Ian Hewitson – Interim Pastor
Ian joined the Council in July of 2025 when he became the Interim Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran. Ian was ordained to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament in 1993 and served a congregation for several years. He has been involved in other ministries at various churches as well as serving as Interim. Ian is very passionate about preaching and teaching, he taught at high school and university levels. Ian also served as Chaplain in a senior resident setting.
What inspires Ian’s faith journey is the Shepard’s devotion to the flock’s holiness. It is the realization that his primary duty is not to be a CEO, rather a watchman for souls. Ian finds inspiration in the biblical mandate that pastors will “give an account” for those under their care (Hebrews 13:17). This creates a pastoral environment where every sermon and every visit is treated with eternal significance. Ian believes the beauty of the church lies in the pastor’s commitment to providing “pure milk” – preaching the Law and Gospel without dilution and ensuring the Sacraments’ are administered rightly. It’s about the “cure of souls” – being present in the mess of life, from the hospital bed to the pastor’s office, bringing the comfort of Christ to people in their most vulnerable moments.
Outside of church Ian enjoys traveling whenever he gets the chance and is an avid follower of Formula One and has been since he was a kid. Ian enjoys getting together with his adult sons and spending family time with them and his wife Jill. Ian also enjoys reading non-fiction, specifically theology and books regarding worldview and culture. Ian also likes to watch the game show Jeopardy.
Char Kinzer – Council President
Char joined the Council in February of 2024 and became President in January of 2025. Char’s current goal on the council is to help guide Immanuel through this important transition period and engage the congregation in meaningful self-study, so Immanuel can create a strong vision for its future.
Char retired in January 2024 from a 30+ year career as Public Relations Manager at Crow Wing Power, before being asked to join the church council. She has lived in the Crosby area since 1982 and has four adult children with seven grandchildren, all from the Brainerd Lakes Area.
In her leisure time, Char enjoys camping, game nights with family and aspires to adventure travel and write.
Brian Marquart – Vice President
Brian joined the Council in December 2025 and became the Vice President in February 2026. Brian and his wife, Kim, joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in 2015 shortly after building a house on Rabbit Lake. Brian and Kim have been married for 34 wonderful years.
Brian has been in Law Enforcement for the last 36 years, most of his time has been involved in criminal investigations. Due to Brian’s employment, he has lived in several parts of the state and retired in 2024 as a Special Agent in Charge at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (MNBCA) and has gone back to the BCA to assist them on a project.
Brian has served on another church board in Clarkfield, MN as well as having sat on several state and national law enforcement boards. Brian is bringing a lot of board experience with him.
In his time away from Church Brian enjoys spending time with the kids and grandkids as well as hiking, E biking, motorcycling, hunting and traveling in their fifth wheel.
David Pundt – Council Secretary
David joined the Council in February 2022 and was named Secretary in February 2024. David was recently appointed the State Director of Convention of States Minnesota and has been the Secretary of the Garrison Bay Lake Area Lions for a very long time. David has been married to Carol, Co-Chair of the Christmas Bazaar, for 22 years.
David has retired several times, but it doesn’t seem to stick. Most of his working life was spent as a radio announcer, as a disc jockey and a newsman, which comes in very handy in the sound booth here. David is very passionate about his work on the sound booth as well as on the Council. David has an unexplained and unexamined connection to the Immanuel Community. David knows many members but no one all that well, still he feels connected and part of the community.
Outside of church David enjoys traveling both here and overseas, camping, is a voluminous reader and enjoys cooking along with wine-tasting.
George Erickson – Council Member
George joined the Council in February 2026. George has served previous terms on Council here at Immanuel, serving as Vice President, and President in the past. He sees his role as helping to guide the church and members to follow God’s word. George is very passionate about spreading the Gospel.
George has been a business owner since 1991 and feels the skills and knowledge he has acquired give him an advantage in how a church should be run operationally and financially. George is inspired by the folks in the congregation and seeing their smiling faces every Sunday.
Outside of church George loves taking out his sailboat as well as spending time with family and friends.
Paula Traylor – Council Member
Paula joined the Council in February 2024. Paula was appointed the Liaison between the council and staff, attending the weekly Staff Meetings. Paula serves as Secretary of the Sno-Serpents Snowmobile Club, Board Chairperson of Crosby’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority and is a member of other community clubs which gives her lots of experience to bring with her to Council.
Paula is very passionate about serving communion, baking communion bread, serving as the Prayer Team Leader as well as being an Offering Counter here at the church. Paula also trains all new Offering Counters.
Paula was born and raised in Crosby. After graduating high school, she attended Moorhead State College, majoring in Sociology. Returning to her hometown, Paula has worked as a Manager at Bye Cable and Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce, a Paraprofessional at Crosby-Ironton Schools and a Customer Service Representative at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort. Paula is a “people person”.
Paula’s time away from church is spent embracing her interests in indoor and outdoor plants, playing cards and socializing with friends and family.
Debbie Berg Lindahl – Council Member
Debbie joined the Council in February of 2025 and has not been assigned a specific role. She has been a member of Immanuel since 1963, was confirmed and married in this church. Debbie feels this time of transition can be stressfully challenging as well as an opportunity to review, discuss & discover our goals and priorities as we grow our church.
After working 30 years as a medical social worker Debbie retired from CRMC, prior to that she worked for LSS in Brainerd. Debbie is part of the Cuyuna Lakes Lunch Bunch and Home Communion Ministry.
Debbie has two adult children and two grandchildren which are the joy of her life. Away from church Debbie enjoys boating, traveling and reading.
Mary Ellen Perry – Council Member
Mary Ellen joined the Council in February 2026; she has not been assigned a particular role. Mary Ellen wants to assist our church community with the transition of Immanuel to a new beginning with a new seated Pastor. Mary Ellen hopes to bring a new perspective to the council.
Mary Ellen retired in 2023 after working 40 years as a Registered Nurse. She did her training at Mayo Clinic, then moved to the Twin Cities. Mary Ellen worked at the University of Minnesota hospitals and at Hennepin County Medical Center as well as North Memorial and Fairview as a clinic nurse. Mary Ellen has also worked for employers and insurers as an Occupational Health Nurse and Nurse Case Manager.
Mary Ellen is an avid quilter, is in the Quilters here at Immanuel and she is an aspiring ukulele player. Her husband, Karl, and her have two sons, two grandchildren and two spoiled dogs. Mary Ellen enjoys swimming, boating and biking. She also enjoys traveling to boldly go where she hasn’t been before.
Meredith Bloedel – Council Member
Meredith joined the Council in February of 2026 and has not been assigned a particular role. Being a board member of several organizations in her past brings lots of experience with her.
Before joining the Council, Meredith was a teacher and very involved in her past church and was in a leadership role in BSF for many years. She is very passionate about Congregational Unity and outreach into the community. Meredith is a part of the Cuyuna Lakes Lunch Bunch, offering nutritious meals to area youth during the summer.
Meredith also enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing bridge, golf and reading.