Spiritual Life

Growing up in the United Methodist Church, much of my theology has been shaped by John Wesley’s “practical theology” and his passion to share the gospel with others. This influence has led me to work in various ministries since the mid-2000s.

My first seven years of ministry were dedicated to youth, and during the next two years I served as the Casualty Operations Chaplain for the Minnesota National Guard. Most recently, I was Senior Pastor at St. Francis United Methodist Church. I still serve in the National Guard, now as a Chaplain for the 2-147^th Assault Helicopter Battalion. I recently returned home from a year-long deployment to Iraq and Syria.

As Director of Spiritual Life at Walker Methodist, I am passionate about hearing resident’s stories. I love meeting people and connecting with them wherever they may be on their journey. I believe God is revealed through the Word, which is still relevant today and has meaning for our lives and culture. I’m also passionate about the importance of social principles and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

I currently live in St. Francis, Minnesota, with my wife, Sara, and our three children: Kennedy, Madison, and Lincoln. They are my “little presidents” and keep us very busy. We enjoy skiing (water and snow), boating, riding horses, gymnastics, and ice hockey.  I earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Central University and a M.Div. from Luther Seminary.

When I began working with seniors in 2000, I quickly realized I’d found my calling. And my passion within that calling? Music. It’s always been part of who I am.

As chapel musician at the Walker Methodist Health Center in Minneapolis, I usually facilitate and play piano for activities like chapel, worship services, and more. I can often be found connecting with residents or leading musical groups. I’ve developed numerous programs, including sing-alongs, book clubs, holiday services, and music discussion clubs.

I could retire, but I don’t want to because I love serving people through music they enjoy. As long as I can walk, talk, and breathe—this is what I’ll be doing.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in music education, as well as a Master’s degree in music performance. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, connecting with my church community, and exercising. I want to be remembered as someone who lived with vision and made a difference.

Katie joined Walker Methodist in 2023 to pursue her passions for building supportive communities and senior living chaplaincy. She discovered her calling to work with seniors during her service as a parish pastor during the COVID-19 pandemic, when much of her time was spent ministering to older parishioners. “I grew to love the questions they were asking… as well as their drive toward connection and community,” she explained.

As a chaplain, Katie supports and builds relationships with residents, their families, and team members. “My work is to journey alongside someone as they clarify the problem they are facing, help identify the resources they have, and guide them to a greater understanding of themselves, their place in the world, and their relationship with God,” Katie said. She also leads worship services, teaches Bible studies and other classes, and connects with community clergy.

Katie earned a B.A. degree from St. Olaf College, a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and was ordained as a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). Her background includes serving with several ELCA congregations in Minnesota and Washington, D.C. She described her theology as shaped by the notion of grace: “All of life is grace — given undeservedly, with great love, from a God who loves all creation unconditionally.”

Katie lives in Minneapolis with her husband and daughter. She enjoys running, hiking, gardening, reading, playing violin, and doing volunteer work.

I joined Walker Methodist in 2019, and my path here was full of twists and turns—but it all started with my passion for birth. Most people don’t connect senior living with birth, but the two are connected for me. Passionate about helping families experiencing challenges, I trained as a childbirth doula but decided to explore chaplaincy because I was busy with young children at home. My residency focused on labor and delivery units, but I also supported people and their loved ones during end-of-life. That’s how I discovered a new passion. Just like birth, moments at the end of life are every bit as sacred, tender, meaningful, and mysterious.

At Walker Methodist, I am grateful to support people in tender moments like end-of-life, but I also get to know residents and families before that becomes part of the equation. I experience life with folks I serve well before their earthly life ends. It is truly the best of both worlds.

As chaplain for Walker Methodist Plaza (Anoka) and Levande (Cambridge), I build relationships and offer support and programs to people who live and work in these communities. As team wellness chaplain for Walker Methodist, I share resources and support with team members, such as sessions about self-care, wellness, and more. This is a new program, and I am so excited to help our amazing team members become even stronger and more resilient.

With a desire to create relationships, I make space for people to feel heard, comfortable, and respected. I can help people reframe thoughts and feelings, inviting them to consider other interpretations or ideas, as well as see the bigger picture. Each day, I get to listen and offer a safe space for others to process—and laugh.

When I’m not working, you can find me chauffeuring my kids, sharing meals with family, listening to podcasts and reading, doing housework, and spending time with loved ones. I also enjoy crocheting. My husband, Tom, and I have three amazing kids, plus a sun conure parrot and a crested gecko.

Before becoming a chaplain at Walker Methodist, I served as a chaplain in med-surg, labor and delivery, and long-term rehab units. I also practiced clinical mental health, specializing in dialectal behavioral therapy. I received my Bachelor’s degree in biblical and theological studies from Bethel University, minoring in biblical Greek and biblical languages. I completed my Master’s degree at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities with a focus in pastoral care and counseling. I also earned a second Master’s degree: marriage and family therapy from Bethel Seminary.

Grace joined Knute Nelson Walker Methodist as chaplain in 2024, building on experiences in parish ministries, volunteer work, and internships, where her responsibilities included pastoral care, adult faith formation, social justice, women’s spirituality, retreats, and hospice.

Grace’s passion for accompanying aging adults on their journeys is rooted in her relationship with her grandparents. After college, she performed a year of volunteer service in a senior care facility. “During that year, I felt a tug to pursue a career in ministry, especially ministry with seniors,” Grace said.

In her role as chaplain, Grace leads worship services, prayer groups, Bible studies, and other activities. She also sees her role as “meeting each resident and community where they’re at, whether it’s offering a listening ear in a time of need, celebrating joys and accomplishments, being present to suffering or loss, or coming alongside as a compassionate presence in a time of transition.”

Getting to know residents is a favorite part of Grace’s work as chaplain. “I love the sense of creativity I get to bring to my work,” Grace explains. “There is no ‘one size fits all’ model of spiritual care; everyone is different.”

Grace earned a B.A. degree from Augustana College in Illinois, and her Master of Divinity degree from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. She’s passionate about working for justice and is pursuing a Certificate in Leadership for Social Justice from United Theological Seminary.

In her free time, Grace loves cooking and baking (and sharing the results), hiking, reading, snuggling with her dog, Tali, and spending time with loved ones.

Michael has been a chaplain at Knute Nelson for ten years, starting as a hospice chaplain and becoming a resident chaplain in 2019. He received the Knute Nelson Christian Heritage Award in 2020.

In addition to making one-one visits, teaching Bible class, and leading worship, Michael brings his love of music to his work as a chaplain. He leads hymn singing and other musical activities with the residents and plays several instruments. He also took part in recording a CD of hymns for hospice patients.

Michael chose to work in senior living because he enjoys being with seniors and “I see it as a golden opportunity to share God’s love with those in need.” He feels rewarded when he sees people smile and participate in worship, singing and other activities.

Michael earned a B.A. degree from Concordia College, graduated in theology from Free Lutheran Seminary, took graduate courses in Jewish studies from Spertus Institute, and is working on his Doctor of Ministry degree at the Institute of Lutheran Theology in Brookings, SD. He has pastored churches in several states.

In his free time, Michael pursues his interests in music and astronomy. He owns several telescopes and uses them to explore and photograph the wonders of the universe. He is married and has extended family in the area.

Having been raised in the church and called by God at an early age, Michael has been in ministry in some capacity for over 20 years. He has served the local church in a variety positions and pastoral roles that include but are not limited to Youth and Young Adult Pastor, Discipleship Pastor, Associate Pastor and Pastoral Consultant. While in Oklahoma, Michael worked at the Oklahoma University Health Center. He and his wife, Katie, founded Focus and Vision Ministries in the summer of 2019 as they saw the need to come alongside the local church to equip people to thrive. They currently advise, coach, counsel and teach individuals, communities and organizations across the country both in person and virtually. Michael also is the Family Life Pastor at Crossroads Church in Lakeville, Minnesota.

Michael was born in Buffalo, New York, raised and graduated from high school in Houston, Texas, attended Prairie View A&M University before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. During his eight years of service as a Marine, he was deployed twice to Iraq during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield. After an honorable discharge, Michael became a sales consultant for a several years before continuing his military service in the Minnesota Army National Guard. He served the states of Minnesota and Illinois in the Army National Guard as an invaluable leader in their perspective Recruiting and Retention Battalions for over 12 years. He has also served the Illinois, Oklahoma, and currently, the Minnesota Army National Guard as a Chaplain.

His civilian education includes a Bachelor of General Studies degree in Leadership, Management and Technology from Roger Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island, and a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. He was ordained by International Ministerial Fellowship in May 2018.

Michael says the most important part of his life is his family: Katie (his wife of 16 years, who hails from Geneva, Illinois), his son Michael III (10), and daughter Esther (9), who were both born in Burnsville, MN. Though Michael’s story has taken him to many locations, he and his family consider Minnesota their home.

Beth is Chaplain at Knute Nelson Grand Arbor, where she provides spiritual care to the community’s residents, families, and team members. She chose to work with seniors because of her desire to build relationships with residents and offer companionship. “I’m excited at the chance to let them know that they are not alone, and someone cares about them,” she said.

As the first dedicated chaplain at Grand Arbor, one of Beth’s core activities is meeting one-on-one with residents. She’s known for her calm, caring manner and ability to listen. “I give residents the opportunity to tell their life stories… and reflect on their current spirituality. I give them a chance to discuss hurts, unanswered questions, and to ponder the unknown together.”

Beth also holds weekly prayer services in memory care households, conducts Friends in Faith sessions for assisted living residents, and creates a bi-weekly Pastoral Writing for residents and team members. On Holy/Maundy Thursday, she leads residents in a Last Supper presentation.

Beth earned an M.A. in Ministry degree from St. John’s School of Theology and holds the title of Lay Ecclesial Minister. She also has associate degrees in business management and accounting. Her interests include spending time with family and friends, fishing and camping at Lake of the Woods, walking, reading, studying theology, and attending plays and concerts.

Tom wears many hats on the Spiritual Life team – as a chaplain, end-of-life-doula, and leading the update of Walker Methodist Passages. His journey has taken him from a career in technology and operations to his current role at Walker Methodist. He is earning a Master of Divinity degree (graduating in 2025), is certified by the International End-Of-Life Doula Association and is certified as a professional coach by the International Coaching Federation.

Tom’s desire to serve residents and families in transition led him to work in senior living. “My passion is serving individuals and families in hospice or in the time of death,” he explained. “I want to be someone who can create a space and guide individuals and their loved ones through an end-of-life experience.”

In addition to serving as a chaplain and end-of-life doula, Tom focuses on creating an update of the Passages offering, Passages 2.0. “With Knute Nelson and Walker Methodist coming together, I feel we will be even better positioned to provide residents and families value through Passages,” he said. Tom also lends a hand to other chaplains, doing everything from co-creating spiritual programs in communities to helping out with technology.

Tom spends his free time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He enjoys the outdoors, working in his yard and in his woodworking shop. He loves music and plays the guitar, bass, and ukulele.

Kellan has been a chaplain at Walker Methodist since 2022. He decided to work in senior living because it lets him do what he enjoys ­– preaching, teaching, pastoral care – while trying new things.

One of the new projects he’s committed to is starting and maintaining grief and caregiver support groups in the communities he serves. “Many of our seniors are going through very difficult times, including death of a spouse, family member or friends, and many are working around the clock as caregivers for their spouses,” he explained. “I provide emotional and spiritual support for those who are dealing with transition and change.”

Much of Kellan’s time is spent in one-on-one visits, services in memory care units, and programs in assisted and independent living. One of his favorite parts of the job is getting to know residents and making them feel welcome. “I enjoy making residents laugh or giving them fun facts or trick questions. I really appreciate when I overhear them talking about something meaningful in a sermon, or how much a certain hymn means to them,” he said.

Kellan earned his Master of Divinity degree at Luther Seminary and has worked as a solo pastor and hospice chaplain. He enjoys reading, music, and movies; in the summer, he and his wife like to explore the North Shore and other Minnesota sites.