About Us
Joyfully Christian. Humbly Serving. Boldly Loving.
We love because God first loved us.
We, as disciples of Christ, are dedicated to serving God and bringing hope. All members of our congregation are encouraged to live our Mission fully in their daily lives by:
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Serving All. We seek to build relationships across all boundaries - such as age, race, ability, religion, social class, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, and political beliefs. The homeless and the hungry have a special place in our care and concern.
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Building Faith. We seek to study, learn, grow, and understand the Holy Scripture gifted to us by the Spirit. We are washed in the waters of baptism. We are fed forgiveness through the Eucharist. We are a believing people who embrace a life of prayer.
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Supporting Youth in our Church. We continue to welcome youth. We encourage and support them in maturing their faith, engaging in the life of the church and serving others.
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Sharing Our Home. We are blessed with a beautiful church home filled with a wealth of resources. We continue to share it with individuals and groups who serve, and also make it accessible and welcoming to all.
The traditions, history and stories of Immanuel Lutheran Church are an important part of our future as many recount stories of service past. We strive to protect and grow this history and bring it to life for the generations of tomorrow.
Our Team...
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Dana Hendershot received her undergraduate at Wittenberg University. Then after serving 5 years as a youth minister she felt a call to attend the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago for a Master of Divinity and graduated with an emphasis in science and religion in 2008. She joined the staff of Immanuel as pastor in 2011 and since moving to Michigan she has spent a great deal of time advocating for the homeless and helped to form Mount Pleasant, Michigan’s first rotating homeless shelter. She also serves on the board for the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science, and Technology and Central Michigan University’s Institutional Review Board. She has been published in workingpreacher.org, The Lutheran Partners magazine, and The Lutheran. In her spare time, she is often around water. She has two Brittney Spaniels (Ocean & Brook). At night she loves to be outside with her telescope looking at the awe and wonder of God’s universe. Mostly, she looks forward to sitting down with you over coffee or beer to talk about your hopes, dreams, and about God’s work in your life.
Andrea Redmond joined the staff at Immanuel, serving as the office manager. From the very beginning, I have been blessed to feel so very welcomed by the congregation of Immanuel. I have lived in Mt. Pleasant for more than twenty years. Upon graduating from High School in the metro-Detroit area, I moved here to study at Central Michigan University, where I attained a degree in Child Development and Sociology. During my time of study, I met my future husband, and decided to stay in the area. Since that time, we married and now have a family. Our 3 children now keep us both busy and proud with school, sports and all of the other extracurriculars! In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. Summer barbeques and football get-togethers are some of my favorites!
Heather Clark and her husband have just joined and this year....
Thomas Ferguson is currently studying at Central Michigan University, pursuing my passion for game design. For the past 10 years, I've been part of the Immanuel community, where I grew up surrounded by both faith and technology. That unique blend helped shape my skills and led me to take on tech responsibilities within the community. When I’m not working or studying, you’ll find me playing board games or exploring the beauty of National Parks—both of which inspire my creativity and love for immersive experiences.
Leonard Smith, our organist, began piano lessons at age 7 and developed an interest in the pipe organ during high school at Andrews University, where he later earned a music education degree. He has experience working with pipe organ builders and remains active in church music. Leonard and his wife Sally, a retired elementary school teacher, live in the country enjoying hobbies like reading, classical music, and hiking. Leonard is also an elder at the Houghton Lake Seventh-day Adventist church and has three adult sons, while Sally has a daughter in Florida.
Bill Gallaher has called Immanuel Lutheran Church home since 1987. A longtime member of the Chancel Choir, Council, and Midweek School, Bill’s faith journey at Immanuel began with his first-ever experience singing in a choir and learning to play the bass guitar. Today, he leads the church’s contemporary band while still singing proudly in the Chancel Choir.
Outside the sanctuary, Bill runs his own architecture business in Mount Pleasant. Together with his wife Kathy, they share a joyful life with their three wonderful children—and one happy cat. Bill’s hobbies include winemaking and beermaking, cheering for the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers, and savoring two of life’s great delights: cheese and beer.
Abbie Powell is a college student at Central Michigan University, majoring in Music Education. My love for both music and ministry has led me to serve as the Children's Ministry & Music Coordinator, a role that truly brings together my two greatest passions. Having been baptized and confirmed at Immanuel, I have been a part of this community my whole life, cherishing the connections and experiences it has provided me. Beyond my studies and work, I am an avid reader and a devoted theatre enthusiast. Whether it's diving into a captivating book or enjoying the magic of the stage, I find joy in the creative arts and storytelling. I look forward to continuing my music ministry career.
Karen Graef moved to Mount Pleasant in 1987 with her husband and joined Immanuel Lutheran Church at that time —a community that has since become like family. Over the years, she has embraced many roles, including Director of Music for 25 years in Midland, youth leader, children’s ministry leader, and piano teacher. Her love for music and her passion for working with children has always brought her deep joy and purpose. Now retired, she continues to stay involved by supporting various ministries at Immanuel, especially those focused on nurturing our youngest members. In her downtime, she enjoys gardening, playing the piano, and keeping up with two mischievous cats.
Cadence Schuette is a student at Central Michigan University, majoring in Elementary Education. With hopes of teaching 5th grade and building a life in Mount Pleasant, she’s already making an impact both in the classroom and the community. When she’s not decorating cakes at Meijer or studying, Cadence loves diving into a good book or listening to her favorite podcasts—*The Huberman Lab* and *Crime Junkie* are her go-tos. She joined Immanuel nearly a year ago, seeking a deeper connection with God and a Christ-centered community. Her heart for ministry quickly made an impression, and she soon stepped into her current role as Youth Minister. Cadence brings warmth, creativity, and a deep sense of purpose to everything she does at Immanuel.
Beth Mundwiler has been a dedicated member of Immanuel since 1998. As a special education Middle School teacher, She has a deep passion for reading, singing, and spending time with teens. Over the past 28 years, She has been actively serving in youth ministry as a volunteer, finding immense joy and fulfillment in guiding and supporting young individuals. In her free time, She enjoys engaging in activities that allow her to connect with others and make a positive impact in her community. Beth's commitment to education and youth ministry continues to be a driving force in her life.
Jan & Steve Podolsky came to Mount Pleasant from Iowa and have been devoted members of Immanuel for over 30 years. During that time, they raised two wonderful children who are now grown and out in the world. These days, you’ll often find them busy on their hobby farm, tending a flourishing garden and caring for a rotating cast of animals—including sheep, alpacas, goats, chickens, a miniature horse, rabbits, and ducks. Their love for farm life is matched only by their deep connection to the Immanuel community. They’re always eager to share that joy and welcome newcomers with open arms. If you're curious about Immanuel, Jan and Steve encourage you to come see what makes it so special.
Ted Tuma moved to Mt. Pleasant with his family in 1964 to open a family business. Over the years he spent many hours working along side and learning from his father. After leaving the family business Ted spent the next 31 years in the electric utility industry before retiring in 2019. Ted and his wife Neice joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in 2016 and since he has been active in various roles including Church Council, Business Ministry/Trustees and is currently serving as the Financial Secretary. Ted has two grown sons who still live in the Mt. Pleasant area along with their families. In his free time, he spends a lot of time on the golf course and as much time as possible with his two beautiful grandchildren.