Michael Mudlaff, Pastor and Head of Staff

MichaelMudlaff@westkirk.org

Michael received his B.A. (International Relations, Religion, Politics) at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa, in 1988.  From there, he went on to receive his M.A. (International Affairs) at Drew University, Madison, New Jersey, 1991, and his M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois, in 1997.  In addition to his work at Westkirk, Michael serves on the Board of Alumni Directors as Representative to the Board of Trustees at Cornell, and he is the Assistant Cubmaster and Den Leader with Des Moines Christian School, Cub Scout Pack 316.  He is also a volunteer tutor for students at Maple Street Baptist Church in downtown Des Moines.

 

Michael has been married to his wife, Sasha for 20 years.  The Mudlaffs live only 5 minutes away from Westkirk in Clive, Iowa, with their four adventuresome sons: Micah, 11, Jonah, 8, Nathanael, 5, and Isaiah, 3.  Sasha is a stay at home mom, while also continuing as a Grief and Loss Consultant through her family business, Hamilton’s Funeral Home and After Life Services.  She has collaborated with local author, Margaret Holmes, on 3 books for children related to grief and trauma, the last one entitled, A Terrible Thing Happened; and is a requested speaker, trainer and counselor with children.  She has been a presenter at the International Network of Children’s Ministry conferences in Kansas City and Atlanta.  Together, our family enjoys bike rides, playing outdoors, traveling, reading books together, music and spending time with family.  They boys attend Des Moines Christian School.  Micah enjoys playing trumpet, reading, movie making on the family iMac.  He is finishing up his Cub Scout career and participates in sports – tackle football is his favorite!  Jonah interests focus more on art and the outdoors – a fine combination.  He takes art classes at the Des Moines Art Center when possible, loves the crafts and outdoor activities associated with Cub Scouting, and taking care of babies.  He recently determined that he was going to go to Cornell and be a geologist.  Our southpaw, Nathanael’s interests mirror both big brothers.  His favorite things are balloons – the helium variety as well as those you just blow up, and those that float in the sky.  They form the focal point of all his artwork.  He too, enjoys playing outside and is looking forward to when he can tackle people down in football.  It’s hard to believe that Isaiah is 3.  It’s not yet determined whether or not he is a righty or a lefty, but he is very articulate and quick with a smile.  Too cute for his own good, Mommy is hoping the curls last with this one.  With everything else going on, it’s hard to know for sure what Isaiah is interested in the most.

 

 

Paul Nelson, Pastor of Senior Adult Ministries

PaulNelson@westkirk.org

Paul received his Bachelor of Theology from Northwest Christian College, Eugene, Oregon, in 1965.  He received his Master of Divinity in 1969 from Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, KY after three years of work on it at Drake Divinity School in Des Moines.  He served student pastorates in Springfield, and La Grande, OR, Belinda and Knoxville, IA, and Richmond, KY.  After graduation he served churches in Woodbine, Marshalltown and Adel, IA.  For 26 years he worked at Des Moines Christian School as a bus driver and later as Director of Transportation and Technology, retiring in 2010.

 

Paul and Donna were married while in college and have three children. Donna also retired in 2010 from 29 years as an Administrative Assistant in the Early Education department at Des Moines Christian School. Their oldest daughter, Rhonda Nelson works for Oracle Software in web design in the LA area.  Scott Nelson works for CRST in Cedar Rapids and has a young daughter, Natalie.  Becky Cox lives in Van Meter and works for TMC (trucking company) as a software programmer.  Her husband Dan has a son, Bodhi, a senior in high school.

 

Paul’s part-time pastorate at Westkirk focuses on developing and implementing programs for the Senior Adults.  He also serves on the Prayer Commission of which he was the Commission Deacon for a year and a half.

 

 

Steven Randall, Assistant Pastor

StevenRandall@westkirk.org

Steve is a qualified and creative young man. Don't let his youthful looks surprise you; our Pastor Steve will be completing his PhD from the University of Northern Iowa later this year. A seasoned writer and researcher, Steve brings a wealth of youth education and experience to his role here at Westkirk. In addition to being an instructor and research assistant at UNI, Steve also has experience as a youth camp directory (among military youth in Korea!), and a program director with the Boys and Girls Clubs. Despite no formal seminary or Bible college training, Steve comes to us from a similar position at another Presbyterian church in central Iowa. He has served as a Youth Pastoral Intern at his home church, Orchard Hill Reformed, in Cedar Falls, and has been trained by the nationally known youth ministry, Young Life.

Steve is married to his college sweetheart, Stefanie, whom he met in a rock climbing class while they were both attending UNI. She enjoys crafts, reading, exercising, playing piano, and is learning to knit. Stefanie is a dentist at Primary Health Care, Inc., a nonprofit community health care center primarily serving those less fortunate. She splits her time between the Des Moines and Marshalltown clinics. Steve and Stefanie have been married for three years and together they enjoy spending time with friends and family, rock climbing, hiking, biking, spending time at the library, and going out for ice cream. They currently reside in Stefanie's hometown of Ames. Bringing excellent skills, loads of ideas and creativity, a vision for youth and youth ministry, and a great passion for evangelism and small group ministry, Pastor Steve will serve in the dual roles of Christian Education (youth ministry) and Evangelism and Fellowship (Alpha, House Kirks). Those are big shoes for any one person to fill, so please prayerfully consider how the Lord may be calling you to come along side Steve and serve our youth, be apart of Alpha, and/or our House Kirk ministry. Together, Steve and Stefanie are attending Alpha here at Westkirk and are excited to get to know the y9outh, as well as the rest of the Westkirk family. Welcome Pastor Steve and Stefanie!

 

Karen Admussen, Director of Children's Ministry

KarenAdmussen@westkirk.org

Karen is the wife of Chris Admussen and the mother of William and Anastasia. a teacher by trade, Karen earned her Bachelor of Arts in French and English from Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, Minnesota. Her secondary teaching degree is from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin--near her hometown of Green Bay. The Admussens enjoy downhill skiing, biking, traveling, and going out to eat. Karen was a school teacher in Rochester, Minnesota for 13 years, St. Paul for two, and has been a substitute teacher in Forest Lake, Minnesota as well as here in the Des Moines area.

At Westkirk our goal is to Know Christ and Make Him Known. In Children's Ministry we aim to do that by helping children develop a relationship with Jesus Christ and good relationships with others in a fun, caring, safe atmosphere.

 

Elaine Hurst, Administrative Assistant

ElaineHurst@westkirk.org

Born and reared in Davenport, Polk County, Elaine received and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at the young age of 12. She also became a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Elaine is graduate of Haines City High School and Lakeland College of Business. Elain has resided in four states - Florida, Ohio, Texas, and now Iowa. she was employed as a Legal Secretary/Assistant for almost 20 years. Most recently, she was a missionary "volunteer house parent" for women and children in crisis. Elaine is the mother of two adult sons and the grandmother of three grandchildren.

 

Her greatest love of all the gifts is spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ Miss Elaine's way.....