St. John's Waltz

Rev. Jeffrey Wade - Pastor

Pastor Wade is a life-long Michigander, born and raised in Sterling Heights. He attended Concordia University - Ann Arbor. He graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Family Life Education. On April 29, 2014 he was blessed to be called as Associate Pastor of St. John's. He graduated with a Master's of Divinity in 2014. He was ordained and installed on July 20, 2014. In January of 2018, Pastor Wade was called to and accepted the position of Senior Pastor at St. John's.

Tell us a little bit about your family:

• I am married to my ever-patient and compassionate wife Christine, who is ever wrangles our children. We have one daughter, Elanor, and one son, Merry, who are with Jesus. God has granted us two more sons, Asher and Dorian, who were born in 2021 and 2023.

What’s your Christian philosophy of education?

• What I try to do when I teach Catechism Class here at St. John's is to form the students into disciples of Christ. I also desire to empower parents (who are statistically the primary faith developer of their children) to build lasting relationships with their children with Christ Jesus as the foundation.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?

• This is no simple question. My favorite place to vacation is at my grandparents' cottage on Lake Manistique in Curtis, MI. However, if I got to choose to go anywhere in the world it would be in one of three places: London, England - home of the greatest football club in the world The Arsenal; New Zealand - to see all the sets and places from the Lord of the Rings movies; or Istanbul, Turkey - one of my life's desires is to see the famous Hagia Sophia.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

• I thoroughly enjoy reading, writing, and working on my yard.

The best part of following Jesus is…

• ...that I am adopted by God the Father and made His son through the waters of Holy Baptism. Following this, the best part of having this new identity is daily reminding our students of who they are in Christ - the forgiven and innocent sons and daughters of God the Father.

Rev. Kyle Jones - Pastor

I grew up just north of Detroit in Sterling Heights, and Melissa grew up in Lee’s Summit, MO, just outside Kansas City.  She and I met during orientation week at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.  We talked about our mutual dislike of bugs, all the while her roommates decided, “This has to happen!”  We started dating a few months later, and were married a few months after that on June 16, 2012.  Melissa is brilliant.  Her knowledge of Scripture and handle on sound doctrine is unmatched.  She loves me and sometimes laughs at my jokes, which is more than I or my jokes deserve.  We have three living children, Elliott, Jonathan and Samuel, and three children, August, Owen, and Henry we lost to miscarriage and stillbirth.  My children couldn’t have a better mother, and God has truly blessed us as a family.

What’s your Christian philosophy of education?

• Given the vocations of parents and pastors and educators by God, we are told to “train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).  This teaches the Christian parent and educator the value God places on learning.  We are to teach our children who our God is and to confess what he has done in Christ; we are also to teach our children about the world, that they can delight in God’s creation and serve their neighbors well in their own vocations as they grow.  Education is all-encompassing, beginning in the home, developing in the classroom, continuing into adulthood.  The world God has given us to take care of is amazing!  We could explore forever and never witness all the wonders that he has given us.  A Christian education pursues this wonder, delighting in the lessons of history, the orderliness of math and science, the beauty of literature, and the Way, Truth and Life nailed to the Cross.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?

• I would love to go to England, Cornwall specifically.  My dad’s side of the family emigrated from there, and I grew up eating Cornish pasties made by Great-Grandma Jones, who learned to make them as a youth.  I still have relatives there whom I have yet to meet, and I would love to learn more about my family history.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

• I am a dabbler, and I like to do a lot of things.  I have a life-long love of making things, and currently that is finding its expression in woodworking. I found some of my great-grandfather’s hand planes and saws and have been learning about traditional joinery.  I love to read, and I really love super hero movies.  I like to lift weights and move my body.  As a family, Melissa and I love to play board games and read books out loud to each other, especially fantasy, like the work of Dianna Wynn Jones and C.S. Lewis.  We like to go on walks as a family, cook, and find interesting places to go on day trips to.

The best part of following Jesus is…

• ...the hope that he gives to us in his death and empty grave.  We are made fully human in Christ, and our life, joy and suffering on this side of the Resurrection is given context and meaning.

Mrs. Adrienne Gurney - Principal & Sixth Grade

Born and raised in Seymour, IN, I am a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church. I received my Bachelor's of Science in 1998 from Indiana University Southeast. My Lutheran colloquy certification was earned from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2003. Following, I received both my Master's of Arts degree and administrative license from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2006-2007. I taught at Lutheran Central School in Brownstown, IN for nine years while also coaching volleyball, cheerleading, and serving as athletic director. After teaching high school English as Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis for two years, I took an administrative position at Our Savior Lutheran School in Marlette, MI. I served as both teacher and principal there for the three years leading up to my call to St. John's. I accepted the call and began serving as principal and sixth grade teacher in the summer of 2014. I am blessed to be a part of the St. John's family!

Tell us a little bit about your family:

• My parents and siblings remain in Seymour, Indiana, where we visiti often. On February 27, 2015, I married Bob Gurney, who retired from appliance sales and repair. We had our son, Severin Michael, on April 4, 2016, and currently live in Flat Rock. Sev now comes to school with me as he just became a student here at St. John's. I am currently coaching volleyball again, and although a young group, our Wildcats are fierce!

What’s your Christian philosophy of education?

• A short paragraph is not enough to describe my philosophy on education. As a teacher, it is not only my job to prepare students for life as citizens of the world but also to teach them what it is to be Children of God. Everything we learn in a classroom we also learn how to apply in life. We don’t simply teach the Bible then set it back on the shelf. It is part of our lives in every facet of our day. As a principal, it is also my job to help teachers do that very thing. We strive to be good examples for our students, and at those times when we’re not, it is our job to show how we, who are also sinners, are saved through the death and resurrection of our Lord.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?

• I’ve always dreamed of vacationing in the beauty and splendor of Hawaii. I have a friend who was stationed in Hawaii…he once told me it is always hot and sunny there, but there’s a constant cooling mist surrounding you everywhere!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

• As most like most everyone, I rarely find spare time in my busy schedule. When I do, I love to be outside in the sunshine, and I love being on the water. Most of my time is spent with my husband and son. God blessed me with a wonderful family, and we enjoy spending time together in any way we can. A wise man once told me, "The days can be long, but the years are short."

The best part of following Jesus is…

• The best part about following Jesus is knowing that He is following me…AND leading me, AND with me always…it’s a great feeling that I’m never alone. It is also wonderful being able to reassure all our little ones that they are never alone either.

Mrs. Kari Tapley - Church Secretary

I was blessed to be raised in by a loving family in the Lutheran church and school here in southeast Michigan. I was an only child for ten years, and then my sister came along. So I got to experience being an only child and having a great sibling. Growing up I have fond memories of family camping trips and large family parties with all the cousins, aunts, and uncles.

After spending nearly twenty years working in public health, I was ready for a change. Now I am blessed to work in this wonderful environment.

Tell us a little bit about your family:

• My husband and I met our freshman year at Alma College. We have a daughter Emilia, who attends school here, and a dog named Dean.

What’s your Christian philosophy of education?

• I grew up attending a Lutheran school and felt strongly about sending my own child to one as well. As a Christian, it is hard to separate Christ from education. I cannot think of a better way to start of life or one’s educational background.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?

• I have always wanted to visit the east coast. I love the water and have heard there is nothing better than fresh seafood.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

• I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, camping, and being outside.

The best part of following Jesus is…

• Knowing that I am His forgiven child and He is always with me.

 Mrs. Kristin Danilowicz - School Administrative Assistant

Tell us a little bit about your family:

• I was born and raised here in Michigan, grew up attending church and school here at St. John's my whole life. My grandfather was a principal and teacher here for many years and ran the music program. My mother is now in charge of the adult choirs and I have participated in the handbell choir since I was in 4th grade. I met my husband, Joshua, in high school,  we started dating shortly after we graduated and have been together for almost 14 years. We were married here at St. John's in 2017 and are now raising our 3 children, Lincoln, Zoë and Sloane here. We enjoy going on bike rides together and taking road trips together. I am blessed to have the opportunity to serve here at St. Johns, my home.

What’s your Christian philosophy of education?

• Christ should always be the center of our lives and we are blessed to be able to provide that through our school. Our children are the future, so sharing God's love and grace as early as possible is most important.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?

• I would love to visit Ireland as well as take an Alaskan cruise.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

• I love to read and one of my favorite things to do is watch sports, both on TV as well as in person.

The best part of following Jesus is…

• knowing I will always have someone on my side to help me through all of the tough moments in life as well as enjoying the wonderful ones. God is not just with us, he is in us. And because of him, we will live with him eternally.