Pastor Marsha Anderson is happy to return to her hometown as Associate Pastor at Good Shepherd. In the intervening years, she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Spanish at Wake Forest University (Go Deacs!), earned her Master of Divinity at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, served her first call in a large congregation in Minnesota, and was the solo pastor at a small and feisty city church in Reading, PA. She also spent time in California, serving for a year as a hospital chaplain on mental health units and forming an intentional living community with her husband Brian and two other couples.

While God’s call and her healthy sense of adventure have led her to surprising and varied ministry opportunities, the threads that connect them are a passion for radical inclusivity, creative prayer, social justice, and accompaniment through joy and sorrow.

Pastor Marsha is a people-loving introvert. She enjoys good music, especially if it is live. She loves a long walk in the woods. She would rather sit around good food and drink talking about life, love, and God than almost anything else. She lives in Durham with her husband and three children: Drew, Caroline and Brigid.

Vicar Robin is a recent graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) and is excited to be back in the Tarheel state after leaving it in 2003 to join the Army. She is originally from Baltimore, Maryland, but has deep roots in Clinton, North Carolina, and has family all over the state. She is married to Colt Pingilley with three boys: Mike, Jonathan, and David.

The Vicar describes herself as very relational, a lover of people, approachable, inquisitive, cheeky, and an extra-extrovert. She loves to cook, travel, and spend time with her family when she doesn’t have her nose tucked away in a good book. She has a passion for the Lutheran church and Lutheran theology, and the ecumenical spirit of the ELCA.

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 join the staff of Good Shepherd and is looking forward to many years of 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 biking, thrifting, all things Nintendo, and tending to his many houseplants. He and his wife Naomi live with their tailless cat, Bobbie and son, Levi.

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.

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 in Myrtle Beach from 2009-2015, but then  moved back to Raleigh where it feels most like home. In 2016 she married Ted, who is a Senior Plumber at Duke (Hospital). Ted has two grown sons, and Verna has three grown sons - Steve, Josh and Caleb.

Spending time with family is Verna's favorite activity. Exploring our city's amazing restaurants, festivals, concerts, attending local sporting events, and enjoying our great state are regular forms of relaxation. 

Originally from New England and born in Virginia, Eric moved to North Carolina in 2021 and settled in Raleigh for a change of pace. Eric has a history in Law and Real Estate and has enjoyed his first year in North Carolina very much.

Eric lives with his girlfriend Kristal and loves to cook. In his spare time, he enjoys food truck festivals, concerts, hiking, farmers markets and weekend road trips. On weekdays he likes to make time for running and weightlifting. He has a 13-year-old cat named Sam; that was rescued as a kitten. Eric is excited for his job at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Born and raised in North Carolina, Peyton has lived in Raleigh since 1993. She and her husband, Chris, have been blessed with two daughters, Grace and Olivia. Peyton joined the Good Shepherd staff in the fall of 2004 as an assistant while her youngest daughter was enrolled in Good Shepherd's preschool. She accepted the Finance Manager position in June of 2005. Peyton and her family are active members of Bay Leaf Baptist Church.