WE BELIEVE

STAFF/LEADERSHIP

WHAT WE DO

HAROLD "SKIP" HANSEN
INTERIM PASTOR
skip@convergep3.com

Skip Hansen is serving as our Intentional Interim Pastor.  Skip has served as in interim pastor at 4 other churches before coming to us after retiring from many years in the ministry as a senior pastor and district conference leader.  Skip Hansen graduated from Denver Seminary in 1973… where he also supervised major campus construction projects, maintenance, grounds and custodial crews.  He also found time to fish, hunt deer and elk in the high country wilderness, while also serving as a USAR Drill Sergeant, and Staff Sergeant in the 10th Mountain Division.  He, and his wife Linda, have enjoyed an extraordinary life of God’s blessings planting churches in Colorado, Wyoming and Iowa, as well as serving as a district conference leader.  

Following “retirement," Skip has served as a part time Intentional Interim in four Minnesota churches developing a theme of “Asking God to Transform Us… So That He Can Use Us!”  His goal at RCBC is help us become well prepared for the arrival of God's choice for our church’s next new generational spiritual leader/pastor.​​

JASON KARLSSON
YOUTH PASTOR
jason@rushcitychurch.org

Jason Karlsson serves as our Youth Pastor. He grew up in Rush City and began to attend Rush City Baptist Church after graduating from high school.  He went off to college and came back to town for work and to get married.  After serving as a volunteer in our youth program, in the fall of 2006 he was hired to serve as the Youth Leader.  Jason and his wife Emily (Engler) have lived in Rush City their entire lives.  Their family consists of Aaron, Simon, Lilly, and Micah.  When Jason is not hanging out with kids of the church or his family, he is working at Stepp Manufacturing or tinkering in his garage.  As a bit of trivia, Jason recently changed his favorite verse to Romans 10:14.

SCOTT STEPP
ELDER & MODERATOR
scott@rushcitychurch.org

Scott Stepp has lived in Rush City since 2000 and started attending RCBC in 2009. Scott grew up in Sunrise, literally next to Sunrise Bible Church, where he would walk to Sunday School, church, and youth group. It was there that he learned solid Bible truths and the good news of Jesus Christ. Even though he was saved at a young age, his faith never blossomed or became fruitful. His marriage to his college sweetheart, Kathleen, resulted in the birth of his three sons: Sandon, Ty, and Nolan.  In 2009, a life-threatening illness forced him to take his faith seriously. He is now active in Sunday School, church, and a small group. He also serves as an elder, works with the 5th and 6th grade youth group, takes his family on the Windigo missions trip every year. He has a heart for strong families and especially strong male role models.  When Scott is not at home or church, you can probably find him at one of the ball fields or courts in town watching or coaching one of his boy's games. He also enjoys the outdoors and going on dates with his wife.

DAN WEBER
ELDER
dan@rushcitychurch.org

Dan Weber lives north east of Pine City with his wife Jami, and their two boys, Jacob and David. Dan works as part of a team of Infrastructure Engineers for Chisago County. Dan was raised in a Lutheran church, but although he knew about God,  he did not know Christ until he was 18 after having been discipled by his wife's family, and realized that knowing about Christ was not enough. Today Dan enjoys serving as part of the worship team and learning about Biblical history. Dan also enjoys hunting, fishing, and building things out of whatever is around.

JUSTIN ASHER
ELDER
justin@rushcitychurch.org

Justin grew up on a dairy farm in Pine City and accepted Christ at a early age.  Growing up his family was involved in their local church.  After high school he went to Oak Hills Bible College were he met his wife.  Together they have 3 kids.  After Bible college he decided to go into the electrical field where he has been working for the past 22 years. When he is not at work, he likes just being with his family hanging out, riding 4-wheeler or being out at the farm.

PAT THIRY
ELDER
pat@rushcitychurch.org

Pat Thiry lives in rural Stanchfield just off the NW corner of Rush Lake with his wife Julie. He is the proud father of three beautiful daughters. Pat was raised on a small farm near Cambridge, and attended Cambridge High School. In his youth, he was active in school sports and outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and camping. He was raised in the Catholic church, but recalls his acceptance of Christ into his life while attending a Billy Graham Crusade at the old Met Stadium in 1974. His love of God’s natural creation and outdoors was instilled in him by his father at an early age, spending countless mornings and evenings in the woods, or on a lake hunting and fishing. He carries that passion into his work with the youth of the church, through the Awana and youth programs. One of his goals is to teach young men that we can still be “real men” and be committed followers of Jesus Christ. Pat often laughs as he is heading out with his boat and one of his nephews or young man from church that he is heading out on his "Fish Ministry”! He is also active with the Missions Committee on the Windigo mission outreach. 

BEN MOULTON
WORSHIP DIRECTOR
ben@rushcitychurch.org

Ben Moulton serves as the worship leader of the church. He was born and raised on his family farm in Rush City and grew up in the church. He accepted Christ at an early age and has been active in the worship team since high school. He played drums and bass off and on while attending college at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul where he received a Bachelor’s of Applied Mathematics.  He also graduated from the University of Minnesota where he received a Bachelor’s of Mechanical Engineering. He currently works as a Mechanical Engineer at Stepp Manufacturing in Sunrise. He continues to work on his family farm where he enjoys raising his goats and sheep.  Ben also ministers to the senior high youth group on Wednesday nights.

EMILY KARLSSON
CLERK
emily@rushcitychurch.org

Emily Karlsson is a lifelong member of the Rush City community and lives in town with her husband, Jason Karlsson, and her favorite four little people (her four children, Aaron, Simon, Lilly, and Micah).    Emily works as a Marketing Specialist and also is a freelance graphic designer.  While working in a career/world where the final draft must be polished and perfect, Emily reminds herself daily that God loves her as a rough draft, and perfection alone is found in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

KATHLEEN STEPP - DIACONATE TEAM LEADER
kathleen@rushcitychurch.org​

Kathleen Stepp is the chairperson of the Diaconate Committee which tends to any special needs that the church or community members may have.  She also helps to coordinate special events.  She gave her life to the Lord as a young lady, and is excited that He has led their family to Rush City Baptist Church. Kathleen and her husband, Scott, attended college at Winona State University. They got married and moved to Rush City in 2000. She enjoys working with people of all ages, and has been involved with teaching both Sunday school classes and Awana classes.