Church Staff

Ken Larson, Interim Lead Pastor
kcl7880@gmail.com

Ken Larson is an ordained Covenant pastor. He grew up in Minneapolis until the age of 10 when his family moved to Oregon and eventually to southern California. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from North Park University (English) and North Park Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He began his ministry in 1975 and has been privileged to serve churches in Marion, OH; Rochester, MN; Bellingham, WA; Syracuse, NY; and Farmington Hills, MI. He has been married to Laurie for 46 years and together they have two married adult children (Hilary and Ben), and six grandchildren ranging in age from 3 to 13. Ken likes golf, cycling, and working out (when the golf course is closed), and enjoys movies, live theater and reading all kinds of books.

Mike Bechtold, Associate Pastor for Youth
mike@redwingfirstcov.org

Mike grew up in central Minnesota where God grabbed his heart for His Church. He attended Oak Hills Christian College in Bemidji, MN where he also met his wife, Anna. After school, Mike continued to serve at the Covenant Church in Bemidji until making the move to the Covenant Church in Mankato. While in Mankato, Mike started his seminary journey at Bethel Seminary in Arden Hills, MN before moving to us here at First Covenant. Mike is passionate about youth ministry and teaching God’s word. Mike and Anna have two daughters, Annika and Molly.

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!”

Darold Glander, Custodian

I was born and raised in Red Wing and reside in Red Wing along with my wife, Julie. We have two adult sons, Andrew and Matt. In March of 2014, I retired from the Red Wing Police Department following over 32 years of service. I started my Law Enforcement Career with the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Department and worked there fourteen months before starting with Red Wing. Shortly after retiring, I started delivering flowers for Hallstrom’s Florist a couple days a week and plan to continue with that work. Julie and I enjoy camping and spending time with our families. In my spare time I enjoy tennis, racquetball and bicycling.