Pastor
I was born and raised in Watertown, SD and completed my undergraduate degree in business management from the University of South Dakota. Following college I spent a few years working in the information technology field. Following my calling to ministry, I began seminary at Luther Seminary in the fall of 2002. While there, I met my wife Jessi, who is also on staff here at West Nidaros. I began my call as pastor of West Nidaros in December of 2016. West Nidaros is my third pastoral call. Previously, I was pastor at Immanuel and Brule Creek Lutheran Parish in Elk Point, SD, and I served as associate pastor at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. I love history and most of my pleasure reading is historical. One thing I love about my work are the relationships that I get to build as pastor.
My favorite bible passages are Romans 5 and John 10.

Office Administrator & Youth Coordinator
I’m Elise and I joined the staff at West Nidaros in the fall of 2017, first as the Director of Youth Ministry but am now the Office Administrator. I grew up in the church as a PK (pastor’s kid) so I have lived all over the Midwest but landed in Sioux Falls in 2012. I am married to my delightfully goofy husband Ben and we have a dog, Higgins, and a cat, Snickers, who both keep us entertained. I love to play guitar & sing, photography (I have my own business - LeeCBee Photography), reading, being outside, riding/playing with horses, and I believe that coffee is life.
My go to bible verse is Roman 5:1-5 “…and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Director of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Hi I'm Jessi! I like to run, bike, swim, eat ice cream, smile, and play outside. I'm married to Jared. We're parents to Bergan, Anja, Trygg, and Stian. I grew up in Duluth, Minnesota, went to college at Moorhead State University, and graduate school at Luther Seminary. I started at West Nidaros in March of 2007. I love building relationships with students and their families!! I'm always here to listen, laugh, and cry with anyone. The longer I'm at West Nidaros the more I love walking alongside families as their students grow older and grow in faith.
Romans 8:38-39 was scripture read at our wedding and one of my favorites. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God. God loves you, cares for you, and forgives you no matter what.

Director of Worship & Music
My name is Kristi Stelter and I am the music and band teacher at Westside Christian. I grew up in Lake Benton, MN and then attended Augustana University. I taught band and choir in SD and MN for several years before returning back to Sioux Falls to attend Sioux Falls Seminary. After a few years of helping start the WestSide Lutheran community, I found a connection to West Nidaros and have been on staff here since November of 2014.
I currently live in Sioux Falls with my two very furry Pomeranian pups, Francie and Graci.
In addition to being on staff at West Nidaros, I teach music and band at Westside Christian School in Sioux Falls, and I also teach private piano and instrumental lessons. In my free time, I enjoy eating out with friends, playing cards, reading and having a nice ice cream treat from time to time. I also enjoy traveling to MN to see my extended family…”Auntie Kristi” is one of my most treasured titles and spending time with my many nieces and nephews is always a highlight for me.
The best part of my job is that through music ministry, I get to do music with people who share the same passion, and do it for the glory of God!
My favorite Bible verses are Joshua 1:9: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” and Psalm 100:1, “ Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness."