MEET OUR TEAM
Dana Peterson
Interim Senior Pastor
Pastor Dana Peterson is Farmington Lutheran’s Interim Lead Pastor. He began ministry here in August, 2024, coming alongside the staff and lay leadership during the search for the next Lead Pastor.
He last served as the Rocky Mountain Synod’s Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Vitality and Director for Evangelical Mission, where he worked with New Start and Strategic ministries, and with the RMS’s initiative called Vital Right-Shaped Ministry (VRSM).
Dana is also the owner of Fresh Thinking Coaching and Consulting, where he coaches and consults with pastors, congregations, and other organizations, helping them grow deeper as disciples of Jesus, discover, and implement their Values, Mission, and Vision, and helps them increase their vitality for a thriving future. (freshthinking.online). He has led workshops on Emotional Intelligence and is certified as an “EQi 2.0” instructor and facilitator. In addition, he has been a non-profit executive and capital campaign consultant.
Dana has served congregations in Fort Collins, Colorado, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Dana is a husband, father of four, grandfather of six, bass player, and avid motorcycle rider (not necessarily in that order). His wife, Karen, and their dog, Rags, will join him in the Twin Cities when their house in Colorado is sold. Until then Dana will be bunking in with one of his sons and daughters-in-law in Highland Park.
Pastor Ben grew up in northwest Wisconsin near the town of Birchwood. He grew to love woods and lakes, then moved to the South Dakota prairie and Sioux Falls. He attended Augustana College, graduated with a Degree in Religion, English, and Philosophy, and worked as an Admission Counselor at Augie for some years before joining his wife Kristen at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. He’s the (self-described) lesser half of a clergy couple with his wife Kristen, where they most recently served in South Dakota at Gayville and Bergen Lutheran Churches, and the University of South Dakota Luther Center campus ministry, before joining the team at Farmington Lutheran.
Ben’s focuses at Farmington Lutheran are in faith formation. He leads the teaching of Confirmation, and has helped create the 6th Grade “PreCon” program to bridge Sunday School and Confirmation. He also leads adult education efforts, facilitating studies and leading conversations on issues of society and faith via “Brewed Theology,” a curriculum he co-authors.
Ben also co-parents with his wife and co-pastor Kristen, to their three kiddos. He also enjoys board- and video-gaming, D&D, attempting to lift weights, faithfully cheering on the Minnesota Twins, and downhill skiing (whenever snow can be found).
Ben Eisele
Pastor of Intergenerational Ministries
Pastor Kristen grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and graduated from Augustana University with majors in English and Spanish. She was as surprised as anyone else to find herself at Luther Seminary in St. Paul getting a Master of Divinity, but the Holy Spirit is all about surprises! Along with Pastor Ben, Pastor Kristen served Gayville and Bergen Lutheran Churches and the Luther Center Campus Ministry in southeastern South Dakota for five years before moving to Farmington in the fall of 2021.
Pastor Kristen is passionate about sharing Jesus’ life-changing, life-saving love with God’s people. She especially enjoys experimenting with worship services and styles, connecting people across generations, and hanging out with the best theologians she knows: kids.
Three of those kids are Pastor Kristen and Pastor Ben’s: Evelyn, Gabriel, and Clara. When not parenting or pastoring, Kristen enjoys yoga, reading, all things HGTV, cooking and baking, and time outside, doing everything from walking to weeding.
Kristen Eisele
Pastor of Intergenerational Ministries
Karissa Dennis
Director of Music Ministries
Karissa graduated from Bemidji State University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, specifically Composition, Piano Performance and Pedagogy, and Organ Performance.
Since 2004, Karissa has been a full-time Director of Worship and Music in ELCA churches. In her congregations from 500-3,000 members, she has overseen and directed vocal and handbell choirs of varying ages, praise bands and instrumental ensembles.
Karissa has a passion for composing music. She has over 20 handbell pieces published through Lorenz, Jeffers, Ringing Word, Morning Star, Hope (Agape), and Beckenhorst Press. She has a choral anthem in print through Shawnee Press. One of her bell pieces will be featured in the television series, On Becoming a God in Central Florida, starring Kirsten Dunst, directed by George Clooney, in 2019, featured on Showtime. She is currently working on a handbell commission for Franklin Baptist Church in Virginia to celebrate their 150th Anniversary in 2020.
Karissa feels blessed to live out her calling every day. She resides in Minnesota and enjoys spending time with her children, Aleya and Parker. To learn more as well as view and hear her music compositions, visit her website at www.karissadennis.com
Dawn Albrecht
Director of Children and Family Ministries
Dawn Albrecht grew up in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She attended Zion Lutheran Church with her family and helped teach Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She received her Bachelor's degree from MN State University-Mankato (she would tell you that it is Mankato State). She studied Elementary Education, minored in Early Childhood Education, and has a concentration in Kindergarten.
Dawn came to FLC with 14 years of teaching experience.. Dawn is excited to help give children and families opportunities to learn and grow in faith together. She enjoys spending time up North, walking, watching movies, and some sports. Dawn also enjoys time with her husband, Jon, and their son.
Jen Watts
Director of Operations and Communication
Jen Watts grew up in Eden Prairie, MN and attended St. Andrew’s Lutheran church. She attended Winona State University and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and Middle School Math.
Jen started at FLC in November 2018. She brings her love for helping others and meeting new people to the position. Her favorite part of FLC is being part of a team that works hard and has fun sharing God’s love.
Jen’s husband Win, and two sons, Parker and Logan enjoy spending time outdoors. In the summer, you will find them on their boat wake boarding, wake surfing and tubing. In the winter, they love spending time in the ice house fishing and playing games.
Lois Luecke
Office Administrative Assistant
Lois Luecke was born and raised in Fairbault, MN. Her faith growth started with eight years at Peace Lutheran Schools. After that she graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis as a business education teacher. She retired after 43 years in a job that she loved. Once she retired, she realized that she needed another purpose, and found it at FLC. She says “I am a people person so working here with the congregation and the fun and dedicated staff fulfills this purpose.”
Lois’s favorite things are spending time with my family on everyday activities and vacationing. In her spare time is filled with lunches with friends, gardening, sewing, crafting and craft fairs, quilting, garage sales, reading, and whatever else she can find to do.
