"A Community in Christ on the Journey of Faith"
Church Staff and Officers
Rev. Mark Drews
Pastor Drews was born in Milwaukee, WI. As the son of a pastor, he grew up in Burnsville, MN and Oak Creek, WI. He graduated from Northwestern Preparatory School in Watertown, WI in 1982 and attended Northwestern College (also in Watertown, WI) for two years. Pastor Drews transferred to Concordia College (now University) in St. Paul, MN where he graduated with a B.A. in 1988. He received licensure as a teacher in secondary schools with a double Major in Band and Choral Music and a Theological Languages minor.Pastor Drews served as a Lutheran School teacher for eleven years. His first call was to Sheboygan Lutheran High School where he taught from 1988-1989. He taught at Lutheran High School—Orange, CA from 1989-1996 and at St. John’s Lutheran Church and School in Ocala, FL from 1996-1999.
Pastor Drews enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO where he studied to become an ordained minister. While at the Seminary, he met Melanie Reinke from Deschler, NE. Melanie graduated from Concordia-Seward, NE in 1992 and taught Early Childhood in California; Junction City, KS; and Quincy, IL. Pastor and Melanie were married in 2000.
Pastor Drews’ first call in the pastoral ministry was to Trinity-Hilbert, WI in 2003. In 2006, he received and accepted a call to Zion-Mt. Pulaski, IL where he served until he was recently called to serve at Messiah where he is now serving since his installation on October 25, 2009.
The Lord has blessed Pastor and Melanie with two children. Grace Patricia was born in Oshkosh, WI in 2005. Hope Anna was born in Springfield, IL in 2008. Grace is currently attending Martin Luther Preschool and looks forward to attending school there for many years to come.
Pastor Drews has served on a Pastoral Conference committee and a Professional Church Workers’ Committee in Wisconsin, sung in many community choruses and played in community bands throughout his years of teaching and while in the pastoral ministry. Pastor Drews and his wife also enjoy playing handbells, and hope that Messiah will soon have a handbell choir of its own.
The Drews family currently live in Bismarck in a 4 bedroom home with their one dog. Pastor Drews enjoys spending time with his family, traveling on family vacations, playing the trumpet, singing in choir, bowling, handball, golfing and other sports.
Joann Dilger: Church Secretary
I am a native of North Dakota. I've lived in the Bismarck/Mandan area for over 30 years. I have been secretary
at Messiah for 16 years and I enjoy my job. I print the weekly bulletin and newsletter and keep the office running
smoothly. I have also served as youth leader, worked with Vacation Bible School and serve on an ushering team.
I am married and have two grown daughters. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. My hobbies include growing flowers, stamping cards, and other crafts.
Jerome Ziegler: President
I
have been married to DeEtta for 35 years. We have two grown children,
Nathan and Ammie, and one granddaughter, Brooklyn. I work as a coalmine
electrician. I have been doing this for the past twenty-five years at
the Freedom Mine in Beulah.
We have been members at Messiah for approximately ten years. I have been on the Board of Elders for about nine of those years. I have been a life long Missouri Synod Lutheran.
Roger Drevlow: Vice President
Roger
is married to Joanne, who serves as principal at Martin Luther School.
Roger and Joanne are the parents of 6 grown children. Roger is the
regional manager at the Bismarck Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
office. Roger is skillful in the art of leadership and is well-versed
in Lutheran theology. Roger enjoys woodworking, golfing, and being
grandpa.
Julie Gutknecht: Secretary
I was born and raised in Glen Ullin, ND. I attended Zion Lutheran Church in Glen Ullin and was confirmed at Zion.
After Graduating from Glen Ullin High School, I joined the US Army Reserves and worked as a medical assistant. I lived
in Little Rock Arkansas for about a year and worked in the Veteran Hospital in North Little Rock Arkansas. I then
transferred to the Veterans Hospital in St. Cloud Minnesota, and worked there for about 1-1/2 years before coming back
to North Dakota.
I married Darvin Gutknecht, on May 11, 1990. Our first son Travis, was born February 18, 1992. Jesse, our second son, was born January 26, 1995.
We enjoy camping and fishing and being outdoors. I became Messiah's council secretary in January 2002. I am responsible for taking minutes at the council meetings and voters meetings and distributing them to the voters at Messiah.
Steve Fergel: Treasurer
I'm originally from Mandan, but left at about 20 years and have since lived in Atlanta, Reno, Seattle,
Baltimore, and Shreveport before moving back to the Bismarck/Mandan area almost four years ago. I met my wife, Denae,
while living in Fargo and we have two boys: Bradley (age 7) and Andrew (age 5).
Currently I am employed with the Bobcat Company in Bismarck as the Materials Manager and am responsible for planning, scheduling, inventory control, shipping, and receiving. My hobbies include remodeling various rooms in the house and woodworking.
I am coming up on the end of three years as the Treasurer for Messiah. In this role I have been responsible for counting and recording the weekly givings, various monthly financial statements, and also tax preparation.