Mariah Thiessen, DCE

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My name is Mariah Thiessen and I am the Director of Christian Education (DCE for short) here at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone, MN. I find joy in my work here as I reach out to not only our members, but also the people of Pipestone. After growing up in Arvada, Colorado I attended Concordia Nebraska. While attending college I played volleyball, studied art, and meet my husband Micah Thiessen.

However, after a year of studies I realized that God was calling me to serve as a DCE. At the end of my studies at Concordia I was placed here at St. Paul to be an intern for a year. While serving my time as an intern I grew to love the ministry and the people. It was after that year that I started as the DCE in 2016. I have been serving the people of this congregation and this town since.

It is such a pleasure and blessing I have to work with children, youth, and young adults. One of my biggest passions is to help the next generation understand who our Great, Almighty Father is and create a relationship with Him that will last. These kids, youth, and young adults bring smiles to my face every time we meet and have honestly taught me many things about faith. I pray that we all can grow to understand and hold on to the love, mercy, and grace that our Heavenly Father gives us.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and extended family. My husband and I love to camp, bowl, coach sports, and try new things. The newest adventure we have taken on is parenthood. In 2019 we welcomed our son, Callan, into the world. Our son has been a great daily reminder of the gifts and the power of God.

I look forward to talking this walk of faith with you and growing to know you and your family! May we, together, learn to love and serve others as Christ has served us!
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Rev. Christopher Amen, Pastor

Pastor Amen moved to Pipestone to serve at St. Paul in November 2020. He graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin with a degree in Theological Languages and Youth Ministry in 2006. During those years he served his summers working as Counselor and Program Staff at Camp CILCA in central IL and Camp Luther in north Wisconsin. He then attended Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN receiving a Master of Divinity in 2010. During seminary he served a summer vicarage in Huron, SD and full-year vicarage in Shorewood, WI along with the campus ministry at UW-Milwaukee. He has served congregations in Carson City, NV and Arlington, WI before coming to Pipestone. Over the years mission trips and services have been a passion, serving and leading teams after hurricanes, fires, and flooding in the US, in addition to mission trips and travels to Peru and China.

Pastor Amen and his wife, Becky, met while serving on staff at Camp Luther (WI). Becky attended Concordia University Ann Arbor, MI receiving a degree in English and Lutheran Education as a licensed teacher. They are blessed with 5 children: Zachary, Matthias, Lydia, Laura, and Malachi who are homeschooled with a classical Lutheran education model. The family enjoys the outdoors, camping, hiking, sports, and traveling to historical sites.

Pastor is an avid sports fan from the various places he has lived and where family is from, including the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Dallas Stars while supporting now the Pipestone Arrows.

To make an appointment or visit please call the church office or schedule online here.

Leadership Team at St. Paul Lutheran

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Church Board of Directors:
•Barry Kerkeart - President
Jim Stout- Vice President
•Katie Weise - Financial Secretary
•Doug Stotz - Treasurer
Paula Domena - Secretary


Board of Elders:
 Verdeen Colbeck
 Neal Jennings
 Rodger Smidt
 John Draper
 Brian Uilk
 Mike Wiese
 Mike Moeller
 Tom Bobendrier
 Jim Nelson

St. Paul Lutheran Preschool Staff

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The congregation has operated a Preschool since 1989. We are blessed by a dedicated teacher, Shelly Tuinstra, and teacher aid Rose Sorensen. DCE Mariah Thiessen also aids in the classroom. We are thankful for an exceptional Preschool Board that oversees its operation, DCE Mariah who provides “Jesus Time” and church members who generously support this outreach ministry to children in our community.

Many students who attended St. Paul Preschool at its very beginning are now sending their children to our preschool. What a testimony, from its beginning until now, to the excellence of the education and the Christ-centered teaching provided by our teacher, aids, and staff at St. Paul Preschool.