David Guelzow Senior Pastor	Pastor Dave grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is married to Dianne Schuppan Guelzow, a 1976 graduate of Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois and is a National-certified teacher. Pastor Dave received his undergraduate degree from Concordia Seminary College in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1973; a Masters degree in administration from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1987, and having taught at Lutheran High School of South Florida for 12 years, received his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St, Louis, Missouri in 1990. He came to St. Stephens Lutheran in 1991. Pastor Dave and Diane have two daughters, Sara Swecker, an architect in Odenton, Maryland and Jessie Roberts an early childlife specialist in Kingsport, Tennessee. Pastor Dave and Diane also have one granddaughter, Lucy Roberts. dguelzow@sslcms.org
David Ziehr Associate Pastor	The Reverend David W. Ziehr was born in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, September 14, 1966, the son of the Reverend and Mrs. Richard O. Ziehr.  He was ordained into the office of the Holy Ministry on July 12, 1992, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Shalimar, Florida, by his father.       Pastor Ziehr graduated from the University of Montevallo with a B.S. degree in counseling and a minor in history.  He then attended Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in May of 1992.       He spent his vicarage year of internship at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lansing, Illinois.  Upon graduation, he was called to serve as the associate pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church in Sarasota, Florida.  From 1995 to 2000, Pastor Ziehr served as sole pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran in Gardendale, Alabama until he was again called to serve in a team ministry at St. Paul Lutheran in Caledonia, Michigan.       He married Trudi Graham on August 12, 1989, in Birmingham.  Trudi Ziehr also graduated from the University of Montevallo and received her BSN from the University of Alabama, Birmingham.  The Ziehr’s are blessed with a daughter, Brittany and a son, Jordan. dziehr@sslcms.org
Brandon Martin Associate Pastor for Mission Development	Brandon Martin has a passion for teaching the Gospel, especially among Hispanic communities.  His enthusiasm for cross-cultural ministry grew as a result of living in Latin America for five years.  After graduating from Appalachian State University in 1998 with degrees in Elementary Education and Spanish, he taught at international schools in Mexico and Guatemala.  He then moved to Bolivia where he served as a missionary for three years.  It was during the trials and joys of this mission work that God began directing him to dedicate his life to cross-cultural ministry. Upon returning to the U.S., Brandon met his wonderful wife, Joy, who was serving as a missionary in Macedonia.  Brandon graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 2008 with a Master of Divinity.  He was ordained and installed as Associate Pastor for Mission Development of St. Stephens on August 31, 2008.  Excited about the opportunities for cross-cultural ministry in Catawba County, he is committed to “connecting Hispanic families to Christ and community.” bmartin@sslcms.org
BJ Gavrun Director of Student Ministries	BJ grew up in West Michigan.  Many people call it the “Bible belt” of the Midwest.  He calls it home.  His name is really Benjamin Jacob but “B.J.” is easier to spell. His grandpa calls him “Benny” sometimes, and that’s fine too.  As you can imagine he did pretty well in preschool. BJ is a graduate of Concordia University, Ann Arbor where he grabbed a degree in Psychology.  His passion however, is ministering to teenagers and watching them grow into excited followers of Christ.  This burning desire for the younger generation began in BJ’s heart as an active participant in the youth ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church in Paw Paw, Michigan.  Beginning his ministry, he spent three years as the “Youth Ministry Specialist” at a church in a suburb of Detroit.  He still enjoys the sound of Detroit Rock!  BJ proposed to Elizabeth Speers at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France and married her in 2004.  Now they have a son, Elijah (Eli) and became part of the St. Stephen’s endeavor as of January 2008.  They love Mexican food, traveling, hiking, date nights, and worshipping the creator from the deepest part of their souls.  Amen. bgavrun@sslcms.org
Erin Sipe Director of Children's Ministries	Erin Sipe is a Catawba County native who began her work with children as a teenager. Having taught Sunday School, dance lessons, and swim lessons as a teen, Erin followed her passion for working with young people to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in English as well as her Secondary Education Teaching Certificate as a North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholar. Upon graduating, Erin taught in the public school system for five years, earning Teacher of the Year honors for Bunker Hill High School in 1999 and the Ben Craig Outstanding Educator Award for Catawba County Schools in 2000. Upon leaving the workforce to focus on rearing her children, Erin has worked part-time for four years as an English Enrichment facilitator for the Catawba Valley Home school community and joined the staff of St. Stephens Lutheran Church in the summer of 2006. As director of Children's Ministry, Erin has initiated a mid-week program, LOGOS, and oversees the Sunday school program and various events, like the Easter Egg hunt, VBS, fall hayride and the Christmas program. Erin believes her part of fulfilling the Great Commission is to bring children into a meaningful relationship with Christ through child-friendly programs focused on discipleship, worship, and fellowship. Erin and her husband Kevin, a lifetime member of St. Stephens Lutheran, are blessed with two daughters, Kara and Anna. esipe@sslcms.org
Robert Smith Traditional Music Director	Robert Adrian Smith serves as Organist/Choirmaster at St. Stephens Lutheran Church.  A native of North Carolina, he is a graduate of  Lenoir-Rhyne College and Yale University.  He has served several as organist at several  parishes in and around Hickory.  He is an adjunct professor of music at Lenoir-Rhyne University.  In addition to his duties at St. Stephens and at Lenoir-Rhyne, he currently serves as Director of Music at the First Presbyterian Church of Morganton.  He has performed with the Lenoir-Rhyne A Cappella Choir, the Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Chorus, the Western Piedmont Symphony and the Hickory Choral Society.  He and his wife, Ada, live in Hickory and have one son, Adrian and one daughter, Marie. rsmith@sslcms.org
Jenny Whitely Contemporary Music Director	Jenny is the leader of Random Calling, the praise team at St. Stephens Lutheran Church.  She also serves as keyboard player and vocalist for the group.  Jenny grew up in Claremont, NC and attended Bunker Hill High School and continued her studies at Concordia University in Seward, NE.  After returning to Catawba County she attended Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC where she studied Sacred Music and is currently taking classes at Appalachian State University.        Jenny took piano lessons for 11 years under Althea Roth (Pastor Delbert Roth’s wife) and three years at Concordia University under Professor Theodore Beck.  Her home church was Bethel Lutheran in Claremont, NC and was assistant organist at the age of 15 for three years.  She also served as Jr. Choir Director at the age of 16 for two years.  After returning from college she became the Jr./Sr. Choir Director and Organist at Bethel Lutheran Church for 11 years.  During this time she received the Martin Luther Award for her service and dedication to the youth of the church.  While attending Concordia University Jenny took organ lessons under Professor Orr and from Professor Florence Jowers at Lenoir-Rhyne College.           Jenny played trumpet in high school and attended the University of Tennessee Honor Bands all four years receiving the award of First Honor Band each year.  She also was first chair trumpet in the All County Band for three years.  Jenny received the Louis Armstrong Award and the Orion Award during her Jr. and Sr. years of high school.           Jenny joined the staff as Director of Music and Worship Leader at St. Stephens in 1998 and taught music for 7 years at St. Stephens Lutheran School for grades preschool 3 year olds through 8th grade.  She is married to Greg Whitely and has two daughters, Jill and Michelle.  jwhitely@sslcms.org
Jon Guelzow Principal	Jon Guelzow is a graduate of Concordia College - Austin, TX; Concordia University - River Forest, IL; and Wagner College - Staten Island, NY. Jon has had an active career in Lutheran education beginning as a 3rd grade teacher at Zion Lutheran School in Dallas, TX. Jon has spread his talent and love for Christian education through New York, Florida, and now in North Carolina. Serving St. Stephens Lutheran School since 1992, Jon has seen the school become nationally accredited, SACS/CASI, and be recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in 2003. Jon is married to Jane Guelzow, the 4th grade teacher at St. Stephens Lutheran. In their spare time, Jon and Jane spend time with their daughter, Stephanie and sons Seth, Danny and granddaughter Breanne. jguelzow@sslcms.org
JoAnne Murray Assistant Principal	JoAnne, a Virginia native, graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College with a Bachelor's Degree in History/Social Studies Secondary Education. She received her Master's Degree in Adult and Continuing Education from Appalachian State University. After working a number of years in various university settings in the Midwest and the northern part of the U.S., as well as a brief stint with a state department of education, she decided to return to North Carolina to complete her doctoral degree. During her studies at ASU, she began working at St. Stephens Lutheran School as a part-time teacher. She currently serves as the school's assistant principal and computer teacher. JoAnne is married to Jim Murray, a Scotsman and banker in Charlotte. They jointly share the responsibility of the family dog, GUS. jmurray@sslcms.org
Sharon Maynor Business Manager	Sharon is a graduate of CVCC, Hickory, NC. She has been employed by St. Stephens Lutheran since 1988. She has been known to be the Jack of All Trades and the Master of none. There is always a surprise waiting for her each morning, either it be the people or the work. She enjoys both tremendously. smaynor@sslcms.org
Tashia Fisher Administrative Assistant	Tashia is a graduate of King's College, Charlotte, NC. She has been employed by St. Stephens Lutheran since 1988. She loves serving the Lord and the people of St. Stephens Lutheran in this capacity Tashia is married to Jerry Fisher and they have a son Anthony.   tfisher@sslcms.org
Brandon Buff Multi-Media Technology Administrator Building and Grounds Administrator	Brandon is another local person having grown up in Hickory and attended St. Stephens since birth.  His passion for technology started at a very young age by dismantling and reinventing anything he could get his hands on.  Brandon has worked in various capacities in technology and computer repair over the years leaving Corning Cable Systems in 2002 to take a leap of faith and join the staff of St. Stephens as well as start his own computer repair company with a focus on helping other local churches and their members. Since 2002, Brandon has continued to grow our campus in ways of technology in the re-vamping of a small computer lab into a vibrant computer learning center and continually upgrading the network infrastructure to keep pace with new and exciting technology.  Brandon also is a key member of the media team for our worship services and helps in maintaining and upgrading sound and video equipment. Brandon was married here in 1999 to Amy and has had a wonderful life since including the birth of their daughter, Harley in 2007. bbuff@sslcms.org
Jadi Gurganious	The best for last! Jadi has been a part-time employee of St. Stephens Lutheran since 1999. Since her first day of employment she has been taking care of the smaller members of the church in the nursery. While being dedicated to the smaller children, she has assisted with the Children's Ministry and the Student Ministries. Most recently she has been given the job of "webmaster".  jgurganious@sslcms.org