Sarah
Liggett has lived in Roundup, Montana and
Waxahachie, Texas before coming to the
Springfield area about four and a half years
ago. Sarah is employed at the Nova Center of the
Ozarks and when it comes to a husband Sarah says
she is still looking! She enjoys reading,
sports, movies, playing games, computers, math,
shopping, bowling, hiking, camping and the
outdoors, theology, and doctrinal discussions.
WOW! When asked why she chose Prince of Peace as
her new church home Sarah said she "liked the
emphasis on ministry and traditional values
mixed with...hard to explain." She also noted
that she walked in and felt like she was finally
at home, and that it was "the church she has
looked for for years!"
Doug
Cornelison has lived in the Los Angelos and San
Francisco areas before coming to Springfield
about three years ago. Doug is semi-retired but
stays very busy with theater arts where he
specializes in scenic and light design, acting,
directing, stage management, and costuming. Doug
enjoys video production and is an
Illusionist/Magician as well! He enjoys
psychology, gardening, history, and music. When
asked why he chose Prince of Peace as his new
church home Doug said it was the members'
welcoming spirit. He also felt that Prince of
Peace was a place where he could use his talents
for God.
Jeremy
Cass & Maria Mesenbrink are engaged and plan to
be married here in November. Jeremy comes from
Marshfield, Missouri and Maria comes from Iowa.
Maria is also the daughter of members Denny and
Edie Mesenbrink. Jeremy has lived in the
Springfield area his entire life and Maria moved
to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1996 and then back to
Springfield in 2007. Jeremy is employed at Fitch
Electric and Maria works at CBS Cabinets. When
asked about their interests, Jeremy shared that
he liked being outside, hiking, floating,
baseball, and softball. Maria enjoys dance,
jazzercise, singing, being outside, and animals.
When asked why they chose Prince of Peace as
their new church home they replied that they
liked the small, welcoming atmosphere, and the
fact that everyone was so nice. They also noted
that they are very excited to be members!
Heather
Roberts grew up in Houston, Texas and she and
husband Rod came to Springfield from Shreveport,
Louisiana two years ago. Heather is employed
right here at Prince of Peace where she is our
warm, welcoming, and helpful Office Manager.
Heather and Rod have a son Jonathan and are
residents of Fair Grove, Missouri. When not in
the church office keeping the congregation
running smoothly Heather enjoys reading, rose
gardening, learning to vegetable garden, and
fishing! When asked why she chose Prince of
Peace as her new church home she simply replied,
"the people"!
Cheryl
and Ryan Houk were married two years ago after
meeting in Alabama. Ryan is in the Army National
Guard where he serves as a avionics specialist.
Cheryl is a science teacher at Fair Grove High
School where she also serves as cheerleading
coach. Ryan became a member of Prince of Peace
through the Sacrament of Adult Baptism and
enjoys triathalons, running, bycycling, and
almost anything outdoors. Cheryl enjoys rose
gardening, flower gardening, rocks, and reading.
Ryan and Cherl own a dog named Chasey and they
are owned by three cats named Caesar, Wiley and
Onyx. They joined Prince of Peace becasue they
like the sermon messages and loved the people.
Also, member Heather Roberts, one of their
neighbors, invited them!
Jim
and Sherry Smith formerly hailed from Des Moine,
Iowa and have lived in the Springfield area for
about nine months. Both Jim and Sherry are
retired and Jim says that he truly loves to
sing! The Smiths have four children, 9
grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. When
asked why they chose Prince of Peace for their
new church home that noted that it was the
closest ELCA church to them, it was a friendly
congregation, and it was ELCA!
Joel
Elliott had a very interesting earlier life as a
child of missionary parents in Africa. Joel can
recall many memories from his days in Zimbabwe
and truly has a world view on things. Joel
married our own Heather Shaw a few years back
and decided to become a member of his bride's
church. Joel is already active on our Social
Ministry Team and has had a number of dramatic
roles in some of our worship services and
special programs. Joel is also something of an
expert on screen projection for worship services
as he was one of the projectionists at his
former Assembly of God congregation.
Linda
Bollenbach states, Linda bollenbach grew up in
Minnesota but spent the last 13 years in
Wisconsin. She has lived in the Springfield area
for the last 9 months or so and recently married
Craig Bollenbach who is a member of Aldersgate
United Methodist Church in Nixa. The Bollenbachs
rotate Sundays at one or the other of their
congregations. Linda is an ordained ELCA Pastor
serving a Call as Chaplain at St. John's
Hospital here in Springfield. The couple enjoy
bike riding, weight lifting, going for walks,
and attending local events. When asked why she
chose Prince of Peace for her new church home
Linda said she appreciated the warmth of the
congregation and staff.
John
Merrill became a member of Prince of Peace
through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Formerly,
John had attended Baptist and Church of Christ
congregations. John was a past President of the
PTA for 19 years. In addition to having been a
grocery store assistant manager John has also
been a bus driver. John enjoys working with
people and doing office work. John is a regular
attendee of our Saturday evening worship service
where he sometimes serves as our screen
projectionist.
Jean
Porter originally resided in China Lake,
California before coming to the Springfield area
in 1975. She and her late husband Jake moved
here when Jake retired. Jean has been widowed
since October of 2007. Jean is a real people
person and loves to visit with friends and meet
new folks. Jean used to enjoy sewing and
handwork but herr recent very poor eyesight has
prevented her from continuing those kinds of
activities. Jean, along with John Merrill,
became members of Prince of Peace through Adult
Baptism. When asked why she wanted to become a
member of Prince of Peace she said it was mostly
because she liked Pastor Jim and the friendly
people here. She was also attracted because of
the contemporary priase music of the Saturday
evening worship service. Jean concluded by
saying, "I feel very much at home at P.O.P.!"
Marlies
Yankee was born in Bitterfeld, Germany and was
baptised there. She was confirmed in the
Lutheran church in Berlin and no doubt has many
interesting memories of living in Europe before
coming to the United States.. More recently, she
comes to us from Redeemer Lutheran Church in
Nixa. Marlies is a kind a gentle person who says
she appreciates the openness of the ELCA and the
warmth of Prince of Peace in particular. Marlies
is widowed and is also a very proud mom!
Al
Bussman came to the Springfield area from
Chatfield, Minnesota about 9 years ago. Al is
currently employed at Fed ex freight and is in a
serious relationship with the lovely Sandy
Nelson who is a frequent guest at Prince of
Peace. Al enjoys camping, antiques, walks
outdoors, bird watching and feeding, and working
on his house. When asked why he wanted to join
Prince of Peace Al noted that he started
visiting the church over a year ago and found
P.O.P. to be a friendly place to worship. He
further noted that he had belonged to other ELCA
congregations in the past and found the
fundamentals to be what he believed and found
close to his heart.
Sarah
Liggett has lived in Roundup, Montana and
Waxahachie, Texas before coming to the
Springfield area about four and a half years
ago. Sarah is employed at the Nova Center of the
Ozarks and when it comes to a husband Sarah says
she is still looking! She enjoys reading,
sports, movies, playing games, computers, math,
shopping, bowling, hiking, camping and the
outdoors, theology, and doctrinal discussions.
WOW! When asked why she chose Prince of Peace as
her new church home Sarah said she "liked the
emphasis on ministry and traditional values
mixed with...hard to explain." She also noted
that she walked in and felt like she was finally
at home, and that it was "the church she has
looked for for years!"
Doug
Cornelison has lived in the Los Angelos and San
Francisco areas before coming to Springfield
about three years ago. Doug is semi-retired but
stays very busy with theater arts where he
specializes in scenic and light design, acting,
directing, stage management, and costuming. Doug
enjoys video production and is an
Illusionist/Magician as well! He enjoys
psychology, gardening, history, and music. When
asked why he chose Prince of Peace as his new
church home Doug said it was the members'
welcoming spirit. He also felt that Prince of
Peace was a place where he could use his talents
for God.
Jeremy
Cass & Maria Mesenbrink are engaged and plan to
be married here in November. Jeremy comes from
Marshfield, Missouri and Maria comes from Iowa.
Maria is also the daughter of members Denny and
Edie Mesenbrink. Jeremy has lived in the
Springfield area his entire life and Maria moved
to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1996 and then back to
Springfield in 2007. Jeremy is employed at Fitch
Electric and Maria works at CBS Cabinets. When
asked about their interests, Jeremy shared that
he liked being outside, hiking, floating,
baseball, and softball. Maria enjoys dance,
jazzercise, singing, being outside, and animals.
When asked why they chose Prince of Peace as
their new church home they replied that they
liked the small, welcoming atmosphere, and the
fact that everyone was so nice. They also noted
that they are very excited to be members!
Heather
Roberts grew up in Houston, Texas and she and
husband Rod came to Springfield from Shreveport,
Louisiana two years ago. Heather is employed
right here at Prince of Peace where she is our
warm, welcoming, and helpful Office Manager.
Heather and Rod have a son Jonathan and are
residents of Fair Grove, Missouri. When not in
the church office keeping the congregation
running smoothly Heather enjoys reading, rose
gardening, learning to vegetable garden, and
fishing! When asked why she chose Prince of
Peace as her new church home she simply replied,
"the people"!
Cheryl
and Ryan Houk were married two years ago after
meeting in Alabama. Ryan is in the Army National
Guard where he serves as a avionics specialist.
Cheryl is a science teacher at Fair Grove High
School where she also serves as cheerleading
coach. Ryan became a member of Prince of Peace
through the Sacrament of Adult Baptism and
enjoys triathalons, running, bycycling, and
almost anything outdoors. Cheryl enjoys rose
gardening, flower gardening, rocks, and reading.
Ryan and Cherl own a dog named Chasey and they
are owned by three cats named Caesar, Wiley and
Onyx. They joined Prince of Peace becasue they
like the sermon messages and loved the people.
Also, member Heather Roberts, one of their
neighbors, invited them!
Jim
and Sherry Smith formerly hailed from Des Moine,
Iowa and have lived in the Springfield area for
about nine months. Both Jim and Sherry are
retired and Jim says that he truly loves to
sing! The Smiths have four children, 9
grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. When
asked why they chose Prince of Peace for their
new church home that noted that it was the
closest ELCA church to them, it was a friendly
congregation, and it was ELCA!
Joel
Elliott had a very interesting earlier life as a
child of missionary parents in Africa. Joel can
recall many memories from his days in Zimbabwe
and truly has a world view on things. Joel
married our own Heather Shaw a few years back
and decided to become a member of his bride's
church. Joel is already active on our Social
Ministry Team and has had a number of dramatic
roles in some of our worship services and
special programs. Joel is also something of an
expert on screen projection for worship services
as he was one of the projectionists at his
former Assembly of God congregation.
Linda
Bollenbach states, Linda bollenbach grew up in
Minnesota but spent the last 13 years in
Wisconsin. She has lived in the Springfield area
for the last 9 months or so and recently married
Craig Bollenbach who is a member of Aldersgate
United Methodist Church in Nixa. The Bollenbachs
rotate Sundays at one or the other of their
congregations. Linda is an ordained ELCA Pastor
serving a Call as Chaplain at St. John's
Hospital here in Springfield. The couple enjoy
bike riding, weight lifting, going for walks,
and attending local events. When asked why she
chose Prince of Peace for her new church home
Linda said she appreciated the warmth of the
congregation and staff.
John
Merrill became a member of Prince of Peace
through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Formerly,
John had attended Baptist and Church of Christ
congregations. John was a past President of the
PTA for 19 years. In addition to having been a
grocery store assistant manager John has also
been a bus driver. John enjoys working with
people and doing office work. John is a regular
attendee of our Saturday evening worship service
where he sometimes serves as our screen
projectionist.
Jean
Porter originally resided in China Lake,
California before coming to the Springfield area
in 1975. She and her late husband Jake moved
here when Jake retired. Jean has been widowed
since October of 2007. Jean is a real people
person and loves to visit with friends and meet
new folks. Jean used to enjoy sewing and
handwork but herr recent very poor eyesight has
prevented her from continuing those kinds of
activities. Jean, along with John Merrill,
became members of Prince of Peace through Adult
Baptism. When asked why she wanted to become a
member of Prince of Peace she said it was mostly
because she liked Pastor Jim and the friendly
people here. She was also attracted because of
the contemporary priase music of the Saturday
evening worship service. Jean concluded by
saying, "I feel very much at home at P.O.P.!"
Marlies
Yankee was born in Bitterfeld, Germany and was
baptised there. She was confirmed in the
Lutheran church in Berlin and no doubt has many
interesting memories of living in Europe before
coming to the United States.. More recently, she
comes to us from Redeemer Lutheran Church in
Nixa. Marlies is a kind a gentle person who says
she appreciates the openness of the ELCA and the
warmth of Prince of Peace in particular. Marlies
is widowed and is also a very proud mom!
Al
Bussman came to the Springfield area from
Chatfield, Minnesota about 9 years ago. Al is
currently employed at Fed ex freight and is in a
serious relationship with the lovely Sandy
Nelson who is a frequent guest at Prince of
Peace. Al enjoys camping, antiques, walks
outdoors, bird watching and feeding, and working
on his house. When asked why he wanted to join
Prince of Peace Al noted that he started
visiting the church over a year ago and found
P.O.P. to be a friendly place to worship. He
further noted that he had belonged to other ELCA
congregations in the past and found the
fundamentals to be what he believed and found
close to his heart.
