Pastor Andrew Garman - Senior Pastor
Phone 480-948-1234 Extension 1104
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Pastor Garman was born in San Diego, California. He graduated from California Lutheran University with a major in speech and from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley. Immediately following his graduation and ordination, he moved to the Valley to begin the new mission that was to become La Casa de Cristo in Scottsdale. He is married to Diane, and they have three sons. Pastor Garman is the senior pastor, responsible for the spiritual and administrative oversight of the congregation and staff. He serves as the primary Sunday morning preacher. On July 23, 2004 Pastor Garman passed a significant milestone: the 30th anniversary of his ordination.

Pastor Carol Peters - Associate Pastor
Phone 480-948-1234 Extension 1105
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Pastor Peters was born in Los Angeles, California. Although she grew up within the Lutheran Church, she attended a small Pentecostal Bible College before enrolling at California State University, Northridge. Following graduation from Cal State, she went to seminary at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. In 1999, she received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary. Her first call was as an associate pastor in the Toms River area of New Jersey. She is single. Besides assisting in general pastoral responsibilities, she oversees the areas of small groups, pastoral care, and prayer ministries. She preaches one weekend a month.

Pastor Jeff Ruby (PJ) - Associate Pastor
Phone 480-948-1234 Extension 1106
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Pastor Ruby was born in Philipsburg, PA, and moved to Arizona at the age of five. He graduated from West High School in Phoenix, received a B.A. in Political Science from California Lutheran University and the Master of Divinity degree from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. He has served as pastor-developer and first pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia; and senior pastor of both Our Savior's and Esperanza Lutheran churches in Phoenix . Pastor Ruby is married to Susan, who has worked in the business and education fields. They are the parents of two children. Pastor Ruby has primary responsibility for the Men's Ministry, Hombres de Cristo, as well as developing the faith walks of parents and families. He also serves in sharing general pastoral responsibilities and preaching.

Pastor Garrett Siemsen - Associate Pastor
Phone 480-948-1234 Extension 1109
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Pastor Garrett was raised in Santa Clarita, CA with his two older sisters. He became a Christian while at a church camp in his Junior year of high school, but didn't make his way to the Lutheran church until after college. Pastor Garrett graduated from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA, with a degree in Communication (he says it's a fake major) and received his Master of Divinity from from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA. He loves preaching, teaching, and writing. He's also an avid reader, and his favorite books of the Bible are Ruth, John, and Ephesians. The focus of Pastor Garrett's ministry at La Casa is young adults and young families.

Pastor Joel Bjerkestrand - Visitation Pastor
Phone 480-948-1234 Extension 1113
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Pastor Joel was born of Missionary parents in India and moved to Illinois at age twelve. He graduated from High School in Peoria, Illinois and graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN where he met his wife, Sue. Pastor Joel went to Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Pastor Joel and his wife Sue have a grown daughter and son, and 4 grandchildren, all living in the Phoenix area. His wife Sue works as a teacher at North Ranch elementary. Pastor Joel served one congregation in California, and three in the Phoenix area. After 32 years of parish ministry, he began his work at La Casa de Cristo, visiting shut-ins and the ill, and also teaching adult education classes. Since retirement, in addition to his responsibilities at La Casa, he has also served as an adjunct professor at Western International University; serves on the Board of Directors for the East Valley Thrift Shop; began "On the Way Ministry," where he officiates weddings and funerals for those without a church home; and volunteers as a certified Life Coach for Arizona Leader Force, helping non-profit agencies with specific needs.