Reverend Carl Gnewuch

Rev. Carl Gnewuch is the son of Lutheran educators, Dr. Minnie and the sainted Rev. Dr. Col. Donald Gnewuch. His childhood years were spent with his four sisters, first in parsonages in Oklahoma, then in off campus housing in Seward Nebraska, and finally in the family home in Forest Park Illinois. Minnie taught first grade at St. John’s in Forest Park and specialty education classes at Concordia University. Donald was the graduate dean of Concordia University, a chaplain in the US Army Reserve, and the human care pastor at St. John’s.

Carl attended St. John’s, Walther Lutheran High School, Concordia University River Forest, and Concordia Seminary St. Louis. He was ordained at St. John’s and installed in 1991 as an assistant pastor at St. Michael Lutheran Church and School in Wayne, Michigan. He accepted a call to Risen Christ Lutheran Church and School in Myrtle Beach in 1996, then returned to Michigan in 2004 to serve Our Shepherd Lutheran Church and School in Birmingham, where he serves as the senior pastor. His ministry leadership has focused on spiritual maturation and renewal through the study of God’s Word and commitments to service. The churches he has served have enjoyed increases in faithful attendance, stewardship and numerous expansions of facilities. He has served the church at large in numerous capacities, from the Michigan Youth Board and POBLO’s founding Board of Directors, to adjunct instructor for Concordia Seminary and pastoral counselor for the LWML on the local, district, and national levels.

Carl met his wife, Cindy while at Concordia River Forest. They married in 1986. Cindy is a Lutheran educator who has taught at every level from second grade to middle school to high school and college. Cindy is also an accomplished musician and vocalist, with over 30 years experience as an organist and soloist in numerous churches, most often as the church’s primary organist and music director.

Carl and Cindy have three children, all Michiganders: Stephanie (16) who is an accomplished violinist; Mark (14) who plays center on Lutheran High Northwest’s JV Football team; and Kyle (2) who loves Thomas the Tank Engine. The Gnewuch family enjoys a blessed life.

Reverend Ray Scherbarth

Pastor Ray E. Scherbarth was born in Stratford, Ontario. He was baptized and confirmed into the faith at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Brodhagen,Ontario. After working a few years in the business world in Toronto, hegraduated from the Lutheran Lay Ministry Program, Concordia College,Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1967. From 1967 to 1980, he served as Assistant to the Pastor at West Portal Lutheran Church and School in San Francisco,California. While there he also studied at Simpson College and San Francisco State University. Feeling the call of the Holy Spirit, and being encouragedby his Pastor and congregation, Ray began his preparation for the Holy Ministry in September 1980 at Concordia Theological Seminary,Fort Wayne, Indiana. Following a year of Vicarage at Our Shepherd, he graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree on May 25, 1984. He accepted the call to serve as Assistant Pastor of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Birmingham, Michigan, following his ordination in June of 1984. He became Administrative Pastor in 1988. He retired in June of 2006 andhas been serving part time as Associate Pastor of Our Shepherd since then. Pastor Ray was marriedto Carol Vander Luitgaren at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Calumet Park, Illinois. Theywere blessed by God with two children: Christa Bartley (Michael) and three children, andCraig (Nicole), and three children. He was predeceased suddenly by his wife Carol on May 31,2001. On October 15, 2004, he was married to Sandi Taylor. Pastor Ray and Sandi make their home in Troy, Michigan.

Reverend Stephen Woodfin

Pastor Steve has been attending Our Shepherd since he was eight years old. He is a graduate of Our Shepherd Lutheran School and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University). Throughout his career in the automotive industry, he heard the persistent and increasingly strong voice of the Holy Spirit leading him into full-time ministry, and so in 2008, with the encouragement of his pastors and many others in the church, he entered the Specific Ministry Pastor program through Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He was ordained as a Lutheran minister in December 2010, and continues his studies at Concordia Seminary.

Pastor Steve and his wife Kim have known each other since their high school days. They have four children: Christian and Emily, who have graduated from Our Shepherd and are now at Lutheran High Northwest, and Matthew and Daniel, who still attend Our Shepherd School.

Having spent most of his life as a member of the community of faith here at Our Shepherd, Pastor Woodfin offers a long-term perspective on where we’ve been as a congregation. “It’s fascinating to see that through all these years, God has blessed Our Shepherd with an enduring passion for learning about the truth of Jesus Christ, and for showing true compassion to those in need. We are now seeing a resurgence in the desire to connect with the community which surrounds our school and church campuses. It is an exciting time in the life of our congregation!

“Both our campuses are full of people learning and growing in their faith, and experiencing the fellowship of Jesus Christ. I love being in the middle of all this activity. To see the Lord’s people interacting, encouraging each other, carrying each other’s burdens, inviting and welcoming friends and neighbors to experience the life of God's people here. And I marvel at the way God has equipped Our Shepherd! Our faculty and staff are talented, dedicated, and most important, passionate about sharing the love of Jesus with everyone around them. Our volunteers and congregational leaders are gifted, energetic, and engaged in our mission and ministry. There is a great sense of unity here. It is exciting to see what the Lord is doing among us!”

On any given day, you’ll find Pastor Steve on our school campus, teaching confirmation class or talking with students, faculty, and parents; or on our church campus, leading the Senior Bible class or touching base with fellow staff members. Pastor Gnewuch and he also work closely together in planning Christian education classes, worship, and many other ministry events and programs. One of Pastor Steve’s favorite activities is to make funny faces for the amusement of the many infants and toddlers in our Early Childcare Center on both campuses! Stop by his office anytime, and he’ll be glad to make funny faces for you, too.

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