Elder Team
Jason Brandvold, Vice-Chair
He/Him/His. I have been coming to Genesis since 2015 and found it a compelling place to be real and be known. What keeps me coming back to Genesis is the Table and our invitation to the Table. It moves me every time I hear it. I am married to Jane Bechtel and we have made Genesis our home. I am volunteering on the tech crew and in Genesis kids. I love working out with my F3 men’s workout group. I also love all things vintage VW and we love to camp in our 1983 Vanagon Westfalia bus. Email Jason: brandvoldj [at] gmail.com.
David Schlenk, Elder Chair
He/Him/His. My wife Catie, son Iver and I have been attending Genesis from the start. We live in Robbinsdale, very near to our current location (near enough that I should probably be walking to church more often than I do!). I spent the early years volunteering primarily with the coffee crew and children's rooms, and more recently have been a part of the ensemble of AV tech nerds. I cherish the mission, vision, and values that Genesis strives for, and am proud to be in a community that loves and values each individual person right where they are and no matter what. I enjoy sending meals, care packages, or funny notes to those in need of a boost, or just because they're on my mind. Some of my favorite things are: a hot cup of coffee black as midnight on a moonless night, children's books (Winnie the Pooh and Frog and Toad especially); baseball, Formula 1 racing, and fixing or repurposing old and forgotten electronics. I'm a software architect and I work from home. I'm always up for a chat, whether over a cup of coffee or via text; just to listen or help solve a problem. Email David: david@schdav.org
Michelle Kelly, Secretary
She/Her/Hers. Our journey at Genesis began in the fall of 2018 by joining the giant camp sleepover, AKA: Genesis Family Vacation at Covenant Pines. This was a social adventure our whole family loved. You can regularly find our four children Finbar(12), Agnes(10), Loralei(8), and Olive(6) creating adventures while climbing, building, coloring and smiling/staring at you from the pews up front in the sanctuary. As their parents, Enoch and I appreciate this community as you all regularly profess their sweetness to us after the service, which is very gracious and kind. The children are seen AND heard, and that my friends, is a delight. At Genesis, our story is given grace and space to be evolving in God's expansive love, which is also a true delight. I value being immersed in a community that comes as we are, listens carefully, loves graciously and cares tenderly for each other. In this season of being a stay at home/homeschool mom of four, my delights are simple: coffee and conversations. Hearing your evolving story makes me happy. I would love to visit with you ANYTIME. Here or there, I will meet you anywhere!! Email Michelle: mkelly14@gmail.com
John Powell, Financial Chair
He/Him/His. John Powell has been attending Genesis with his wife, Kristen, since 2018. They have two daughters who are both married and live nearby. John is currently retired, after a career in IT supporting Human Resource Information Systems. John grew up in a Christian family, going to their local Methodist church, and after college attended a conservative evangelical church for 34 years. His personal experience of God’s love, and his conviction that God’s heart of love is for everyone equally, eventually led him and Kristen here to Genesis where he is passionate about proclaiming the Belovedness of each and every person. Two of the ways John finds joy in life are through biking and spending quality time with others, preferably over coffee or beer. Email John: chesterware at gmail.com
Hannah Twyman
She/Her/Hers.I have been a member of Genesis for 9 years. In my experience, Genesis is a very welcoming and loving community where people are appreciated, cared for and welcomed as they are and wherever they may be on life’s journey. I serve on the music team. I was part of the LGBTQIA2S+ Listening Committee who worked to guide Genesis to becoming a fully safe and welcoming place for all queer persons. I live in Richfield with my cat, and best friend, Motley. I have two grown children and 3 grandchildren. I have worked at The Toro Company for 28 years and was a yoga instructor and was a leader of a yoga ministry for 13 years. I enjoy being outside as much as possible and spending time with friends.Email Hannah: hannahtwyman12 at gmail.com