GracePoint Staff
The GracePoint staff is continuing to grow! Here's a list of some of our staff members:
| Click on a picture for a short introduction: | Click on an address to e-mail a staff member. | ||
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Jared Carlson | Student Ministries Pastor | jared.carlson@gracepoint-church.org 651-633-7515 Ext. 3210 |
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Ron Carlson | Facility Manager | ron.carlson@gracepoint-church.org 651-633-7515 Ext. 3222 |
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Nils Friberg | Pastor of Care | nils.friberg@gracepoint-church.org 651-633-7515 Ext. 3211 |
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Al Manning | Worship Director | al.manning@gracepoint-church.org |
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David Olson | Children's Ministry Director | david.olson@gracepoint-church.org 651-633-7515 Ext. 3216 |
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Casey Osell | Administrative Assistant | casey.osell@gracepoint-church.org 651-633-7515 Ext.3217 |
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Kevin Osell | Business Administrator | kevin.osell@gracepoint-church.org 651-633-7515 Ext. 3217 |
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Kathy Pals | Office Assistant | kathy.pals@gracepoint-church.org |
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Dennis Port | Traditional Worship Leader | dennis.port@gracepoint-church.org |
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Marie Reynolds | Early Childhood Coordinator | marie.reynolds@gracepoint-church.org |
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Stephen Smart | Junior High Pastor/Engage Worship Leader | stephen.smart@gracepoint-church.org 651-633-7515 Ext. 3210 |
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Tammy Tish |
Communications Coordinator | tammy.tish@gracepoint-church.org 651-633-7515 Ext. 3203 |
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Mark Watkins | Associate Pastor | mark.watkins@gracepoint-church.org 651-633-7515 Ext. 3212 |
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Dan Young | Senior Pastor | dan.young@gracepoint-church.org |
To connect with GracePoint's caregiving network, please use the special needs and crisis phone: 651-238-8620
Our Staff
Jared Carlson, Student Ministries Pastor: Jared is originally from Eden Prairie, MN. He graduated Bethel University in 2002 majoring in Bible and Theology. He went on to graduate from Bethel Seminary in 2005 and holds a Masters in Theological Studies. He enjoys sports of all kinds, backpacking with his wife, and the GracePoint youth group!
Ron Carlson, Facility Manager: Ron and his identical twin brother, Rich, spent their Minneapolis childhood deliberately confusing people. Ron has used his building skills in ministry at Trout Lake Camp and his "building relationship" skills in the Ukraine. He and his wife, Mary Lynn, have three adult daughters and seven grandchildren.
Nils Friberg, Pastor of Care: Nils grew up in Washington & Oregon, but came to Minnesota to get his BA and BD from Bethel College & Seminary. He served with his wife in Brazil for eight years, and then obtained a PhD from the University of Iowa. He taught at Bethel Seminary as Professor of Pastoral Care for 26 years, is a published author, and came to GracePoint in 2001. He enjoys his eight grandchildren. He’s been widowed and remarried. He has served as a police chaplain for 22 years, and also consults and mediates with people and churches in the area of moral failure by church leaders & clergy. Call him with any of your special needs.
Al Manning, Worship Director: Al has spent his entire life in New Brighton, along with his wife, Lori, and their four children. He holds a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design and has served with Lori as Administrative Directors for Lost Timber Bible Camp for the past 15 years. Prior to coming to GracePoint in 2000, Al served as Worship Director at Long Lake Community Church in New Brighton, has always enjoyed trumpet playing, a hot cup of coffee and roasting smores with his kids around the backyard campfire.
David Olson , Children's Ministry Director: Even though it’s not a pre-requisite to join staff at GracePoint, David is also a Bethel graduate. He holds a B.A. in Theater with a minor in Music, which he taps into frequently with Children’s Ministry. He LOVES kids, loves to be a part of getting kids excited about God, and can’t wait until he is blessed with his own. David’s favorite things to do are spending time with his wife Sarah, hanging out with friends, or reading something while having a cup of coffee. In fact… he’ll do just about anything if there’s coffee involved!
Casey Osell, Administrative Assistant: Casey is proud of her hick roots from growing up in Spooner, WI and definitely eats her fair share of cheese. She has a B.A. in business and recently started another full-time job that she absolutely loves: motherhood! Tyler was born in February of 2008—he is a chatterbox like his mom and does many cute things daily (which is why his mother has taken several thousand pictures of him already. . .literally). Casey loves to be outside, eat chocolate, and spend time with her boys, including GracePoint’s business administrator, Kevin.
Kevin Osell, Business Administrator: Kevin grew up in the Brainerd Lakes area where he learned to appreciate the outdoors, which he now enjoys through biking and fly-fishing. Kevin adores his wife, Casey, and their son, Tyler. He has made two trips through Bethel graduating from the college with a B.A. in finance / accounting and a Masters of Divinity from Bethel Seminary.
Kathy Pals: Office Assistant. Kathy grew up in Ida Grove, Iowa and after 28 years in Minnesota, finally claims to be from Minnesota. She has a B.S. in psychology, which has given her necessary resources to draw from as she raises four children and works as a church staff member. Chocolate is usually available as a bribe to stop by her desk.
Dennis Port, Traditional Worship Leader: Dennis is Director of Choral Activities at Bethel University, where he directs the Male Chorus, Festival Choir, Chamber Choirs, and Bethel Choir. He lives in Shoreview with his wife Nola and has two daughters and four grandsons. Dennis started the GracePoint choir in the family room of Phil and Ardy Carlson in 1964 and has now come “full circle.” He also directs an adult chorale, Evangelion, which travels to Ukraine every two years in a classical music ministry.
Marie Reynolds, Early Childhood Coordinator: Marie grew up on a farm in Faribault, MN, and retains a love for the outdoors and nature. Her B.A. in Family and Child Development comes in handy In her "day job" as a preschool teacher and in her part-time work with the youngest members of the GracePoint community. In her free time, she enjoys scrapbooking, knitting, and stamping.
Stephen Smart, Junior High Pastor/Engage Worship Leader:
Stephen hails from Macomb, IL and is a graduate of Lincoln Christian College & Seminary. He holds a BA in General Ministry with his primary focuses on Youth and Worship. Stephen loves working with the youth of today, developing their walk with Christ, as well as leading others to Christ through worship. Stephen enjoys most sports, camping, hiking, boating, fishing, music, and most importantly spending time with his girlfriend Kristie. Stephen was the Associate Pastor of Youth and Worship at a church in Dassel MN for 4 years before coming to GracePoint.
Tammy Tish , Communications Coordinator: Tammy grew up in Shoreview Minnesota, and graduated from Bethel College with an Elementary Ed. degree. All that training paid off as she stayed home for 17 years to raise her two children. Due to required travel for her husband Tracy's job, the family has enjoyed living on three different continents, Australia being the favorite.
Mark Watkins, Associate Pastor: Mark is a Bethel Seminary graduate and served as pastor of two other churches in Minnesota before coming to GracePoint. He and his wife, Vera, have three grown sons. Pastor Mark is eager to encourage all who wish to know Jesus Christ and grow in their relationship to Him.
Dan Young, Senior Pastor: Dan is a graduate of Biblical Seminary in Hatfield, PA and served a church in Doylestown, PA for over 27 years before coming to GracePoint. He and his wife, Emily have four grown children. Pastor Dan is passionate about teaching the Word, prayer, and leading the church.