Leadership at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Rev. Travis Wilson
Pastor
Pastor Travis (or PT) began his call as pastor of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church on October 1, 2014. He and his wife Kristen and daughter Lorelai love living in South Haven.
Pastor Travis received his Masters of Divinity degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University in 2012. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology degree from Roanoke College in 2005.
Prior to his call to Peace Lutheran Church, Pastor Travis served as pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Jackson, MI. Pastor Travis has worked as a staff member of Healthy Congregations, Inc., a volunteer and paid youth director, and he spent a brief time in the corporate world working for the corporate headquarters of Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. He served his seminary internship at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Muskegon, MI.
Pastor Travis was born in Roanoke, VA or the “Star City Capital of the South.” He met his wife Kristen at Roanoke College and were married shortly after graduation.
Outside of church activities, Pastor Travis loves movies, writing, and playing music on the bass guitar, guitar, or sometimes the piano. He is a self-proclaimed technology geek and loves to find really good coffee or tea. Pastor Travis is legally blind (meaning he has no vision in his right eye and limited, nearsighted vision in his left) and has a passion for bringing the gospel and working for justice for folks with disabilities and for those who are labeled “other.” While he is not physically able to drive, he looks forward to meeting you, sharing a cup of coffee, or just stories about life together.
Favorite Bible Verse: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
Christi Assink
Coordinator of Congregational Engagement
Christi has served in this role at Peace since 2020. She is responsible for office administration, communications, and connecting people with people!
Christi is married with one son.
Jerry Jelsema
Director of Music
As a career Church Musician, Jerry developed extensive music programs in several Chicago area churches, featuring multiple choirs, handbell ensembles, and instrumental groups. In his last position at First United Methodist Church in Evanston, he worked with a professional choir and engaged a large cadre of student musicians from neighboring Northwestern University.
Mr. Jelsema received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central College in Pella, Iowa with a major in music and then attended the University of Michigan where he was awarded a Masters of Music degree. His career has also included singing in professional choirs, performing organ recitals and serving in leadership positions in professional organizations such as the American Guild of Organists, Choristers Guild, and the Association of English Handbell Ringers.
Deb Berkey
Lay Ministry Coordinator
Deb has been a long-time member of Peace Lutheran Church. She has served in various leadership capacities, but joins the church as our Lay Ministry Coordinator.
She is in charge of helping with the worship assistant schedule and training, assisting the pastor with various tasks, and attending to parish administration.
Just Press Play
This is a welcome video from Pastor Travis Wilson made just for you
