Pastor: Rev. Dr. Andrew J. Gifford
Rev. Dr. Andrew Gifford has served as the pastor of St. Luke Union Church for the past 10 years. He became a Minister of Word and Sacrament after a successful career as a sales person in the power, process, and steel industries. While in high school, he met his future wife Sandi. He and Sandi are the parents of two adult children, Benjamin and Seth. Pastor Andy enjoys offshore sailboat racing in Lake Michigan, fishing, hunting, and generally being outdoors. He attended the University of Iowa, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics. He then attended Northern Seminary, graduating with a master of divinity degree and received his doctoral degree in ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Pastor Andy’s first call was as Associate Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Ponca City, OK. Andy prides himself with a gift for relationship building both in and outside the local church. His energy and vision focus on the current and future role of the church in society and culture. His passion is to help people build relationships with Jesus and believes the church to be a positive and influential part of God’s mission for individuals and the world.
Office Manager: Susan Walter
Susan joined the SLUC team in November 2022. Born and raised in Downs, Susan attended ISU and received her bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in business administration. She and her husband, Andrew are parents to two awesome kids, Olivia and Maddux and a dog named Maggie. Susan brings experiences from the insurance industry and retail. In her free time, Susan enjoys reading and gardening.
Music Director: David S.
David has been a Church Music Director in Illinois and Iowa since 1991 and has been an organist since 1983. He has served Lutheran, Methodist, and Episcopal congregations in all forms of keyboard/pipe organ accompaniment, choir directing, handbells, worship planning, and music arranging using cutting edge technology. David had been a Middle School Band Director since 1992 and is currently the Band and Vocal Director at a middle school and high school in town. In addition to his teaching and church work, he is a professional multi-keyboardist that has primarily played country and blues from clubs to large concerts with major artists all over the Midwest. David originates from Iowa and has music degree’s from the Berklee College of Music, University of Iowa, DePaul, and the University of Northern Iowa.