Staff & Leadership
Senior Pastor Michael Lerud
Pastor Mike spent his formative years growing up in North Dakota and was inspired after high school to attend the University of North Dakota to obtain his college degree. It was while attending UND, he was first introduced to the Gospel message through some of the “Campus Crusade for Christ” staff. As a result, he came to know Christ as Savior.
After garnering a bit more life experience, education, (and a lovely wife… Joanna!), the newlyweds began their life together in Grafton, ND, and spent three years teaching high school. Shortly after, Pastor Mike decided to apply his talent and pursue further education by attending North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls where he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree.
In 1986 he began serving as Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Steamboat Rock located in the “state known for corn” (better known as Iowa). In 1996 God called Pastor and his family to Redeemer Baptist Church where he has been serving ever since. Over the years they have been blessed with four children (now all grown up!): Arika (married to Caleb); Anthony; Katie; and Joshua.
Currently, Pastor Mike fills his days with leading a church that is caring, real and reflects Christ’s values and priorities. He enjoys spending his free time with his wife and family and looks forward to one of their favorite yearly vacation spots, Village Creek Bible Camp, located in Lansing, IA.
In Colossians 2:6-7, the Apostle Paul challenged believers with the words, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Pastor Mike’s greatest desire and service is to help people come to know Jesus and grow in the knowledge of Him.
Josiah Quant, Youth Director
Josiah grew up in Shoreview, MN and throughout the years has developed an increasing interest in ministry. Since age nine-when he was introduced into his first “spiritual conversation” with a friend at a day camp-he has always felt that God would direct Him to some kind of full time ministry. Josiah is currently enrolled as a part time student at Century College and hopes to transfer to the University of Minnesota to complete a four year Computer Science degree. He loves missions and for the past few years has spent a month each summer in Monterrey, Mexico working on church building projects and running summer camps for teenagers.
After being ministered to at life-changing summer camps, small groups, and youth rallies as a teenager, Josiah developed a passion for teen evangelism and is excited to be a part of the youth ministry at Redeemer! His goal for the teen ministry is to build consistent opportunities for service, outreach and training. He looks forward to both teaching and guiding each teen, equipping them to share their faith and then going with them, leading the way.
As Matthew 5:16 states “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” It is Josiah’s greatest desire to be a light in a dark world and encourages teens to hold that same desire in each of their lives.
Phil Sanders, Elder
Phil grew up in the community that surrounds Redeemer Baptist Church and attended a Christian grade school that once stood at the Northwest corner of Geneva and Stillwater Road for his first 3 years of schooling.
While attending Harding High School (located on St. Paul’s Eastside), he met his lovely wife to be, Mary Kampfer in a sophomore English class. Early in their courtship, Phil began to attend Mary’s church, Dayton’s Bluff Baptist Church (then located at fifth and Mendota) which later moved to Oakdale and became Redeemer Baptist Church.
Mary and Phil were married in the old church December 26, 1956, while Phil was home on military leave from the Army. After completing his military service, he attended Northwestern Electronics Institute in Minneapolis and then began a 34 year career with the St. Paul Police Department in the field of electronic communications.
Mary and Phil currently live in West Lake Township, Washington County where they raised their family of 3 girls and 2 boys who are now all married. At present there are 15 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
Phil committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ while attending Vacation Bible School at a small country church near Amery, Wisconsin. He says he never fully understood what that commitment truly meant until he reached his mid 30’s. He attributes much of the gradual change in his heart towards the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the answered prayers of a Godly mother and wife.
He says he is what he is today (a child of God) through Christ alone, the Scripture alone and Grace alone. This gift from God is an eternal treasure worthy of worship, praise and service to Him who offers this gift freely in love.
In addition to serving at RBC, Mary and Phil have served with Bible Study Fellowship International for the past 20 years.
Phil and Mary’s greatest desire is to see a really good church (RBC) become an even greater church for the salvation of many and most of all for the glory of God.
Dan Paul, Elder
Dan was born and raised in St. Paul, MN. Throughout his childhood and early adolescence he attended church regularly and believed in God, but never fully committed his life to Jesus Christ. After regularly listening to Christian radio programs and intently studying the scriptures, Dan realized his need for a spiritual awakening and accepted Christ as his personal savior at 22 years old. After graduating from Bethel College in 1985, and receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree, Dan has concentrated his career in the metal sales industry.
For over the past 20 years, Dan has been involved in his local church, serving as an elder for 12 years at Redeemer. He currently often opens worship and shares announcements, serves as an Awana game leader, and fills in as a Sunday School teacher.
He has an immense love for Isaiah 53:5-6 which states, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Dan’s greatest desire is spreading a passion for the supremacy of God just as the above verses describe a sinless and perfect sacrificial lamb who takes upon himself the sins of others so that they might be forgiven.
Dan is married to his beautiful wife Karen and is the father of three sons: Peter, Andrew & James and two daughters: Shelly & Kayla. Their family currently resides in Little Canada, MN.
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