Meet the Staff
Meet the friendly staff of TVLC. All Staff members can be reached by:
Office Phone: (520) 749-1606
Preschool Phone: (520) 749-1738
FAX: (520) 749-9814
Office E-Mail
Preschool E-Mail
Pastor Gayle Bintliff
Lead Pastor
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The Rev. Gayle L. Bintliff has served as pastor of Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church in Minneapolis since 2007. She previously served as interim associate pastor at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and as associate pastor at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Phoenix.
Pastor Gayle earned a Master of Divinity degree at Luther Seminary in St. Paul and has a Bachelor of Science, Ed., Speech /Communications from the University of North Dakota. Pastor Gayle went to seminary after the sudden death of her first husband some 14 years ago. Prior to attending Luther Seminary and her ordination in 2001, Pastor Gayle served as director of lay ministries at First Lutheran Church; hospice director at Mercy Hospice; and chaplain at Mercy Recovery Center, all in Williston, N.D.
Pastor Gayle has extensive experience in national and synodical church activities, including as a speaker and workshop presenter at synod assemblies and other gatherings; a member of the ELCA's Ministry in Daily Life Steering Committee; a member of the Grand Canyon Synod Council and Grand Canyon Synod Ecumenical Council; and a preacher and teacher for women's events.
Pastor Gayle has three grown children and four grandchildren. Her mother and four siblings live in North and South Dakota. Her husband Jay is an actor and lay professional in the Episcopal church.
Billy Denson, Jr
Youth Minister
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The youngest of five, with four older sisters, Billy was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. He grew up a Baptist and attended the University of Kansas (rock chalk Jayhawk!). There he double majored in Criminology and Sociology with a minor in Communications 1997. In the fall of 2001, Billy received his Tentmakers Youth Ministers Certification. He has worked with youth since his freshman year in college at churches in Kansas and Illinois. While in Kansas, he coached girl's basketball, worked with at-risk youth, a church youth group and was employed as a probation officer all at the same time.
Here at TVLC, Billy assists with oversight of E.D.G.E. Jr. High Youth and gives direct oversight of the Senior High Youth working to equip, encourage, and befriend youth and their families. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, playing basketball, ultimate frisbee, writing and hanging out with his wife, Beka.
Donna Elmquist
Mari Eklund
Susan Herganhan
Children's Ministries
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Donna Elmquist
Preschool Director
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My name is Donna Elmquist and I began as the interium Director in December 2010. I would like to share a little about myself. I was the Director at this school for 17 years. I retired in July of 2009. I have been busy during that time doing volunteer work both at Tanqe Verde Lutheran Church and in the community. I have co-chaired the Sunday School here since May of 2010. It has been lots of fun working with children again in God's house. I love teaching and sharing God's love with children! They love the stories in the Bible and the children's songs are ageless. I am married to my husband Don for 41 years and we have two children Todd, who is the Daddy of my only grandchild, Dillan. She is 7 and lives in Kansas City. I see her 3-4 times a year but still that isn't enough! My daughter lives here in Tucson. She loves to volunteer at her church, which is close to her home and read. She is single and loves her kitty, Jade. I look forward to meeting all our new families and re-visiting our past families.
Fred Heinrichs
Director of Operations
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Prior to coming to TVLC in 2004, Fred was administrator at El Camino Baptist Church for seven years. He is a near-native to Tucson, coming here as a youngster in 1949. He graduated from the U of A and is a nationally Certified Church Administrator. Fred comes from a mining family and he himself worked in that industry for over twenty years before finding a calling in church administration.
Fred met the love of his life, Mary in the first grade. Happily married for nearly thirty-eight years they have three adult children. Oldest daughter, Myla, is an honors graduate of Pacific Lutheran University. She is a CPA and lives in Tacoma, Washington with her husband, Rob and son Reece. Middle son, Aubrin is a graduate of Montana State University. He is married to Serena, and is the proud father of three little girls Arianna, Aaliyah, and Amber. Aubrin and Serena are expecting another child in November. Fred's youngest daughter, Aelynn is a graduate of the U of A, having majored in Media Art and is beginning a career in film in Southern California.
A Boy Scout Chaplain for over twelve years, Fred has a love of the outdoors. Skiing is his favorite pursuit along with hiking, and backpacking. His other interests are woodworking and a '34 Pontiac street rod in the making.
Nan Smith, RN
Parish Nurse
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Nan was born and raised in Hazleton, Pennsylvania - the heart of the anthracite coal country. After high school she completed nurses training and became a registered nurse working at the local hospital. Active in her church, Christ Evangelical Lutheran, she was a Sunday school teacher, lector, and on church council. Through these contacts she found a Christian calling in her profession as a Parish Nurse.
God had blessed her with a talent to share the nursing education and Christ centered spirituality. At her church she served as parish nurse for 17 years. In this capacity she was a personal health councilor for the congregation members. She prepared and taught health maintenance, disease prevention, and assessed health problems making appropriate referrals to physicians and community health services. The information she provided was focused on intentional care of the spirit, promoting holistic health, and preventing or minimizing illness.
She and her husband Harvey moved October 2007 to Tucson. Nan and Harvey have three grown children: Daughters - Rev Cora Lee Meier and her husband Harold who live in Mesa and Iva Small and her husband Reid and grandson William, with whom they live with in Rita Ranch, and a son Matthew and his wife Melissa who live in Pennsylvania.
Sherri McClellan
Saturday Night & Contemporary Praise Worship Leader
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Sherri moved from Pennsylvania to Tucson in 1994 to study music at the U of A where she received her MA in Voice Performance. As a graduate student, Sherri became involved with worship and music at the Lutheran Campus Ministry.
She has worshipped at TVLC since 1998 when she and her husband, Paul, became members. They were married at TVLC in 1999 and are overjoyed with the recent birth of their first child, Claire Elizabeth.
Sherri is the leader of contemporary worship music for the Saturday 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m. services. She selects the music, directs the musicians and acts as worship leader.
Vivian Wilsdon
Reformation Ringers Director
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I am an Arizona native and have lived in Tucson since January 1981. I've been a member of TVLC since 1985 and have enjoyed many volunteer activities over the years. Presently I volunteer in the library as a storyteller, assist with communion, am a lay reader, sing in the choir, and assist with the coffee on Sundays after church. I am also privileged to lead the Reformation Ringers. What a great group!
I've always enjoyed music and earned a BA in music education from ASU in 1969. I also earned a BS in nursing from U of A in 1983 and worked as a registered nurse at TMC for several years before taking time out to be at home with my family. I have two daughters, Heather and Jonelle.
Most recently I have been teaching 1st and 2nd grades at Faith Lutheran Church.
Joyce Swinehart
Traditional and Blended Worship Organist
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Greg Starr
Contemporary Keyboardist
Greg has worked in Church Music since 1985, serving congregations in Washington State, Wisconsin, and Tucson.
He has enjoyed a long career in music production, writing and producing music for numerous clients including Wisconsin Public Television, Milwaukee Children's Theater, the Library Of Congress, Lutheran Brotherhood, and Hal Leonard Corporation.
His performance credits include numerous solo and ensemble performances, including the Northwest Chamber Orchestra (Bach f-minor Keyboard Concerto), Orchestra of Central Washington University (Saint- Saens Piano Concerto No.2 in g minor), the Kenosha Symphony, Michael Drake and the No Tan Lines Band, Milwaukee Opera Company, Milwaukee Musical Theatre, Mr.Steve Allen, and several commercial pop and rock bands.
He is a former editor in the Keyboard Product Development Department at Hal Leonard Corporation, where he authored numerous books, articles, and music arrangements for commercial publication. He is the owner of Quiet Rain Music, a boutique producer of solo piano and electronic music recordings.
Greg received his M.M. in Piano Performance from Central Washington University, where he also earned undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Music Theory/Composition. His piano instructors have included Lochrem Johnson, Dr. Donald Chan, Tim Strong, and Dr. Bonnie Bricker-Smith.
Caleb Nihira
Chancel Choir Director
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Caleb joined the staff at TVLC in August of 2011. He received a BA in Music from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and also teaches music at Academy of Tucson.
Dee Sundby
Witness and Outreach Administrative Assistant
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Karen Herhold
TVLC Publications
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After many years of living in different states and countries, the desire to move back to the southwest finally became possible. As with many people, career plans are changed based on the economies of our world. Actually, I think God was responsible for getting me out of the corporate world, as I was not able to make the leap.
Working at TVLC in the publications area, permits me to use and expand upon my creative skills. A computer nerd I will never be, but the artsy creativity that is possible is just great. Plus, it is nice to get to know more of the congregation. I was baptized and confirmed as a Lutheran, and I am quite content with this church family.
When not at work or making improvements on my home or filling my yard with native plants, I do what really provides satisfaction. That is, being creative, whether it is with fibers, fabrics, tiles or paints, using favorite colors and naturally with a southwest flair. Staying busy at home brings a feeling of contentment, as I have traveled enough for this life time. I also do volunteer work to try to give back to the world.
Life causes me to laugh at myself as I have become the little older woman who has pets that control her life and are taken care of in her will. They teach and give me so much, especially the Aussies. Dogs are much better humans than we could ever hope to become. I wonder why God has such good traits inbred in dogs? We struggle a life time to develop them and never succeed.
Nancy Schaffer
Bookkeeper
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Nancy was born in Phoenix, AZ and considers herself an Arizona native even though her family moved to Farmington, New Mexico while she was in elementary school. She came back to Arizona to attend college, and graduated from the University of Arizona with degrees in Chemical Engineering and Accounting. She has worked in both fields, as an engineer for DuPont, and as a financial analyst for Hughes Aircraft Company. She took the position as Bookkeeper at TVLC after the summer of 2004.
Nancy met her husband, Scott, while at the U of A, and they now have two wonderful children. Their family enjoys sports of all kinds, and Nancy has learned what it is to be a soccer mom.
Nancy became a member of TVLC in 1995 and has taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. She has also served on the Finance Committee and the Family Life Steering Committee. She served on the church council for two terms, the second term as Council President.
Joe Smothers
Buildings and Maintenance
Worship Assistants
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Webpage Maintenance
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