Photo courtesy Sarah Jane Portrait Photography, LLC

Rev. Dean M. Davenport

Senior Pastor

Pastor Davenport has been part of the Christ Our Savior (COS) family since 2009. He and his wife, Amy, have been blessed with five great children who know and love the Lord! They enjoy all things Pure Michigan – especially Northern Michigan, unsalted water, and sand. Pastor D. is passionate about relationships and he rejoices in seeing lives impacted because of God’s crazy love in Jesus. He is excited to be part of what the Lord is doing in Livonia, Metro Detroit, and beyond through His people here at COS.

Rev. Joel A. Werner

Associate Pastor

Pastor Werner joined the team at Christ Our Savior in June of 2023.  He received a Bachelor's degree in Theological Languages from Concordia University Ann Arbor and went straight to the Seminary in St. Louis from there. After serving a vicarage in Florida, his first call was to our congregation in Livonia. He and his wife, Adele, are both from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He is a diehard Detroit Tigers fan, and he and his wife enjoy hiking in the forests of the U.P. when they go back to visit family.

Tom Schroeder

Director of Music 

Tom started his life journey in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his sister and three brothers. Growing up in Lansing and then Farmington, formal college training took him to Concordia, Ann Arbor, earning a degree in Secondary Music Education. He has taught instrumental and vocal music at the high school level in the Farmington School District since that time. He recently retired after 30+ years of teaching. Over the years, he’s served as music director and organist at various congregations throughout the years. He is happy to now be at Christ Our Savior serving them in their music ministry.

Josh Kittleman

Director of Christian Family Life Formation

Josh Kittleman is the Director of Christian Family Life Formation at Christ Our Savior as of June 2023. He is heading into his 21st year as a commissioned worker in the LCMS. He attended Concordia University, Ann Arbor and has served at St. John’s Lutheran in Adrian, MI, Peace Lutheran at Shelby Township, MI and then as Assistant Professor of Family Life at Concordia University in 2017.  Josh and Sarah have three sons and as a family they like watching/playing sports, playing board games, listening to music and audio books, and just having fun together. Josh has a passion for helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus. He loves helping congregations see the important role that the church plays as one big faith family, as well as the important role that everyone plays in passing on their faith in Jesus to their loved ones at home.

Laura Myers

Early Childhood Director

Laura has a passion for early childhood education. She finds great satisfaction in helping children grow in their developmental skills. She considers herself blessed to be fortunate enough to do this in an environment where she can share her faith in Jesus Christ with little ones. Working with families to provide an atmosphere where they can confidently leave their children each day is a joy. Laura is married, has four children and has been working with children for 30 years.

Linda Hollman

Outreach, Assimilation, & Women's Ministry

Linda lives in Livonia with her husband Kyle, daughter Nora, and son Trent. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling in the U.S. and abroad doing mission work to further the Gospel. In her spare time, she loves to sew, sing, and read. She was born and raised on a farm in rural Nebraska. She has served on staff at Christ Our Savior since February 2003.  Linda has a Director of Christian Education degree & Masters in Family Life Ministry from Concordia, Seward, NE. She also has a Director of Outreach degree from Concordia, St. Paul, MN.

Karla Schettenhelm

Children's Ministry

Karla is blessed to serve at the church where she grew up.  She is a charter member of Christ Our Savior which gives her a unique perspective as she serves the people here.  She always knew she wanted to work with children, but the desire to work with them in a church setting came later as she grew in her relationship with Jesus. Connecting with the children at COS, as well as nurturing and watching their growth with each other, with our church family, and with their Savior, is a great joy for her. Karla has two children of her own who are her greatest blessings.

Noreen Lenardon

Business Manager

Noreen has served at Christ Our Savior since 2003 with a break to stay at home with her daughter for a few years.  In that time she has worked as a volunteer, served as an administrative secretary, communications, and now serves as business manager.  She is married to John and they have one daughter. In her 'free time' she and her husband enjoy watching their daughter play soccer,  perform in the color guard, and she enjoys church activities.

Laurie Riegel

Administrative Secretary

Laurie has been working at Christ Our Savior as the Administrative Secretary since 2011. She enjoys serving the pastors and members. She also enjoys getting to know the members and helping them as they follow Jesus, as well as playing in the Jubellation Handbells. Laurie and her husband, Paul, have two sons and their family has been part of COS for many years.

Alyssa Knock

Communications Coordinator

Alyssa is a long-time member of Christ Our Savior. She started working as the Communications Coordinator in 2020. Prior to this, she served with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in St. Petersburg, Russia, supporting the church through English language teaching. 

Elders

2023-2024 Board of Elders

Mark Anders (Chairman), Kevin Brown, Matt Fremder, Roger Heath, Andrew MacAfee, Jeff Myers, Dennis Puishes, Michael Puterbaugh (Vice Chairman), Gunther Ruck, Chris Trapp (Secretary) and Nathan Troike

Church Council

2023-2024 Church Council Members

Don Courvisier, Ruth Dobberfuhl, Ellen Hoyer, Erik Kuszynski (Chairman), Randy List, Mary McGrath (Secretary), Shelby Shonce (Treasurer) and Arlo Wiltenburg
Christ Our Savior is part of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. Visit their website to learn more about them.
Within the Missouri Synod, we are a part of the Michigan District.  Learn more about the Michigan District on their website.