Pastor Scott Shreve is preaching this Sunday, May 18. OTHER NEWS: Everyone is invited to attend the following farewell events for Pastors Scott Shreve and Fred Richart: May 17 farewell roast for Pastor Scott & Marjorie Shreve (reservations required); June 8 farewell reception for Pastor Fred following both worship services; June 22 farewell reception for Pastor Scott following both worship services

St. Luke Teen Basketball & Volleyball League Play, Tournaments, Open Gym

St. Luke is blessed with a primary staff of hard-working, caring individuals, who strive to make St. Luke the best it can possibly be. In addition to the persons listed below, we also have a wonderful team of teachers, other office staff, and custodians who give much of themselves to St. Luke every day. Click Here for current employment opportunities.

Reverend Scott Shreve

Rev. Scott Shreve is in his ninth year as Senior Pastor at St. Luke United Methodist Church. He served three churches in the Chicago area over an 18-year time period prior to coming to St. Luke. The move to Omaha is a return home for Pastor Scott. He was born and raised in Omaha, graduated from Burke High School (just across the street from St. Luke), and was a member of St. Luke as a teenager.

Pastor Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts from Drake University and a Master of Divinity from Garrett Theological Seminary. Pastor Scott is married to Marjorie, and they have two children, Daryl and Mackenzie, both in college.

Rev. Shreve enjoys the St. Luke congregation that maintains a theologically progressive perspective and that has a commitment to worshipping, learning, caring and serving. Pastor Scott understands that the programs and ministries of St. Luke will thrive and expand as each member contributes their time, talent and initiative. He states, "I want each person who comes to St. Luke to find the warmth of a caring home where body, mind, and spirit are nurtured."

Rev. Dr. Fred Richart

This is the second time Fred has been on staff at St. Luke. From 1991-1994 he was Associate Pastor, and he has been on staff on a part-time basis since October, 2006. He continues his ministry here by focusing on small group development and preaching once a month. Three quarters of his time is spent at UNO (University of Nebraska at Omaha) as Campus Minister. He enjoys teaching faith and creative work in digital media for expressing an authentic religious life.

Fred holds a BA in Philosophy from Colgate University, a Master of Divinity from Yale, and a Dr. of Ministry from Drew University. Fred has been married to Carol for 32 years, and they have three children: Jeremy, Jamison, and Jessica.

"St. Luke is a great place to be a pastor," he says. "The ingredients of a positive atmosphere and a progressive outlook on life are wonderful. St. Luke has a terrific staff, and I enjoy working with them."

Reverend Stephen Toller

Stephen Toller was born and raised in Cuero, Texas, a small town between Austin and Corpus Christi. After high school, Stephen attended Abilene Christian University and received both a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry and a Master of Divinity.

Since seminary, Stephen completed a one-year residency in Clinical Pastoral Education, worked as a chaplain at a nursing home, did on-call chaplaincy at a trauma hospital, coordinated the pastoral care department at a community hospital, and was an interim pastor at a small church in Omaha. He is a Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains.

Stephen and Paige have been married for 9 years and recently bought their first home together. Paige, a native Nebraskan, is an Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Nebraska in Omaha.

Stephen grew up in the Churches of Christ, recently became affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and now finds himself working in a United Methodist context. He likes the ecumenical nature of this reality.

Stephen's primary responsibilities at St. Luke are directing the Children's Ministry, supporting the Youth and Young Adult Ministry, providing pastoral care and involvement ministry for families with Sunday School aged kids, preaching during the Summer months, and many "other duties as assigned."

Stephen follows the golden rule of being an Associate Pastor: "The Senior Pastor is always right." He also has three prized objects on his desk: a plastic bobble-head Jesus, to remind him to not take religion too seriously; a stuffed Curious George doll, to help him recognize and ignore "monkey mind;" and a yellow rubber ducky, to encourage him that you can be in the water and still not get wet.

John Butler

Born and raised in Omaha, John's family has been very active at St. Luke his entire life. John attended St. Luke Child Development Center, Sunday School, and youth programs as he grew up. John's transition from active member to Staff Member is a natural transition as he considers ministry as a vocation option. John is a 2004 graduate of Benson High School and he is currently enrolled at UNO. John provides music leadership for children in St. Luke's Wednesday Evening Program, as well as leadership for St. Luke's developing Praise Band, "Crossfire." In addition, John works with Pastor Shreve in developing and co-hosting the youth ministry activities at St. Luke.

Betsy Kallstrom

Dr. Terry Theis

Dr. Terry Theis has extensive music education experience and church work experience. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Church Music from Wittenberg University (Ohio); a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln; and a Doctor of Music in Arts-Conducting from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, where he studied with Dr. Eph Ehly. Dr. Theis has made the study of music, the creating of music, the performing of music, and the teaching of music his life-long work. Dr. Theis recently retired from teaching music with Omaha Public Schools.

Joan Young

Joan Young is the Organist for the worship services and serves as accompanist for the Chancel (adult vocal) Choir.

She also serves as Organist for weddings held at St. Luke. Joan has a Bachelor's Degree from Wayne State College.

Sherrie Lindsey

As is true with a number of others on St. Luke's staff, Sherrie Lindsey does not attend St. Luke for worship; however, her heart and energy are here every weekday (as well as a few off-hours). She has enjoyed the challenge of coordinating St. Luke's offices and serving as assistant to the Senior Pastor, as well as helping coordinate the Child Development Programs. Her responsibilities range from secretarial to administrative and personnel-related, with a lot of little things thrown in that don't seem to fit anyone else's job description. Two of the aspects she likes most about her work at St. Luke are the quality of people she works with and the fact that her job has never been the same any two years in a row. Sherrie and her husband, John, have two daughters, Marissa and Hannah.

Suzanne Rood

Suzanne Rood has been a congregation member of St. Luke since 1988. As a church member, she has volunteered as a VCS staff member, been superintendent of the Wednesday evening childrens' program, and for a time coordinated the church volleyball league with her husband, Jim. After working for 15 years in the construction industry in secretarial positions, she became a stay-at-home mom after the birth of her daughter, Danielle. Now on staff as a secretary at St. Luke, she enjoys the variety that her position offers, as well as visiting with and helping other church members when they call or visit the Church Office.

Abbey Jackson

Abbey Jackson is the newest member of the team at St. Luke United Methodist Church.

Originally from Saint Paul, Minnesota, Abbey arrived in Omaha to attend Creighton University in 1999. With a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Journalism, Abbey's professional background ranges from non-profit development to youth ministry.

Abbey has a passion for creating environments in which youth can find encouragement, healthy relationships, and laughter. As Director of the Teen Center, Abbey is responsible for the programming, staffing, and supervision of the After School program.

"Having been truly affected by a variety of mentoring relationships growing up, I find a passionate calling to serve the youth of our community in a positive and fun way."

Abbey is a newlywed, having recently married Jason Jackson.

Valorie Buis

Valorie Buis has primary responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Child Development Programs, including staffing of the Center, parent relations, compliance with State licensing guidelines, and staff in-service training and development. Valorie attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where she also worked for University Child Care for 8 years prior to coming to St. Luke. Mrs. Buis' experience also includes working for Adams County Child Care Programs in Hastings, Nebraska, which is her hometown. Valorie is married and the mother of two sons.

Kim Walker

With a computer degree and prior experience in a pediatric office and in management, Kim Walker's skills are put to good use as she promotes and educates the community about the quality of St. Luke's Child Development Center through tours, phone contacts, and a monthly newsletter. She also assists the Child Development Center Director with the implementation of policies and procedures, handles employee orientation, tracks ongoing education hours for teaching staff, and takes care of general file management. Her helpful spirit, common sense, and warm personality are evident in the way she goes about her daily tasks. Kim is married and the mother of two sons.

Vern Goff

Deb Goff

Jeremy Boldt