renee Hemmy graduated from Missouri State University, earned her graduate degree in secondary English education from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and taught high school for 12 years before staying home to care for her two daughters. She has served on St. Paul’s staff since March 2012.

MARKETING & ADMISSIONS COORDINATOR (SCHOOL)

Admissions and external communications for St. Paul's K-8 school, including advertising, public relations, open house events, website, recruitment and retention.

Joanna Hoeltge graduated from Valparaiso University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. She has 15 years of experience in public relations and marketing, with an emphasis in digital communications, and gained professional experience at the Saint Louis Zoo and Nestlé Purina PetCare Company before joining St. Paul’s in 2019. Joanna Hoeltge is a proud alumna of St. Paul’s Lutheran School and believes her foundational Christian education has paved her way.

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

Assists in the maintenance and care of the church, school campuses, administration building, and facilities. Responsibilities include repair work, preventative upkeep, and setting up spaces for ministry and congregational use.

CONNECTIONS COORDINATOR

Helps welcome new and transferring families to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School. Works to involve families in their new faith community by connecting them with fellow members and coordinating events.

Kari McCarthy graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design from Stephens College, where she was active in the recruitment activities of Kappa Delta Sorority.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Public relations and communications, social media such as Facebook and Instagram, YouTube channel management, website management and design, The Messenger newsletter, project-based graphic design and video production.

Nancy Ohlemeyer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. Her professional background includes freelance graphic design, client relations, and business analyst roles at Fortune100/500 and technology firms.

ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRY

Works alongside the Director of Family Ministry to coordinate children’s, women’s, men’s, older adult, and special-event program ministries, as well as Bible studies, small groups, and support groups.

Kathy Stoddard graduated from Washington University with a major in marketing from the Olin School of Business and a minor in advertising from the School of Art. As a member of St. Paul's, she has volunteered in ministry areas including VBS, MomCo, children's ministry, Sunday school, and special events. 

CARE MINISTRY COORDINATOR

Works alongside the Director of Family Ministry to support and provide resource information for members during health difficulties, life transitions, and other challenges, as well as congregational care initiatives and wellness.

Mary Theiss graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Barnes-Jewish College and also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics from Fontbonne University. Her previous work experience includes serving all ages in various settings, from women, infants, and children in public health to adult critical care in the hospital setting. She joined St. Paul’s staff in 2026.