Vision Slovakia Background St. Andrew’s has been involved in the former Eastern bloc nation of Slovakia for over 20 years. Recently people have asked, “When will our ministry there be done?” and, “Aren’t they capable of teaching programs like Vacation Bible School now?” and, “Why is it taking them so long to become financially independent?” These are difficult and complex questions for many reasons. We didn’t choose this ministry, but this opportunity has been gifted to us and called by God to serve as a congregation. We have continued to establish partnerships with other congregations who are also committed and called into the support of this ministry of Christian education in Slovakia. In this ministry we have received far more from our Slovak partners than we have given. They have given us a vision of their commitment to teach and proclaim the gospel for this new time of freedom. They have lived through times when it has not only been difficult, but even impossible to worship. These are faithful people with a vision to reestablish Christian education and freedom of worship as they continue to recover from the trauma of living with totalitarian regimes for over 40 years under communism following WW II, and prior to the reign of terror and holocaust under the Third Reich. Self-worth and initiative were virtually destroyed during these years with the daily threat of imprisonment and death. Records were secretly kept on persons and innocent people who were identified as enemies of the state. This so-called information was used to incarcerate and martyr Slovak citizens for any outward expression of their faith in God. Jan Bohdan Hrobon was a Lutheran pastor who dared to carry out his ministry under all these dangers and still live faithfully to his call to proclaim and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. His vision was to reestablish Christian education schools for children, [...]

Andy became Music Director at St. Andrew's in 2022, after a 20-year tenure as choral director at Hudson (WI) High School. He holds a BA from Luther College, and a MM in Conducting and Choral Literature from Northern Arizona University. Andy also serves as Artistic Director of River City Chorale in Hudson, WI. 651.762.9123 Bill has served at St. Andrew's since 1988 as organist and pianist, as well as a bassist on both electric and upright bass. He studied organ and church music at St. John's University (Collegeville, MN) and the University of Minnesota. Bill has been a church musician since age 13, as organist, accompanist, arranger and a collaborative artist for concerts and recordings. He has performed on the American Public Media radio program "Pipedreams," and has made numerous recordings on St. Andrew's 1927 rebuilt Casavant organ. 651.762.9156 Sara has served as Contemporary Worship Director at St. Andrew's since 2010. She has been a professional singer, songwriter, recording artist and worship leader in the Twin Cities for 25 years. At St. Andrew's, she leads the Gathering Band: Tonia Hughes Kendrick (Vocals), David Young (guitar), Enrique Toussaint (bass), Matt Novachis (drums) and Jared Rush (keyboard). Kristin has served as an accompanist at St. Andrew's since 1988, where she accompanies the church vocal choirs in addition to soloists for church services, as well as playing for musicals and other church events. Kristin holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master's degree from University of Wisconsin - River Falls. She is employed by the White Bear Lake public schools as a speech-language pathologist. Julie has taught music and theatre at Mahtomedi Schools since 1999, and has been a youth choir director at St. Andrew's since 2021. She has a BA in Music [...]