Meet our staff
Rev. Joel K. Brandt
Pastor
Pastor Brandt came to us from Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church in Huntington Station, New York, after 33 years of congregational ministry in Michigan and Colorado. A graduate of Northwestern University and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Pastor Brandt also holds a Master’s degree in Library Studies from the University of Michigan, and he served as the founding director of the seminary library at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, Michigan,
from 1994-1999.
With three decades of pastoral ministry experience in both large and small congregations, Pastor Brandt brings strong gifts in liturgical leadership, effective pastoral care, Bible study and teaching, and missional mindedness.
Pastor Brandt and his wife, Sue, have four grown children in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and British Columbia, Canada.
Rev. Kristin McCarthy
Hiring
Coordinator of Missional Outreach/Office:
CLAUDIA KARPIRSKAS
Coordinator of Membership Ministries/Office:
Claudia has been a church worker for almost 20 years in a variety of different ministries, with the most extensive training and most longevity in Youth and Family Ministry. In addition Claudia currently is also on SEMI synod staff as the Practice Discipleship Coach, assigned by the Synod Bishop, Rev. Dr. Donald Kriess.
Claudia and her husband, Bruno, were married at Good Shepherd over 30 years ago. Two of their three daughters were baptized at Good Shepherd and Claudia herself was baptized at Our Savior Lutheran Church now merged with Good Shepherd. She grew up in Madison Hts. graduating from Lamphere High School.
Claudia and her family love to spend vacations in northern Michigan, loves to golf, read, cook, and learn new things. She and her husband live in Troy and are very happy to be “home”.
DANIELLE LEE
Coordinator of Communications/Office:
Danielle comes to us from a career background in the Corporate environment. She now focuses on serving community, providing an avenue of tech and administration to reach out.
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Some facts about Danielle, in her spare time she loves movies, technology, and traveling.
Office hours are Tues.—Thurs. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Mon. and Fri. off.
Meet Pastor Kristin McCarthy! Originally from Livonia, Michigan, Pastor McCarthy is thrilled to be serving in the lovely state of Michigan for her very first call as an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She is a seminary graduate from Trinity Lutheran Seminary located in Columbus, OH. Pastor McCarthy got her Bachelors Degree in Vocal Music from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan and one of her greatest passions is music—that is one of the ways that she encounters the Holy Spirit most. Pastor McCarthy is married to her lovely wife, Nicole, who is the Associate Director for Living Water Ministries. They have a toddler aged son named Parker and he brings them so much joy! One of Pastor McCarthy’s strengths is helping to build community and she loves being part of the wonderful communities of Christ at Good Shepherd, Prince of Glory, and Trinity!