Baptized in the NC Synod at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lincolnton at just 2 weeks old, Pastor Richard Goeres is glad to continue calling both the Lutheran Church and North Carolina home. His path to ordained ministry included degrees in Mathematics (Roanoke College) and Statistics (N.C. State) before graduating from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 2014. Pastor Richard has served in large urban, small rural, and mid-sized suburban congregations, finding particular value in each. 

Pastor Richard is hopeful about the church’s future and particularly energized by what the Lutheran expression of church has to offer the world these days. His wife, Lindsey, has roots in Raleigh and serves as a family physician. Their sons, Bennett and Rowan, bring tremendous light (and some longer nights!) into their life.

Pastor Richard loves his work, but he also enjoys getting away for time with family, fishing, and cheering on all things University of South Carolina athletics.

Pastor Richard serves as lead pastor for evangelism, stewardship, and finance and as head of staff.

John D. Jahr is Director of Music and Organist at Good Shepherd.  He is a native of Hitterdal MN, a rural community near Moorhead MN. It was at his home church,  Salem Lutheran, where he first played organ in worship at a young age. He studied music at Concordia College,  Moorhead, and has his Master of Sacred Music from Luther Seminary in St. Paul. He has served churches in Fargo ND, the Twin Cities, Dallas TX, and just completed 10 years at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar MN.

John loves to lead singing. When he isn't at church, John spends time with his rescue dog, Rocky. He enjoys live theatre and music events, and all things Star Trek. John is thrilled to be on staff at Good Shepherd and enjoys making music together.  

Andrew grew up in Virginia, studied at Roanoke College and spent his summers on staff at Camp Kirchenwald in Colebrook, PA from 2005-2008. For seven years, Andrew served as the youth ministry coordinator at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Vienna, VA during which he received his certificate in Youth Ministry through Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Andrew joined the staff at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in 2016 and works closely with ministry staff and volunteers, equipping and supporting them while exploring ways for all generations within the congregation to be church together.

Andrew enjoys books, biking, thrift store shopping, genre films at the Alamo Drafthouse, and all things Nintendo. He and his wife live in Raleigh with their son, cat and dog, and vermicomposting earthworms.

Dana Kruse grew up between Plymouth, Minnesota and Sioux Narrows, Ontario, Canada. She graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa with a BA in History and Secondary Education. She was a high school history teacher for 15 years. Dana, her husband Mark, two cats, and dog moved to Raleigh in 2019. They joined Good Shepherd later that year and have loved being a part of such an open and welcoming community of faith. 

In her free time Dana loves to cook, watch movies, and explore the area with Mark and her exchange students from all over the world. She also loves to listen to audio books, discover local history, and watch a good hockey game.

While he awaits next steps in his call process, Aaron Spangler, former Good Shepherd Vicar, is serving as acting Director of Youth Ministry! His assignment as a pastoral candidate remains in the transfer process from Indiana-Kentucky to the North Carolina Synod, therefore, we anticipate him serving with our youth through the end the 2024 calendar year. 

Aaron looks forward to reconnecting with students, maintaining programs, and building the high school community.

Yvette was born and raised in New Bern, NC, where she met and married her husband Mike. Together, they moved to and lived in Charlotte for ten years before settling down in Raleigh in 2005. Yvette and Mike have two grown children, Kate and Michael. The family transferred their membership from St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Charlotte to Good Shepherd in 2005. 

Yvette has enjoyed working at the church preschool over the years prior to accepting the position of Preschool Director. She enjoys traveling, yoga and tennis.

Hailing from South Bend, Indiana (Go Irish!) Verna moved to Raleigh from Naperville, Illinois in 2000. She lived at the beach for several years, but then  moved back to Raleigh where it feels most like home. Verna is married to Ted, who works in specialized maintenance at Duke (Hospital). They have grown children living in nice places to visit, such as southern California, Denver, France, and the beautiful Virginia mountains. 

Spending time with family is Verna's favorite activity. Exploring our city's amazing restaurants, festivals, concerts, sporting events, and lake boating are great forms of relaxation. 

Eileen grew up in Northern Virginia, but ended up in the Boston area where she went to college and where she and her husband raised their two children. After one too many winters, they decided it was time to put away the snow blower and head south to Raleigh. Eileen has worked in a variety of administrative roles, including 10 years as the Administrative Assistant at a church in Massachusetts where she thoroughly enjoyed supporting a community of faith. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to work in a similar role at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

In her leisure time, Eileen enjoys road trips, sporting events, and puzzles.