Staff
SENIOR PASTOR MATTHEW BAKER
The Reverend Matthew Baker is Senior Pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Pastor Baker was ordained and installed as senior pastor in July 2025, shortly after completion of seminary studies at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Pastor Baker and his wife, Pamela, studied vocal music at South Dakota State University. Upon graduation from SDSU, the Bakers spent five years in Rapid City, South Dakota, directing choirs and teaching music. From 2013-2021, Pastor Baker taught music in the Brookings (S.D.) Public Schools. The Bakers homeschool their five children: Logan, Camden, Brighton, Lincoln and Jensen.
In addition to attending his sons’ activities, Pastor Baker’s interests include gardening, biking and woodworking.
ASSOCIATE PASTOR MICHAEL KNOX
The Reverend Michael Knox serves Our Redeemer Lutheran Church as Associate Pastor following serving as Senior Pastor from 1996 to July 2025. Pastor Knox attended parochial school at St. Paul Lutheran School in Brookfield, Illinois, and Walther Lutheran High School in Melrose Park, Illinois. Pastor Knox is a graduate of Concordia College-River Forest, Illinois, and Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He was ordained into the Office of the Public Ministry on November 29, 1987.
He was pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Campbell, Nebraska, from 1987 through 1996 and Zion Lutheran Church in Upland, Nebraska, from 1987 through 1994. While serving at Our Redeemer, he has also served Christ Lutheran in Waterloo (1998-2016) and Peace Lutheran in Shell Rock (2007-present).
Pastor Knox has served the Church at Large in several capacities. Most recently he completed his second term as 2nd Vice President of the Iowa District-East and Chairman of the District Board of Directors. He continues to serve as a Synodical Reconciler in the Dispute Resolution Process.
Pastor Knox and his wife, Tammy, have four children: Jennifer, Jason, Jessica and Jamie, as well as daughter-in-law, Michaela, and three grandchildren.
Pastor Knox is an avid sports enthusiast and coached several sports in the Cedar Falls public school system.
Pastor Brian Saunders
Brian S. Saunders has served as associate pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church since June 2016. He earned a B.A. in Biblical Languages from St. John’s College, Winfield, Kansas (1986); a Master of Divinity in Exegetical Studies from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana; and a Ph.D. in Pastor/Historical Theology from Trinity Theological Seminary, Newburg, Indiana, in association with Christ Church College in Canterbury, England (2012). He was elected President of the Iowa District East (LCMS) in 2009 and continues to serve in that capacity. Prior to that election, Pastor Saunders served congregations in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and Muscatine, Iowa.
Pastor Saunders was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and is married to Karen. Pastor and Mrs. Saunders have 4 children and 12 grandchildren. Pastor Saunders enjoys golf, listening to “oldies” music, studying theology and sharing time with family.
SHERYL DEKUTOSKI & Roxanne List
Organists and Music Directors
Tim Van wert
Parish Assistant
Vicars Serving Our Redeemer:
Our Redeemer has assisted in the development of pastors for many years. The third year of Seminary training is spent in vicarage – learning under the supervision of an ordained pastor at a church in the LCMS. The following individuals have served one-year vicarage placements at Our Redeemer under the supervision of Pastor Michael Knox:
2024-25 Harvey Peters
2023-24 Matthew Baker
2022-23 Joseph Goodyear
2021-22 Mark Zieroth
2020-21 Emmett Bartens
2019-20 Tanner Post
2018-19 Nathan Wille
2015-16 Willie Grills
2003-04 Phillip Bolen
2002-03 David Zimmer
2001-02 David Markworth
“Sons” of the congregation in the Office of the Holy Ministry:
The following individuals, former members of Our Redeemer, have completed Seminary training and are serving as pastors in the LCMS:
Rev. Steven Bagnall, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cass City, MI
Rev. Michael Bagnall, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Staten Island, NY
Rev. David Bolte, Trinity Lutheran Church, Litchfield Park, AZ
Rev. David Hasselbrook, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Evansdale, IA
Rev. Preus Hasselbrook, Memorial Lutheran Church, Houston, TX
Rev. Silas Hasselbrook, Oklahoma Avenue Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI