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We are continuing our series on Getting to Know your church leaders a little bit better. Read along to learn more about Luke Feldner, who serves on our Elder Council.

Where were you born, and do you still consider that home, or somewhere else?

Born in Beaver Dam, WI, grew up in Milwaukee, WI. East Mountains of New Mexico have been home since 2001.

What did you want to be when you grew up – and is that still a dream?

I wanted to be an Engineer when I grew up --- but I’m pretty much over that now!

What or who was your earliest spiritual influence?

My Dad (Pete) grew up in a loving Christian home himself but was born again in his late twenties when I was young. His early and consistent example has outweighed any other earthly influence in my life and walk.

How and when did Christ call you to Himself?

In retrospect, it seems like He was calling me all throughout middle school, high school, and college. However, I didn’t answer that call before a period of deep skepticism, introspection, and ultimately prayer and Bible study as a graduate student – the same year I married Melissa and moved to New Mexico from Wisconsin.

What is a scripture you often read or share with others?

1 Cor. 10:13 and Ephesians 2:8-10.

What is a special answered prayer you’ve received from the Lord?

My wife, Melissa, coming to faith and the adoption of our amazing children, Zoe Ellen (11) and Josiah Peter (7).

What is a blessing and what is a challenge in serving as an elder?

I have spent more time in focused prayer over our body and its members since being called to serve as an Elder. While I recognize I should pray more than I do, every second spent in personal and corporate prayer for MCC has been a tremendous blessing to me personally, and I’m so appreciative of all the prayer warriors in our body. We are so incredibly blessed to be called His children!

I’ve made plenty of mistakes during my time in leadership, but the most challenging times have resulted from an increased awareness of the many pressures of the world that work to discourage the people of God and divide His church. Unity is worth fighting – and sacrificing – for.  We are family.

What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

Skiing: originally as an after-school program in 5^th grade in WI. Now it’s my favorite way to spend time with family and friends and to travel in the backcountry.

When there’s no snow: Mountain Biking --- how cool we can almost do that year-round in NM!

Reading Theology, Philosophy, and Apologetics: this stuff matters!

What is your favorite family tradition?

Thanksgiving meatballs after skiing powder at Wolf Creek.

How do you enjoy spending a day off?

Hiking or mountain biking the local trails with my family, having friends over for dinner and sitting around a fire at night.

What is the perfect meal?

Smoked brisket; greens; corn bread; mac-and-cheese with green chili and bacon; pumpkin, apple, and/or peach pie.

Who or what never fails to make you laugh? 

Dan Cravens and the Babe Magnet (if you don’t know, you need to).

We asked Melissa: 

We are continuing our series on Getting to Know your church leaders a little bit better. Read along to learn more about Chandler Huston, who serves on our Elder Council.

Where were you born, and do you still consider that home, or somewhere else?

I was born in Albuquerque but at the time lived on Mount Taylor until I was 4 years old. Then we moved to Edgewood and I have always thought of it as home.

What did you want to be when you grew up – and is that still a dream?

I wanted to join the military and have a commercial construction company named JBC. I never figured out what JBC was an acronym for, at that time I didn't even know what an acronym was.

What or who was your earliest spiritual influence?

My parents were, mom was a prayer warrior and my dad was a creationist enthusiast. Both enjoyed reading and studying God's word.

How and when did Christ call you to Himself?

I grew up in a Christian family. When I was seven I accepted Jesus into my heart with my mom, however, I didn't remember it. So, when I was 12 I felt like if the biggest and best decision in my life was putting my faith in Jesus then I should remember exactly when and where I was. At age 12 I surrendered my life to Jesus and never forgot it.

What is a scripture you often read or share with others?

Proverbs 3:5-6. When my dad was dying from cancer I knew I needed a verse to cling to.

What is a special answered prayer you’ve received from the Lord?

My son Grayson was born 9 weeks early and the doctors said he may have a host of life-long issues. God saw to it, that was not the case! He is healthy, strong and lives a normal life.

What is a blessing and what is a challenge in serving as an elder?

Being entrusted to lead God's flock and lift up my brothers and sisters in prayer with the other elders weekly is a great blessing. The greatest challenge is guiding the body when the word is not explicit.

What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

I enjoy target shooting, which my dad introduced me to, and hunting, which I didn't get into until I was an adult and a friend let me go with him. My other love is camping, which Becca and I have enjoyed since we got married. 

What is your favorite family tradition?

Christmas eve we all go to Santa Fe for the night to celebrate with Mexican food and a reading of the Christmas story. 

How do you enjoy spending a day off?

Doing yard work around the house or going out to eat at a new place is always fun. 

What is the perfect meal?

Trying a new restaurant or going to one of our favorites with Becca and not being rushed. 

Who or what never fails to make you laugh? 

Becca and the kids always crack me up when they're joking around. 

We asked Becca:

We are continuing our series on Getting to Know your church leaders a little bit better. Read along to learn more about Vince Tidwell, who serves on our Elder Council.

Where were you born, and do you still consider that home, or somewhere else?

I was born in Arlington, Texas; however, New Mexico is home now.

What did you want to be when you grew up–and is that still a dream?

The first thing I wanted to be was a Dallas Cowboy, wow, has that changed! But I always think deep down I wanted to be a scientist, something I continue to pursue.

What or who was your earliest spiritual influence?

Definitely my father. I was blessed to grow up in a Christian household.

How and when did Christ call you to Himself?

I committed to Christ when I was in mid-school; however, I really made my faith my own when Penny and I married and moved to Tucson for grad school.

What is a scripture you often read or share with others?

Romans 8:31-39: I still remember the first time I read this verse in a Father-Son study.

What is a special answered prayer you’ve received from the Lord?

Most recently it was His persistent encouragement for me to move into partial retirement.

What is a blessing and what is a challenge in serving as an elder?

The blessing is definitely the time that I am able to spend with the elders. The biggest challenge is just the feeling that there is always so much more that I could be doing.

What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

Anything outdoors, mountain biking, snow skiing, hiking, fly fishing, paddle boarding. These just naturally evolved when I moved to the West.

What is your favorite family tradition?

Simply eating a meal at the table as a family. This is increasingly appreciated as our family continues to grow (e.g., daughters-in-law and grandchild).

How do you enjoy spending a day off?

It is just the opposite of most people, I have to be active. Doesn’t matter too much what it is, I just have to be doing something. This often drives Penny crazy.

What is the perfect meal?

It is not so much what we eat; rather, it is about cooking the meal with Penny.

Who or what never fails to make you laugh?

That is easy, it is spending time with our life-long friends Greg and Kate. Somehow laughter is just a big part of our time together.

We asked Penny: 

What is your favorite trait about Vince: 

My favorite trait of Vince is his character. I married him for his character, and he’s never let me down!

What does Vince do that can always make you smile? 

Vince will take a daily walk with me behind the house! That always makes me smile! 

We are beginning a series on Getting to Know your church leaders a little bit better. Read along to learn more about Pastor Frank Malizzo.

Where were you born, and do you still consider that home, or somewhere else?

I was born outside of Chicago, but Abq is home.

What did you want to be when you grew up – and is that still a dream?

At one point, early on, I wanted to be some kind of philosopher or amazing mathematician. Those kind of went together and those guys seemed really cool.

What or who was your earliest spiritual influence?

My earliest spiritual influence was going to mass. I also tried to read the Bible when I was in about 5th grade, but I didn't have any idea what I was doing, and that didn't last very long.

How and when did Christ call you to Himself?

I first heard the gospel at a mid-school summer camp hosted by another church. I knew that I was a sinner and I came to understand that Christ is the only Savior.

What is a scripture you often read or share with others?

Psalm 37 is a passage that I discovered for myself many years ago, and became one of the places that I've returned to most frequently. This word has often been the Lord's comfort to me in my distress, His peace to me in my confusion, His guidance for me in my searching, and His wisdom to me in my uncertainty.

What is a special answered prayer you’ve received from the Lord?

Most answered prayers in my life may seem small, rather than earth-shaking. Recently, the Lord gave specific medical guidance to a friend that was His clear work. He also gave a divine opportunity to see someone's eyes turned to the Lord.

What is a blessing and what is a challenge as serving as pastor?

One challenge of shepherding is that we (sheep) are almost always in-process, and we often don't see the resolution. One huge blessing is being close enough to people in our hurt to see the glory of overcoming faith and the grace of incomprehensible joy!

What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

I look forward to a good game of sand volleyball. In graduate school in NC, I fell into playing about 4-5 times a week one summer with a group of teaching assistants. I also enjoy strategy games - when I can find the time. Oh yeah, and I also enjoy getting beat at Uno or Old Maid or other simple card games by young girls in our home.

What is your favorite family tradition?

There are tons of family memories - by God's grace - but just being together to read, pray, and sing feels to me like something out of a dream.

How do you enjoy spending a day off?

I would say reading .. but then sometimes I can't sit still long enough to make it happen. But, let's say reading.

What is the perfect meal?

Carne Adovada. I'm pretty certain that this is the meal for which Esau traded his birthright.  (I think that it says this in the Hebrew.)

Who or what never fails to make you laugh? 

Molly. Typically it goes like this: I say something incorrectly or mix up my words. She finds this hilarious, and can't help but laugh at me. I fail at playing it cool and trying to play it off. Pretty soon we are both laughing at each other. It escalates. Eventually, sometimes we snort.

We asked Molly:

What is your favorite trait about Frank? 

I have a lot of favorite traits, so this is a hard question. However, the one that comes to mind immediately is that I love his humor and his wit. I also love his ability to think through issues from all sides.  

What does he do that can always make you smile? 

He makes me smile when he plays board games and sports with our kids both big and small, creating fellowship, relationship, and laughter. And, I love that he can still sing with flourish the early 1990's P.I.D. rap "Get You A Bible" listing the books in order! So fun!