Pastor John Zahrte came to Our Savior in July of 1988 as the Associate Pastor and in 1994 accepted the call to serve as Senior Pastor. Pastor Zahrte graduated from Concordia College, Ann Arbor, MI, in 1984. He completed his pastoral training at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, in 1988. He and his wife, Karla, have three children: Timothy, Stephen, and Hannah. Pastor Zahrte enjoys spending time with his family, playing all sports and going fishing whenever he can get a free moment. Above all, Pastor Zahrte enjoys serving the Lord and is passionate about bringing people into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

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Favorite Bible Verse: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13

My Greatest Joy in working in a Christian School:  Knowing that God is using the work I do with my students to develop and grow His relationship with them.

I Love Our Savior Lutheran School because…the Word of God is active and alive in the faculty, staff, and students.  Together we are the body of Christ in this place as we learn, worship, and stretch ourselves to grow into the individual God has designed for us to become.

Significant Life Experiences that have led you to Our Savior Lutheran School: I grew up going to school in the public schools.  I know from my experience that God cannot be an active part in the learning of public school children as He desires.  I also had many individuals in my life encouraging me to use my talents as a professional church worker. Actually serving God’s people has been the best teacher.  I have served three congregations in my twenty-two year career and each one has stretched me and allowed God to work through me for the growth of my students and the music programs. 

At Our Savior Mr. Limmel is responsible for the K-8 grade music program.  He also serves as the Church Music Director and the Praise Team Director. For fun Mr. Limmel enjoys offering his talents for the Lenten Drama productions, singing solos, and singing in small ensembles.  Mr. Limmel is also active in the Adult Bible Forums and belongs to a small group Bible study.

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Favorite Bible Verse: Train up a child in the way he/she should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6

My greatest joy in working in a Christian School: Watching children grow in their love for Jesus through everything they learn each day!

I love Our Savior Lutheran School because...We have a Pastor who is always supportive of our school, a staff that works together to make sure that Jesus is the center of what we teach, and wonderful children and families that support what Our Savors’ staff works so hard to accomplish.

What brought me to work at Our Savior Lutheran School - God!!!  I get to share God’s love with the children and their families. I have been teaching kindergarten here since the fall of 1991. I really enjoy teaching children and cannot think of anything I would rather do each day.

At Our Savior Mrs. Limmel assists with: Church Worship as a Praise Team Singer, Choir Member, Girl’s Basketball Coach, Adult Bible Study participant, Small Group Bible Study participant, Garage Sale helper, participates in Youth Activities and Fund-Raising as well as various other volunteer opportunities.
 

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Favorite Bible Verse: Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it  is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast.”

My greatest joy in working in a Christian School:  Seeing the joy that children have in knowing their Lord and Savior.

I love Our Savior Lutheran School because…. I have seen it expand from a Pre Kindergarten-2nd school in a church basement to its current state as a Pre Kindergarten -8th with many varied programs, praising God that He has kept its focus on Christ.

Significant Life Experiences that have led you to Our Savior Lutheran School….  My background is in public education and I graduated with a secondary teaching degree in Social Studies and History. I also concentrated on English and Library Science.  I was unfamiliar with Lutheran Education, growing up in remote northern Minnesota where Lutheran Schools are extremely rare.  While a stay-at-home mom, my family moved to a congregation that had a Lutheran School.  It was the best of both worlds to me, integrating two of the most important things in my life, my faith and my vocation.  I was thrilled to enroll my children and became so involved as a parent that the principal asked me if I would like a job.   I then enrolled in Concordia College, St. Paul and took classes that led to state certification in Elem. Ed. and LCMS Certification as a commissioned teacher.

At Our Savior Mrs. Bergan is the staff liaison with the library and art masterpiece programs and teaches art to the 4th and 8th Grades.

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Favorite Bible Verse: “’For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’.”
Jeremiah 29:11

My Greatest Joy in working in a Christian School:  I feel blessed to have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with children on an everyday basis and help them grow spiritually, academically, and mentally into the people God has planned for them to be.

I love Our Savior Lutheran School because…The first day I walked into the building to bring my own children to school here,  I knew I wanted to someday be a full-time part of this place. OSLS presents the spirit of Christ through staff, students and a commitment to excellence in everything they do.

Significant life experiences that have led you to Our Savior Lutheran School:  After graduating from St. John’s College, Winfield, KS, I taught for three years. Then I was privileged to stay home to raise my children. God’s call to us (my husband’s job) to move to MN opened the door for me to reenter teaching full-time. I have loved it ever since!

At Our Savior Mrs. Rosamond assists with: Student Council, the Christmas Program, and wherever help is needed!

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Favorite Bible Verse:  The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.  Psalm 23:1

My Greatest Joy in Working in a Christian School:  I love to be able to share the Word of God with my students and their families.

I Love Our Savior Lutheran School because...the faculty, staff, parents, and children all convey a wonderful example of Christian love.

Significant Life Experiences that Have Led You to Our Savior Lutheran School: I grew up in a family with a pastor for a father, a Lutheran School teacher for a mother, and six siblings—-five who were Lutheran school teachers and one who was a nurse in a Lutheran hospital.

At Our Savior Mrs. Stark assists with: Yearbook, Choir Accompanist, and Sports.

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Favorite Bible Verse:  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me”.  John 14:6

My Greatest Joy in working in a Christian School:  Seeing children grow in their knowledge and faith of their Savior, Jesus Christ.

I love Our Savior Lutheran School because... of the tremendous support I receive from the parents of my students.  Also, I love the incredible facilities and faithful support we receive from Our Savior’s congregation.

Significant Life Experiences that have led you to Our Savior Lutheran School:  Growing up in a Christian home in which I was the youngest of five boys helped mold me into what I am today.  I also have a great passion and desire to share my knowledge and passion of History with young people.

At Our Savior Mr. Z. assists with:  Basketball, Flag Football, Softball and Track.

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Favorite Bible Verse:  “Be joyful always; pray continually give thanks in all circumstances. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1st Thessalonians 5:16

My Greatest Joy in working in a Christian School:  I love seeing the growth of our student’s personal relationship with Jesus.  I count it a blessing to wake up and look forward to my day.

I Love Our Savior Lutheran School  because…Our faculty, staff, and parents are a team that work hard to help the students learn not only about the three R’s (Reading, Writing, & Arithmetic) both also the fourth R… Religion.

Significant Life Experiences that have led you to Our Savior Lutheran School:   After graduating from Crown College in December 1994 I worried I would never find the right job for me.  After being a substitute teacher in the public school system for two years, God called me to work in the Extended Care program here at Our Savior’s.  After several years of enjoying my job, I was able begin my true passion, teaching Physical Education.  Now after 12 years at Our Savior Lutheran School, I have many different tasks. I enjoy all of them and truly feel God called me to the “right job” 12 years ago.

At Our Savior Joe Aurich teaches Physical Education for Kindergarten through 8th grades, is the Director of Extended Care, and is the Athletic Director.  Joe also started and continues to be the Director of Camp Genesis, which are day camps run weekly during the summer.  To relax he enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.  He will watch almost any sporting event on TV and enjoys being active.

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Mrs. Amy Paine comes to us with a number of years of experience teaching Spanish at Chaska Public Schools and Trinity in Waconia. Mrs. Paine grew up in Texas. She and her family are members of Trinity in Waconia. Mrs. Paine is also a student as she studies currently at Crown College in St. Bonifacius.

Favorite Bible Verse: Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

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