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JIM MUPRHY, LEAD PASTOR
jim@redwingfirstcov.org Jim’s love for people and the church and his commitment to Christ and calling to ministry has sustained him as a pastor since he started serving in vocational ministry in 1992. He loves preaching and teaching, organizational leadership, and helping people find and follow Jesus. He is ordained to Word and Sacrament with the Evangelical Covenant Church and received his Master of Divinity from Bethel Seminary and Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies from Oak Hills Christian College. Serving First Covenant since January of 2021, this is his fourth church, previously serving in Forest Lake, MN, Bemidji, MN, and Phoenix, AZ. He was also a project manager for ECC’s Embrace initiative, an adjunct faculty at Grand Canyon University, as well as a speaker and a blogger. Jim and his wife, Deanna, have been married since 1994 and have two daughters, Natalie and Greta. When he isn’t serving or leading in the church, he’s working on a house project, watching an action/adventure movie, golfing, snowboarding, traveling, or just playing games with friends or family. |
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MIKE BECHTOLD, ASSOCIATE PASTOR
mike@redwingfirstcov.org Mike grew up in central Minnesota where God called him to ministry since he was a teenager. He is passionate about teaching and seeing people develop a deeper connect to God and Christ's Church! Mike has his Bachelor's from Oak Hills Christian College, which is where he also met his wife, Anna. He also received a Master's of Divinity from Bethel Seminary and is set to be ordained in the Evangelical Covenant denomination in June 2021. Mike has been on staff with First Covenant Church since February 2017, but has served in several ministry positions of various sizes and contexts since 2005. In his free time, Mike likes to golf, playing games, and enjoying the outdoors. Mike and Anna have two daughters, Annika and Molly. |
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SARAH BENIDT-GRAVE, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
assistant@redwingfirstcov.org Sarah joined the staff of First Covenant in January 1999. As the Office Administrator, Sarah creates the weekly bulletins, e-news, the Messenger, worship slides, and posters. Sarah’s other responsibilities include updating/maintaining the church database, scheduling the Family Life Center, accounts payable, and assisting staff and ministry leaders in their responsibilities. Sarah and her husband, Gene, have been married 30 years and have two grown children, Alicia and Aaron. She enjoys watching tennis (is a big Roger Federer fan), camping, biking, hiking, snowshoeing, walking, sailing, bottom line…anything fitness. Stop by my office anytime to say “hi!” |
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HUNTER MELTON, YOUNG LIFE COORDINATOR
yl.redwing@gmail.com Hunter is originally from Alexandria, Minnesota. It was there that he grew in knowledge of the Lord and was blessed to have been mentored by many wonderful, caring adults. He has a bachelor’s degree in ministry leadership from Moody Bible Institute. His passion for working with youth stems from the incredible life change that he has seen, both in his life, as well as in the lives of the students he has walked alongside of. He and his wife, Eleanor, are excited to serve the students and families in our community. |
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ANNA BECHTOLD, BAND LEADER
Anna has lived in Minnesota since 2006, where she attended Oak Hills Christian College in Bemidji. She graduated with her B.A. in Contemporary Worship and Biblical Studies. Anna has been serving on worship teams since 2002 in Wisconsin, Colorado and Minnesota. She joined the staff at First Covenant Church in February 2017, as the band leader. Anna and Mike have been married since 2009, and have two wonderful girls, Annika and Molly. Anna’s hobbies include traveling, theater, art, cooking, baking, hiking, movies, reading and board games. |
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DAROLD GLANDER, CUSTODIAN
Darold was born and raised in Red Wing and resides in Red Wing along with his wife, Julie. They have two adult sons, Andrew and Matt. In March of 2014, Darold retired from the Red Wing Police Department following over 32 years of service. He started his Law Enforcement Career with the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Department and worked there fourteen months before starting with Red Wing. Darold and his wife enjoy camping and spending time with our families. In his spare time he enjoys tennis, racquetball and bicycling. |