St Paul’s Staff
Rev. Thomas V. Parrish, Pastor
Rev. Thomas Parrish was ordained into the Christian ministry in 1978. Prior to that he graduated from the University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio with an undergraduate degree in education. He taught High School for two years before entering seminar in 1974.
He is married to Janet (Gnotek) Parrish, also a graduate of the University of Toledo. They have three sons and eight grandchildren. Jan was a teacher and principal in the Minneapolis Public School System.
Thomas served Bethel Lutheran church in Dayton, Ohio from 1978-1985. Trinity Lutheran of Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis, MN from 1986-1995. Pastored Vision of Glory Lutheran in Plymouth, Mn 1995 to 2000. He spent several years working with the Pastoral Leadership Ministry taking a call to Hope Lutheran, Minneapolis, Mn from 2008 to 2015.
Thomas is currently serving St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN.
He is an author of three books plus is a regular guest on KTIS radio.
Rev. John Spaulding, Carl Rich, and Kenneth Showalter, Elders
Elder John Spaulding
Elder Carl Rich
Elder Ken Showalter
Misrak Adoga
Office Secretary
Misrak Adoga was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She grew up with three brothers and four sisters as well as other children that her parents welcomed into their home and cared for through the years. From her mother, Yimesgen, Misrak learned first-hand what it means to love others deeply and sacrificially. Misrak attended college in India where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree. Then in 2000, she moved to the United States. Several years later, she completed a course in Medical Administrative Assistant at Rasmussen College in Minnesota. Misrak began working at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in 2002 and she has served faithfully as Church Office Administrator since that time. Misrak has a passion for prayer and prayer ministry and can testify to many miraculous answers to prayer in the lives of her family members. She is married to Thomas and they have one daughter, Elul. In her spare time, Misrak enjoys knitting, watching movies and spending time with family and friends.
Lois Bodurtha
Music Director
I came to St. Paul's in 1976 as the organist, and since 1981 I have served as organist, choir director, worship team leader, pianist and vocalist. I consider it a joy and a privilege to lead the congregation in worship, teaching and encouraging people to develop their talents so they can use them to glorify God.
I love to lead worship, and am happiest when singing and playing worship music. I was Director of Global Worship, an annual concert of worship at St. Paul's featuring Twin Cities' musicians from across the globe that ran 12 years, from 2007-2019. I also edited the book, "Portraits," by Patricia Lokke, a compilation of biographies of St. Paul's members originally written for the St. Paul's Messenger.
I enjoy making music and giving informal concerts with other retired musicians who live in my condo building. I have served my community as a children’s leader and organist for Bible Study Fellowship, contact leader of my children’s 4-H club, piano teacher in my home studio, and soprano in Exultate, a professional choir in the Twin Cities.
My husband Jim and I live in Eagan and we have four children and ten grandchildren.
Carl & Cheryl Rich
Community and Children’s Ministry
Carl and Cheryl Rich have a long history with St. Paul's Church. Carl grew up in the Phillip's neighborhood and started playing softball with the St. Paul's team in 1978. Cheryl started attending in 1980. As singles, they began working with the youth and children in the church and in the neighborhood. They were married at St. Paul's in 1985 and began preparing for the mission field. Carl and Cheryl were sent out by the church and worked in the Philippines for the next twenty-two years with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). Upon returning in 2011, they serve the church community in the area of pastoral care to shut-ins and reaching out to our neighbors in the Phillips community through Bible clubs for kids and MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and helping in other mission activities.
Carl and Cheryl love the cultural diversity of the Phillips neighborhood. Carl shares his passion for the missions by facilitating the Kairos Course. This course has been used by many churches to motivate and prepare their people for missions world-wide and next door. During their free time, Carl loves to fish the lakes, while Cheryl prefers to walk around them usually chatting with a friend. Carl and Cheryl have one son. David is a second year student studying nursing at Rasmussen College.
