Calvary is served by a team of three pastors – Troy Troftgruben, Kristen Larsen-Schmidt, and Roger Dykstra. We answer to just about anything, but most folks call us “Pastor Troy,” “Pastor Kristen,” and “Pastor Roger.”
Pastors
Pastor Roger
I’ve been a pastor since 1984 and have served at Calvary as Lead Pastor since March of 2006. I’m blessed to work with an incredible team of colleagues who have been called by this congregation to be staff and teammates with me. I’m blessed as well to serve in a church where so many people truly understand that the church isn’t just a building and the church isn’t just a staff of “hired people,” the church is all of its people, called by God to be the difference God’s love calls us to make in God’s world. I believe all people are uniquely gifted by God for the difference-making purpose God has created them for – not just in the church on Sunday but in the everyday moments of all days. As a pastor, I hope to help people discover the profound difference God makes in our lives, seeing us through hard times and igniting us for life that’s the real thing in all times.
Pastor Troy
troy.troftgruben@calvarygf.org
I have served at Calvary since June of 2008 and I love it. Calvary is a vibrant group of faithful people who embrace serving together, genuinely care for each other, and live out grace in their lives. While I engage equally in preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and worship leadership, I am the pastor at Calvary who works most directly with Bible Studies and men’s ministries. On the side, I teach as an adjunct instructor at UND. I grew up in the area (Park River), and Calvary is my first call as a pastor.
Pastor Kristen
I have been serving here at Calvary since January of 2009. This is my second call, having served in a smaller congregation for 6 ½ years. I love being a pastor at Calvary. It is a vibrant grace-centered place, full of generous members and warm-hearted colleagues. As one of Calvary’s pastors, I share in the privilege of preaching, teaching, visitation and worship leadership. I am the pastor who works most closely with new member orientation and women’s ministries.
Sarah Raymond – Intern Pastor and Visitation Ministries
I have been on staff for several years as the coordinator of Calvary’s Caring and Visitation Ministries. I am blessed to call on Calvary’s shut-ins and nursing home residents. I also have the privilege of coordinating a dedicated care team of visitors who call on those same people. Some other joys of my job are to facilitate a community Cancer Support Group, teach knitting and crocheting to prayer shawl makers, and preach and lead worship as needed. I am also a student at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, preparing to be an ELCA Pastor. As part of that preparation process, in the fall of 2011 I began a two-year term as an Intern Pastor at Calvary. During this time, my job description will be altered some to give me a wider range of pastoral experiences. I’m looking forward to it – and thank you for the support you give me in so many ways!
