Church Staff 

Administrative Pastor Michael P. Walther

Pastor Michael Walther has served at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church since 1991. Previously he served as campus pastor at Kearney State College in Kearney, Nebraska and as pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Beemer, Nebraska. He completed his Master of Divinity degree in 1984 and a Master of Sacred Theology degree in 1998 at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He especially enjoys the opportunity to help people experience the wisdom and the wonder of God's word and the beauty of the promises of salvation in Jesus Christ. He and his wife Carol have been blessed with five children: Aaron, David, Paul, Stephen and Lydia. They have also been blessed with four grandchildren. Find me on Facebook... Also check out my blog  Pastor Walther's Meditations.

Parish Administrator Marty Hoffman

Marty Hoffman grew up in Granite City and graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He worked for Laclede Steel before coming to Good Shepherd. He oversees the physical and financial aspects of Good Shepherd's Ministry. He is married to Pam, and they have three grown children and two granddaughters.

Office Administrator & Deaconess Intern Grace Bergt

Grace is the second of 6 kids. She grew up in Belleville and attended Zion Lutheran Church. She attended Zion Lutheran School for Kindergarten through 8th grade, attended High School at Belleville East, and received her Bachelors degree from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, with a focus in Religious Studies and a minor in Sociology. She is currently attending Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in pursuit of her Masters Degree in Spiritual Care with a Deaconess Certification. While attending the Seminary, in addition to the core theological courses, she has taken courses that discuss topics such as how to be the church in the world, and how to do effective youth ministry. In her free time she likes to read, crochet, and tell dad jokes. 

Women's and Children Ministry Director Carol Walther

Carol Walther is currently serving as Director of Women’s and Children’s Ministries.   She received her AA degree from Concordia in Austin.  She received her BA from Concordia College in River Forest where she also received her Lutheran Elementary Teaching Certification and Director of Christian Education Certification.  Carol and Pastor Walther have been blessed with 4 sons, 1 daughter, 2 daughters-in-love, 2 grandsons, and 1 granddaughter.   

Church Music Director Christopher A. Loemker

Chris is a native of Edwardsville, IL and earned a degree in Organ Performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. He is Good Shepherd's main organist and music director. He has been involved in LCMS church music over the last three decades in a variety of roles ranging from Music Director and Organist, to formely working as a Production Editor in the music department of Concordia Publishing House. Chris is the Music Coordinator for the Lutheran youth organization "Higher Things." During the week, Chris is a pilot and manages a small farm with his wife Carmen, and four daughters. For more information on our music ministry, see the Music Program Page.

Children's Music Director Zachary Stegman

Zach began as Children's Music Director in the fall of 2013. Zach enjoys teaching band, choir, and elementary music classes at Good Shepherd Lutheran School. In the church, he conducts the Adult Choir, instrumental music ensembles, and is an organist. Zach also assists with Youth Ministry leading the 5th and 6th grade youth group and coordinating the annual Higher Things trip. Zach has also enjoyed teaching Sunday School at Good Shepherd since fall 2011. Zach is thankful for his family and enjoys spending time with his wife Kim and their children. 

Pastor Walther

Carol Walther

Marty Hoffman

Grace Bergt