Raised in Detroit, MI, with stops in Tennessee and Colorado, I joined PMLC in 1996.  I’ve enjoyed teaching Pre-K Kids Connect; Men’s Bible Study; church council; two Pastoral Call Committees; and the Vision Committee.  Commissioned a Stephen Minister in 2017, Stephen Leader instruction followed later that year.  Outside PMLC, I lead meetings with grieving preschoolers through Journey of Hope. 

The guiding premise of Stephen Ministry is that “We provide the care.  God provides the cure.”   I pray all PMLC members will realize the available loving support this program provides.  Those struggling through divorce, job loss, grief, serious illness, or any trying circumstance need only ask for our help.  Care receivers can be assured their Stephen Minister is a strictly confidential, non-judgmental, empathetic listener with whom they can share all concerns.

The 23^rd Psalm promises that when we stumble through any valley of dire challenges, God always walks beside us, providing support with his rod and staff.   Trained Stephen Ministers sincerely desire to be an extension of Christ’s comforting rod and staff.

I am a lifelong Lutheran, growing up in Faith Lutheran Church - Grantsburg, WI.   After college, I moved to Bloomington, IL and joined St. John’s Lutheran Church in 1974.  I met and married my wife Fran there!  We worshipped and served in a variety of ways both within the congregation and larger community.  

I have always had a particular passion for caring ministries, especially in one-on-one settings.  Several years ago, I became deeply involved in St. John’s BeFriender Ministry program.  It’s very similar to Stephen Ministry.   For more than 20 years, I actively ministered in a men’s prison through the Walk to Emmaus program.

Shortly after Fran and I moved to North Texas, we joined PMLC in February 2020.  I immediately became interested in Stephen Ministry, leading to discussions with Pastor Jackie and Joe McGrane.  The Covid-19 pandemic delayed opportunities for training, but in May 2021, I completed the 4-month course – the first ever conducted entirely via Zoom!  I am excited to be a part of this wonderful congregation and look forward to opportunities to serve.

I’m originally from the St. Louis area and was raised in a different faith.  My husband, Bob, and I found a new home as Lutherans when we joined PMLC in 2008.  I was blessed to help with Mosaic and manage our former Fair Trade Coffee ministry.   I serve as an usher and am active in Grow Groups and Ladies In Faith Together (LIFT).  I’m a proud grandmother of five terrific grandkids!  

I have followed a winding road to become a Stephen Minister, with a divorce in my 20's, a painful job loss, and the death of my precious 16-year-old daughter.  People live complicated lives and behind so many smiles are God's children living in pain.  I was commissioned as a Stephen Minister in 2019 and completed Leader training in 2021.  When blessed to be walking with someone who requests a Stephen Minister, I use my experiences to care for them while God brings them His peace and healing just as He brought it to me.

In June 1984, my family moved to Plano to initiate the development of Preston Meadow Lutheran Church.  What had its beginnings in our living room eventually progressed to become today’s vibrant congregation, “Connecting people to share in Christ’s mission of grace for God’s world.”  During the first 7 years, I was involved in almost all aspects of our ministry – teaching Sunday School; organizing events to connect youth & adults; creating worship bulletins; setting up and breaking down worship areas as we first gathered in schools; collaborating with architects and our volunteer “decorators” to identify required spaces and their appearance.  It was a busy time, but extremely fulfilling. 

Our family moved to Oregon in 1991, but we stayed connected with many of our PMLC friends.  I returned to Preston Meadow in March 2010 following a move to Frisco.  Upon retirement in 2013, my involvement at PMLC has included facilitation of the women’s group, serving on the Pastoral Transition Committee, Preschool Board, and Altar Care coordination.  

I’ve been a Stephen Minister since 2014.  It’s lifted my life-long desire to care for others to a higher level of spiritual growth.  We provide a listening ear and assure Care Receivers that God is walking with them through whatever distressing situation they face.  He continually reveals his love and guidance to both those providing and receiving care.  Any blessings given my Care Receivers are exponentially returned to me as these unique relationships develop.  I am so grateful that PMLC is a congregation that supports and lifts the blessings of having a Stephen Ministry program.  

Born and raised in Wisconsin, I was very active in youth groups in my church and metro area.  

I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart, Jeanne, for over 50 years.  We have two daughters and 6 grandchildren.

My retail career took us to many cities, sharing our gifts in each new church.  We were among founders of a congregation in Fishers, Indiana.  At various times in multiple churches, I’ve taught Sunday School and Adult Bible Study, held council positions; enjoyed Men’s groups and Fellowship committees; sung in choirs; and ushered.

We joined PMLC in 1991, where I’ve served in many of the same capacities, including Lead Usher for the past 30 years.

My desire to use God-given talents to help others in need prompted my commitment to Stephen Ministry.  

I was born and raised in Western KS and lived with my family in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas.  I’ve attended PMLC since moving to Texas from Lawrence, KS in October 2009.  I joined in 2010.

After my husband died in 2003, I felt lost, with no purpose.  Through God, an assigned Stephen Minister helped ease my grief.  With additional caring support from family, my church and personal friends, God revealed a new purpose.  We belong to him and desire to do his will.  So, I wanted to reach out to others in their time of need as a Stephen Minister.  God has always been my strength through joy and sadness, continually blessing my life in so many ways.   I was first commissioned as a Stephen Minister in 2007 at Trinity Lutheran - Lawrence, KS, and re-commissioned at PMLC in April 2012.  I feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful care-giving program.

I became a member of PMLC in 2008, joining my wife Carol, already a long-time member.  I have been active in the OWLS, Men’s Bible Study & our Sunday usher team.  In 2011, I retired from 30 years in commercial construction, the final 20 years of which I supervised, planned, and taught employees to work in a safe manner.

I have always liked helping others and the idea of being a Stephen Minister appealed to me.  I was commissioned in 2017 and completed Stephen Leader training a few months later.  I continually look forward to helping people through life’s crises with God leading the way.

Moving often as a child, I finished high school and college in Oklahoma and medical school at Southwestern Medical School.  Though now retired from pediatric practice, I continue to serve as a bioethics mentor at Southwestern.

My husband Bill and I came to PMLC in 2021. I’ve joined various activities, including handbell choir.

Last year I was handed a purple folder with a request to consider joining Stephen Ministry. I pondered this carefully.  There are so many people hurting in some way and Stephen Ministers gain joy from helping them.

The training has been extensive.  Now, I’ll join our Stephen Ministers as a caregiver, while letting God remain the “cure giver.”  

Hi!  My name is Adella Nolden.  I’ve always felt the love of community since my first visit to PMLC.  I became a member in 2006 and was blessed to meet my husband, Chris, through Tables of 8. 

When my parents passed away, the compassionate support I received from a PMLC Stephen Minister was so uplifting and the Service of Remembrance was beneficial to my grieving process. 

I wish to be a caring Christian, who listens, prays, supports, and encourages anyone in our church family going through a difficult time.