Deaconess Intern Pam

Pam’s Deaconess internship year has a special focus on early childhood education, where she will bring both care and clarity to our growing programs. Her leadership will enhance team cohesion, ensure regulatory compliance, and raise curriculum standards—helping us meet our goal of increasing parent satisfaction to 80% and beyond.

In addition to her work with children and staff, Pam will serve as our coordinator of social ministry and volunteer engagement. Her heart for service and her organizational gifts will help mobilize our church to better meet the needs of our neighborhood with compassion and excellence.

Vicar Luke Symmank

Seminarian Luke Symmank and his wife, Gabrielle—affectionately known as Gibbs—to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church family begins his vicarage year with us, supported by a special partnership with our association school, Lutheran North Middle and High School! At Bethlehem, Vicar Luke will engage in preaching, teaching, communications and technology, mission advancement, and coordinating social ministries. At Lutheran North, he’ll serve as a Religion teacher and a ministry leader in athletics, helping to shape the spiritual lives of our students.

You’ll also find him serving across other North Urban Ministry Coalition sites, where he’s pioneering innovative ministry efforts that combine cutting-edge technology with the timeless truth of God’s Word.

Vicar Chuck Wallace - Chapel of the Cross Lutheran, St. Louis

Seminarian Chuck Wallace will be serving his vicarage at Chapel of the Cross - Lutheran here in North County! In addition to teaching, preaching and the traditional vicarage duties at Chapel of the Cross, this placement brings exciting overlap with the ministry of Bethlehem. For over five years, Bethlehem and Chapel have partnered through our EAC program, and this next step deepens that relationship in meaningful ways. Chuck will also help bridge ministries like EAC and childcare into the life of Chapel, creating new opportunities for shared mission and collaboration.

This placement is a key part of the ongoing work of the North Urban Ministry Coalition and a reflection of how God is drawing our churches closer together for the sake of the Gospel.

Chuck’s wife, Katrina, continues to serve as Bethlehem’s Director of Music, where her gifts serve our mission through worship each week. We are excited to walk alongside Chuck and Katrina as they serve in this unique and uniting season of ministry!

Vicar Caleb Gustafson - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville Beach, Florida



We are excited to announce that Seminarian Caleb will soon begin his vicarage in Jacksonville Beach, Florida at Bethlehem Lutheran Church! While we’ll certainly miss having Caleb with us, we are so proud of him and know that God will use this next year to grow him in wisdom, confidence, and pastoral care. Please join us in praying for Caleb as he takes this next faithful step!

Sole Pastor Stephen Wareham - Messiah Lutheran Church, Valdosta, Georgia



Join us in celebrating with Seminarian Stephen, who will be ordained and installed into his first pastoral call this year as the sole pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church, Valdosta, Georgia! As a congregation committed to raising leaders and sending them out, we give thanks for Stephen’s time with us. Please pray for him as he prepares to step into pastoral ministry—and join us in rejoicing at this incredible milestone.

Darius Ozare - Center Director of Bethlehem Lutheran Childcare at Chapel of the Cross



We’re excited to introduce Darius Ozare, our new Center Director of Bethlehem Lutheran Childcare at Chapel of the Cross - Lutheran.

Darius has worked with kids for over a decade, and he's passionate about creating places where they feel seen, safe, and supported in every way.

He loves cooking (especially Caribbean food!), solving puzzles, and playing games and chess—all great ways to connect with kids.

He says his faith keeps me grounded, and I’m excited to grow deeper in it as he walks alongside your families and this amazing community.

Samantha Dahle - Center Director of Bethlehem Lutheran Childcare at All Nations

We’re thrilled to introduce Sam Dahle, who is stepping in as the new Center Director of Bethlehem Lutheran Childcare at our All Nations Lutheran Church. Samantha's position is in partnership with Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. She brings over a decade of preschool teaching experience within Lutheran schools, along with a Master’s in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor’s in Business Management and Marketing.

She’s also a proud mom of four—James, Jack, Charlotte, and Olivia—and brings that same care and perspective to every child and family she serves.