Staff

STAFF

Mike Sindelar
Senior Pastor
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Mike’s involvement with Valley Free goes back many years. Valley Free was instrumental in showing Mike and his wife, Sandy, the vitality, grace and truth of a loving church community in their early years of marriage. With this positive influence in those early years, Mike and Sandy continued to grow in Christ as they were woven into the church family. Seeing Christ at work in the fellowship of the church family was formed into a passion to help others experience Christ’s love in the context of community. That passion led Mike and Sandy, along with their three kids, to become church-planting missionaries to Pitesti, Romania. They saw God move in many ways to establish a sister-church in that city. Following ten years of ministry in Romania, Mike and Sandy returned to Chaska where Mike took up the role of Pastor of Ministry Development at Valley Free. Mike often says, "The church needs to take up the challenge to raise up its own leaders and to send people into the world who are well-equipped to share Christ within their sphere of influence."

In January 2009, Mike was selected to be the senior pastor of Valley.
The Sindelars live in Chaska and love spending time with their family. Mike will also brag about their grandchildren, Joel and Vivian Mae, who were born to Jeremy and his wife, Sarah. Mike is also quick to brag about his family. He considers Sandy, his wife of 31 years, his partner in ministry. They have three children, Jeremy, Justin and Jennifer who are all married to great spouses!

 

Andrew Peterson
Pastor of Youth & Young Adults
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I am more commonly know by the youth at Valley as Skins (don't ask me why, there is no good explanation). I desire to see the Holy Spirit work in my life and the life of others in powerful ways beyond human explanation. I also long for the day when Christ will return to make all things new and remove every tear from our eyes. I appreciate the life of Jesus Christ, and am thankful for redemption in Him.

I cherish and enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife, Brittany. The two of us enjoy having youth over to our house. We are grateful for all the trips and weekly meetings which allow us to spend quality time with a variety of youth. I have far too many interests and hobbies to post on a short bio. Stop by my office, we can grab some food or coffee and get to know each other. I love hearing people's stories.

 

Mary Hamilton
Office Administrator
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“It’s so good to see you again!” Mary has found herself repeating those words many times since returning to Valley. “Returning”, because she and her late husband, Ron, and their two sons, Josh and Isaac, were part of Valley while their boys were growing up. Ron and Mary were blessed to be part of the music ministry here. Even though she now attends Wooddale Church, Mary says , “Valley holds a special place in my heart.”

For the past four years Mary has worked as Manager of Donor Services at Crown College and for fourteen years prior to that she was the Office Manager at Chapel Hill Academy. Mary is enjoying her new position here…"I get to spend my workdays with wonderful, caring, and humorous co-workers/friends." Mary believes that her Lord is interested in and has control of every detail of her life and is confident that He has placed her at Valley for her good and His glory. (Jer. 9:11)

Mary lives in Chanhassen and her favorite thing to do is Skype her 15-month old grand-daughter, Shelby!

 

Lanell Plath
Communications Director
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Valley isn’t just a church to Lanell, it’s a part of her family. She and her husband, Kjell, began attending Valley over 14 years ago as a couple of newlyweds. Valley has seen and been a part of the maturing of their marriage, as well as the birth and growth of their two girls.

After 9 years as a stay-at-home mom, Lanell is excited to join the workforce again. She brings with her a BSBA in Marketing Management, as well as a background in graphic design and account management for the direct mail industry.

Outside of Valley, you will find Lanell playing volleyball, reading or working in her garden, unless it’s football season. Then you will find her planted in front of the TV cheering on the Nebraska Huskers. Go Big Red!!

 

Jan Schmit
Children's Education Director
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Ron and Jan have been married for 20 years and have 2 fabulous kids: Katie - 16 and Philip - 12.They enjoy traveling and exploring new places, camping, baseball, softball and hanging out together. Jan loves to read, garden and spend time with friends.

Jan has a double major from St. Cloud State University in Social Work and Sociology. She was a stay-at-home mom for 15 years and is slowly returning to the workforce. Jan enjoys volunteering at her kids’ schools, providing some part-time daycare, coaching, and finding service opportunities at Valley. Over the years at Valley she has been blessed by participating in a number of ministries including Children's Sunday School, VBS, Praise and Worship, and the Awana program. This is Jan’s ninth year as Awana Commander. Jan says, “I believe in the program and am proud to be a part of it. It is an honor to be on staff as the Children's Education Director and I look forward to seeing how God blesses our children's ministry.