Pastor K. Christian Johnson
Pastor
Pastor K. Christian Johnson began serving Gilbert Lutheran in November of 2016. He was installed as pastor on December 4, 2016.
Pastor Christian is a native of Minnesota. He grew up in St. Peter, MN and graduated from St. Olaf College with a degree in Political Science. He attended Luther Northwestern Seminary in St. Paul, MN.
In 1989, Pastor Christian was called to serve Garfield Lutheran Church in rural Madison, MN. In 1995, he became co-pastor of First Lutheran Church in St. James, MN. In 2003, he became Senior Pastor of First Lutheran.
Christian and his wife, Karen, live in north Ames. Karen works for First National Bank. They have two children – Maja and Peter. Maja is a family practice physician in Cottage Grove, MN. Her husband, Rob Muschler, is a senior associate for HMA Community Strategies, a firm specializing in publicly funded healthcare and human services policy, programs, financing, and evaluation. Peter and his wife, Eileen Downey, live in Knoxville, TN. Peter is a network security technician with Logically. Logically is an IT services and consulting firm based in Dublin, OH. Eileen is a member of the faculty at the University of Tennessee School of Music.
The Johnsons also live with their gray striped cat Pojke. Pojke (pronounced “poika”) is the Swedish word for “boy.”
Kirsten Adams
Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries
Kirsten began working at GLC through Riverside Bible Camp’s Youth Ministry Team program in September 2017 and became a full time member of the GLC staff in the fall of 2019.
She grew up in Swea City, Iowa, and graduated from South Dakota State University in August of 2016 with a Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies. Following graduation, she lived in Tanzania, Africa, doing mission work. Kirsten currently lives in west Ames with her dog, Herky. She loves cheering on the Hawkeyes, coffee, and being outside! If you ever have questions about things going on in the life of our youth ministry, feel free to send her an email or pop into the office!
Jeri Saltzman
Parish Administrator
Jeri has been an active member of Gilbert Lutheran since 2008. She has served on several committees throughout her time at GLC, and is enjoying her role as Parish Administrator with the church. Jeri resides in Gilbert with her husband, Ryan, and daughter, Anna. Ryan is a veterinarian working in research, and Anna is a senior at Gilbert High School. Jeri also has three older children, Maura, Nathan and Maria. Maura is currently living in Ankeny and works for a non-profit organization in fundraising. Nathan lives in Decorah and is loving life working for a landscape company. And, Maria is in her second year at Iowa State majoring in Landscape Architecture.
Jeri grew up in Indianola, IA, and attended Simpson College where she graduated with a degree in Communications Studies. She lived in Urbandale prior to moving to the Ames area, and worked for the Gilbert School District for nearly eight years…she has a great love for children. Jeri always welcomes visitors, so stop by her office anytime you may need something or just to say ‘hello’!
GLC Congregational Council
President: Mary Vannoy
Vice-president: Austin Woodin
Council Members: Weldon Abarr, Brian Keat, Ted Lyon, Shelley Taylor
APPOINTED POSITIONS
Church Treasurer: Jon Popp
Council Secretary: Chris Schmidt
Financial Secretary: Guy Frerichs