Senior Pastor

Troy Nelson

Troy became a disciple of Jesus in 1978 when he was growing up in Windom Minnesota. He attended Liberty University and then Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Lynchburg Virginia. Upon graduation he moved back to Minnesota and lived in the Twin Cities until accepting the call to be the Executive Pastor in January of 2020.  While working in the cities he met and married Barb. They have 3 grown children, Alyssa, Ryan and Joshua. They enjoy camping, playing games together and taking family vacations.  Troy’s hobbies include reading science fiction and running…running a lot. He competes in ultra-running which means running races longer than a marathon. His favorite distance is 100 miles because he says who wouldn’t like spending the day in the woods…and all night…and part of the next day.  Troy’s passion in ministry is to see people transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. He believes small groups and personal discipleship is the best way to see this happen.

Pastor of Youth and Discipleship

Mike Neumann

Mike was born in Calcutta India and adopted as an infant.  He grew up in northern Wisconsin in an area much like the Brainerd Lakes area.  His parents were teachers and he grew up going to church every time the doors were open.

It wasn’t until Mike was 14 that he made the decision to follow Jesus Himself.  This came on the heels of being at a youth conference where he saw thousands of other students admit to struggling with depression and suicide.  After coming home and processing all this, he made the decision to follow Jesus, knowing there was more than this temporal life and a hope that goes beyond.  Over his years, he has found a passion and drive regarding biblical counseling and apologetics.

He got his double major in youth ministry and Bible from the University of Northwestern-Saint Paul and his masters in pastoral care at Bethel Seminary.  He is married to Kathryn and they have three kids.  Mike has been in youth ministry since his internship in 2006.  He and his family moved to the Brainerd Lakes area in 2021 upon accepting the call to be The Log Church’s youth and young adult pastor.

Mike loves listening to music, watching movies, and playing video games.  Other hobbies include ultimate Frisbee, baseball, kayaking, and archery.  Waterparks are among his favorite places to be yet he enjoys the seclusion of the woods and water.

Children's Ministry Director

Karen Van Rooyen

Karen was born Jewish and grew up in the Reformed Synagogue. It was a little more lenient than the Orthodox community. She had Jewish and Gentile friends. Karen believes Jesus started to prepare her from a little girl, that He would one day be her Lord. She accepted Jesus in November 1978.

Karen has a teaching background, qualified in Remedial Education and specialized in autism spectrum disorders and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. She & Jan moved to the USA in 2001, and worked as a behavior analyst for a crisis organization serving the seven metro counties of Minneapolis. In 2015 she became a certified court-appointed guardian for individuals with developmental disorders and related conditions.

Since moving to Pequot Lakes in 2020, Karen applied for a teaching license and has enjoyed working as a substitute teacher, when time allows. She has now retired as a guardian.

Karen feels that God opened this position in an amazing way, and she is excited to serve the families and children at The Log Church.

Worship Director

Kathryn Neumann

Kathryn is a Worship Director at The Log Church, and is thrilled to be a part of the worship team. She has been told she prayed to “accept Jesus into her heart” at age 3, but really doesn’t remember a time when God wasn’t an integral part of her life. Music has been a lifelong passion, as well as the pursuit of true worship in spirit and truth. Kathryn plays several instruments but dreams of learning more.

Kathryn is married to Mike, the Pastor of Youth and Discipleship at The Log Church, and they have three young children. They have been doing youth ministry together since 2007! Much of her worship experience comes from leading for youth group over the years. Reading is an absolute favorite pastime, especially fantasy novels or British Literature. Kathryn also enjoys gardening, aggressive workouts, and coffee dates with Mike and with friends. Most of her time is spent hanging out with her children while one child in particular beats her at chess games.

Audio Visual Director

Logan Olson

Logan is a born and raised native of Crosslake.

Logan has been attending The Log Church since he was young and assisted with sound for youth group and the church. After spending time away for the National Guard, he returned to the area in 2019. When Logan returned to Crosslake, he began working for Tremolo Communications as a Network Service Technician. After a couple years of being back in the area, he felt a calling to reengage with The Log Church. He became the AV Director in December 2023.

Logan also serves as a Crosslake Firefighter and First Responder. His hobbies include hunting, fishing and spending time with his chocolate lab, Paisley.

Video Technician

Charlie Kluck

Charlie grew up in Isanti, MN and after having worked in the technology field for awhile he applied for a position in the Brainerd lakes area on a whim and as luck would have it, he got the job!  For about one year, he commuted to work before deciding to sell their home in Cambridge and move ‘up north’.  In 2017, wife Stephanie and Charlie relocated to Crosslake with their son Graham, embracing the chance to build a life in this community. As newcomers, they explored local churches but always felt drawn to The Log Church.

In 2020, his family expanded with the arrival of their daughter, Isla. In a cool twist of fate, she became friends with another little girl named Aila at our church, a heartwarming reminder of how small the world can be.

In 2024, Charlie made the decision to dedicate his life to Christ and was honored to be baptized, sharing the special experience with his son Graham who also made the decision to be baptized.  Before the following week’s sermon, Pastor Troy announced that the church was looking for someone to perform the video streaming on Sundays. Stephanie nudged him, and Charlie felt a tug on his heart to step up and apply for the opportunity.

When he is not working or serving in church, Charlie spends as much time as he can with family.  Charlie is an avid fisherman, taking full advantage of the natural beauty that surrounds us in Crosslake.

Communications Director

Mary Amiot

Mary is our Communicatitons Director.  She has two adult sons, Tony and Brian and grandson Michael.  In 2009, she and her husband left their careers in the cities and retired to their lake home in Crosslake to enjoy the peacefulness of the lake and the lifestyle that “Up North” living brings.  In 2015, retirement was cut short after Dewey’s death.  After revisiting priorities in life, she honed her graphic design skills through CLC and re-entered the workforce and brought purpose back into her life.  In 2019,  Mary began working at The Log Church using her graphics background to design Friday newsletters, posters, booklets and website management.  “It amazes me how God works miracles in such subtle ways  … I’m thrilled to be part of this caring community and the new family I’ve acquired.”

Office Manager

Sarah Dawdy

Sarah became a member of The Log Church in February of 2017. Prior to moving to Minnesota, she owned and operated her own business for 20 years. Her husband of 56 years, worked 37 for Caterpillar in Peoria, IL. She and Ron moved into their family home on Lake Ossawinnamakee. But after 15 years of retirement, Sarah realized she was needing a purpose. We’ve been blessed by her joining our team. She realized when she worked as an office manager for a chiropractic office that “the healing process began when the patients walked through the door.”  When answering phones and greeting people in the ministry center, Sarah’s passion is to serve. When you meet Sarah, you’ll see she has a glass-half-full attitude on life. Sarah wears many hats here at The Log Church with Prayer Request oversight, CARE staff leader, wedding & funeral coordinator, facilitator for the Celebration of Life Ministry, and office support for the different ministries.   Sarah had lived all of her life in the small town of Morton, Illinois, graduating from High Fashion Beauty College and working exclusively in funeral homes. She and Ron have 3 children;  Kirk, Anne, and Matthew who have gifted them with ten amazing grandkids.

Administrative Assistant

Jaqlyn Darling

Jaqlyn came to Christ when she was 34 years old in Alaska.  She dedicated her life to Him (during an earthquake) and sent on to attend Alaska Bible Institute in Homer, AK for two years.  After 10 years in Alaska, Jaqlyn moved back to her native state of Minnesota.  While attending Open Door Church, she met Randy and they married two years later.

Always in the back of Jaqlyn’s mind was to move back to where she was born – Brainerd.  It took her 5 years to talk Randy into it!  They’ve been in Crosslake for three years and absolutely love it!

Although Jaqlyn is a retired kitchen & bath designer, she enjoys administrative work also.  She loves playing golf, socializing with friends, cooking healthy, reading, and coloring on her computer.

Custodian/Maintenance

John Lindahl

John was born in Kansas to a military family and lived in Germany for four years during his dad’s deployment. In 1980, his family moved to Richfield, MN where he graduated high school.  He attended Bible College in Calgary and received a degree in Biblical Discipleship and Christian Leadership.  After relocating to Minneapolis, he enrolled in Dunwoody Institute, where he received a two-year degree in electrical construction and completed his apprenticeship with South Side Electric.  In 2005, John moved to the family cabin located in Breezy Point where he attends Eagle’s Nest Baptist Church.  After working in maintenance at Grandview Lodge, Deacon’s Lodge, Breezy Point, Moonlite Gas Station, he found his ideal job at The Log Church.  When John is not driving his 1964 Cadillac Fleetwood, he enjoys playing ball with his dog Sadie, mountain biking, swimming, boating, and fishing.

Finance Director

Marsha Morford

Marsha became the Finance Director at The Log Church in 2025. She grew up in Spring Valley, Wisconsin, in a family of ten children, and has lived most of her adult life in Minnesota. She enjoys the smalltown tourist vibe of the Crosslake area. 

She and her husband Avery have deep roots at The Log Church, having been members for over 30 years! Marsha came to Christ during her early years at The Log Church, being greatly influenced by the rich Sunday School teachings and attending BSF in Brainerd. She was later baptized in the waters of Lower Hay Lake during a Log Church baptism. Marsha and Avery’s children, Katie and Alex, were born into and raised in The Log Church family. Both are now married, and Marsha is the proud “Grammy” to Arden Marie. 

During Marsha’s long time at The Log Church, she has volunteered in many aspects of church life including the nursery, Awana & Kids Club, youth group, praise team, missions, pastoral search committee, Bible study co-leader, Celebration of Life committee and more. 

She has a bachelors degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and has worked various positions in the accounting field including being an auditor, accounting instructor, income tax preparer and general accounting positions. Marsha was also a stay-at-home mom and home educated her children. 

Marsha enjoys walking, biking, traveling, time with family and friends, autumn leaf drives, and drinking coffee! 

Kids Club Director

Becca Seeker

Becca was born and raised in Bemidji.  Both of her parents were teachers, they had a Cocker Spaniel named Teage and she had one older brother.  They grew up in a subdivision in the country, so she and older brother were rather feral running thru the woods, building forts with the neighbor kids and swimming in the Mississippi River.  Being OUTSIDE is her Bliss and place of peace.

After graduating, Becca went to Northwestern College (now known as University of Northwestern) in Roseville, MN.  After four FULL years of school and fun, she graduated with a Minor in Bible, Elementary Education Degree as well as a Kindergarten Endorsement.  From there the job hunt began.  Becca taught Kindergarten for three years, the last of which was at the Crosslake Community School the first year it was open!

While teaching at the Charter School, Becca was introduced to her husband, Mick. Being a mom was always something that was she wanted most in life.  They have three boys, Isaac, Noah and Micah.  Also. included in the family are their five dogs: Keene, Kaia, Trygge, Talon and Winston. 

We came to The Log Church 12 years ago and became members 5 years ago.  While the boys were little, Mick and Becca helped with the Awana Program.  After taking some time, Becca felt ready to serve again.  She started helping in the Nursery on Wednesday Nights last fall.  This past spring she helped Karen with Kids Club .

Kids have always been her THING.  Being able to help out with Kids Club offers her an opportunity to oversee and help them develop spiritually.  Becca is looking forward to seeing the kiddos come to church on Wednesday Nights so they can be loved on, taught fun and engaging biblical concepts, smile and laugh with their friends and learn exactly how much God cherishes them.