Meet the staff and Elders at East Lincoln.
Kent grew up in Berlin, Wisconsin, and attended UW Stout where he majored in Art Education. In 1994, he moved to Amery and began his 14 year career as a High School art teacher. Two years later, he surrendered his life to Christ and in 1999, married his wife Karalee. While raising their two children, Addie and Keaton, he earned his Masters of Fine Art from UW River Falls. In 2011, Kent joined the staff as the Youth Director and in 2012, completed his M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Masters International University of Divinity. Together with Karalee, he founded Cornerstone Counseling. He now serves on staff as the Youth Director, Small Group Ministry Lead and Counselor.
Anna grew up in Amery and began following Christ as a young adult. She married Todd in 2005, and they have made their home just outside of Amery. Anna enjoys reading and spending quality time with her family and friends. Todd and Anna have two children - Tyler and Tori. Anna joined the staff at East Lincoln in August 2021 and serves the church and ministry personnel by carrying out numerous administrative tasks.
Randy was raised on a diversified farm in eastern Wisconsin. His relationship with Christ began at Bible Camp when he was 14 years old. He attended St. Paul Bible College where he earned a degree in Bible & Theology and got married to his wife Mary. Randy and Mary have 5 grown children and a growing number of grandchildren. Randy came to East Lincoln Alliance in 1986 as the Sr. Pastor for 5 years. He and Mary then shifted into ministry with Child Evangelism Fellowship for 11 years before returning to serve as Sr. Pastor from 2002-2011. Randy is currently serving as Pastoral Care Pastor.
Karalee was raised in Houston, Minnesota, and began trusting in Jesus Christ as her Savior when she was a child. She attended St. Olaf College and earned a double major in Psychology/Biology. In 1999, she married Kent and moved to Amery where they have enjoyed raising their two children, Addie and Keaton, on a little hobby farm. Since 2000, Karalee has worked part time for Kinship of Polk County where she coordinates youth mentoring relationships. In 2012, she earned an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Masters International University of Divinity and together with Kent, founded Cornerstone Biblical Counseling.
Vern lives in Amery with his wife Bonnie and her mom Janice. He has 3 children. Vern works at the Wester Farm with soil preparation for planting crops and handling corn from combine to grain hopper trailer. His hobbies include planting trees and cutting non-lumber trees to heat homes. Vern’s vision for East Lincoln is to guide people to serve where they are gifted. Ephesians 2:10
Perry is retired so his time is spent on hobbies. His main hobby is teaching and making longbows, but also enjoys Bible study, teaching, fishing, reading and learning Spanish, Deutsch and a few others. Perry lives near Amery with his wife Julie.
When asked what his vision for East Lincoln is he said he really likes East Lincoln's Mission Statement: Our mission is to glorify God by making disciples who treasure Jesus Christ above all things, build one another up in the faith and reach the lost with the gospel. He is enthusiastic in learning, growing and teaching others to live, love, witness and disciple others. He would like to see each of us able to disciple others in each of our strengths and gifts.
His hope is to inspire each of us to accept our salvation, grace, forgiveness, and everything God has for us and to teach, model, and share our love of serving Jesus out of gratitude and love for Him and others.
Rick and his wife Jolene farm locally. They have about 100 customers they dry and store corn for. They have a few beef cows, raise corn, green beans, soybeans, just starting small grains again. Rick and Jolene are on the worship team at East Lincoln and love the opportunity to serve in this way.
Rick's hope for East Lincoln is that others see Jesus in us during every interaction at work, the gas station, grocery store (basically everywhere!).
Nathan works as a Physical Therapist and Rehab Manager for Amery Hospital. He and his wife live in Amery and they have 2 young daughters and a baby boy. His vision for East Lincoln is to be a body of believers that earnestly seeks to know and treasure Christ. From this, we should live missionally and have a meaningful impact on the world.
Jeff grew up in Milaca, MN where he received Christ as his Lord and Savior at a young age. He attended the Milaca Alliance church during his childhood and adolescent years. After completing High School, he attended Crown college where he sensed God calling him to be a missionary and where he met his wife Jo. They were married in 1980 and began their home service at Westgate Chapel in Toledo, OH. After two years of ministry in Ohio, Jeff attended Bethel Seminary in St. Paul where he received his Masters of Divinity degree. After completing studies at Bethel the Kiels moved to Brazil in 1987 where they served as church-planting missionaries with the Alliance for 25 years. After the Alliance transitioned its missionaries out of Brazil, the Kiels moved back to the United States, where Jeff pastored two different Alliance churches in Pennsylvania. Jeff retired from full-time ministry in 2022 and the Kiel's reside in the house that Jo grew up in during her childhood years just down the road from East Lincoln Alliance Church. Jeff enjoys maintaining the property, fixing things that need repair and does woodworking as a hobby. His vision for the church is that it continues to experience spiritual renewal and growth as it seeks to love God above all else and love its neighbors.