Both Pastor Solyst and Carol, his wife, graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Solyst received his Master of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, and his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Luther Seminary in St. Paul.

Carol Solyst is a graphic artist. Mark and Carol have three children.

Pastor Solyst's 2007 Annual Report (Delivered Feb. 2006)

Pastor Melinda grew up just outside the northern city limits of Chicago, and much of her family still lives in that area. She is thrilled to be making her home in La Crosse amidst the bluffs of the Mississippi River, and she intends to be out hiking around in them every chance she gets.

Pastor Baardseth graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He received his Masters of Divinity from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN.

Pastor B's wife, Grace, is a retired beautician. She worked for twenty one years at the Bethany St. Joseph Health Care Center. The Baardseth's have five grown children and eleven grandchildren. Pastor B enjoys hobby farming, golf, and the southern sun for a few weeks each winter.

Mark has an undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. He completed a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and a Master of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menominee, Wisconsin. Mark has had parish experience in Eugene, Oregon, as well as in Beloit, Wisconsin. For the past 23 years Mark has been employed at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare as a chaplain and family therapist. He currently is full time at Franciscan Behavioral Health as a clinical therapist and is appointed to that position by his bishop. Mark is a Board Certified Chaplain, a clinical member of The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and is licensed by the State of Wisconsin as an Independent Clinical Social Worker and a Marriage and Family Therapist.

Paul and Lori have two children. Lori is an employee of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse College of Health and Science.

Prior to joining the staff at English Lutheran, Niki worked at Wettstein’s for 12 years in different areas of the company, but primarily in the Parts and Service Department dealing with warranties. She developed and implemented the Wettstein’s Extended Protection Plan program.

Niki received an Associate’s Degree in the field of Travel and Tourism from AIC in Davenport, Iowa.

Niki and Dave have 3 children, Andrea, Anthony, and Caroline; and a Pug puppy named Captain. Dave is employed as the General Manager for American Eagle Airlines at the La Crosse Airport. In her spare time, Niki enjoys sewing, photography, creating scrapbooks, reading, golfing, boating, traveling, and spending time with her family.

In addition to serving as Organist/Pianist for English Lutheran, Lori is also the owner/instructor of Key Note Studios in Onalaska, and District Manager for Junior Achievement of the Coulee Region. Lori's husband Jim is the General Manager for Panera Bread Bakery and Cafe in La Crosse. They have two children, David and Chelsea.