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Ralph and Candy have been a part of the North Branch community for 17 years and see incredible potential for the local church to be a transformative influence in the community.
Ralph had his own call to ministry affirmed at Main Street Church and began the long road to ministry by attending Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN. He graduated with a Master of Divinity that holds a focus in Missional Leadership. During seminary, Ralph was employed by Grace Lutheran Church as their Church Business Administrator. Most recently, he served as the Executive Pastor at the Woodbury Campus of Eagle Brook Church. Ralph brings a deep passion to reach people for Christ and rich experience as a leader in the fastest growing church in Minnesota. Ralph has a vision of hope for the Main Street Church, North Branch community and beyond! |
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Rebecca is originally from North Branch. Through the years she has lived in several different states and has come to know that she is a Minnesotan through and through. Minnesota is the place to be!
Her ministry journey began in 1994 right here at MSC when it was called North Branch United Methodist Church. Since then she has served as a worship director for three different churches before arriving back at Main Street Church. At the end of 2008, Rebecca resigned as a worship director and traveled throughout the United States leading worship in uncommon places such as parks, coffee shops, living rooms, bonfires, prisons and garages. Along with the common places such as retreats, camps, youth groups and churches. During this time she began facilitating retreats, conferences and seminars which are designed to encourage the church body into wholeness. Through this process the ministry Shalom Life was birthed. Rebecca serves as it’s ministry director. [www.ShalomLife.us] One of Rebecca's life verses is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and Love your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27). In 2014, Rebecca DeZurik became Rebecca Rakow as she married the most amazing guy in the world, Gary Rakow. They do not have kids but instead have three very spoiled cats. |
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Miriam or “Mim” - as most kids would know her - has been involved in ministry for as long as she can remember! She grew up in a pastor’s family, married a pastor and loves to work with them!
She comes with the gifts to do whatever will energize children, youth and families to discover and become all God has called and gifted them to be! She’s has worked at all levels of the leadership within the church, including the National Office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, but her favorite role is – growing in faith and community with children, youth and families. She comes to us from Brooklyn United Methodist Church in Brooklyn Center where she served as a consultant during a time of transition. She enjoys spending as much time as she can outdoors doing anything – except trying to harvest strawberries and cherry tomatoes before the squirrels and bunnies do. She has four girls, one amazing grandbaby, named Ebba, with another one on the way. |
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Michelle is a life-long resident of North Branch and her first church was the original North Branch Methodist Church. She is married and has two adult children who also grew up in this church.
Michelle has a passion for the youth. She has been assisting the youth leaders for several years as a small group leader for our Wednesday Night youth program. She also volunteers with other community organizations. Michelle is excited to be a part of a team spreading compassion and the “Good News” of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and to help people know they are loved. |
