• Head Pastor Matt Peeples circleemail

    Pastor Matt, as he likes to be called, is originally from Annapolis, Maryland. He received his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 2009. He began training in church planting immediately after seminary. This culminated in the launch of The Point church in August, 2010. Pastor Matt enjoys speaking on the topics of outreach, social media & ministry, and preaching about the unchanging gospel to an ever-changing culture in the Digital Age. Pastor Matt loves spending time with his family. One of Matt’s greatest joys is getting to have spiritual conversations with people outside the church while doing any of the activities he loves. He says it is the joy of bringing the church to people before they ever walk in the front door. His Bible life verse is Ephesians 2: 8-10. Pastor Matt and his wife Liza are excited to be a part of the Bethlehem church family, and church planting in the New Jersey district. “Bethlehem has a long history of outreach to the community. and I am humbled to be a part of Bethlehem's next season, as we move forward together to see people connecting to Christ.”

  • Rebecca Koehler, Communications Coordinator circleemail

    As the Communications Coordinator at Bethlehem, Rebecca enjoys her work with the members of the congregation and being a part of their mission: "Connecting The Disconnected to A Christ-Centered Life.” Her Favorite Bible Verse is: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth” 

  • Diane Mitchell, Minister of Music circleemail

    Diane Berkoben Mitchell came to Bethlehem Lutheran in 2001 as the Minister of Music. She began his musical career in local clubs, the Sheraton chain and the Grand Ole Opry, with many steps in between. Her early training was a classical pianist. After an accident caused her to lose the full mobility of two fingers, God opened the door to singing and songwriting in the contemporary music field, as well as in teaching music. Diane studied music at Fairleigh Dickinson University and worked for several publishing companies and ad agencies in New York and Nashville as a writer, jinglist, studio musician and back-up vocalist. Diane has performed her original Christian music at testimonial concerts throughout the United States. Diane lives in Westwood with her husband, Russell, and sons Billy Ray and Jackson Lee and Angel, the Wonder Dog. Diane has many Bible verses she loves but the one that brings a smile to her face is Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise Him."

    Diane has several hymns of praise that melt her heart; they are "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand", "Onward, Christian Soldiers" and "It is Well".

  • Irene Pirn, Kids Ministry Intern circleemail

    Irene was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but has lived in Cleveland, Ohio for most of her life. She is a recent graduate of Concordia College New York (Bronxville), with a bachelor’s degree in childhood education and a Lutheran Teacher Diploma. For two Summers, Irene worked at a Lutheran family camp, Camp Arcadia, located in Northern Michigan, where she enjoyed sharing Jesus with kids and families as well as soaking in beautiful Lake Michigan sunsets. Her favorite passage of scripture comes from Isaiah 43:1-4. She is grateful to have the opportunity to serve the individuals and families at Bethlehem and Bethlehem Early Learning Center. Irene loves spending time in God’s creation, running, hiking, and paddle boarding. She also loves spending time with family, including her parents, Peeter and Trina, two older brothers, Aadu and Jaan, and nephew, Paavo.

  • Mackenzie Amerine, Youth Ministry DCO/DCE circleemail

    Kenzie was born and raised near Moorhead, MN. She is a recent graduate of Concordia University, Saint Paul, with a bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry and a certification in commissioned ministry as a Director of Christian Education and Outreach. Kenzie’s walk in faith began at age sixteen when a friend invited her to church, and she’s been passionate about sharing God’s love ever since. (To learn more about her story click here.) Her favorite verse in Scripture is Deuteronomy 31:8 which says, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave your nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Kenzie is excited and feeling blessed to work with Bethlehem to share God’s love in intentional relationships both within and outside of the church. In her free time, she also enjoys hiking, mountain biking, good coffee, weightlifting, live music, exploring new cities, and chatting about life.