Dr. Philip Ruge-Jones

Pastor

After I served for eighteen years as a professor of theology at Texas Lutheran University, my family decided to return to the Midwest where my wife and I grew up, attended college and seminary. I have served at Grace for the past seen years. When I am not ministering with the good people of Grace Lutheran, I travel the country to tell biblical stories and speak about God’s love. My wife of three plus decades is the Campus Pastor at University Lutheran. We have two adult children. Luisa is a professor at the University of Dayton and Lucas is the fiddler in Zach Bryan’s band.

Email Pastor Phil at [email protected]

Andrew Reid

Office Manager

I grew up coming to Grace and participated in many events and organizations the church offered from attending Luther Park Bible camp to performing in both the Ringers of Note and Pacibells handbell choirs. I attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison where I earned a degree in Classical Humanities. In my free time I enjoy reading, biking, playing music and gaming.

Email Andrew at [email protected]

Elaine Mann

Organist, Music Coordinator

I hold a Master of Music from Boston University, and Bachelor of Music degree from Greensboro College. I am an active member and Fellow of the American Guild of Organists. I am also an Associate in Ministry in the ELCA. When not playing music or attending concerts, I tend my gardens, enjoy traveling, reading, and visiting with friends and family.

Email Elaine at [email protected]

Karen Lionberger

Handbell Choir Director

Karen Lionberger has been in the Grace Lutheran music ministry since 1961, beginning in the vocal choirs. She then took piano lessons (from Avis Evenrud), and played flute and guitar in jr./high school years, often performing for worship and special events. Karen started with handbells in 1977, and over the next 37 years has attended 13 Handbell Festival Conferences, taking classes for handbell techniques for all positions and performing from treble to bass. She also took directing classes at the festivals and assisted Norma Lionberger with the kids’ groups at Grace and First Lutheran, while continuing to ring with Pacibells, and other community groups. In 2013 Karen became director of handbells at First Lutheran (now Spirit Lutheran). She brings a passion for handbells, and a wealth of musical experience to the music program at Grace.

Email Karen at [email protected]

Micah Bland

Interim Choir Director

Ryan Rogers currently serves on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire as an Assistant Professor of Music in Choral Conducting and Music Education, where he directs the Concert Choir, Symphonic Choir, and teaches courses in Music Education. Previously, Ryan served as the Interim Director of Choral Activities at Radford University. A native Texan, he studied Piano Performance and Choral Music Education at the University of Houston, graduating summa cum laude in May 2018. After completing his undergraduate, he served as an Assistant Choir Director at North Shore High School in Galena Park ISD until Spring 2021. In Spring 2023, he graduated with a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, where he served as the Principal Assistant Conductor of the Yale Glee Club and Director of the Glee Club Chamber Singers. In 2026, Ryan received his Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University and served as Music Director at First Presbyterian Church during his time in Bloomington.

Email Ryan at [email protected]

Matt Wing

Custodian

Leanne Stephanie Olson

Videographer

I was born and raised in Eau Claire and grew up seeing Grace Lutheran’s beautiful stained glass windows every Sunday. I’m the owner of Iconostar Productions LLC and work full-time as a video producer, photographer and filmmaker. I hold B.A.s in Broadcast Journalism and Psychology and have won two national Telly’s for directing documentary films.