I was born in Orange, Texas and later moved to Grundy Center, IA. I went to Wartburg College in Waverly, IA and graduated with a major in Social Work. I then went to Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA where I received my Masters of Divinity. My father is a retired Lutheran pastor. I come from a long line of Lutheran pastors: fourth generation on my mom’s side and fifth on my dad’s. I have a younger sister and brother who live in Minnesota and Spain.  

I met my wife, Nancy while working two summers at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp in Iowa. I was a counselor and she was one of the camp nurses. Nancy graduated from St. Olaf with a nursing degree. She worked a few years as a nurse but then became a paraprofessional in the school system working mostly with kids with special needs. 

We have two adult children, two grand-daughters plus a grand-dog. Our oldest, Steven is married to Lindsay and they have two daughters, Alice Pearl and Violet Noelle. Steven is an ELCA pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, MN and is a Lindsay Registered Nurse in the Twin Cities. Our daughter, Rachel has her Master of Arts degree in Youth and Family Ministry and works as a Front Office Administrator and Event Planner at the Saint Paul Area Synod. Her husband, Lucas Holsten is an ELCA Pastor at Redeemer Lutheran in Burkhardt, WI. They live in Stillwater, MN. 

My faith journey began when I was baptized Jan. 18th, 1959. My faith was nurtured by parents, grandparents, Sunday School and Confirmation teachers and Bible Camp both as a camper and counselor. I felt called to be a pastor while in college. My favorite verse is Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” 

I have served as a solo pastor, youth and family pastor and education pastor at churches in WI (near Viroqua and in Marshfield) and in Iowa (Cedar Falls, Ankeny and Burlington.) Hobbies include: riding bike, going on walks, reading (fiction and fantasy/science fiction), watching and cheering the Packers and watching movies. We enjoy spending time with our family.

I have lived in Chippewa Falls most of my life.  My family moved to here when I was in 2nd grade from Duluth, MN.  

I have an Administrative Assistant-Associate Degree from Chippewa Valley  

Technical College as well as 25+ years of experience.  I grew up in a Presbyterian Church, with my father being the Pastor. I think this has been very helpful in my role in the church at ELCB!  

I have a 26-year-old daughter, Makaya, who is an Art Teacher at DeLong Middle School in Eau Claire.  I also have a 6-year-old son named Greyson, who is a

going into 2nd grade! He is a charmer and is as sweet as can be.  I feel very blessed to be their Mom!  

My favorite thing to do is spend time at our family cabin in Iron River, WI. I also enjoy doing yard work, painting, beading jewelry, crocheting, up-cycling furniture and doing art projects with Greyson (we like painting rocks).  

My faith journey started on September 28, 1979, when I was baptized. My grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles all have (or had) a very strong faith so they have all had a significant role in my faith journey and I am so appreciative of them and the upbringing they gave me. 

My favorite bible verse is Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Deb Burfield was born in Duluth Minnesota, the daughter of a truck driver. She attended school in Tomah, and then Altoona, where she completed her freshman year of high school. After her father’s death in 1975, she and her mom moved to Fall Creek, where she finished high school and now calls home.

Deb enjoys camping, working in the yard, taking walks in the woods, and listening to the sounds of nature. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has an older sister and brother-in-law in Black River Falls, and several nieces and nephews in Marshfield and the surrounding areas.

Deb has been a very dependable and respected school bus driver for the past 25+ years. She has been employed by the Fall Creek School district for the last 20 of these years. She loves the children and they love her right back!

For several years Deb has worked as the custodian at St. James Trinity. Her duties include cleaning, setting up and taking down for weddings, funerals and other groups that use the church facilities. She also provides light maintenance inside the church, along with lawn care and light snow removal. 

In Deb’s words, “One of the things I like most about working at SJT is giving back to my church family that have helped me in my faith journey. It gives me great pleasure to offer a clean and welcoming place to worship. I love helping people, both the ones I know and strangers. There is no greater joy than sharing kindness, love, and joy to someone that may not be as fortunate. I also have much pleasure in singing in the church choir. I am thankful that I can share God’s work through the sounds of music.”