Pastors & Staff

Pastor Tim Stoa

Senior Pastor

prtim@blcfargo.org
701-235-6522

I have served Bethlehem since 1995, and been Senior Pastor since 1999. I have previously been at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Fredonia, ND and St. Matthew-Rosendal Lutheran Parish in Thompson, ND. I was ordained in 1981 from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN.

I am married to Janice Stoa who teaches at Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo. We have two grown sons, Nathan and Daniel. I am an exercise enthusiast, golfer, canoer, and avid reader.

I see my faith in Jesus as a life of piety without legalisms. How does my life and faith interact under the gift of God’s awesome grace? My personal Bible passage is l Corinthians 10.31 “Whatever you do, even if it is as simple as eating and drinking, do everything to the glory of God.”

Lexy Steinle

Intern Pastor

I have served at Bethlehem since 2008 in multiple roles in music and children’s and family ministry. I also taught elementary music for seven years prior to beginning seminary at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, pursuing my Masters of Divinity and ordination in the ELCA. I will complete my internship with Bethlehem Lutheran from August 16, 2021, to August 2022.

I am a cat mom of two, Zelda and Zuri, and love traveling around Fargo on my bicycle! I am also involved in homeless ministry in the area and enjoy serving lunch at Micah’s Mission on Fridays.

My faith is rooted in the amazing grace of God, knowing there is nothing I could do for God to love me any more or less than God does right now, and responding to that grace as an invitation to join in the good work of the Holy Spirit in this beautifully created world. From Ephesians 2:8-10, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God -- not as the result of works, so that on one may boast. For we are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life."

Ann Schutz

Visitation Minister

I have been serving at Bethlehem since January 2019 as Visitation Minister, in a volunteer capacity. I came on board as staff in January 2021 after I retired as a full-time RN during COVID. I was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 2005 and served at Gethsemane Episcopal Church until the winter of 2018. I am so happy God led me to Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

I am married to Mike Schutz who has been a member of Bethlehem since 1995. I have six grown children that include a married daughter in Kentucky (two grandsons and one granddaughter), a married step-daughter in Moorhead (two granddaughters and a grandson), a step-daughter in Horace (a granddaughter), two sons and a daughter-in-law in Fargo, and a son in Mandan. Judge (the cat) and Judy (the dog) complete our family.

I believe Jesus is the center of Christian living. This relationship is central in my life. God loves us and our job is to respond to that love. God blessed me with the gift of service and gab. I receive more love and satisfaction with my ministry to others than they receive! It is an honor to serve at Bethlehem.