Our Staff

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Our Staff

Staff of First Lutheran Church

The staff at First Lutheran Church is devoted to the mission of the church. Find out more about our staff by clicking their picture below.

Corey Fuhrman

Senior Pastor

cfuhrman@flcbemidji.org

Pastor Corey Fuhrman joined the staff of First Lutheran Church in 2012. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Jamestown College and Master of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Bexley, OH. Pastor Corey was ordained in June of 1998. He and his late wife, Kelly, have three children: Carly, Jonah, and Jacob.

Kayla Billings

Associate Pastor

kbillings@flcbemidji.org

Pastor Kayla joined the staff in December 2021. She is a proud University of Minnesota graduate with a BS in Psychology and Luther Seminary alumni. Pastor Kayla pursued a focus in Children, Youth and Family Ministries completing her Master’s Thesis on inclusive ministry with and for individuals and families living with developmental disabilities. Ordained in 2015, she most recently served as a hospice chaplain prior to FLC. Pastor Kayla and her husband, Eric, have one son, Nathaniel.

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Emily Papke-Larson

Associate Pastor/Campus Pastor

epapkelarson@flcbemidji.org

Bio Coming...

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Sarah Carlson

Director of Music Ministry

scarlson@flcbemidji.org

Ms. Carlson obtained her undergraduate degree in music from St. Olaf College and her Master of Music in Organ Performance from The University of Iowa. She remains active as a recitalist and enjoys collaborating with musicians in the area. Her three children all enjoy singing in the Junior Choir at FLC.

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Karen Peterson

Office Administrator

news@flcbemidji.org

Karen's father (Rev. Ted Peterson) was FLC's Youth Pastor when she was a child. Karen's BA in Sociology and Social Work from Concordia College. She is a Librarian, with a Master's in Library Science from the University of Iowa. Karen has lived in Oregon, Virginia and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi). Karen enjoys meeting people, crocheting, reading, needlework and spending time with friends.

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Laurie Rootes

Financial Administrator

finance@flcbemidji.org

Bio Coming...

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Terry Nelson

Lead Custodian

tnelson@flcbemidji.org

Terry was born and grew up in Blackduck and graduated from Blackduck High School in 1999. He has lived in Bemidji for the past 10 years. Terry enjoys being outdoors; hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and cross country skiing. Terry has also had a life long interest in the field of automobiles.

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Nate Halse

Audio Technician

nahlse@flcbemidji.org

Bio Coming...

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John Frankfurth

Chef

jfrankfurth@flcbemidji.org

John is a Minnesotan and was born in Little Falls. John has been working with food for over 35 years and is licensed, has USDA training, and is Serve Safe certified. He has been a professional cook for over 25 years. He has also served as the Vice President and Food Service Manager for the Bemidji Soup Kitchen.

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