ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Pastor Wade attended Concordia University Irvine (CUI), graduating in 2014 with a BA in Theological Studies. In 2016, Pastor Wade and his wife, Whitney, moved from California to St. Louis, where he pursued Master of Divinity studies at Concordia Seminary. On April 28, 2020, Tanner received a call to serve as assistant pastor at St. Paul’s Des Peres; on May 15, he was awarded the Master of Divinity degree by Concordia Seminary. He advanced to associate pastor in July, 2023. 

ASSISTANT PASTOR

Pastor Thompson was born and raised in Central Florida and attended Lutheran Day School at St. Luke’s in Oviedo. He served in various roles as a layman prior to attending Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, including youth mentor, elder, and on the Board of Directors. He graduated from Concordia Seminary in 2020 with a Specific Ministry Pastor certification and served as pastor at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo, Florida. Following this, God led him to continue his formation at Concordia Seminary, graduating in May, 2022 with a Master of Divinity degree and he was called to serve as assistant pastor at St. Paul’s Des Peres.  

VISITATION PASTOR

Pastor Prange has served part-time at St. Paul's since 2000. He visits our homebound members on a regular basis. He served as Senior Pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Bridgeton, Missouri, for many years.

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 (BA-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

Oversees children’s, women’s, men’s, older adult and special event program ministry. Coordinates small groups (focused on Bible study, fellowship, and outreach), support groups (Alzheimer’s support, DivorceCare, Griefsupport, MOPS, MOMSnext, prayer ministry), Sunday school, VBS, military ministry, and the Faith Milestone ministry. Assists with assimilation of members. Serves as a resource for discipleship, marriage mentoring, Christian education and family enrichment materials. Provides support and resource information for members of our congregation during health difficulties, life transitions, and other life challenges.

Sharon 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 church staff in August of 1999, Sharon worked for a Christ-centered company committed to providing products and resources to equip customers for their ministries.

YOUTH COORDINATOR

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

Becky Blake is a graduate from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin and has a bachelor's degree in Communications with over 10 years of sales experience, and 11 years of being a stay-at-home mom, while serving and volunteering for church and school.

FACILITIES MANAGER

Maintains the church, school campuses, administration building, and Early Childhood Center facilities, including keeping all equipment, furnishings, and grounds in good condition at all times.

Steve has served in the role of Facilities Manager since 2017 and truly loves serving St. Paul’s. He has a well-rounded knowledge base, with a background in Construction Management and Financial Management.

WORSHIP SECRETARY

Pastors' assistant; bulletin, Weekly Word e-letter, and Good News creation; calendar/room requests; funeral, wedding, and baptism scheduling; prayer requests; 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 the public health research and consulting world, Julie switched careers to focus on her family and has been a part of St. Paul's church staff for over 10 years.

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

Provides support for members and assists with their requests (in/out transfers, change in contact information, memorial acknowledgements, CD homebound ministry, etc.).

Greets visitors, directs phone calls, distributes daily mail, and orders weekly altar flowers.

Prepares information/materials for members and staff (Elders' reports, nursery schedule, offering envelopes, attendance, clip board inserts, tracts, etc.).

Assists the pastors with items pertaining to new members and What We Believe class.

Assists those from the community seeking monetary assistance (gas/food cards)

Oversees office equipment/supplies and arranges service calls (copiers, postage meter, folding machine)

Renee Hemmy graduated from Missouri State University in 1989, received her graduate degree in secondary English education from UMSL in 1994, and taught high school for 12 years before staying home to care for her two daughters. She has been serving 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. Joanna earned her stripes at the Saint Louis Zoo and Nestle Purina PetCare Company before coming to St. Paul's in 2019. She is a proud alumna of St. Paul's Lutheran School and truly believes that her foundational Christian education has paved her way.

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 meeting fellow members and coordinating events. 

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

IT ASSISTANT

Technology support for PC’s, iPads, Chromebooks, Smartboards, phone systems, audio/visual devices and security for cameras and access control.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Public relations and communications, social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), 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

Kathy 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. 

LIVING STONE MUSIC DIRECTOR

Coordinates and directs music in Living Stone worship service.

Whitney Wade serves as St. Paul's Kindergarten-4th Grade Music Teacher and Living Stone Music Director. She is a graduate of Concordia University, Irvine (2014) and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education with a minor in Lutheran teaching and Worship Arts Leadership.