Our Staff

Abiding Savior is blessed with dedicated, talented, and caring individuals who support the ministries of our congregation.

Pastor Ryan Brodin, Senior Pastor

Ryan Brodin – x2004 – Senior Pastor – Click here to contact Pastor Ryan

Rev. Dr. Ryan Brodin came to Abiding Savior in August of 2009. He was born and raised in Anoka, Minnesota, where he was active in Zion Lutheran Church and many school activities including football, tennis, basketball, choir and theater. Pastor Brodin graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois and received his Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, and his Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also has received his Certificate in Pastoral Leadership from Augsburg College. Before coming to Abiding Savior Pastor Ryan had served as Co- Pastor of St. Philip’s Lutheran Church in Fridley, Minnesota. His wife, Kendra, is an attorney and Founder and CEO of EsquireWell, a coaching and consulting company dedicated to lawyer success and well-being. Pastor Ryan and Kendra live in Shoreview with their 2 daughters and their son. Pastor Ryan loves to fish, play golf, cheer on any Minnesota sports team, watch movies and visit family and friends in his free time.

 Josh and Alex Ertz, Interim Youth Mentors

Josh & Alex Ertz – Interim Youth Mentors – Click here to contact Josh & Alex

Josh and Alex are both long-time members of Abiding Savior and have been members of the Reigning Grace Worship Band for several years, which is actually how they met.  They both grew up being very active in the youth program at our churches, Alex at Abiding Savior and Josh at St. Philip’s in Fridley where Pastor Ryan was his Confirmation Mentor. The relationships they formed as youth with their peers and their youth leaders have meant so much to them throughout our lives.  Some of their fondest memories are from participating in church activities when they were younger.

Josh and Alex have carried their love for youth programs into adulthood through volunteering.  Alex was a small group leader for confirmation and they both have chaperoned many trips including to the Boundary Waters, the Ox Lake High School Retreat, and the most recent trip out to the Black Hills. Josh and Alex value the relationships they have formed with the youth and their families and look forward to growing those relationships.

In this interim time, Josh and Alex will continue hosting youth events.  They look forward to seeing how the youth and family ministry programs transform in the coming years and hope to provide valuable feedback to help shape the future direction of the program.  In the meantime, they look forward to continuing to have a lot of fun and creating meaningful experiences together!

Katie Brouillard, Office Manager

Katie Brouillard – x2003 – Office Manager – Click here to contact Katie

Katie and her family have been members at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church for the past few years, and she is excited to be a part of such a supportive, caring church family!  Katie joined the ASLC staff in February of 2017. Prior to joining our staff, Katie ran a specialty dessert business out of her home in Blaine, and also brings many years of experience in event planning, business administration, and sales experience. Katie attended college at both St. Kate’s and Bethel University, studying Business Management. Katie grew up in Osakis, MN, and now lives in Blaine with her family.  Her husband, Dan, works at Graco, Inc. in Minneapolis and they have three wonderful children: Dylan, Jack, and Taylor.  All three kids are active in church activities & sports, and Katie loves to support them and cheer them on! When Katie is not in the office, you will most likely find her in the stands at a sporting event, cooking meals for her family, baking, reading a book, snuggling with her dogs, or spending time with family and friends.  During the summer months, she and the family love spending time outdoors, specifically participating in some type of water activity!

Connie Clausen, Office Assistant

Trisha Bourassa, Office Assistant

Trisha Bourassa – x2002 – Office Assistant – Click here to contact Trisha

Patty Mesenbring, Director of Children’s Ministries

Patty Mesenbring – x2008 – Children’s Ministry Director – Click here to contact Patty

Patty’s family was fortunate to discover Abiding Savior in 1998 and they are happy to call Abiding Savior their church home.  Patty is married to Craig and has one daughter, Elise.  Although her background prior to becoming a mother was in medical administration, Patty began teaching Sunday school and volunteering in children’s ministry at Abiding Savior in 2001, and found a bright new path. In addition to spending time with kids, she enjoys reading, writing, writing music, running, crafts and gardening.

Mary Larew, Vocal Choirs Director

Mary Larew – Vocal Choirs Director – Click here to contact Mary

Originally from Iowa City, Iowa, Mary and her family moved to Minnesota in June 2020 when her husband Sam began residency in Emergency Medicine at Regions Hospital. They are delighted to be here – closer to Mary’s family in Iowa, and in such a welcoming area with a vibrant arts community. Mary and Sam have two sons, Pascal and Luca.

Between Iowa and Minnesota, Mary took a detour through Ohio to complete a B.M in Music Composition from Oberlin Conservatory, then on to York, UK where she completed a MA in Ensemble Singing and a PhD in Directing Medieval Music Dramas. Next, Mary and her British husband Sam moved to Connecticut where they lived in 3 different parts of the tiny state for a total of 10 years and Mary worked as a violinist, singer, teacher, music director, and arts administrator while Sam completed graduate studies in Political Science, Sociology, and finally medicine.

Since moving to Saint Paul, Mary has joined an Eastern European folk rock band, SLOVCZECH, and in June Mary began her tenure as Executive Director of the Saint Paul Conservatory of Music.

Mary is thrilled to be part of the team at Abiding Savior in her role as Choir Director, and enjoys getting to know more about our members and our relationship with music!  Whether you are returning to choir, or considering joining for the first time, Mary looks forward to working with you!

Paul Weller, Bell Choir Director

Paul teaches general music to grades 1-5 at Jefferson Elementary School in Blaine, MN. He earned a B.A. from St. Olaf College, M.A. in Education from Saint Mary’s University and Orff-Schulwerk certification from University of St. Thomas. He has taught workshops both locally and nationally, serves on the Minnesota Orff and Kodaly boards, is an Orff Schulwerk Level I teacher trainer and has a new book “Ring, Dance, Play” that has just been published by GIA.

Janelle Schauer, Organist

Janelle joined Abiding Savior Staff in 2000 as the organist and choir accompanist. She graduated from the U of M in 1993 with a degree in Music Therapy. She is a musical therapist at Benedictine Living Community in New Brighton. She has lived in the Mounds View/New Brighton area since 1991.  She has 3 children and 2 grandchildren.

Sally Richardson – x2007 – Accountant – Click here to contact Sally

Sally has been the accountant for Abiding Savior since 2000 maintaining the accounting records and paying most general bills. She was a practicing CPA with a Minneapolis public accounting firm for 35 years and currently does consulting work for non profit organizations. Her BA in accounting, economics and mathematics was received from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Sally lives in New Brighton and she has been a member of Abiding Savior since the mid 1970’s. Her passions include music with special emphasis on ringing handbells, attending the theater, reading mystery novels and traveling.