Pastoral Team
Peter Christ
Lead Pastor
I began my ministry with Prince of Peace in 2016, following a return to the Twin Cities after 20 years in Red Lodge, Montana. I was called and installed as Lead Pastor in February of 2017. I’m a second career graduate of Luther Seminary in St. Paul. I used to own and operate a restaurant known for its innovative hospitality so now it’s exciting to be feeding people in altogether new ways with this remarkable faith community. I can roll my tongue and play cribbage poorly. My wife Anne is a funeral director and loves to laugh at all my jokes. Though our nest is empty, we did adopt a Covid rescue dog named Doug, who keeps us entertained. Our daughter Della and her wife Katie have relocated nearby and our son Bjorn, a recent graduate of Luther College, will be settling back in the area as well.
Debbie Jorgens
Director of Visitation & Cong. Care
Before beginning a 25-year career with Thrivent Financial, I was a music teacher, children’s and youth ministries director, and director of children’s choirs. Most recently, I directed the outreach ministries at Grace Lutheran Church in Andover and served as an intern chaplain at Mercy Hospital. Valuing life-long learning, I followed a meandering path to Luther Seminary and graduated in 2019 with a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry. My husband, Bob, and I have five children and six grandchildren and are lucky to have them all living in the Twin Cities! In addition to playing with the grandkids, I enjoy playing the piano, baking, cheering on my favorite sports teams, and spending time at the Jorgens’ family farm near Scandinavia, Wisconsin.
Program & Support Staff
Julene Hannesh
Youth Director
Life brought me to Prince of Peace the Summer of 2021 and I am so excited that I get to work with such awesome youth! In December 2020, I graduated from the University of North Dakota with my BS in Nursing. During my time at UND, I served as a student intern at Christus Rex Lutheran Campus Ministry, was a counselor at Camp Wapo, and studied abroad in Cusco, Peru. When I am not hanging out with high school and middle school youth, I work as an RN in the ICU at Regions Hospital and occasionally at Abbott Northwestern. My husband, Andrew, and I currently live in Lowertown St. Paul with our cat, Carrot. In my off time I love hanging out with family and friends, hiking, camping, traveling, reading, drinking coffee, and catching up on sleep.
Melanie Hill
Interim Director of Children & Family Ministry
Melanie has served five Twin Cities congregations in her 24 year ministry. She is also a children’s author and is currently on-leave-from-call finishing one novel and starting another. Her most favorite thing in the world is storytime with kids. Melanie is contracted to support the ministries of Prince of Peace through InterServe Ministries. She works alongside Pastor Peter and Julene to lead programming for children and families. Melanie and her colleagues at InterServe are also helping to lead a re-visioning of these ministries for the life and future of our community.
Kristin Bloxham
Office Administrator
Before coming to Prince of Peace, I served as a director of high school and young adult ministry for 12 years. I studied social work at Concordia College and obtained my MA in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry from Luther Seminary. I also have the privilege of serving on the Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp board of directors and have a passion for outdoor ministry. My husband Brice and I met while serving as camp counselors at Camp Wapo. We have two busy boys, Simon (9) and Silas (6). Brice is a pastor at Shepherd of the Hills in Shoreview. I enjoy playing outside with my boys, baking, cooking, watching reality TV, traveling to the family cabin near Hayward, WI, and spending time with my girlfriends.
Steve Andert
Custodian
Steve currently holds two significant titles here at Prince of Peace: “Longest-Serving Staff Member” and “Staff Member Most Likely To See The Sun Rise While Working.”
Music Leadership
Milt Warkentien
Music Coordinator & Lightshine Director
I have my BA in Music Education from St. Olaf College and further study at Luther Seminary. I love working with youth and taking canoes into the BWCA. I also work at Haas Instrument Repair as a brass technician and love to play my trumpet and euphonium whenever I can. I’ve written hymns, choral arrangements and a few band pieces. I use a variety of musical and liturgical styles to craft meaningful worship experiences, everything from traditional settings to band-led, with “big band” services being a regular favorite. I try to make use of all the talent here at Prince of Peace and from those I know in the community. Maybe you would like to play or sing with us sometime?
Kathy Donlan Tunseth
Chancel Choir & Bells of Peace Director
I direct the Chancel Choir (adult mixed voices) and Bells of Peace (adult five-octave handbell ensemble) at Prince of peace. I just completed my sixteenth year on staff and also my 37th year in Lutheran church music ministry. Education: Masters in Music History from the University of Wisconsin, BM in Voice and Music Education from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN
Daniel Ritter
Organist & Accompanist
As your new organist and pianist starting in the Fall of 2022, I’m looking forward to the many musical opportunities of working with the choir, band, and other volunteer musicians in the church. I’ve played for over forty years in various churches, including United Church of Christ, and United Methodist. I also work with the American Swedish Institute Male Chorus and a small women’s choir called Pistachios. I have a BA in piano from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Recently retired from forty years as a school bus driver, I’m now free to practice my music more, read, take walks, and ride my bike.