Staff
Rev. 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 earning his Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
A native of South Dakota, Pastor Baker studied vocal music at South Dakota State University where he met his wife, Pamela. Upon graduation from SDSU, the Bakers spent five years in Rapid City, SD, directing choirs and teaching music. From 2013-2021, Pastor Baker taught elementary music in the Brookings (S.D.) Public Schools. Prior to attending seminary, he was active in his congregations. He was a choir director, campus ministry leader, Sunday school teacher, and congregational president.
The Bakers homeschool their five sons: Logan, Camden, Brighton, Lincoln and Jensen. In addition to attending his boys’ activities, Pastor Baker’s interests include gardening, biking and woodworking.
Senior Pastor
Rev. 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.
Associate Pastor
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.
Associate PastorRev. Dr. Brian S. Saunders
Roxanne List
Bio coming soon!
Organist/AccompanistSheryl Dekutoski
I have been involved in Church music ever since Elementary School, thanks to my mentor, Ted Lams. I have been teaching for almost 40 years, many of those involving music education classes, music lessons, and choirs. I have also been blessed to have been able to participate in choral singing, playing my flute, and playing the organ in church.
Organist/Accompanist/Choir DirectorJamie Knox
Choir DirectorJamie Knox has served as the Children’s Choir Music Director since 2025. A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Jamie in her 2nd year of teaching music at Southdale Elementary. Her goal is to provide children with a strong musical foundation while fostering a lifelong love for liturgical music.
Tim Van Wert
Office ManagerTim and his wife of 18 years live in Dike. They have a blended family and dote on their four grandchildren. Tim’s wife works at Veridian Credit Union. Tim attended Iowa State University. Then, he worked in the family business for 27 years, until a life-threatening disease struck. He is grateful to Mayo Clinic for his restored health. Tim is an avid sports fan; his favorite teams are the Iowa State Cyclones, the New York Yankees, and the Minnesota Vikings. He enjoys playing darts with his family – he says he has a real “competitive spirit.”
Tim’s office hours are from 8:00 a.m.—noon Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.