“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly - not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.”
BOARD OF ELDERS
Meeting on the fourth Tuesday of each month, the Board of Elders plays a vital role in supporting Trinity’s pastoral staff through prayer, encouragement, and active assistance. Elders are instrumental in Sunday morning worship logistics and are deeply involved in building meaningful connections with our members. They meet monthly on the fourth Tuesday.
Each Elder serves as a spiritual support and model of discipleship, offering personal care through phone calls, texts, emails, and handwritten cards—tangible reminders of the forgiveness and love of the resurrected Christ. To strengthen this care, our Elders are organized into Family Groups, providing members with a recognizable face and trusted contact when prayer, guidance, or support is needed.
ELDER FAMILY CONNECTIONS
Elders are connected to a specific family group listed by alphabetical order.
Justin Stanek
CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF ELDERS
Justin grew up in northeast Iowa and came to Bloomington-Normal to pursue his graduate degree. He later met his wife, Sara, and joined Trinity. Justin and Sara have two children, Adam, a sixth grader, and Evelyn, a fourth grader, both attending Trinity Lutheran School. Justin is a professor and Program Director for the Master of Athletic Training program at Illinois State University. In his spare time, he enjoys training for and participating in endurance events, including triathlons and marathons.
Ryan Kaiser
FAMILY connection GROUP ABBOTT - BILL
Ryan has been a member of Trinity since relocating to Bloomington with his family in 2016. He and his wife, Kassandra, have two children, Brayden, a sophomore at U-High, and Mackenzie, a sixth grader at Trinity Lutheran School. Ryan has worked in State Farm’s P&C Claims department for more than 20 years. He enjoys coaching and cheering on his children and supporting the Chiefs, Cardinals, and Mizzou Tigers. Ryan and his family regularly attend the 10:30 AM contemporary worship service.
Seth Stalter
FAMILY connection GROUP BILLINGTON - CASAGRANDE
Seth grew up in Bloomington-Normal and met his wife, Kathryn, in high school. After marrying in 2018, he began regularly attending Trinity. Seth and Kathryn have a two-year-old daughter, Ellie, who keeps life fun and full of adventure. Seth works as a Finance Manager at State Farm. In his free time, he enjoys cheering on the Green Bay Packers, staying active, visiting Siesta Key, Florida, and spending time with family and friends.
Andrew Offermann
FAMILY connection GROUP CASE - DITMAN
Andrew grew up in Decatur, attending St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and LSA School. He and his family have been part of Trinity since 2016 and live in Gridley. Andrew is married to Erin and they have four children. He has worked at OSF St. James Hospital in Pontiac for 26 years and manages the Rehabilitation Department. He enjoys hunting, fishing, home projects, and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears with his family.
Mark Kosinski
FAMILY connection GROUP DITBENNER - FREITAG
Mark has been a member of Trinity since 2008. He and his wife, Laura, have two sons, Zach and Andy, both of whom attended Trinity Lutheran School. Mark works as a National Accounts Manager for ProAmpac, which produces packaging for food, pet, lawn, and garden products. In his free time, Mark enjoys traveling with Laura and relaxing at their lake cabin in Pana, Illinois. He especially enjoys time there with family and friends.
Jarrod Windhorn
FAMILY connection GROUP FRENCH - HARTKE
Jarrod grew up in Cissna Park, Illinois, and was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Woodworth before joining Trinity in 2005. He and his wife, Kelly, have two children, Parker and Alexis. Jarrod works in Fleet Maintenance for the Town of Normal. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, hiking, following sports, building hobby models, and spending time outdoors. Jarrod appreciates opportunities to stay active and enjoy time with family and friends.
Mike Ogden
FAMILY connection GROUP JONES - LEACH
Mike has been a member of Trinity Lutheran since 1992 and regularly attends the 8:15 AM worship service. He works as a Network Engineer at State Farm. Mike and his wife, Stephanie, have three sons. Outside of work and church, Mike enjoys spending time outdoors and making the most of opportunities to be with family and friends. He is also an enthusiastic St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoys following the team throughout the baseball season.
Thomas Wirsing
FAMILY connection GROUP HARTRUP - JOHNSTON
Thomas was born in central Illinois and grew up in Michigan. He was confirmed at Wittenberg Lutheran Center at ISU and has been a member of Trinity since 1997. He lives in Bloomington with his wife, Angela, and children, Nathan and Elizabeth. Thomas works in accounting at Watershed Foods in Gridley. In his free time, he enjoys movies, history, and watching sports, especially cheering for his alma mater, Purdue, and Detroit teams.
Dan Becker
FAMILY connection GROUP LEAKE - MEYER
Dan has been part of Trinity since August 2010, when he was baptized and became a member. He works as an Underwriting Service Assistant at State Farm. Over the years, Dan has served Trinity in many ways, including as an usher, with Hearts Ablaze, Youth, Sunday School, church maintenance, and school custodial work. He has also participated in nine or more UKANDU mission trips. Dan enjoys the Cubs, Bears, NASCAR, movies, and time with family and friends.
Wally Bergmann
Family connection Group MICHAELS - OLSON
Wally and his wife, Karen, have been married since 1965 and have one son and three grandchildren. Originally from Minnesota, Wally’s military service and career took them to Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Illinois. He retired from the agriculture and chemical industry. Wally and Karen first joined Trinity in 1976. They enjoy reading, traveling, dancing, card games, senior classes at ISU, handbells, and choir. Wally looks forward to serving another term on the Board of Elders.
Mark Fryer
family connection group O'MADDEN - RICHARDS
Mark has been a member of Trinity since 2011. He and his wife, Whitney, have two children, Grayson, a junior at Normal Community, and Dawson, an eighth grader at Trinity Lutheran School. Mark has worked at State Farm for more than 20 years. He enjoys attending his children’s activities, going for walks, spending time outdoors, and making memories with his family. Mark and his family typically worship at the 8:15 AM service.
ERIC DEWERFF
family connection group RIDDLE - SHEPHERD
Eric grew up on a farm in Nokomis, Illinois, where he attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He has been a member of Trinity since 2012 and serves on the usher team. Eric is married to Cassie and they have two children, Gavin and Naomi. He works as Ag Product Manager at Altorfer Ag Products in Clinton. In his free time, Eric enjoys helping his dad farm, gardening, hiking, camping, and cheering on the Cardinals, Blues, Packers, and Illini.
SCOTT DUNT
family connection group SHIELDS - SWENSON
Born and raised on a dairy farm in northeastern Iowa, Scott and his wife, Gudrun, joined Trinity in 1982. They are parents of two adult children, blessed with a daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and five grandchildren—all connected to Trinity Lutheran School. After 47 years in IT with Hewlett Packard, Scott joined Precision Planting in Tremont, supporting agriculture through innovative technology. He enjoys restoring tractors, reviving old tools, caring for their acreage, and living by the motto, “I know things and I fix things.”
Norm Eborg
family connection group SWICK - WALKER
Norm was born and raised in Old Fort, Ohio, and began attending Trinity in 1989, becoming a confirmed member in 2007. He and his wife, Darlene, have six children, 13 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. A retired insurance agent manager, Norm, in semi-retirement, works as a Notary, primarily for real-estate closings. He has served Trinity as an usher and Elder, including 11½ years as an Elder. Norm enjoys woodworking.
Dustin Currin
family connection group WALLACE - ZURKAMMER
Dustin grew up at Trinity before moving with his family to Lexington, Illinois, 30 years ago. He was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lexington and returned to Trinity as a member in 2022. Dustin works for McLean County Government in IT as the Lead Help Desk Technician. In his free time, he enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
BOARD OF LAY MINISTRY
The Board of Lay Ministry is Trinity’s governing body, composed of volunteer Lay Directors who have been members of Trinity or another LCMS congregation for at least two years. Meeting monthly on the second Tuesday, Lay Directors work closely with church staff, each representing a specific ministry area. Together, they help shape and report on both long- and short-term ministry goals, ensuring faithful and forward-thinking leadership.
Your Lay Directors are here to help. Congregation members are encouraged to contact the Lay Director who oversees that area. Your Lay Directors welcome the opportunity to listen, answer questions, connect you with the appropriate staff member, or help address concerns within their area of responsibility.
If you would like to connect with a member of the Board of Lay Ministry, please contact the church office.
Scott Heape : School Curriculum & Instruction - Ensuring strong curriculum and effective Christian instruction, supporting teacher hiring and evaluation.
Chris Giermann : School Student Services - Overseeing student activities, programs, and support services.
Barb Wells : Stewardship - Encouraging stewardship education of time, talents, and treasure and supporting giving initiatives.
Val Daniels : Witness - Leading evangelism, outreach, faith-sharing efforts, and the Great Commission.
Vacant : Young Adults - Supporting young adult faith growth, fellowship, and engagement.
Amy Westbrook : Youth - Developing youth engagement, education, discipleship, and activities in partnership with Youth DCE.
Lorraine Gosnell : Secretary - attends Board of Lay Ministry and Voter meetings and maintains the official minutes and records of the congregation’s business.
Alex Mikesell : Treasurer - Oversite of church finances, budgeting, and financial reporting.
Craig Bertsche : Vice President - Supporting president, committees, and leadership succession.
Dave Wilcox : President - Leading congregational governance, meetings, and church leadership.
Vickie Kauffman : Assimilation - Helping people connect, serve, and belong at Trinity.
Maribeth Lartz : Care & Concern - Connecting people with care, prayer, and support in times of need.
Linda Ladage : Christian Growth - Helping all members grow in faith through Bible Studies and discipleship.
Teri Meismer : Communications - Supporting communications, outreach, and community engagement.
Justin Stanek : Chairman, Board of Elders - Assisting pastoral ministry, worship, and congregational care.
Melissa Lockwood : Family Life - Strengthening Christian homes across all life stages, helping families pass on faith to next generation in partnership with Family Life DCE.
Lori Rusher : Fellowship - Coordinating meals, celebrations, and fellowship events to strengthen church community.
Doug Miller : Missions - Overseeing mission outreach, education, and Hearts Ablaze ministry.
Joe Elble Jr. : Properties - Overseeing church/school facilities, property maintenance, and stewardship.
Angie Frazier : School Administration - Overseeing school operations, enrollment, and financial administration.