About Us
When we gather for worship, all our services are “come as you are.” Expect to see at our Saturday 5PM service mostly casual dress. We all are coming from running errands, doing chores, shopping, and all kinds of activities on Saturdays, so “come as you are.” On Sunday mornings (9AM), you’ll find that most people have dressed intentionally “for church,” usually in “business casual” clothes. You might see elders and ushers in ties and jackets, because they like to look presentable and official as they serve special roles. And you’ll see a few ladies in dresses. You might wear your nicer clothes out of respect for God and others, but never feel like you have to dress a certain way to come to church!
We are a church of all ages! This means children are welcome at all our services. We encourage kids to stay with their parents. With younger children, you might sit near the back if you may need to take a child out during the service. Otherwise, we encourage families with children to sit closer to the front so the kids can see what’s going on and participate. Sometimes we have children’s messages, but not every service. We also have a play area in our narthex (entry way / lobby) where kids can play quietly during the service and parents can still hear (via speakers) and see what’s going on in the service.
We have Bible study groups for adults, teens, and children. We’re also working on having childcare (for toddlers) during Sunday School time to perhaps enable parents to attend Bible Class and older siblings (preschool/gradeschool) to go to Sunday School.
Our Beliefs
Core Values
We believe in God’s Word (the Bible) as the inerrant Word of God spoken and written by inspiration through His prophets and apostles. What God has spoken and written is true and life-giving for all peoples, nations, tribes, and languages, and speaks truth and life in every time and place in history. We also believe that the confessions of faith assembled in the Book of Concord (1580) are true expositions of God’s Word.
God (the Holy Spirit) gathers us together as sheep under Christ’s care and brings us to His holy sanctuary—even our little church building. Here we step outside of time and space into the very throne-room of God the Father in heaven to join with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven, including believers who have gone on before us from every time and place, as well as all faithful believers in the one holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints.
There is only one Christian Church in the world, and one Gospel (Good News) of salvation, and they are created and found in the preaching and teaching of Christ crucified and risen from the dead, who (currently) lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit and is coming soon to make all things new and complete.
He gathers us together to hear His Word, to be fed and nourished by it, to be strengthened by His sacraments (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper), and to build one another up as brothers and sisters, children of our heavenly Father.
Our Team
Meet Our Staff
Get to know the dedicated individuals who lead and serve at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Each member of our team is committed to fostering a welcoming and God-first community built for growing and nurturing a Godly church.
Lead Pastor
Pastor Timothy Prince
Rev. Dr. Timothy A. Prince (“Pastor Prince”) was born in the Chicago area, later moved to Arlington, TX, for preschool through elementary school years, and then to Idaho Falls, ID, for middle- and high school years. He graduated from college at Concordia College (formerly Concordia Teachers' College, now Concordia University) in Seward, NE, where he met his wife, Michelle Dobbertien. After four years at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, during which he served vicarage year in Edgerton, WI, he began ministry as a pastor placed in Bovey, MN (serving also as interim pastor in Marble, MN).
He later also served as pastor in Gresham, NE, and Davenport, NE, (together with serving as interim pastor for Nebraska congregations in Thayer, Waco, Friedensau, Ruskin, Superior, Chester, and Hubbell, along the way). He especially enjoyed his time serving as adjunct instructor at Concordia University at Seward, NE, teaching four courses over 13 semesters. In 2013, he returned to academics to work on this Ph.D. in Exegetical Theology (a.k.a. biblical interpretation) at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. After he completed all his requirements for the Ph.D. program, his wife, Michelle, received a call to serve as Director of Parish Music at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School in West Allis, WI. Tim began serving as interim pastor at Good Shepherd in August 2017 and was called in October 2018 to serve as the full-time pastor, which he joyfully continues. Michelle now serves at Good Shepherd as our grades 3–5 teacher.
Tim and Michelle have three grown children—Nathanael, who lives in Beatrice, NE; Joel, who currently lives with them in East Troy; and Rebecca, who lives with her husband Nicolas and children, Elaina, Annalynn, Aiden, Noelle, and Melody in Crown Point, IN. Tim received his Ph.D. degree from Concordia Seminary St. Louis in May 2024. His dissertation is entitled "Typological Reading of the Apocalyptic Vision of Daniel 7 & 9.”
Administrative Assistant
Jolene Esch
Jolene is a long-time member of Good Shepherd and has served as secretary since 2024. If you call or stop in to the church & school main office, Jolene will usually be there to help or direct you for just about anything relating to Good Shepherd, both for information about the church and the school. From navigating enrollment to Sunday Service information, Jolene's experience with the church and school can provide clarity and support. Don't hesitate to give our office a call!
Worship Leaders
Meet Our Music Team!
Michelle Prince (Music Director), Dr. Daniel Knutson,
Jubilation (Pictured)
Michelle Prince, our Music Director, is our organist, choir director, and coordinator of all our musicians. She arranges for soloists and instrumentalists. She also teaches the general music class for all school grades and is the music director for our spring musical, Christmas service, and other special services and programs.
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Dr. Daniel Knutson, our chief pianist, leads worship services and often accompanies both the church choir and various school singing opportunities.
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Jubilation, a musical ensemble with piano, guitar, and singers, leads our worship about once per month with beloved old favorites and contemporary worship songs.