Ministry Staff

Rev. Richard Steensma, JrSenior Pastor

Personal: Pastor Rich and his wife, Kate, have three daughters; Emily, Sarah, and Anna

College Education and post graduate studies: Concordia University, Ann Arbor – BA – Elementary Education; Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI – MA – Administration; Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO – Certificate of Ordination

Previous positions: Principal, Teacher and Music Director of Lutheran Schools in Michigan and California for 15 years.

Serving Timothy: Pastor Rich began serving Timothy in July, 2007 as a Vicar. He was installed as an Associate Pastor at Timothy in August, 2008. On June 5, 2011 he was installed as the Senior Pastor of Timothy. Pastor Rich and his family are from Michigan but love calling Blue Springs home. They look forward to Touching Lives for Christ with the Timothy family for many years.

Rev. John OtteAssociate Pastor

Personal: Pastor John and his wife, Jill, have two sons, Isaiah and Micah

College Education and post graduate studies: Concordia University in St. Paul with a BA in theatre; Concordia Seminary in St. Louis with an M.Div.

Previous positions: Pastor John has served in Blue Earth, Minnesota, and South St. Paul, Minnesota

Serving Timothy: Pastor John was installed at Timothy in February of 2016, making him the new guy. He’s looking forward to sharing God’s love with the people of Blue Springs.

Rev. Rod LindemannAssociate Pastor

Personal: Rod and wife, Miriam, have raised four children; Will Hanke, Luke Hanke, Audra Pirch and Maranda Hanke.

College Education and post graduate studies:Bachelor of Science degree from Central Missouri State University. Graduate of Concordia Seminary St. Louis, Specific Ministry Pastor Program.

Full time occupation: owner of Rod’s Sports and Apparel

Serving Timothy: serves as associate pastor. It includes; ministry to men – JourneyMen, co-leader in family ministry, co-leader in confirmation, preaches and leads worships as scheduled

Nancy NowiszewskiCare Minister

Personal: She and husband, Tom, have daughters Liz (married to Rich Soria; daughter, Keira, son Hayden), Lauren (married to Casey Martinez; daughter, Karsen, son, Roman), and Natalie (married to Alex Knox)

College Education and post graduate studies: Northern Illinois University, DeKalb Ill – Bachelor of Science in Journalism; Concordia University, Mequon WI – Lay Ministry Certification

Previous positions: Volunteer Services Manager; Family Events Coordinator, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (11 years); Copy Editor, Better Homes & Gardens Books; Public Relations Director, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Services; freelance editor and author (including Helping Women Recover from Abortion, Bethany House, 1988).

Previous volunteer positions: Advisory Member, National Board for Lutherans for Life; officer and founding member, Iowa State Federation of Lutherans for Life; president, Des Moines and Quad Cities chapters, Lutherans for Life; member, Iowa State Commission on the Status of Women; various care and education boards, Lutheran churches in Iowa and Missouri.

Serving Timothy: Nancy coordinates the ministries of: prayer, Stephen Ministry, health, sermon CDs, card, transportation, Journey to the Manger, community care, Break Time, DivorceCare, GriefShare, Simply Singles and Teen Club. She is the staff liaison to the Give Commission, which oversees stewardship and care ministries. In addition, she coordinates events offered by Women of Hope, our women’s ministry team, and plans/coordinates/edits Timothy’s quarterly publications, GET CONNECTED and CELEBRATE.

Kent BurnsWorship Arts Minister

Personal: Kent and his wife, Christy, have three sons: TJ [married- Louisville, KY], Alex and Nathan. He’s been on Timothy’s staff since 2002 and grew up in Raytown, MO. He enjoys camping, travelling, the mountains, hiking, kayaking, gardening, bicycling, and most of all, motorcycling.

College Education: Concordia College- River Forest, IL BS- Secondary Ed [Major- Music, Minor- Math]

Previous Positions: Math Teacher in Ft. Wayne Community Schools [8 yrs], Music Director at Mt. Calvary Lutheran, Aboite Lutheran, and Emmanuel Lutheran Churches in Ft. Wayne, IN. Kent and his wife toured extensively together as Kent and Christy Ministries in the 1980’s and 90’s.

Serving Timothy: Kent coordinates all worship venues and planning at Timothy, oversees all worship music and musicians, directs the worship teams for the modern worship venue [Service of Joy], directs the Celebration Praise Choir and also the Kid’s Praise Team. He’s the staff liaison to the Gather Commission, which advises worship and all worship support teams, audio/visual, ushers, greeters, donuts, etc., and various other gathering events. He’s also active in Timothy’s GodSpeed motorcycling group.