Steven L. Schwier, Senior Pastor

Pastor Steve began serving as senior pastor at CTK on February 1, 2000. He and Kathy, his wife of 34+ years, moved here from Richmond, IN, where he had served as pastor of St. Paul's for 13 years. His first call was to Our Savior, Princeton, IN, where he served for nine years. Kathy works in the Physical Development office at Penn High School. Kathy and Steve are the parents of Layne, a track and cross country coach at the University of North Carolina--Wilmington, and Julie, an accountant with Crowe Chizek in South Bend, who was married to Michael Markiewicz on July 30, 2005. Both Kathy and Steve are native Hoosiers from the southeastern quadrant of the state and "lake-effect" was not part of their vocabulary until moving to this community. Pastor Steve is a graduate of Ball State University (BS-73), Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC (M Div-77), and Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (D Min-99).

Loren J. Van Oort, Pastor Emeritus

Loren and Lorrie were born and raised in NW Iowa and SW Minnesota. They were married in 1957 after meeting during their high school days at Fulda, MN. Loren earned a BA at Wartburg College in 1959 and a Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary in 1963. Their eldest daughters were born during these student days, Leann in 1958 and Lisa in 1960. Lila arrived in 1964 while Loren was serving at St. John Lutheran, Princeton, IL, 1963 to 1968. Loren became the Mission Developer at Christ the King in 1968 and served as a pastor here through 1999, when he retired. Lorrie also retired at that time after 25 years of service at Michiana Anesthesia Care.

Maretta Hershberger, Associate in Ministry
Music Director

A native of Western Maryland, Maretta was drawn to church music from a very young age, beginning her career as a church musician at the age of 12. She received a BA in Music Education from Eastern Mennonite College, and later obtained an MA in Church Leadership from Eastern Mennonite Seminary, concentrating in congregational worship and music. After virtually a life-time of music ministry in various denominational settings, she came to Christ the King late in December of 1995. In 1999 she was commissioned an Associate in Ministry in the ELCA. She is a member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. When she is "off duty" she rings in a community handbell choir, reads, and occasionally sews and pieces quilts.

Todd Lotridge, Youth Director

Originally from nearby Niles, Michigan, Todd has been involved in youth ministry for over 15 years. In 1994 Todd received his BS in Communications, with an emphasis in Public Relations and Advertising, from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. After college Todd continued working with youth and young adults in a variety of denominational settings in and around Grand Rapids, during which time he worked as a staffing specialist at a local staffing agency, placing people in skilled and unskilled labor positions. He returned to Michiana in 1997 to take a new position at a staffing agency in Niles. In 1999 he married Ann Marie, whom he describes as "a wonderful woman of God," and that same year was called to Christ the King as Youth Director. Ann Marie and Todd were blessed with Jacob Ryan in February of 2003, and Alayna Morgan in December of 2005. Todd is currently a student at Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago. He is excited about serving the Lord at CTK and looks forward to raising his family in the South Bend area.

Don Zerfas, Business Manager

Don and his family have lived in the South Bend area since 1978 and have been members at Christ the King since 1984. Don and his wife Cookie have three sons (and two granddaughters) with only one boy "still in the nest". Besides Don's involvement on staff, both Don and Cookie have been active with various committees and ministries at CTK. Don graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. In his role as Business Manager, Don handles the routine accounting duties and provides financial support to the staff, Church Council, and committee members.

Kathy Olson, Ministry Coordinator

Kathy became a member of Christ the King in 1987 after moving to the South Bend area from Charlotte, North Carolina. She and her husband, Greg (of 18 years) are the parents of Drew, a freshman at DePauw University, and Abby, a high school junior. Greg has been an accountant at AM General for over 30 years. After receiving a Bachelor's degree from East Carolina University and a Master's degree from Ohio University, both in Speech Pathology, Kathy worked for 28 years in that profession. Having been active through Handbells, Assisting Minister, Outreach Committee, Church Council and Natural Church Development, it was a perfect fit for Kathy to be called to serve as Ministry Coordinator at CtK. In her new role, Kathy will give organizational direction and administrative leadership in the development of a volunteer services program which will recruit, assist in the assessment of spiritual gifts, skills, and ministry interests, and connect people to lay ministry opportunities.