Lead Pastor

651.429.5411 ext. 16 | dstreeper@redeemerwhitebear.org

I grew up in Iowa and have been a lifelong Lutheran. As a kid, I sang in church choir and was involved in all kinds of youth ministries. I am a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, with advanced degrees in Counselor Education from the University of Iowa, and a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul. I moved to Minnesota in 1994 to work as Director of Campus Programs at Macalester College, and I spent six years working in corporate information technology just prior to attending seminary and graduating in 2010. I was ordained in 2010 and was Pastor at House of Prayer in Oakdale prior to coming to Redeemer.

Family is important to me and I am blessed to be married to Monica (originally from Aitkin, MN). We are a blended family with four children, three daughters and one son. Recently, our family has grown to nine, adding two son-in-laws, and a new joy - our first granddaughter! We all live in the Twin Cities metro.

I delight in working with people, especially when we have the opportunity to bring out the best in each other. As a result, I love serving in the community. I sing in the National Lutheran Choir, and love to play volleyball, ride a bicycle, and read.

Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries

651.429.5411 ext. 12 | mwhitman@redeemerwhitebear.org

I have been active in church since I was 11 years old, spending my first 14 years of church life at a large Four Square Church in Washington State before finally stumbling across a Lutheran Church. It was at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Marysville, WA, that I finally felt as though I truly “belonged” at church. I moved to Minnesota in 2010. I have two children of my own, and in 2019, I remarried and gained two more children. We live in WBL and we are active in the schools and community. I love “vitamin c”; coffee, cats, and crafts.

I have been active in children/youth programming and in non-profits for 20 years. I cannot imagine spending my career doing anything else. My favorite youth program is our annual mission trips and my favorite children's program is Vacation Bible School. I am looking forward to working in new ways throughout the community with the greater Church, particularly in the area of racial equity. I consider myself a bleeding heart follower of Jesus, and want it to show in all aspects of my life.

If you need me you can always send an email or call the church office, or you can find me wandering the halls of church looking for new ways to brighten up the children and youth spaces.

Business Administrator

651.429.5411 ext. 24 | mmua@redeemerwhitebear.org

Magnolia joined the Redeemer Team in 2020. She is responsible for overseeing the business affairs and daily operations of the church and working with staff, congregation, and church council to achieve Redeemer’s mission objectives.

She graduated from the University of St. Thomas and spent many years working in long-term health care and a couple of years in church administration.

Magnolia is passionate about people and helping them navigate through life and ultimately to Jesus. She loves to spend time with her family and enjoys being outdoors, watching documentaries and movies, reading and music.

Contact Magnolia if you have any questions like:

What’s going on at the church?

Can I use the facility for an event?

Can I schedule a meeting with the Pastor?

How can I volunteer in the office?

Interim Music Director

651.429.5411 ext. 15 | musicdirector@redeemerwhitebear.org

I have served as Redeemer’s Interim Music Director since summer of 2021. I am a native Minnesotan where my family attended the old “ALC” church. I studied at St. Olaf College for my undergrad years and have degrees in sacred music and organ performance from Yale University. I moved to Connecticut for a church position and stayed many years. While in CT, I studied at Yale University’s School of Music.

I have directed and played in several denominations during my career: Lutheran, Episcopal, and United Church of Christ (UCC). I have also played/directed in the Reform Jewish congregations and am presently accompanying at Temple Israel in Minneapolis.

The Redeemer adult choir (RLC Chorale) resumed singing and rehearsing in September 2022. We welcome all adult singers of any ability. The ability to read music is helpful, but not required. We rehearse four times before each “singing date” (about twice a month on Sundays). If you would like to consider being part of our “merry band of music makers,” please leave a message for me in the church office or click below to send me an email.

Custodian Engineer

651.429.5411 | dfischer@redeemerwhitebear.org