Pastor David Steffenson. David was born and raised on a farm in Wisconsin. He is a graduate of Concordia College (1979) and Luther Seminary (1983) in Minnesota. Having served two parishes in Minnesota, he and his wife, Julie, arrived at Mount Cross in January of 2005. The Steffensons have three grown children and a Sheltie named Samson. Family and faith are mainstays in David's life. David is also a loyal Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Twins fan. David believes that his best years are always ahead of him.
Sherylee Heacock, Office Manager Sherylee grew up in the small community of Ashford, about an hour drive south of Tacoma. When Sherylee was 23, God blessed her with a son, Tyler. He is now almost 5 years old, and really keeps her quite busy. Sherylee and her son live in University Place, and enjoy watching baseball games and spending time outside.
Jessica Thompson, Discipleship Coordinator Jessica was born & raised in the Juanita/Kirkland area. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran University (2005) with a B.A. in English Literature and Religion. Her and her husband Luke returned to the Pacific Northwest in 2007, after spending two years in Michigan. Jessica and Luke live in downtown Tacoma, and in their spare time they enjoy spending time in Tacoma, movies of all kinds, cars, various outdoor activities and reading. They share in a strong Lutheran faith and belief in the Lutheran tradition.
Beth Niggemyer, Youth Director Beth was born and raised in Spokane. She graduated from Valparaiso University in Indiana in 2009 with a degree in youth, family education ministry and theology. She enjoys watching and participating in sports, being outside, almost all activities including water, animals, bike riding, cooking and painting. Her greatest passion is in working with people. She claims that she became a youth director because she never really wanted to grow up.
Pam Erickson, Preschool Director In July 1983, Pam Erickson, her husband Jim, and her two sons, Keith and Gregg, joined Mount Cross. Upon joining, she taught Sunday school to 3 year olds and eventually 4 and 5 year olds over a period of ten years. Pam was Sunday School superintenant for four years. In 2001 she began working for Noah's Ark Preschool and continues working there today. She enjoys interacting with the preschool children and their families.
Lorrie Stroup, Preschool Assistant I have been a Para-Educator with the Tacoma School District for the last 10 years. I work with grades kindergarten through 3rd Grade, which I love. I have been married to my husband Bob for the past 33 years and we have 3 children.
Richard Nace, Choir Director Richard Nace is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, University of Arizona and his post-graduate work was completed at the University of Southern California. Richard has taught 25 years in the Public Schools and was Faculty Artist at PLU and most recently University of Puget Sound. He now directs Honor Choirs and is a retreat specialist throughout North America and the Far East specializing in concepts of motivation for choirs and directors. Rich has directed at Mount Cross since 1984. When he is not working on music he fishes and hikes throughout the Northwest. "I've become a member of Mount Cross and I am really excited about its recent growth and the direction the church is headed in regards to Reaching Out to the Community, Rejoicing in Gods Gifts to its members, and the many opportunities to renew ones faith in worship."
Mike Reiter, Organist
Dave Anderson, Treasurer Dave was born and raised in the Tacoma area. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran church. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in accounting and works for the Weyerhaeuser Company. Dave and his wife Julie were married at First Lutheran in 1979. They have a daughter Shannon of Seattle and a son Ryan. Dave became a member of Mount Cross in 1983 and has served as Treasurer since 1992.
Yelena Zhurko, Custodian Yelena Zhurko came to America 8 years ago from Russia. In Russia, she was a cook. She has two beautiful daughters, a 16-year-old and a 4-year-old. She's worked at Mount Cross for the past four years and enjoys her time here.
Pastor David Steffenson. David was born and raised on a farm in Wisconsin. He is a graduate of Concordia College (1979) and Luther Seminary (1983) in Minnesota. Having served two parishes in Minnesota, he and his wife, Julie, arrived at Mount Cross in January of 2005. The Steffensons have three grown children and a Sheltie named Samson. Family and faith are mainstays in David's life. David is also a loyal Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Twins fan. David believes that his best years are always ahead of him.
Sherylee Heacock, Office Manager Sherylee grew up in the small community of Ashford, about an hour drive south of Tacoma. When Sherylee was 23, God blessed her with a son, Tyler. He is now almost 5 years old, and really keeps her quite busy. Sherylee and her son live in University Place, and enjoy watching baseball games and spending time outside.
Jessica Thompson, Discipleship Coordinator Jessica was born & raised in the Juanita/Kirkland area. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran University (2005) with a B.A. in English Literature and Religion. Her and her husband Luke returned to the Pacific Northwest in 2007, after spending two years in Michigan. Jessica and Luke live in downtown Tacoma, and in their spare time they enjoy spending time in Tacoma, movies of all kinds, cars, various outdoor activities and reading. They share in a strong Lutheran faith and belief in the Lutheran tradition.
Beth Niggemyer, Youth Director Beth was born and raised in Spokane. She graduated from Valparaiso University in Indiana in 2009 with a degree in youth, family education ministry and theology. She enjoys watching and participating in sports, being outside, almost all activities including water, animals, bike riding, cooking and painting. Her greatest passion is in working with people. She claims that she became a youth director because she never really wanted to grow up.
Pam Erickson, Preschool Director In July 1983, Pam Erickson, her husband Jim, and her two sons, Keith and Gregg, joined Mount Cross. Upon joining, she taught Sunday school to 3 year olds and eventually 4 and 5 year olds over a period of ten years. Pam was Sunday School superintenant for four years. In 2001 she began working for Noah's Ark Preschool and continues working there today. She enjoys interacting with the preschool children and their families.
Lorrie Stroup, Preschool Assistant
Richard Nace, Choir Director Richard Nace is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, University of Arizona and his post-graduate work was completed at the University of Southern California. Richard has taught 25 years in the Public Schools and was Faculty Artist at PLU and most recently University of Puget Sound. He now directs Honor Choirs and is a retreat specialist throughout North America and the Far East specializing in concepts of motivation for choirs and directors. Rich has directed at Mount Cross since 1984. When he is not working on music he fishes and hikes throughout the Northwest. "I've become a member of Mount Cross and I am really excited about its recent growth and the direction the church is headed in regards to Reaching Out to the Community, Rejoicing in Gods Gifts to its members, and the many opportunities to renew ones faith in worship."
Mike Reiter, Organist
Dave Anderson, Treasurer Dave was born and raised in the Tacoma area. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran church. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in accounting and works for the Weyerhaeuser Company. Dave and his wife Julie were married at First Lutheran in 1979. They have a daughter Shannon of Seattle and a son Ryan. Dave became a member of Mount Cross in 1983 and has served as Treasurer since 1992.
Yelena Zhurko, Custodian Yelena Zhurko came to America 8 years ago from Russia. In Russia, she was a cook. She has two beautiful daughters, a 16-year-old and a 4-year-old. She's worked at Mount Cross for the past four years and enjoys her time here.
