Meet Our Pastors

Our Pastors

Pastor Samuel Handschke  sam.handschke@faithluth.com

Samuel (Sam) and Catherine (Cathy) were married on August 13, 2011. Sam was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin and raised in Slinger, WI. Cathy was born in Oshkosh, WI and raised in Davenport, IA, Fairchance, PA, and finally Austin, MN. Cathy attended Concordia University Mequon, majoring in Biology.Sam attended Michigan Technological University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. They met in Milwaukee while swing dancing with a group of mutual friends. Before coming to seminary, their daughter Annalise (Anna) was born on May 14, 2014.  A few years later, Paul was born on January 5, 2016. Cathy and Sam enjoy being outdoors, especially hiking,camping, and playing in the snow. They also brew their own beer. Cathy plays music (piano and trumpet) and also enjoys photography. Sam likes carpentry projects and the smell of his freshly-cut grass.

Pastor Brad Urbach  jburbach@faithluth.com

Pastor Urbach is our part-time Visitation Pastor.  He also preaches once a month.  Pastor Urbach's entire ministry has been in the South Dakota District.  Following his graduation from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, he was called to Bethesda Lutheran in Marion, SD and Zion Lutheran in Hurley, SD.  In 1974 Pastor Urbach was called to Faith Lutheran in Pierre where he would serve for 41 years.  Following his retirement in 2014 he would serve as a vacancy Pastor and provide pulpit supply for parishes in Central South Dakota.  Pastor Urbach and his wife Susan, a registered nurse, have a blended family of six children and sixteen grandchildren.  Pastor Urbach's son Jonathan and his family live in the Twin Cities of Minnesota and his daughter Jennifer and her family live in the Denver area.